UBE Arizona Welcomes Bishop John & Delegation!
UBE Arizona Member Bishop Jennifer A. Reddall and Bishop John Orina Omangi. [photo credit: Danzafoto Photography]
Bishop John Orina Omangi accepting a donation for his diocese from the membership of UBE Arizona from President Helenor Webb. [photo credit: Danzafoto Photography]
The digital ring and globe in the Haas Digital Global Forum at Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ. [photo credit: Danzafoto Photography]
As UBE President Helenor Webb expressed at the start of the night, it was UBE Arizona’s great joy and privilege to host a very special evening with our Kenyan siblings in Christ at Thunderbird School of Global Management in downtown Phoenix, AZ on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
We welcomed back to Arizona The Rt. Rev. Dr. John Orina Omangi, First Bishop of the ACK Diocese of Upper Southern Nyanza-Kisii, and The Rev. Canon Patience Nyaoga, the Chair of the Diocesan Synod, who had visited in 2024, and greeted for the first time Stephen Forster Opanga, who works with youth and young adults in the diocese, and Lucy Wahito Wachira, a lay leader in the diocese and the Managing Director of Kisii Water and Sanitation Company.
The event began with dinner in the Haas Digital Global Forum, surrounded by photos of UBE Arizona events - including the 2024 jazz dinner the Chapter hosted for Bishop John and the 2025 Pilgrimage to Kisii led by UBE members The Rev. Anne Ellsworth and Canon Alex Leonard, along with Canon Kathleen O’Leary, all three of whom were in attendance. After permission to begin was granted by esteemed UBE Arizona elder Muriel Hiller, Canon Alex offered the Opening Prayer.
Dr. Samantha Alvis, Executive Director of the Najafi 100 Million Learners Global Initiative at Thunderbird, told the gathering about the wonderful online educational opportunities offered to students around the world at no cost to them and shared a moving story of a learner in Kenya who had made the most of his 100 Million Learners experience to help his community. UBE Arizona was proud to make a donation in support of this tremendous initiative.
The Rev. Dr. Mauricio Wilson, President of the national Union of Black Episcopalians was also among our honored guests and offered a beautiful blessing of the meal.
UBE Member The Rt. Rev. Jennifer A. Reddall, Sixth Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, introduced Bishop John who showed a video about all the incredible work being done in his diocese to bring God to the people and the people to God. He thanked Bishop Reddall, the people of the Diocese of Arizona, and UBE Arizona for their support of these good works and for the cherished relationship that has developed.
A Music of the World Dessert Reception followed in The Pub at Thunderbird and featured marvelous live music provided by legendary local guitarist Stan Sorenson, with Ted Sistrunk on bass and Adam Roberts on saxophone.
UBE Arizona President-elect The Rev. Canon Dr. Robert Phillips offered the Closing Prayer and invited Bishop John to send us everyone on their way safely home with a farewell blessing.
Watch this space for more photos from the event, and we wish Bishop John and delegation a wonderful rest of their visit here in Arizona!
Her Excellency Ambassador Dr. Tomesha D. Walker and Bishop John. [photo credit: Danzafoto Photography]
The Rev. Dr. Mauricio J. Wilson, President of the Union of Black Episcopalians. [photo credit: Danzafoto Photography]