Transition of
Retired Episcopal Supervisor
Martha C. Cummings
(1927-2018)
Homegoing Celebration for Retired Supervisor Martha C. Cummings
Date: Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Time: 11:00 am
Place:
Big Bethel AME Church
220 Auburn Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30303
678-887-7464
psmiley@bigbethelame.org
Rev. John Foster, Ph.D., Senior Pastor
Local transportation provided upon request.
Hotel Arrangements
Main Hotel:
Hilton Atlanta Downtown
255 Courtland Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Room Rate: $99 – single/double
Please click on the link below to make your reservation:
https://book.passkey.com/e/49825686
Overflow Hotel:
Atlanta Airport Hilton
1031 Virginia Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30354
404-767-9000
Room Block Code: “BBC”
OR
Click on the link below to reserve a room:
https://book.passkey.com/gt/217238226?gtid=b676cb3076f49f49130521308c4757af
Click on the link below to view and share the details of the Homegoing Celebration with others:Homecoming Martha Cummings – 11_15_18
Biography of Supervisor Martha C. Cummings
Mrs. Martha C. Cummings was born in Los Angeles, California, the eldest of three children to the parentage of Benjamin and Hortense Colly. She completed her early and secondary education in Los Angeles. After completing nursing school, she worked as a registered nurse in the United States Navy Nursing Corps and reached the prestigious rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. As a Registered Nurse, she assisted in promoting research and funding for health conditions that included sickle cell anemia, AIDS, diabetes and breast cancer. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri in 1969.
Mrs. Cummings’ parents and grandparents had a powerful and influential impact on her religious and educational life. This led her to care for what was happening to people who are less fortunate and marginalized. Also, her nursing career gave her an opportunity to minister in ways that would affect many young and elderly people in many cities in the United States. It also gave her a sense of what God had planned for her life.
Mrs. Cummings married the Reverend Frank C. Cummings in Bremerton, Washington and they served a small congregation there. From Bremerton, they served congregations in Santa Barbara, California and Saint Louis Missouri. These ministries of serving God’s Kingdom gave expression to their genuine concern for God’s people who faced such issues as dysfunctional family life, the lack of appropriate social relationships, inadequate living situations, nearly non-existent leisure activities, under and unemployment, unsatisfactory health care, deficient financial planning, and poor personal safety. She and Reverend Cummings were always been sensitive and passionate concerning the well-being of their constituents and the communities where they served.
From the time Reverend Cummings served as a General Officer of the Church Extension Office of the African Methodist Episcopal Church until his election and consecration as the 95th Bishop of the Church, Mrs. Cummings, as Episcopal Supervisor of the Women’s Missionary Society, worked tirelessly beside her husband in each Episcopal District where he has ministered as Chief Pastor. Their tenures in the Eighth, Eleventh, First and Sixth Episcopal District brought them both several commendations for their meritorious, caring service and has enhanced their close, personal relationship with God. In each of the Episcopal Districts Bishop and Mrs. Cummings organized caring, sharing networking groups so the Ministers’ Spouses could easily fellowship with their counterparts. In the Eleventh Episcopal District, Mrs. Cummings contributed exceptionally to the establishment of satellite social service centers and was very hands-on in the organization and management of the celebrated Academy of Excellence.
As a dedicated, caring woman of faith, Mrs. Cummings was always an advocate for women’s issues. Her focus has been in encouraging the African American woman to freely, and proudly express her individuality. With Jesus Christ as their sure foundation, she has instructed women of all ages, especially in her role as their Women’s Missionary Society Episcopal Supervisor, to develop a strong, confident sense of their self-worth in relation to their race, families, and communities.
A proud wife, mother, and grandmother, Mrs. Cummings, along with Bishop Cummings, delight in their love and care for their family. They have one, daughter, Paschell Cummings Mix (widow) and three granddaughters, Martinique, Olympia, and Naja.