Electronic Guide to the Paul Abels Collection 1942 - 1992

Published for Drew University Methodist Library by General Commission on Archives and History of the United Methodist Church P.O. Box 127, Madison, NJ 07940 3/6/2002

Electronic Guide to the Paul Abels Collection

Paul Abels Collection 1942 - 1992 7.0 cubic feet drew.ms.2757

The purpose of this finding aid is to help you understand the nature of this collection and to assist you in the retrieval of material from this collection. The following pages contain a brief biographical history of the person, or persons, who created or collected these papers, followed by a general description of the collection in the scope and content note. If more detailed information is warranted then series descriptions also appear. The container listing appears last and is the listing of material in each box, or container, of this collection. To request material you need to turn to the container listing section. It is essentially a listing of file folders, or artifact items, in the collection. Each folder, or item, has a call number associated with it. Each folder also lists the inclusive dates of the material in the folder. On the material request form list both the call number and the folder, or item, title. Use a different line for each folder, or item, requested. When your request sheet is complete, or full, bring it to the archivist and the material will be retrieved. Biographical Note Paul Milford Abels (1937-1992), American minister, was born in Yellow Springs, Ohio, son of James Albert Abels and Carrie M. Atkins. One of the first Methodist pastors to acknowledge publicly his homosexuality, Abels a pioneer in AIDS activism and a link between the church and several support groups and organizations.

Abels received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Drew University in 1959 and his Master of Divinity in 1963, also from Drew, the same year he was ordained elder in the Methodist Church. He also earned a master of sacred music degree from Union Theological Seminary in 1965.

From 1964 to 1969, he worked for the National Council of Churches. From 1969 to 1973, he founded Provo Muse, the first non-profit performing arts management company in the United States, served as Music Director for churches in New York and New Jersey, and directed Westbeth Artist's Housing, New York' s largest artists' community. In 1973, Abels was appointed pastor of Washington Square Church in Greenwich Village, New York City. His involvement in the anti-war movement, embrace of people from all racial backgrounds, and the support he showed for several social groups and organizations were some of the reasons Washington Square Church was called " The Peace Church."

Two years later, he founded Affirmation, the "national Methodist gay caucus," hoping to bridge the gap between the church and the gay and lesbian community. An avowed homosexual, he performed "covenant ceremonies" for same-sex marriages, knowing the church's stance towards gay and lesbian couples. Abels served Washington Square Church until he retired in 1984, the same year the United Methodist Church barred openly lesbian and gay men from pastoral appointments. For the next eight years, he moved to Rensselaerville, New York, with his long time partner, Thomas Hunt. Together they restored historic Catalpa House and turned it into a bed and breakfast.

Paul also committed himself to Equinox, a non- profit organization in Albany where the homeless, drug and alcohol abusers, battered women, and those suffering from AIDS found shelter. The 1989-1990 edition of Who's Who in the East saw his lifetime of dedication to people, the church, and humanitarian organizations, formally recognized. After years of health complications due to AIDS, Abels died on March 12, 1992. Memorial services were held at Washington Square United Methodist Church ten days after his death, and at Rensselaerville Presbyterian Church a month later.

Scope Note The Paul Abels Collection embodies a time period of constant change-- culturally and ecumenically--documenting his controversial life in and out of United Methodism. Paul Abels' career as a

Drew University Page 1 Madison, New Jersey Electronic Guide to the Paul Abels Collection writer began before he left for college. He was editor-in-chief for his high school newspaper, and had a column in the local newspaper, the Cedarville Herald, called "Just Thinking," several of which are found here. As his writing matured, he managed to contribute some his articles and essays, a few of which are scattered throughout the collection. However, Abel's writing reached a hiatus when he entered the ministry. The highlight of the collection for United Methodist history is his declaration of his homosexuality as a minister and subsequent fight for the rights of gays, both clergy and lay, within and beyond United Methodism. Abels was also a voice for AIDS research and its societal impact which is well documented throughout the collection. Music and the Arts which were an important aspect of his life as well claim another major part of his papers. There are records pertaining to his education and family's genealogy. Abels' records of his ministry, sermons preached and documentation of his trips abroad round out the collection. Arrangement Material has been arranged in the following manner. The Paul Abels Collection is arranged with Abel's original filing system intact. With the exception of the first few folders, the rest of the collection has an alphabetical file folder system. Access Restrictions There are no restrictions regarding this collection. Copyright still owned by Drew. Permissions to publish must be directed to Drew. Preferred Citation When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, Paul Abels Collection, Drew University Methodist Collection, Drew University, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor. Subject Terms Additional Creators - Personal Huseby, Ardon Legget, Gene Lind, Karen MacBride, Sean Morgan, Maureen Peckham, Bill Rooney, Andrew A. Salzman, Eric Spangler, David Subject Names - Personal Funiciello, Theresa. Subject Names - Corporate Fellowship of United Methodist Musicians, Worship and Other Arts Methodist Church (U.S.) United Methodist Church (U.S.) United Methodist Church (U.S.). General Conference Subject Topics AIDS (Disease) Bible-Homiletical use Child abuse

