SPRING CITY — Scores of United Methodist pastors overturned chairs, sang hymns and held an impromptu communion in a makeshift courtroom Tuesday night moments after a jury of peers had handed down penalties to the Rev. Frank Schaefer.

Sue Laurie, of Chicago, Ill., sings Bible hymns with supporters of the Rev. Frank Schaefer, of Lebanon, before he faces his sentencing Tuesday at Camp Innabah, a United Methodist retreat, in Spring City Pa.

Schaefer was suspended from all ministerial duties effective immediately for 30 days, during which time, if he violates church law, he must immediately surrender his church credentials.

During the suspension Schaefer is allowed to minister to his gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender parishioners, and was instructed to discern whether he could continue to carry out his duties while upholding in their entirety the laws of his church.

“It’s up to me,” Schaefer said some time later, surrounded by a throng of media at Camp Innabah, a United Methodist retreat, where the trial occurred.

“I can no longer be silent. Now I have to be an outspoken advocate. I will not refuse ministry to anyone.”

Schaefer appeared calm and collect, although his eyes were visibly bloodshot from crying.

The scene in the makeshift courtroom erupted in protest just minutes after the jury delivered its penalty sentencing.

One by one, supporters of Schaefer, many fellow pastors with the symbolic rainbow stoles around their shoulders, began to overturn their chairs onto the floor, a gesture symbolic of Christ overturning the tables in the temple in Jerusalem.

The pastors, rising to their feet, joined in singing of the “Were You There.” Joining hands they walked to the front of the courtroom embracing Schaefer within their demonstration. Schaefer joined in the singing.

Shortly after, one of the pastors called attention to a table nearby that had been cleared and a loaf of bread and crackers placed on top. He lifted the bread up reciting the invitation to communion. He said the body of Christ that is broken is given to all who come to the table.

It was an emotional ending to otherwise orderly court proceedings, although several times the presiding bishop had to admonish members of the audience for shouting out reactions to what was being said in the courtroom.

Schaefer, pastor of Zion United Methodist Church of Iona, on Monday was found guilty of violating and disobeying church law, stemming from the 2007 same-gender wedding ceremony he officiated for his gay son.

Schaefer is to be suspended of all duties immediately. He will be monitored by a district superintended, to whom he must report both written and in an interview.

The jury decided on the penalties by more than seven votes on each of the two counts. Schaefer was found guilty Monday of violating church doctrine and disobedience.

Reading a statement from Bishop Peggy Johnson after the penalties were delivered, the Rev. Michele Bartloy said the issue at the center of the trial had caused pain to many and that prayers were being extended for those affected.

Schaefer once again vowed to uphold his conscience.

“I’m here to tell you, I will not change my mind,” he said. “I am who I am. I have to be honest.”

He reiterated sentiments he had expressed on the witness stand: that he would no longer accept hate speech from his church nor treat the LGBT community as second-class citizens of his Christian community.

“I am not a hypocrite,” he said. “I have to tell them this is who I am.”

Asked if he would perform a gay marriage, if asked, during his 30-day suspension, Schaefer said: “If they qualify … yes I would do it.”