He received his formative education at the Willikies Primary School and in his teenage years attended the Pares Secondary School. On graduation, he enrolled in the Engineering Department of the Antigua State College where he majored in Electronics. He graduated in 1984 with Diplomas in Electronics from both the Antigua State College and Humber College, Canada.

Reverend Josiah is a Methodist from birth and was nurtured in the Gilbert Memorial Methodist Church. He has always been very active in the church both at the congregational and circuit levels. In his local setting he served as Church School Teacher, Boys’ Brigade Officer, Youth Fellowship President, Chorister and Congregational Steward. At the Circuit level he was actively involved in the Circuit Youth Council, was a founding member of the Methodist Association of Youth Fellowship Antigua Circuit (MAYFAC) and a Local Preacher. It is therefore no surprise that Reverend Josiah would later answer the call to full time ministry in the Methodist Church. He holds the distinction of being the first and only Methodist Minister that the Gilbert Memorial congregation has produced to date.

In 1988, Reverend Josiah candidated for fulltime ministry of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas and started theological training at the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI) and the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Jamaica. In 1992, he graduated with a Diploma in Ministerial Studies from the UTCWI and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology (Honors) from the UWI, having presented the thesis “Sin and the Caribbean Debt Crisis.” He was ordained to Word and Sacrament in January 1995, at the Phillipsburg Methodist Church, St Maarten.

In 1998, Reverend Josiah enrolled in postgraduate studies with the University of the West Indies, and on the successful completion of these studies was awarded the Master of Philosophy Degree (MPhil) in 2002. His thesis focused on “The Development of Calypso in Antigua and its Continuity with Old Testament Traditions.” In 2003, Reverend Josiah enrolled with the Boston University School of Theology, Massachusetts, USA where he pursued a course of study leading to the Master of Sacred Theology Degree (STM) with concentration in Theology, Philosophy and Ethics. In this instance, his thesis focused on the “The Nature and Extent of Theological Dialogue in the Expansion of the Christian Church between the 15th – 18th centuries.” In January 2010, Reverend Josiah successfully defended the dissertation, “The Tactic Approach: The Key Bastion Towards a Foundation for a Black Philosophy of and for Empowerment,” and was conferred the Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) by the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. He relishes the thought of writing another thesis on the “Sin of Diminution” borne out of his experiences and looks forward to that time when he can focus on the publishing of his works.

As a minister of religion for some nineteen (19) years, Reverend Josiah has to date pastored some seventeen (17) congregations and has served in the British Virgin Islands, St Kitts, Dutch St Eustatius, and Antigua where he is presently the Superintendent Minister of the Circuit. In all four settings, he can give thanks to God for a rewarding ministry that has left a host of good friends and well wishers in its wake. Reverend Josiah was perhaps the youngest Antiguan and youngest minister in recent times to be appointed Superintendent minister of the Antigua Circuit. He was particularly honored to lead his home circuit.

Reverend Josiah has been married to Hyacinth neé Matthew of Freemansville, Antigua for eighteen years and they are the delighted parents of two sons, Noveke Ché Mali and Yanik Swen Onaje.
Taken from http://methodistchurchantigua.org/new/?page_id=22

Sermon – Sunday, November 13, 2011 from jermaine jean-pierre on Vimeo.

As part of the observance of its 40th Anniversary of broadcasting, the Dominica Broadcasting Service (DBS) celebrated Church Service on Sunday, November 6th, at the Bethesda Methodist Church in Roseau. The service was conducted by Rev. Dr. Novelle Josiah, Superintendent Minister of the Dominica Methodist Circuit.
Acting General Manager of the Dominica Broadcasting Corporation (DBS Radio), Mrs. Shermain Green-Browne said the institution has played a major role in the lives of Dominicans over the 40 years of its existence. She acknowledged the support of long time employees and corporate citizens.
The church service was attended by Hon. Dr. Collin McIntyre, Hon. Ambrose George & Mrs. George, Members of the Board of Directors of DBS, the employees, collaborators and supporters of DBS Radio.

Bethesda Harvest and Cantata 2011 from jermaine jean-pierre on Vimeo.

The Methodist Cancer and AIDS Support Team (METHCAST) Project

About METHCAST
The Methodist Cancer & AIDS Support Team (METHCAST) project was initiated in 2006 by a small core of five members of the Bethesda Congregation as a Social Project in response to the growing needs in the society. In order to ensure that the project operated within the existing structures of the Church, it was submitted to the Congregational Council for endorsement through the Mission & Evangelism Committee which is responsible for the area of Social Projects.

Given the opportunity for the Church to impact the lives of people affected either directly or indirectly by these conditions, it was proposed that the project be extended throughout the Circuit and this was endorsed and approved by the Circuit Council in the 2007/2008 Church Year. In that regard, Liaison Support Teams or Points of Contact have been identified in all Congregations in order that members of the Church and other people throughout the Circuit can benefit from the support which the Teams provide. A number of meetings of all Liaison Teams across the Circuit have been planned and at least one has been held so far, so that information and ideas can be shared among the Teams. The intention is to hold such meetings every quarter. All Teams are expected to function under the auspices of their Congregational Mission & Evangelism Committees and to report on their activities to those Committees.

Composition of the Teams Due to the sensitive nature of the work and the confidentiality required, the Teams are required to be small and to comprise persons such as survivors of the conditions, trained professionals who have an interest or aptitude in the areas, or relatives of affected people. They are required to strictly observe sensitivity in carrying out this Ministry and a high level of confidentiality with respect to information obtained through contact with affected people.