Drew University Page 2 Madison, New Jersey Electronic Guide to the Paul Abels Collection

Church and social problems Church controversies Church in art Church music Church music-Methodist Church work with children Church work with gays-Methodist Church Divorce Feminism Gays -- Nazi persecution Homosexuality Human rights Hunger-Religious aspects-Methodist Church Peace Theology Women. Subject Geographic El Salvador Japan. Korea Latin America New Jersey New York (N.Y.) New York (State) Genre Artifacts Audiocassettes Clippings Correspondence Journals Legal documents. Manuscripts Newsletters Pamphlets Photographs Publications Sermons Occupations Minister Musician.

Drew University Page 3 Madison, New Jersey Electronic Guide to the Paul Abels Collection

Container List Call Number Folder Title Date(s) 2131-5-2:1 Personal Files 1942-1947 2131-5-2:2 Personal Files 1948-1949 2131-5-2:3 Personal Files 1950-1951 2131-5-2:4 Personal Files 1952-1953 2131-5-2:5 Personal Files 1954-1955 2131-5-2:6 Personal Files 1956-1957 2131-5-2:7 Personal Files 1958-1959 2131-5-2:8 Family photos accompanying a letter from friend Beth, 1959 1959 2131-5-2:9 Personal Files 1960-1961 2131-5-2:10 Personal Files 1962-1963 2131-5-2:11 Personal Files 1965 2131-5-2:12 Personal Files 1966-1967 2131-5-2:13 Personal Files 1968-1969 2131-5-2:14 Appointment Book 1969-1971 1969-1971 2131-5-2:15 Personal Files 1970-1971 2131-5-2:16 Abels Genealogical Information 1963-1983 2131-5-3:1 Address Book 1974 2131-5-3:2 Advocate and New York Native (Gay Magazines) Articles 1984 2131-5-3:3 Affirmation 1984-1990 2131-5-3:4 Affirmation 1983 2131-5-3:5 Affirmation 1980-1985 2131-5-3:6 Affirmation--General Conference 1981-1990 2131-5-3:7 Affirmation--General Issues 1976-1980 2131-5-3:8 AIDS Articles 1990-1991 2131-5-3:9 AIDS For Political Election 1990-1991 2131-5-3:10 AIDS Panel--Paul Abels 1992 2131-5-3:11 AIDS Resources 1983-1991 2131-5-3:12 AIDS Resources 1990 2131-5-4:1 AIDS Clippings--Social Issues 1990-1991 2131-5-4:2 Albany Area Housing Opportunities 1981-1991 2131-5-4:3 T.S. Arthur--Term Paper 1956 2131-5-4:4 The Arts 1975-1991 2131-5-4:5 The Arts--Center for Cultural Development 1969-1973 2131-5-4:6 The Arts--General Articles 1969-1990 2131-5-4:7 Arts---Gregory Battcock Articles 1969-1990 2131-5-4:8 Arts and Church--General Articles 1956-1989 2131-5-4:9 Autobiography 1958 2131-5-4:10 Bennington AIDS Project 1984-1990 2131-5-4:11 Bible Study 1979 2131-5-4:12 Boat 1957-1971 2131-5-4:13 Boy's State 1954 2131-5-5:1 Bread and Puppet Theater 1977-1980 2131-5-5:2 Nancy Carter 1987 2131-5-5:3 Cedarville Herald and Cedar Scope (high school newspaper) 1954 2131-5-5:4 Child Abuse 1978-1980 2131-5-5:5 Children's Ministry 1977 2131-5-5:6 Christian Peace Conference 1973-1983 2131-5-5:7 Committee on Investigation--June 19 1980 2131-5-5:8 Common Bond 1985-1990 2131-5-5:9 Community Chest 1975-1981 2131-5-5:10 Counseling 1989 2131-5-5:11 Covenant Papers 1977-1983 2131-5-5:12 Covenant Papers 1977-1983 2131-5-6:1 Covenant Services 1983 2131-5-6:2 Covenant Services 1977 2131-5-6:3 Covenant Service--Thomas Borsay and Victor Cabrera--9/17/77 1977

