Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie / Submitted photo

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie will be the featured guest speaker at the 60th anniversary celebration for the Kinston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on Feb. 23.

McKenzie has served as the spiritual leader of the largest predominantly African-American sorority of college-educated women with membership of more than 250,000 for more than 30 years. She is also the granddaughter of one of the 22 founders, Vashti Turley Murphy.

McKenzie serves as the 117th elected and consecrated bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. Her historic election in 2000 represented the first time in the history of the AME church a woman had obtained the level of Episcopal office.

Highlights of the weekend celebration include:

Friday, Feb. 22

Meet and greet from 7-10 p.m. at the Greenville Hilton

Saturday, Feb. 23

Re-dedication ceremony for Deltas only at 10 a.m. at the Greenville Hilton, followed by a celebration luncheon at noon

Sunday, Feb. 24

Morning Worship Service at 11 a.m. at St. James AME Church, 402 East Shine St., Kinston

Tickets are available for the 60th Anniversary celebration “Envisioning Something Greater” of the Kinston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. These events are open to the public and the cost for the weekend is $60.

Tickets may be purchased online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/60th-anniversary-kinston-alumnae-chapter-delta-sigma-theta-sorority-inc-tickets-52713987957 or by certified checks or money orders made payable to: KAC DST Sorority, Inc., PO Box 2346, Kinston, NC 28502 or from any member of the Sorority.

Deadline for ticket sales is Feb. 9. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

For those staying in the area, reservations may be made at the Greenville Hilton at 207 SW Greenville Boulevard, Greenville or the Holiday Inn at 203 SW Greenville Boulevard, Greenville.

For ticket information, contact event co-chairs Ruby Bethel at 252-523-5792, Phaedra Holley at 252-523-7452 or Jonelle Davis at 252-747-8323.