Dr. Pamela Lightsey The Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey joined Meadville Lombard Theological School in January 2018. Prior to her appointment, Dr. Lightsey served as Associate Dean of Community Life and Lifelong Learning, Clinical Assistant Professor of Contextual Theology and Practice at the Boston University School of Theology.
Dr. Lightsey brings a special mix of life experience and professional proficiency to the position. Following service in the US Army and work as a civil servant, she received her academic and theological training at Columbus State University (BS), Gammon Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center (M.Div.) and Garrett-Evangelical Theological School (PhD). After ordination, she served first as a United Methodist congregational pastor and then as a theological school educator, scholar, and administrator. She continues to serve as UMC clergy — most recently as Interim Site Pastor at Urban Village Church – Hyde Park. Throughout her vocational life, she has been a leading social justice activist, working with local, national and international organizations focusing primarily on the causes of peacemaking, racial justice and LGBTQ rights. She currently serves as a member of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s LGBTQ Advisory Council for the city of Chicago.
Dr. Lightsey’s publications include the book, Our Lives Matter: A Womanist Queer Theology (Wipf and Stock), Transforming Service: Reflections of Student Service Professionals in Theological Education (Pickwick Publications), and “He Is Black and We are Queer” in Albert Cleage Jr and the Black Madonna and Child (New York: Palgrave Macmillan).