Drew University Page 4 Madison, New Jersey Electronic Guide to the Paul Abels Collection

Call Number Folder Title Date(s) 2131-5-6:4 Covenant Service--Donald McKinney and Kenneth Palinskie 11/1/1980 1980 2131-5-6:5 Death and Dying 1978-1983 2131-5-6:6 Democratic Socialists of America 1986-1987 2131-5-6:7 Disarmament 1978-1982 2131-5-6:8 Divorce 1974-1979 2131-5-6:9 Ear Magazine 1979-1982 2131-5-6:10 Ecumenism 1979-1990 2131-5-6:11 El Salvador 1980-1982 2131-5-6:12 Environmental Concerns 1990 2131-5-6:13 Equinox 1984-1986 2131-5-6:14 Faith and AIDS (Paul's presentation at Albany Medical Center 4/ 91) 1991 2131-5-6:15 Family 1979-1989 2131-5-6:16 Judith Farris, Contralto 1988 2131-5-7:1 Fellowship of United Methodist Musicians, Worship and Other Arts 1985-1988 2131-5-7:2 Fellowship of United Methodist Musicians, Worship and Other Arts 1985-1989 2131-5-7:3 Feminism 1974-1988 2131-5-7:4 Findhorn (Spangler) 1974 2131-5-7:5 Fred 1978-1979 2131-5-7:6 Fund-raising Letters 1990 2131-5-7:7 Funeral Planning 1986-1988 2131-5-7:8 Theresa Funiciello 1974-1978 2131-5-7:9 Gambling 1982 2131-5-7:10 General Conference 1980 2131-5-7:11 General Conference 1984 2131-5-7:12 Genetics and Ethics 1979 2131-5-7:13 Golden Phoenix--Supporting Documents 1988-1991 2131-5-8:1 Good News Movement Materials 1975-1980 2131-5-8:2 Grade Reports and Test Results 1955-1963 2131-5-8:3 Greenwich Village 1977-1981 2131-5-8:4 Guggenheim Memorial Grant 1988-1991 2131-5-8:5 The Havens Relief Fund Society 1982-1985 2131-5-8:6 Homelessness 1984-1990 2131-5-8:7 Homophobia 1983-1990 2131-5-8:8 Homosexuality 1980-1988 2131-5-8:9 Homosexuality 1980-1985 2131-5-8:10 Homosexuality 1981-1992 2131-6-1:1 Homosexuality 1975-1990 2131-6-1:2 Homosexuality 1978-1990 2131-6-1:3 Homosexuality 1979-1991 2131-6-1:4 Homosexuality 1976-1982 2131-6-1:5 Homosexuality--Integrity 1980-1985 2131-6-1:6 Homosexuality--Politics and Society 1970-1992 2131-6-1:7 Human Rights 1976-1984 2131-6-2:1 Hunger 1978-1991 2131-6-2:2 Hymn Permissions 1979 2131-6-2:3 Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture 1983 2131-6-2:4 Iran 1976-1983 2131-6-2:5 Japan Trip 1976 2131-6-2:6 Jewish/Christian Relations 1978-1982 2131-6-2:7 Bill T. Jones Dance Company 1988-1990 2131-6-2:8 Judicial Council 1979 2131-6-2:9 Martin Luther King, Jr. 1982 2131-6-2:10 Korea 1981-1989 2131-6-3:1 Korea 1982-1989 2131-6-3:2 Latin America 1974-1983 2131-6-3:3 Legget, Gene (incl. photo) 1971-1988 2131-6-3:4 Letters from Paul Abels 1955-1956 2131-6-3:5 Letters to Paul Abels 1988-1991

Drew University Page 5 Madison, New Jersey Electronic Guide to the Paul Abels Collection

