Pastor Janelle C. Gayle is a lifelong United Methodist from Brooklyn, New York. She grew up as an active member of her local church, St. Mark’s UMC in Brooklyn, and spent years participating in many of its ministries and activities. Janelle received her BA in Political Science from Brooklyn College and worked for several years for the New York City Board of Education.

 After taking part in a Summer Social Justice Internship with the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, she left with an unexpected call to Ordained Ministry. After discerning this call, she applied to Drew Theological Seminary.

 While at Drew she was the recipient of the Mead Hall Study Circle Prize, awarded to a woman student who has achieved an excellent record in her first year. She served as an intern with United Methodist Women (now United Women in Faith) in the Office of Racial Justice and worked on their Social Action Campaign: “Interrupting the School to Prison Pipeline.” She led webinars, organized workshops, and worked with members of local churches. 

Pastor Janelle received her Master of Divinity degree (M.Div.) from Drew in May 2021. Following her graduation, she served as a Minister in her local church alongside the lead pastor providing support in the form of preaching, assisting in the administering of sacraments, and other ministerial duties. Bishop Bickerton and the Cabinet appointed Pastor Gayle to the Mt. Calvary/St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Manhattan effective July 1, 2022.

 Pastor Janelle believes that the church is the place where we are empowered to go out and be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. She has a passion for Digital Ministry and loves a good hymn sing. Her grounding scripture is Micah 6:8 “He has told you, human one, what is good and what the Lord requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.”