Paul Abels Paul Abels Social Activist, Social Activist, Musician, and Musician, and First Openly Gay First Openly Gay Pastor in the NYAC Pastor in the NYAC 1937-1992 1937-1992 Image courtesy of the General Image courtesy of the General Commission on Archives and History Commission on Archives and History ev. Paul Abels lived a life of integrity, courage, and faith ev. Paul Abels lived a life of integrity, courage, and faith with a “million dollar smile.” He worked for social justice, with a “million dollar smile.” He worked for social justice, Rpursued his love of the arts, music and historical preservation, Rpursued his love of the arts, music and historical preservation, and challenged the church to open its doors to the diverse con- and challenged the church to open its doors to the diverse con- cerns of the gay and lesbian community. cerns of the gay and lesbian community. During his pastorate at Washington Square UMC (known as During his pastorate at Washington Square UMC (known as the “Peace Church”), he nurtured community organizations the “Peace Church”), he nurtured community organizations and oversaw an extensive building restoration campaign. He and oversaw an extensive building restoration campaign. He also began performing “covenant ceremonies” for gay and les- also began performing “covenant ceremonies” for gay and les- bian members of his congregation. bian members of his congregation. Controversy ensued when he publicly acknowledged his ho- Controversy ensued when he publicly acknowledged his homo- mosexuality in 1977. He was urged to take a leave but declined, sexuality in 1977. He was urged to take a leave but declined, and both NYAC and the Judicial Council upheld his appoint- and both NYAC and the Judicial Council upheld his appoint- ment. In 1984 he retired, the same year that General Confer- ment. In 1984 he retired, the same year that General Confer- ence voted to bar actively gay men and women from ordination ence voted to bar actively gay men and women from ordination and serving as clergy. and serving as clergy. (over) (over) (Paul Abels, cont.) (Paul Abels, cont.) Upon his passing NYC Mayor David Dinkins sent this message: Upon his passing NYC Mayor David Dinkins sent this message: “It is often said that the rent we pay for space on earth is “It is often said that the rent we pay for space on earth is the service we provide to others. Paul certainly departed the service we provide to others. Paul certainly departed us paid in full. May our lives be as rich.” us paid in full. May our lives be as rich.” For Discussion For Discussion • In his role as pastor, Abels was well-respected for his social • In his role as pastor, Abels was well-respected for his social activism and work in the arts. How important is it for pastors activism and work in the arts. How important is it for pastors to be leaders both in the church and in the community? to be leaders both in the church and in the community? • Society’s attitudes toward the LGBTQ community have • Society’s attitudes toward the LGBTQ community have changed significantly in the last few years. Within the UMC, changed significantly in the last few years. Within the UMC, debate continues regarding its policies on same-sex marriage, debate continues regarding its policies on same-sex marriage, openly gay pastors, and other LGBTQ issues. How would you openly gay pastors, and other LGBTQ issues. How would you propose the UMC resolve these issues? propose the UMC resolve these issues? New York Annual Conference New York Annual Conference Commission on Archives and History Commission on Archives and History C. Wesley Christman Archives C. Wesley Christman Archives [email protected] - 914-615-2241 [email protected] - 914-615-2241 © 2016 NYAC Commission on Archives and History © 2016 NYAC Commission on Archives and History.