Annual Meeting at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
The Karl and Virginia Washington Chapter of the AZ Union of Black Episcopalians kicked off the 2025-2026 program year on Saturday, September 6, 2025 with a fun-filled day that started at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale, followed by an informative Chapter Meeting at Saint Barnabas in Paradise Valley.
At the park, we gathered for lunch and fellowship under a ramada and enjoyed waving at the passengers on the trains passing by. Thanks to everyone in the hospitality team who arranged for and served a hearty lunch to start the day.
At Saint Barnabas, the Chapter meeting was packed with information and transformative stories.
UBE History: Canon Judith Conley gave a glimpse into the beginning of UBE’s history in the Episcopal Church. It was a wonderful reminder that we should honor and build from that history. We look forward to learning the full story soon.
Family Promise of Phoenix and St. Mary’s Food Bank: Kathryn Elliott-Hudson led discussion of these two UBE outreach efforts. Our Chapter will be participating in an evening of service with Family Promise on Saturday, March 14, 2026, 5-8 p.m. at Saint Barnabas. We will also be volunteering at St. Mary’s Food Bank on Saturday, October 25, 2025, 12-2 p.m. Deacon Bola Oluloru shared that many of his congregation at St. Luke’s at the Mountain are served by St. Mary’s Food Bank and invited the Chapter to be in community at St. Luke’s on Sunday, October 12 at 10 a.m. when Canon Alex Leonard will be visiting the parish.
Art for the Heart: Rosalind Akins of Family Tree Healthcare and two artists told their stories of faith and determination in South Phoenix through the Art for the Heart project supported by AZ UBE. All of us were deeply moved by their stories and how the life-giving project helped them build community among this special group of women.
Tanganyika, Tanzania: Canon Dawn Conley reminded us of ongoing needs in Tanganyika, Tanzania, where she visited as a pilgrim in 2024. She urged us to consider offering our personal support to the efforts of Episcopal Relief and Development (www.episcopalrelief.org) in bringing water to the people in that area of Africa, while considering opportunities available to us as a Chapter to offer financial support where needed. Even small amounts can make a big difference to our fellow children of God.
Summer 2025 Pilgrimage to Kisii, Kenya: Canon Alex Leonard, Rev. Anne Ellsworth, and AZ UBE President Helenor Webb reported on their time with Bishop John Orina Omangi, a true visionary who is accomplishing miracles in Kisii, and the incredible people of the Diocese of Upper Southern Nyanza-Kisii, Kenya. They delivered hundreds of Bibles lovingly collected by Rev. Canon Emmanuel Ike. Watch the Bishop’s E-pistle for more information about a meeting, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 6 p.m., where all the pilgrims, along with Bishop Reddall, will discuss in greater depth the Kisii 202 pilgrimage.
“Beloved Books Beloved Community, book readings with children that inspire seeking Christ in others.” Canon Janet Beason reported on efforts with her daughter, Joy Triche, founder of Joy for Books; and Susan Tuttle to submit a grant application for this outreach initiative of the AZ UBE. This project will give members a fun way to serve God, to connect with the children of our communities, and to deepen our relationships with the Council for Native American Ministry and Hispanic/Latino Ministry, who wrote letters of support for the grant application. Bishop Jennifer Reddall also wrote a letter of support. We hope to hear in late October the outcome of this application.