Goal & Objectives
The Goal of the project is “to provide physical, emotional and spiritual support to individuals and families within communities in Dominica who are affected by Cancer, HIV/AIDS and related health conditions, thereby fostering a better quality of life for those concerned.”

Two of the Strategic Objectives are as follows:
• To enhance the visibility of the Methodist Church through its outreach and social witness;

• To impact the lives of men and women in such a way that they experience the love of Christ through the caring Ministry of the Church

Operational Activities
Some of the major activities are:
• To conduct home or hospital visits to persons affected who have requested or are known to require support and assistance;

• To engage in public education on Cancer and HIV/AIDS either independently or in collaboration with other groups at national or organizational levels;

• To organize where possible for cancer survivors and people living with AIDS to share personal experiences with and provide emotional support for patients and care-givers;

• To arrange for prayer sessions and spiritual guidance for affected people and their families.

The Bethesda METHCAST has already undertaken a number of educational programmes throughout the Circuit and one member of the core team is part of a support group of the Dominica Cancer Society which conducts weekly support visits to the Princess Margaret Hospital’s Oncology Clinic. That member is also part of a group of survivors who stand in readiness for calls from the Princess Margaret Hospital staff when there is an assessed need to speak to and provide moral and spiritual support to patients pre- or post-surgery.

Free basic health services such as blood sugar and blood pressure checks are being provided by the Bethesda Team at the Bethesda Church Hall on the first Saturday of every month and arrangements are underway for breast and other screening to be undertaken. These services are open to all Methodists throughout the Circuit when visiting Roseau as well as members of the public.

Efforts have also commenced to have those services provided by the various teams throughout the Circuit when Circuit meetings are being held so that a wider cross-section of the Church’s membership can become aware of the existence of the Team and the nature of its work and also benefit from its services.

All Congregations are being encouraged to pray for the sustainability and effectiveness of this Ministry and to take advantage of the services provided by the Methodist Cancer and AIDS Support Team Project.

“Seek, Serve and Follow Christ”

The Girls Life Brigade Company was started in Marigot around 1963. It was a combination of girls groups in the Church at the time. The Girls Life Brigade later became the 1st Dominica Girls Brigade Company.

One of our longest serving members was Mrs. Barbara Tonge better known as Teacher Barbara, who served as our Captain for over 15 years. There were some other officers who served such as Ophelia Abraham, Ethelcah Nelson, Etta Dinnard, Georgina Liburd, Agnes Samuel, Claudia Carlton, Lois Bristol and Jennifer Joseph. At present we have Captain Jonella Victor and Officer Jennifer Pascal.

The Girls Life Brigade followed a four square program which we still follow today: (spiritual, physical, educational and service). The Officers and Girls attended either a Girls’ or Officers’ Camp, depending on which was going on that year in a island where Girls Brigade was active Today there are fewer and fewer camps as they have become very costly to attend. There was good support from persons like wives of serving Ministers — Mrs. Hodge, Mrs. Dash, Mrs. Gill and Miss Doyle.

Activities such as cooking, needle work, bible study, drilling and fundraising efforts were the order of the day and still continues today.

The uniforms differed slightly back then, when they were required to wear light blue dresses with navy blue belts, white socks and black men shoe. Officers wore full white dresses along with white shoe. Inspection of uniforms was done every third Saturday before parade on Sunday. Today the colours have not changed but shirts and skirts are used instead of dresses, with ties of different colours based on the age of the girl.

Girls Brigade is still going strong in Marigot and we hope it stays that way for generations to come.

Congratulations to the Dancers and thier leaders.

Harvest Service Sunday 2009 II from jermaine jean-pierre on Vimeo.

Sister Irma Eleanor Edwards, (Aunty Irma) as she is affectionately referred to by most young members of the Bethesda  Congregation can best be described as one of Bethesda’s unsung heroes, heroines in this case.

Sister Irma is a Class Leader; Secretary, Circuit Organisations & Education Committee for many years; Member of the Congregational Organisations & Education Committee; Youth Leader and motivator; Member of the senior choir; Editor of the Circuit Newsletter; Member of a number of fund-raising committees and more.   She is so committed to the various Ministries in which she serves that her contribution may appear to many to be almost effortless, but this is far from the truth.

One of the most remarkable things about Sister Irma’s service to God and her Church is that she managed and still manages to execute all of these activities in conjunction with her full-time, extremely demanding professional position in the public service and her domestic responsibilities, including the upbringing and education of her daughter.

Aunty Irma is perhaps best known for her patience and unflinching effort to keep the young members of the Church together and functioning in the Youth Fellowship and Youth Choir.   Many of them can attest to the fact that in order to ensure that they attended meetings and rehearsals and got back home safely, Aunty Irma would make a number of trips in her own vehicle, driving them from Kingshill to Canefield to Trafalgar and other areas without a thought for the sacrifice which that required.   She also assisted a number of them in other material ways as the need arose.

To her friends, her home is a haven of comfort and support and to a number of less fortunate and otherwise challenged individuals in the neighbourhood, their daily stop early in the morning for sustenance for the day.   Sister Irma is true to the scriptural admonition not to let the right hand know what the left hand is doing when she gives so much of herself to others, that were it not for this citation, her contribution, so cheerfully made might otherwise have been taken for granted

We, the Youth and Young Adults of Bethesda, many of whom have benefited from Aunty Irma’s love and caring, take this opportunity to salute her and to wish for God’s continued blessings and protection upon her life and that of her family.

Harvest Sunday Service 2009 from jermaine jean-pierre on Vimeo.