Call Number Folder Title Date(s) 2131-6-3:6 Lind, Karen (poetry) 1987-1988 2131-6-3:7 Living Together 1977-1990 2131-6-3:8 MCC/NCC (Consultation) 1980-1982 2131-6-3:9 MCC/NCC (Consultation) 1982-1983 2131-6-3:10 MacBride, Sean 1971-1980 2131-6-3:11 Bishop McConnell 1980 2131-6-3:12 Dorothy McConnell 1989-1990 2131-6-3:13 Marxism/Communism 1968-1978 2131-6-3:14 Mastrangelo vs. Abels 1971 2131-6-3:15 Men's Group--Capital District 1990 2131-6-4:1 Methodist Federation for Social Action--Special Study Project 1974-1990 2131-6-4:2 Middle East 1978-1983 2131-6-4:3 The Mirror 1976 2131-6-4:4 Miscellaneous 1966-1982 2131-6-4:5 Moral Majority 1981 2131-6-4:6 Moral Majority 1981 2131-6-4:7 Music--Paul Burkhard 1970-1972 2131-6-4:8 Music--Sydney Carter 1970 2131-6-4:9 Music--Copyright Information 1971 2131-6-4:10 Music--General (Modern) 1970-1980 2131-6-4:11 Music--Philip Glass 1970-1980 2131-6-4:12 Music--Maureen Morgan 1976-1982 2131-6-5:1 Music--Eric Salzman 1972-1973 2131-6-5:2 NAMBLA Response 1983 2131-6-5:3 Native American Concerns 1975-1983 2131-6-5:4 New Music and Arts Exchange Catalog 1970 2131-6-5:5 Newsweek Travel Seminar 1971 2131-6-5:6 St. Paul's Newsletters 1961 2131-6-5:7 Non-violence 1979-1984 2131-6-5:8 Northern Ireland 1974-1984 2131-6-5:9 November 7--A day of remembrance for lesbian and gay victims of the 1980-1982 Holocaust 2131-6-5:10 Obituaries/Tributes 1992 2131-6-5:11 Palestine 1977-1983 2131-6-5:12 Peace 1982-1983 2131-6-5:13 "Peace" Song Book 1967-1983 2131-6-5:14 Bill Peckham 1987-1990 2131-6-5:15 People for the American Way 1982 2131-6-5:16 Personal--Ardon Huseby 1967 2131-6-5:17 Personal Planner 1978-1979 2131-6-5:18 Personal Planners 1980-1982 2131-6-5:19 Photograph of Paul Abels 1962 2131-6-6:1 Prayers 1980-1983 2131-6-6:2 Racism 1977-1982 2131-6-6:3 Response 1978-1980 2131-6-6:4 RISK: Hymns for a New Day 1966 2131-6-6:5 Andrew Rooney 1985-1990 2131-6-6:6 Paul's Memorial Service 1992 2131-6-6:7 Sermon--1/7/79 1979 2131-6-6:8 Sermon--3/1/81 1981 2131-6-6:9 Sermon--9/5/82: "The Work-A-Day World" 1982 2131-6-6:10 Sermon--9/12/82: "The State of the Church" 1982 2131-6-6:11 Sermon--9/26/82: "A Carnal Theology, Part I" 1982 2131-6-6:12 Sermon--10/3/82: "A Carnal Theology, Part II (Church)" 1982 2131-6-6:13 Sermon--10/24/82: "A Carnal Theology, Part IV (Conclusion/Peace)" 1982 2131-6-6:14 Sermon--10/5/83 (At Drew Chapel) 1983 2131-6-6:15 Sermons--Various 1977-1989 2131-6-6:16 Sermons--Various 1977-1990

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Call Number Folder Title Date(s) 2131-6-6:17 Sermons--Various 1978-1991 2131-6-6:18 Sermon Notes Undated 2131-6-6:19 Socialism 1976-1985 2131-6-6:20 Theater--Script: "Sow What" 2131-6-7:1 Theology: General Articles 1977-1990 2131-6-7:2 Theology: "How My Mind Has Changed" Series 1980 2131-6-7:3 Theology in the Americas 1974-1986 2131-6-7:4 Tribute to Paul Abel's Ministry at Washington Square Methodist Church 1984 2131-6-7:5 Urban 1978-1980 2131-6-7:6 Visual Arts: Walter Gaudnek 1970-1985 2131-6-7:7 Visual Arts: Nam June Paik 1972-1973 2131-6-7:8 Visual Arts: Anita Steckel 1973-1974 2131-6-7:9 Wedding Material 1967-1984 2131-6-7:10 Wedding Material 1972-1982 2131-6-7:11 Wedding--Pearson/Bennett--6/20/87 1987 2131-6-7:12 Wedding--Setrakian/Genson 1980 2131-6-7:13 Wedding--Thompson/Aplegren 1980 2131-6-7:14 Wedding--Titus/McNaughton 1977 2131-6-7:15 Wedding Resources 1973-1979 2131-6-8:1 Westbeth General 1970-1975 2131-6-8:2 Westbeth General 1971-1989 2133-1-1:1 Various Audiocassettes Undated

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