December 2024 Congratulatory Announcements
*Senior Bishop Wilfred J Messiah, Presiding Prelate of the 19th Episcopal District
Jacketed at Planning Meeting
An historic and momentous occasion took place in the 19th Episcopal District at its planning meeting on 30 November 2024 held at the Good News Convention Centre in Muldersdrift, Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Senior Bishop of the AME Church and Presiding Prelate of the 19th Episcopal District, Bishop Wilfred J Messiah was Jacketed. Jacketing is the service and occasion where the Sons of Allen (SOA) member formally takes up their uniform during a sacred worship set aside for this. Bishop WJ Messiah is the first African Born Bishop to become a Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
With the Senior Bishop now jacketed, the anticipation is the exponential growth of this organization both in the 19th and connectionally. To date, the 19th District has Jacketed three Bishops. We are looking forward to have all our male Bishops Jacketed in the Districts where they preside.
*Happy 70th Wedding Anniversary to Bishop and Supervisor Philip Robert Cousin, Sr.
The Right Reverend Philip Robert Cousin, Sr. is a retired Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He was elected to the episcopacy in 1976. He served for thirty-two years as an active bishop.
Bishop Cousin and Dr. Margaret Joan Grier Cousin were married in Winston Salem North Carolina on December 27, 19, 1954.
Bishop Cousin is the former president of the National Council of Churches of Christ. He also served as a National Board Member for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). He was the first Black instructor at Duke University Divinity School. He was also a Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellow in Black Church Studies. He served as the president of Kittrell College from 1960 to 1965.
Dr. Joan Cousin has dedicated her time and talent to a crusade against HIV and AIDS. She has successfully established centers impacting this critical health area around the world. She was cited by President Bush for AIDS Education and the Center for Disease Control and the Congressional Records of the United States for her consistent commitment to HIV/AIDS education.
As the spouse Bishop Philip R. Cousin, she remains methodical in programmatic efforts to empower lives.
Bishop and Mrs. Cousin have five sons, all of whom are AME ministers: Rev. Philip R. Cousin, Jr., Rev. Steven A. Cousin, Sr., Rev. David B. Cousin, Sr., Dr. Michael A. Cousin, Sr., and Dr. Joseph N. Cousin, Sr. Bishop Cousin has a daughter-in-law, Rev. Valerie Kendrick Cousin, who is an AME preacher. Bishop Cousin has fourteen grandchildren, several of whom are serving in the AME Church, Rev. Steven A. Cousin Jr., Lic. Timothy C. Cousin, and Mr. Michael A. Cousin.
*The Leadership of Dr. Kenneth Hill Recognized at Retirement Celebration
Williamson Hearld News Article After 43 years in religious ministry, with 10 of those years as pastor for the congregation of the historic Shorter Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Rev. Kenneth Hill recently retired to spend more time with his wife, Roberta, and their family; however, “leisure is not my goal,” he said.
“Some history is difficult,” Bibb said and quoted the late philosopher, George Santayana, “‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.’ Knowledge of our shared history is likely to help individuals and policymakers avoid the mistakes of the past and make better decisions in the future.” Alma McLemore, president of the African American Heritage Society and a member of Shorter Chapel AME Church, described Hill as a trailblazer and a man of integrity and wisdom. “His fingerprints and DNA leadership are on many [areas] in the community,” she said. He took on the “Green House” project when it was learned a house next to the church was mentioned in a travel book created to inform Black travelers where they could shop, eat and spend the night when traveling throughout the country. When the church’s Bell Tower was in need of repair he got people together to rebuild the tower and was supportive and involved in the church’s 150th anniversary celebration and played a role in the Natchez Street gentrification. “When there’s any crisis in Franklin, he gets people together in prayer,” she added. According to Franklin Police Chief Deb Faulkner, Hill has the admiration of everyone in the Franklin Police Department. “Thank you for your steadfast leadership," she said. “Shorter Chapel AME Church continues to be an anchor in the Natchez Street Historic District.It wasn’t a coincidence that you were assigned to Franklin. “A friend once told me a coincidence is a minor miracle in which God wishes to be anonymous,” she said. “There no greater gift than to honor your calling.” During the difficulties of the past 10 years in the country, Faulkner said Hill became spiritual and intellectual leader for the community. “As far as retiring, a minister can’t really retire but is simply put on inactive duty, although I can’t imagine you’ll be inactive. “As long as there’s a devil, you and I have work to do,” Faulkner said. Bishop Harry L, Seawright congratulated Hill on his retirement but added, “I just want you to not go far.” AME church retired Historiographer, Rev. Dennis Dickerson Ph.D, presented Hill with a resolution from the “Thriving 13th” that commented on his high ideals, leadership skills, scholarly books, pastoral heart, archival stewardship; his passion as a freedom