Paul Henderson

In Memory of
PAUL HENDERSON
From Carl and Shirley Dudley

Paul was a graduate of McCormick Theological Seminary.  Because he was not free to use his gifts for ministry in the Presbyterian Church, Paul left and was ordained in the United Church of Christ, where he devoted himself to youth ministry through the Chicago Night Ministry.

Paul died of AIDS several years ago and we continue to miss him.

This stole was one of the original 80 stoles that were on display on Sept. 16, 1995 when I set aside my ordination before Heartland Presbytery (see stole #1 for details).

The Night Ministry connects with Chicago’s vulnerable youth and adults through street outreach, youth shelter and supportive services, and a mobile health outreach bus.  Begun in 1976, the Night Ministry has, since the beginning, placed a special emphasis on assisting homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, many of whom were thrown out of their homes by families who refused to accept their sexual orientation or gender identity.  The Night Ministry was founded by a graduate of McCormick Theogical Seminary, and Paul Henderson was one of a number of McCormick grads who worked with the Night Ministry over the years.

In 1995 Carl Dudley was Professor of Church and Community at McCormick Theological Seminary, where Shirley was Registrar.  Carl later held the same position at Hartford Seminary; he is now Emeritus Faculty.

Martha Juillerat
Founder, Shower of Stoles Project
2006