Teresa Elaine Snorton, presiding bishop of the Fifth Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, will be Hood Theological Seminary’s commencement speaker on Saturday.

Commencement exercises will take place at 10:30 a.m. under a large tent on Mona Lisa Wallace Plaza in front of the Aymer Center on the Seminary campus.

“The seminary is excited to welcome Bishop Snorton to our learning community. She embodies our pioneering spirit of excellence and service. As another class of pastoral leaders prepares to engage society, we expect them to use their spiritual gifts to build lasting commitments, strong communities, and caring collaborations,” said Hood Theological Seminary President Dr. Vergel Lattimore.

Snorton is the 59th bishop and the first female bishop in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church since it was founded in 1870, and her district includes the states of Alabama and Florida.

Snorton chairs a number of boards and committees in the faith and education communities, including the board of trustees of Miles College in Fairfield, Alabama; the Family Life Committee of the World Methodist Council and the board of directors of the National Institute for Human Development.

She’s also a member of many groups including the Pan-Methodist Commission and the board of directors of the World Methodist Evangelism, Inc.

In the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, she is a member of the board of directors for the Connectional Headquarters, chair of the Committee on Ministerial Assessment and secretary of the Christian Methodist Episcopal College of Bishops. During 2013-14, she served as Chair of the College of Bishops of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

Snorton also founded “The Phenomenal Women’s Summit.”

A graduate of Vanderbilt University with a bachelor of arts degree, Snorton received a master of divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, a master of theology degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a post-graduate certificate in Patient Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University and the doctor of ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

Snorton is a certified clinical pastoral educator and a board-certified chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains, and she has taught at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Virginia Commonwealth University and the School of Theology at Virginia Union University.

Snorton previously pastored in Kentucky and served on ministerial staffs in Virginia and Georgia.

Commencement weekend events begin today, with the 11^th annual Bishop James Walker Hood Donor Recognition Dinner, which honors all donors who have made contributions to Hood Seminary of $1,000 or more during the fiscal year 2014-15.

The Bishop’s Award, which pays tribute to individuals, couples or organizations who have made significant contributions to Hood, the community and to humankind, will be presented at the dinner.

The Senior Barbecue, which honors graduands and their families will be held at the Aymer Center Friday evening beginning at 4 p.m.

The closing convocation will held Friday at 7 p.m. under large tents on Wallace Plaza in front of the Aymer Center.

Rev. Dr. Ken J. Walden, associate professor of pastoral care and counseling will speak at the convocation. This program begins with an academic procession of the graduands and the faculty. During the ceremony, graduands will be hooded in preparation for their graduation the following morning. As a part of the convocation, honors and awards will be presented to those students being so recognized.

On Saturday at 8:15 a.m., the graduands will gather in the temporary chapel for a final worship service as a class, and to share in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, officiated by Lattimore.

Hood Theological Seminary is located at 1810 Lutheran Synod Drive.