The 1885 Society Dinner

On Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 6:00 pm, the Hood Theological Seminary National Alumni Association held its annual 1885 Society Dinner at the Aymer Center on the campus Of Hood Theological Seminary. The 1885 Society, so named for the year of the seminary’s founding, is the Alumni Association’s premiere fund-raising arm for HTNSAA student scholarships. To complete this goal, Alumni and Faith Friends are asked to donate $1885.00 towards the Student Scholarship Fund (this can be done incrementally). The Association honors those who complete the commitment by inducting them into the Society as Founding Members.

The Aymer Center was beautifully decked out in black and silver, with scintillating centerpieces adorned with silver flowers. Beautifully color-coordinated place settings that bespoke elegance with a dash of pomp and circumstance. The attendees understood the assignment and showed up bedazzled, elegantly coiffed, and groomed to perfection. Not only was this an elegant night, but it was also an engaging one. Some moments felt like a family reunion as former classmates and friends reconnected with smiles, hugs, and raucous reminiscences of shared history at our beloved Hood Seminary.

The HTSNAA President, Rev. Dr. Timothy Freeman, and HTS President Dr. Vergel Lattimore greeted us. Rev. Dr. Yolanda Foster (’19. ’23) led us in prayer. We were welcomed by Rev. Eleanor Wilson (‘19), and Rev. Elliot Crowder (’20) offered a blessing of the food. We dined on a feast of well-seasoned chicken breast, mixed vegetables, garden salad, tea, lemonade, and peach cobbler for dessert.

The highlight of the evening (for me) was the word delivered by Bishop Theresa E. Snorton, Ecumenical Bishop & Program Development Officer of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Her message from Romans 12:1-2 was “Out with the Old and in With the New: Reconnecting Ministry to serve the present age.” She reminded us that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. She reminded us that old wineskins cannot contain new wines. We cannot become so comfortable with the current that we miss the latest move of God. Bishop Snorton’s message spoke to us on social, institutional, and personal levels. It was certainly apropos for the current sociopolitical climate in this country.

The culmination of the evening was the awards and pinning ceremony. Kimberly Clarke Turner received the Award for Distinguished Service. Adrian Lanette Harper was awarded for her work as a Community Leader and Social Witness, and Rev. Dr. Kevin Griffin received the Excellence in Pastoral Ministry Award.

Rev. Dr. Latitia Hill Godette was inducted into the 1885 Society as a Founding member. Dr. Godette is known throughout the denomination for her heart for ministry and “just doing the work.” She is a glass ceiling breaker and a prolific preacher in her own right. She is currently the Presiding Elder of the Wadesboro-Monroe District. Bishop Daran Mitchell and Supervisor Rev. Lynn Kennedy Mitchell were also present. Bishop Mitchell was pinned during this ceremony as he and Rev. Tamica Robinson (’19) had not been pinned at the time of their induction.

It was a beautiful evening with a beautiful cause and a beautiful outcome. If you would like to become a member of the 1885 Society, contact Dr. Reginald Boyd, Alumni Engagement, at 704-763-6455.