Our alumni/ae are brave, faithful, and visionary leaders in churches, non- profits, mosques, temples, at national borders, and even in the streets. Every day, they put their scholarship, and indeed their very bodies, on the line for justice and equity for all of God’s people. What’s more, many of these influential people are giving back to CST. CST alumni/ae give back Rev. Dr. Rhodes-Wickett’s relationship with CST began in 1973 when she began studies for a Master of Divinity degree. During her studies, she met and married her spouse, Al Wickett, and in 1978 she earned the Master of Divinity and in 1981 the Doctor of Ministry. From 1999-2012, she served as an adjunct faculty member in Field Education (while serving as Senior Pastor at Westwood and then Claremont United Methodist Churches), and in 2014 she was awarded CST’s Distinguished Alumni/ae Award. In retirement she continues as adjunct faculty in preaching and worship as needed. About her own experience as a student she says, “CST broadened and deepened my understanding of scripture and theology. The false dichotomy between personal piety and social justice was put to rest as a robust faith, rooted One of many such leaders is Rev. Dr. Sharon Rhodes-Wickett, M.Div. ’78, D.Min. ’81.
in spiritual practice and lived out with compassion for all God’s creation, was fostered and strengthened. Access to and relationship with world-renowned professors was awe-inspiring and humbling. The foundation for continuing growth and learning has been essential for my ministry.” She continues, “In particular CST’s significant contribution in Process Theology is especially relevant and helpful for living in these times. It is my experience that laity appreciate fresh and smart ways of understanding God at work in relationship with us. A young adult once said he loved being part of a church where what he was learning in university was congruent with what he was learning in worship. I attribute that comment to the path that CST set me on 45 years ago.” Rev. Dr. Rhodes-Wickett is an ordained Elder in the California-Pacific Conference of The United Methodist Church, and for more than forty years has been a leader in the UMC at the district, conference, national, and international levels. Today, Rev. Dr. Rhodes- Wickett serves on CST’s Board of Trustees and has been a faithful regular donor for many years. She explains, “I continue to give to CST because this is where lives are changed, nurtured and grounded so that the world might be more as God intends. Transformed lives are in tune with where and how transformation for good can happen. CST provides a comprehensive learning environment that fosters leaders this world desperately needs. I have personally repeatedly observed the look on students’ faces when their
learnings about scripture and theology connect with practice of leadership. It is exciting and life-changing. This gives me hope for the future. My giving to CST has increased over the years as an act of hope.” In 2005, CST established a scholarship in her honor upon the twenty-fifth anniversary of her ordination as an Elder. (In 2010, upon the death of Rev. Dr. Al Rhodes-Wickett the scholarship was amended to include his name.) Rev. Dr. Al Rhodes-Wickett’s mother, Jean Launer Wickett, also served as a Trustee at CST and is the namesake for our Wickett Lecture. To make a donation to scholarships at CST, please visit www.donatenow. networkforgood.org/cstnow, email advancement@cst.edu, or call (909) 447-6361.
“I continue to give to CST because this is where lives are changed, nurtured and grounded so that the world might be more as God intends”
- Rev. Dr. Sharon Rhodes-Wickett
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