*Panelists Canon Alex Leonard, The Rev. Anita Braden, and Canon Judith Conley relate highlights of the UBE Annual Conference held in Raleigh, NC this summer*

30 UBE Arizona members and guests started the new programming year with food, fellowship, learning, and laughter on Saturday, September 12th, coming together in the beautifully renovated Saint James Episcopal Church in Tempe, AZ.

Highlights of the morning’s full agenda included:

A special report by Chapter member The Rev. Anita Braden, interim missioner for African Descent Ministries for The Episcopal Church, on activities, accomplishments, and aspirations of her office.
Recounting of high points of this summer’s UBE Annual Conference in Raleigh, NC by Chapter member panelists The Rev. Anita Braden, Canon Judith Conley, a past president of national UBE, and Canon Alex Leonard, Canon for Justice for The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona.
Presentation of the Angel of Outreach award to member The Rev. Canon Emmanuel Ike, following his special report on his decades of mission and ministry in Nigeria and Kenya. UBE Arizona President Helenor Webb joined the meeting via Zoom from Los Angeles to bestow the award upon Rev. Ike.
Focus on upcoming Chapter activities and events, described by Chapter Vice President Kathryn Elliott-Hudson, including:
- Oct 15th dinner at Thunderbird School of Global Management, welcoming Bishop John Orina Omangi of Kisii, Kenya and delegation back to Arizona;
- Nov 7th Chapter Meeting and presentation by member Dr. Susan Herrick on the Episcopal Schools Conference in Alabama earlier this year;
- Dec 5th “A Celebration of Saints of Color” presentation by The Rev. Ben Lansing, Deacon, creator of the online art and history series Our Church Speaks and the co-author of “Our Church Speaks: An Illustrated Devotional of Saints from Every Era and Place” (IVP, 2024) written with D.J. Marotta.; and
- Feb 13th Commemoration of the Episcopal Feast Day of The Blessed Absalom Jones at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (Phoenix). The theme of this year’s celebration is, “I Am Absalom!” and will feature historical information about Absalom Jones and a coloring page for the young people of our Diocese whose artwork will be displayed on our website and at the reception following the service. The Chapter will hand out the coloring packets - and two new Fact Snacks! - during Diocesan Convention (Oct 17th at Saint Barnabas, Scottsdale).
Presentation of gift of thanks to the people of Saint James Episcopal Church (Tempe) for hosting our meeting: Chapter member The Rev. Anne K. Ellsworth, Priest-in-Charge, accepted the framed illustration of Saint James created by The Rev. Ben Lansing from Vice President Kathryn Elliott-Hudson.