Our Spring 2022 Semester at Gammon Theological Seminary culminated with a week-long celebration and in-person graduation. I was honored to place a red hood, symbolic of a religious degree, upon each seminarian and congratulate them on this significant accomplishment.
Gammon Theological Seminary is one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries supported by the Ministerial Education Fund apportionment of the United Methodist Church.
I remember my hooding by the Late President Dean of Gammon, Dr. Cornelius L. Henderson, in 1996 and being sent forth by "the School of the Prophets" to serve the Lord and the church.
Twenty-Five years later, on Saturday, May 7th, 2022, I stood proudly where Dr. Major Jones, Bishop Alfred L. Norris, Dr. Cornelius L. Henderson, Dr. Walter McKelvey, Dr. Albert Mosley, Dr. Ken Walden and other Gammon presidents stood.
I was honored to bless and send forth our Class of 2022 graduates. We are proud of their achievements, as many graduated with honors and are members of the Theta Phi Honor Society.
In addition, we celebrate our seminarians who received new pastoral appointments and those who are continuing in existing churches starting July 2022. As we send our seminarians forth to serve, we are grateful to our God, who has called, chosen, and entrusted this ministry to them.
The week of May 2nd was packed, exciting and a new beginning for Raymond Perry Gibbs who graduated with a Master of Divinity Degree.
We did a Q&A session with Gibbs and here is what he said:
Q:What led you to Gammon Theological Seminary?
A: Rev. Julius McDowell and Timothy Bowman recommended that I attend Gammon. Both are on Gammon’s Board of Trustees.
Q: What’s one of your favorite experiences while attending Gammon?
A: Most memorable was attending Holy Club. A student would deliver the message, followed by students and staff members discussing the challenges they experienced during the week.
Q: During your time at Gammon, who has been your inspiration to keep pushing forward?
A: Bishop King taught me to chart my life at a glance so that I could remember where I came from.
Q: What advice would you give someone wanting to pursue a seminary degree?
A: Keep an open mind and come with the intention of learning.
Q: In this new exciting season, what’s next for you after graduation?
A: My next step is to enter a doctoral program during the fall. I’m tentatively assigned to Greater St. Paul UM Church in Cross, SC.
Finally, we are thankful to our Trustees, Alumni, and Friends of Gammon for your ongoing generosity, partnership, and support. We are amid a "Brand New Day" dawning at the Gammon Theological Seminary.
story by Rev. Dr. Candace M. Lewis, President Dean, Gammon Theological Seminary
One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the Ministerial Education Fund is at the heart of preparing people for making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The 13 United Methodist seminaries help students to discover their calling through the challenging curriculum. The fund enables the church to increase financial support for recruiting and educating ordained and diaconal ministers and to equip annual conferences to meet increased demands. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Ministerial Education Fund apportionment at 100 percent.
