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Mayor Annise Parker Proclaimed Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell DaySunday, June 10, 2012, was a significantly historic day for the City of Houston as the Windsor Village United Methodist Church Family and the nation celebrated the history making “30th Anniversary of Senior Pastor, Kirbyjon H. Caldwell, The Man, The Ministry, The Message.”  Pastor Caldwell serves the 17,000 member church which is one of the largest United Methodist Churches in the nation. 

Elected officials representing the City of Houston, State of Texas and the U. S. Congress presented accolades and special awards to Pastor Caldwell.  They included: Mayor Annise Parker’s Proclamation presented by City Councilmember At Large Andrew Burks; City Resolution presented by City Councilmember Wanda Adams, City Controller Ronald Green’s Certificate presented by his wife, Judge Hillary Green; Certificate from Councilmember Larry Green presented by a staffer; State Certificate of Recognition presented by Senator Rodney Ellis, Congressional Resolution presented by Congressman Al Green along with a set of congressional cuff links, and a Capitol flag and Congressional Resolution from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee that was presented by her daughter, Erica Lee. 

The Pastor and his wife were presented numerous gifts throughout all four services throughout the weekend and one included a customized golf cart which was a complete surprise.  The final surprise was a “text message” from President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle congratulating Pastor Caldwell for his tireless and faithful leadership. Pastor Caldwell is married to Suzette Turner Caldwell and they are the proud parents of Turner, Nia and Alexander. The culminating 30th anniversary celebration will be held on Sunday, June 24th at 5:00 pm at the Kingdom Builders’ Center (KBC) located at 6011 W. Orem Dr.

Under the leadership of President Pauline D. Scott, XI Chapter hosting its First National Convention August, 1964 at the Shamrock Hotel, was Houston’s First Black Organization to house its convention, delegation, and activities in one of Houston’s largest hotels.  This event marked the beginning of many civic, political, and educational “Firsts” for the newly organized chapter. 

Today our vision is that “we will be the best family-oriented sorority in Houston.”  XI Chapter, Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, with the Shads (husbands of Sorority members), the Bee-Ettes, Senords, and Eta Kids, (our youth) will assay to be a model organization that is visible, effective, self-sustaining and growing to support the needs of the community.  Living the motto, “Not for Ourselves, But for others,” we will continually strive to enhance involvement through: 1) Services for Intellectually and Physically Disabled Citizens, 2) Programs to Assist Business and Professional Women, 3) Career Awareness Programs, 4) Scholarships, 5) Charitable Donations, 6) Youth Programs, 7) Breast Cancer Prevention and Awareness, and 8) Domestic Violence Prevention. 

Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, a National Organization, founded by eleven women in Detroit, Michigan in 1942 with chapters in six regions of the United States, including the Virgin Islands is celebrating seventy years of service.  The National President is Loretta Kirk Adair, Gamma Chapter of Cleveland, Ohio.