The Tribune

The Union of Black Episcopalians will be commemorating its 50th anniversary when it holds its annual business meeting and conference in the Bahamas next month.

The conference, to be hosted at the Meliá Nassau Beach resort July 23-27, serves as a key gathering point for the members of the African diaspora in the Episcopal Church. The theme this year is "UBE at 50: The Glory of the Past, the Hope for the Future."

The conference kicks off on July 23 with an opening Eucharist at 7pm at Christ Church Cathedral. The preacher will be Bishop Michael Curry, head of the American Episcopal Church, who recently gave a spirited sermon at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. The chief celebrant will be Rev Laish Boyd, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos.

Other highlights will include panels on the topics of "Multi-Culturalism" and "Voices of the Present and Future". Dr Elliston Rahming, former Ambassador at the United Nations for the Bahamas, will be the presenter for these sessions on July 25.

The July 26 plenary, "Can These Bones Live?", will address the challenges faced by black congregations. The speaker for this session will be Rev Ronald Byrd, of the Office of Black Ministries in the Episcopal Church.

That night, the 50th anniversary gala banquet will be held, in addition to an awards ceremony.

The conference will be closed out with a special healing service on July 27. The celebrant will be Rev Carl Wright, Bishop Suffragan of Armed Services and Federal Ministries. The preacher will be Rev Kwasi Thornell, past national president of UBE.