NEWS & EVENTS
Pictured Left to Right: The Right Reverend Willie J. Hill, Jr., President; Alice R. Wilson, Heyward E. Shine, Sadell B. Suckiel, Africo J. Smalls, and the Reverend Doctor Glenvil Gregory
On Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 3 p.m., we celebrated the graduation of four exceptional students from the Cummins Memorial Theological Seminary. The ceremony, a testament to their hard work and dedication, was held at the Nazareth Reformed Episcopal Church. We proudly awarded the Master of Divinity Degree, with honors, to Heyward Emmanuel Shine and Sadell
Benjamin Suckiel. Africo Jermaine Smalls, Sr., was recognized with the Certificate in Biblical Studies, and Alice R. Wilson received the Certificate in Deaconess Ministry. These students, with their exceptional achievements, have set a high standard for future graduates to aspire to.
Reverend Cornelius White, treasurer of the Alumni Association, presented a check to Mr. Suckiel for achieving the highest average in the class, a remarkable feat. The Reverend Doctor Geneva L. Fleming, a distinguished member of the Board of Trustees at Cummins Memorial Theological Seminary, delivered a powerful and inspiring graduation address. Her message, urging the class of 2025 to rise and be the light in their ministry, was centered on three fundamental principles: love, servant leadership, and faithfulness. Dr. Fleming's address not only challenged the graduates but also enlightened the
entire audience, encouraging them to live by these principles.
Another highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of past faculty members for their outstanding contributions to theological education, fostering ethical leadership, and advancing Cummins Memorial Theological Seminary. The impact of their service is immeasurable. The recipients were Reverend Doctor Julius Barnes, retired President and Seminary Dean; Bishop
William J. White, retired Professor of Practical Theology (Public Worship); and Reverend Canon J. Ronald Moock, retired Professor of Church History and the English Bible (New Testament). The Late Right Reverend Alphonza Gadsden, Sr., was recognized posthumously as the Professor of Systematic Theology. We also bid farewell to Reverend Doctor David M. Battle, Adjunct Professor of the English Bible (New Testament), who has resigned his position and will assume
new responsibilities in the Southern Methodist Church as Vice President of the Eastern Conference, which encompasses the churches of Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
The Reverend Doctor Glenvil Gregory praised Dr. Fleming for her excellent message to the graduates and wished the graduates success. The Right Reverend Willie J. Hill, Jr., President, congratulated the graduates and looked forward to working with them in the Diocese of the Southeast. Both Bishop Hill and Dr. Gregory thanked the retirees for their many years of faithful
service to Cummins Memorial Theological Seminary.
We thank God for His faithfulness to the Seminary over the past 149 years. Our history reflects our commitment to equipping church leaders from different Christian denominations with the necessary theological foundation and skills to proclaim the Gospel. We appreciate your continued support, which is essential to our mission of training men and women for service in our communities. We look forward to your ongoing engagement.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025
Posted May 2025
2025 Alumni Banquet Highlights
Posted May 2025
On the evening of Friday, May 9, 2025, the Alumni Association of Cummins Memorial Theological Seminary (CMTS) welcomed over 150 guests to its annual Alumni Banquet. The Parish Hall of Trinity Anglican Church, Pinopolis, SC, was the venue for this auspicious event. Dr. Deloris Gibbs, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and president of the Alumni Association, presented the honorees.
The honorees were:
• The Reverend Doctor Julius Barnes, Professor of English Bible—New Testament
• The Reverend Doctor David M. Battle, Adjunct Professor of English Bible—New Testament
• The Reverend Doctor James C. Breaux, Professor of Practical Theology
• The Reverend Omar L. Dykes, Adjunct Professor of African American Religious Studies
• The Reverend Doctor Charles L. Echols, Adjunct Professor of English Bible—Old Testament
• Mrs. Edelle Gaillard, Assistant Professor of English
• The Reverend Doctor George J. Gatgounis, Esq., Adjunct Professor of Biblical Language –Hebrew
• The Reverend Tory J. Liferidge, Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology
• The Reverend Doctor Abraham Murray, Professor of Practical Theology
• The Reverend Doctor Anthony Olalere, Adjunct Professor of Christian Leadership
• The Reverend Doctor John G. Panagiotou, Professor of Language – Greek and Church History
Miss Alice R. Wilson presided over the evening's proceedings and successfully achieved the desired results of fostering a sense of fun, promoting fellowship, and expressing heartfelt appreciation.
At the conclusion of the event, Rev. Dr. Glenvil Gregory, Dean of the Seminary, praised the outstanding work of the professors and their unwavering commitment to excellence. CMTS. The Right Reverend Willie J. Hill, Jr., President of the Seminary, remarked that our Seminary is
second to none, due to the cadre of professors we have. Their commitment to preparing ministers and ministry leaders for service and ministry work is the cornerstone of our institution.
The Alumni Association expresses thanks to all who attended and looks forward to seeing more attendees at the next banquet. It was a resounding success, a wonderful evening of food, friendship, and fellowship that we can all be proud of.
The Reverend Alfred Addison awards
Dr. Keith Waring (left) the plaque
March 2025
Bishop Sanko K. Rembert Lecture
Posted April 2025
On Friday evening, March 14, 2025, the Sanko K. Rembert Memorial Lecture was held at Grace Reformed Episcopal Church, 401 Stoney Landing Road, Moncks Corner, SC. The lecturer was Dr. Perry Keith Waring, and he shaped his lecture around personal finance, i.e., budgeting, saving, wills, trusts, and investing. The audience thoroughly enjoyed it.
Dr. Waring explained financial matters so that everyone in the audience could benefit from the information. At the beginning of the lecture, his warm and inviting personality made us feel comfortable. He emphasized our need to plan for financial success by budgeting and saving. We should also ensure that our assets are distributed in the way we want them to, through wills and trusts. Various ways of investing—stock market, IRAs, 401ks, mutual funds, etc.—were explained. The audience’s questions were answered with clarity. He encouraged us to use the financial information shared to improve our economic status and is willing to share this information with churches and other organizations.
Dr. Waring is the Registered Principal and Owner of Charlestowne Associates, a financial management firm, established in 1982. He received his Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance from the University of South Carolina in 1977. In 2018, he received an Honorary Ph.D. from the College of Charleston for dedicated civic work to the City of Charleston—District 7 and the College of Charleston. Dr. Waring has served the City of Charleston in various capacities for years.
Dr. Waring is a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Charleston, SC, and has served as the Financial Board Chairman for over twenty years. On March 7, 2021, Pope Francis of Rome awarded him the Benerementi (“Good Merit”) Medal for dedicated service to the Finance Council of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston, providing effective and sound financial advice. He is also a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.
He has been married to Donna Lango Waring for 49 wonderful years and has three adult children and six grandchildren.
Germany Mission Trip
Posted July 2024
Two members - Deaconess Candidate Alyce Wilson (pictured on the right) and Youth Worker Lynette Francis – flew from Charlotte to Frankfurt airport arriving today (Wed., 7/17). They served as staff on the English Camp held every summer at the Knuell Retreat & Conference Center. Bishop Gerhard Meyer picked them up at the airport to take them to the Knuell , about 80 miles (128 km) away. On the way, they stopped in Wartburg for lunch, where they had real German frankfurters (hot dogs).
For more info about the ministry of the Knuell Center visit www.knuellcamp.de In the upper right a box will drop down saying “Google Translate” Click on “English” and it will change the site from German to English.
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