fighter, and a seeker of justice. Other speakers included Dr. Garland Pierce, executive director of Christian Education AME Church; Dr. Barbara Bowie, Music & Christian Arts Ministry; Rev. Bryan Brooks, senior pastor at Franklin First United Methodist Church in Franklin; Rev Sheila Harris, pastor at St. James AME Curch in Chattanooga; Rt. Rev. Paula E. Clark, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago and family members. *Dr. James Anthony Morris Pastor of Hamilton Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church Elected President of the Greater Texarkana Branch of the NAACP Texarkana, Texas— Dr. James Anthony Morris, a dedicated community servant, accomplished leader, and pastor of Hamilton Memorial African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church has been elected as the President of the Greater Texarkana Branch of the NAACP. This milestone reflects Dr. Morris’s unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and service within the Texarkana community and beyond. A former corporate executive with 22 years at IBM, Dr. Morris transitioned from a successful career in sales and marketing to a life of faith, service, and community leadership. His extensive academic credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Memphis, an MBA from Roosevelt University, a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies from Southern Methodist University, and a Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary. Since relocating to Texarkana, Dr. Morris has made a profound impact through various initiatives. He actively participates in the Twin Cities Ministerial Alliance, the Texarkana Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and numerous outreach efforts through Hamilton Memorial A.M.E. Church. Dr. Morris mentors youth through the Kappa Alpha Psi “Red Tie Club,” serves meals at the Randy Sams Homeless Shelter, and empowers young leaders in the church’s Young People’s Division. He has life memberships in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the National Black MBA Association, the University of Memphis Alumni Association, and the NAACP, which further underscore his lifelong dedication to service. As the new President of the Greater Texarkana Branch of the NAACP, Dr. Morris is poised to advance the organization’s mission of ensuring the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens. His election comes at a critical time, with a renewed focus on addressing systemic challenges and promoting racial justice in the Texarkana region. “Service is the rent we pay for living. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time,” said Dr. Morris, quoting Marian Wright Edelman. “As President of the Greater Texarkana Branch of the NAACP, I am honored to serve our community in the fight for equality and justice, working collaboratively to build a brighter future for all.” Dr. Morris brings a wealth of leadership experience to this role, having served as President of three chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and as an advisory board member for the Walter E. Heller College of Business Administration at Roosevelt University. He is the President-elect and membership chairman of the Wilbur Smith Rotary Club. He taught Ethics at Texarkana College and Ethics in Science and Technology at Texas A&M University-Texarkana. He has also served the African Methodist Episcopal Church as Secretary of the North Texas Annual Conference of the Tenth Episcopal District, Secretary of the Board of Examiners, and Secretary of the Ministers Efficiency Committee and Annual Conference Statistician. His community engagement has earned him numerous accolades, including keys to several cities and awards for outstanding service, such as the Texarkana NAACP Professional Award, the Jarvis Christian University Alumni Living Legend Award, and the Ozan-Iron Mountain Civic Groups Outstanding Community Service Award. The Greater Texarkana Branch of the NAACP welcomes Dr. Morris’s dynamic leadership and vision. Under his presidency, the organization aims to strengthen its advocacy efforts, foster collaboration across community sectors, and create meaningful change for individuals and families in Texarkana.
*Dr. Herman O. Kelly Jr, 50 Year Kappa Morehouse PSI Senior Advisor and Village Elder for The Chapter Community Engagement with AKA’ s Nike Give Away The Westside Middle Magnet School of Amite, Louisiana was given 50 pairs of Nike’s for students. The school was adopted by Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church in Amite under Dr. Kelly’s leadership, and it is part of It Takes A Village Amite. The Kappas and AkA’s from the community teamed up for the second year to carry out this community engagement. Dr. Kelly a graduate of Morehouse is a 50-year member of Kappa Alpha Psi. He serves as the Pastor of Grant and Senior Advisor to Hammond Alumni Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Dr. Kelly is also on the Teaching Faculty at Louisiana State University. Part of his Ministry is connecting the Church with the community. Grant AME Church sponsored teacher appreciation at Westside and also led a tour at Louisiana State University with Westside Students.
On behalf of Social Action Commission Chair, Bishop Reginald T. Jackson and Dr. Jacquelyn DuPont-Walker, Director/ Consultant Social Action Commission, we extend congratulations as you praise God for the Joy of these significant milestones. God Bless! Ora L. Easley
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