The Union of Black Episcopalians continues the tradition of over 200 years of black leadership in the Episcopal Church.
Beginning with Absalom Jones’ establishment of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, in 1794 and ending with Michael Curry’s election as Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, there has always been a strong corps of black Christians in the Episcopal Church—people like James Holly, Henry Delaney, John Walker, Tollie Caution, Charles Lawrence, Deborah Harmon Hines, and countless others.
The Union of Black Episcopalians is a confederation of more than 55 chapters and interest groups in the continental United States and the Caribbean. It also has members in Canada, Africa, and Latin America.
Karl and Virginia Washington founded Arizona’s Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) chapter. Shortly after UBE was formed at the national level in 1968 by a group of African American clergy and laity, Karl and Virginia discovered it at an Episcopal Church National Conference. This was during the Black Power movement in America when establishing Black organizations became an alternative to failed attempts at assimilation. Upon returning to Arizona, they started visiting Episcopal congregations to identify African Americans and invite them to join the Arizona Chapter. From the beginning, they encouraged African American Episcopalians to identify themselves and welcomed people of other ethnicities to participate.
During the quarantine and social distancing days of the COVID-19 pandemic, UBE-AZ began meeting over Zoom. This enabled Episcopalians from all over the state to participate, and the organization grew. It provides a safe space for people all over Arizona to help define the organization and work toward opportunity and equality.