Rev. Roderick Lewis Earns Doctorate from Hood Seminary. On Saturday, May 12, 2007, the Hood Theological Seminary Salisbury, NC, held their 2007 Commencement. Among the 51 graduates were four recipients of the Diploma in Christian Education, three recipients of the Master of Theological Studies Degree, thirty-five recipients of the Master of Divinity Degree and nine recipients of the Doctor of Ministry Degree. Among the nine recipients of the Doctor of Ministry Degree was Roderick Darnell Lewis Sr., Pastor of Parkwood Institutional CME Church, Charlotte, NC. The Commencement followed an early morning service of Holy Communion for the graduates, giving the academic community at Hood opportunity to share in the sacrament once more before leaving the institution as graduates. During the very moving service, Bishop Violet L. Fisher, Resident Bishop of the New York Area of the United Methodist Church, offered a challenging and moving Commencement address, entitled, “A Tassle, A Title, A Testimony.”
Following the Commencement, a reception was given in Dr. Lewis' honor by his wife, Sandra “Kay” Lewis and their children, R. Darnell and Allasyn D. Lewis, at the Parkwood Institutional CME Church Fellowship Hall. Family, friends, members of the congregation of Parkwood and other churches where Dr. Lewis has served as pastor were there to greet him and share in this celebration. Several members of the congregation at Parkwood presented a skit highlighting Dr. Lewis’ journey in the ministry, reflecting his spiritual growth from his early days in ministry to the present. It was a joyous day of praise and thanksgiving.
Rev. Dr. Lewis is a faithful servant of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church on all levels and is noted for his involvement in facilitating the growth of many across our Zion. This accomplishment of Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Lewis Sr. exemplifies determination, a sincere quest for knowledge, perseverance, and commitment to his “calling.” We, the members of the Parkwood Institutional Christian Methodist Episcopal Church share with him in this accomplishment and consider ourselves blessed to be on this spiritual journey with him. We congratulate him as he continues to serve and be a “witness for Christ.”
Parkwood Institutional Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is a part of the Durham District of the Carolina Region of the 7th Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. Louvenia Coleman is presiding elder and the Right Rev. Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr. is the presiding bishop. Submitted by Catherine M. Felton of the Parkwood Institutional CME Church.