Justice Ministry Spotlight: The Union of Black Episcopalians, Diocese of Newark Chapter

The Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) stands in the continuing tradition of more than 200 years of Black Leadership in the Episcopal Church, starting with the founding of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas by Absalom Jones, the first African American ordained as an Episcopal priest, in Philadelphia in 1792, to the election and appointment of Barbara Harris as Suffragan Bishop of Massachusetts, and the consecration of over 35 Black Bishops.

Organized in 1968 as the Union of Black Clergy and Laity, the Union is the proud inheritor of the work of many and earlier organizations such as the Convocation of Colored Clergy and the Conference of Church Workers Among Colored People. In 1971 the name was changed to the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE). Today, there are more than 55 chapters and partners worldwide.

The Newark Chapter of the UBE was started in the spring of 1976 by the Reverend Cedric Thompson. Thompson had attended the UBE National Conference and was so inspired by the Union’s goals and purpose that he organized a chapter in Newark, New Jersey.

The Vision of our Chapter is to support all of God’s children through stewardship, evangelism, education, politics, governance, and leadership. Our partnerships with various organizations and churches, along with events held throughout the year, enable us to bring this vision to life.

Since 1979, the Chapter has hosted the annual Absalom Jones Service in the Diocese of Newark. Every year, we recognize and celebrate leaders of all ages in the diocese at our annual Clara Horsley award ceremony (read more about Mrs. Clara and the award criteria here).

The Chapter has also organized the Northeast Regional UBE Conference every three years since 2012.

One of our most significant achievements lies in the area of scholarships. Since establishing the UBE Newark Chapter’s Scholarship Fund in 1979, we have awarded over 150 scholarships to deserving college-bound students and seminarians within our diocese. This year, in tribute to our beloved past President, Marguerite Smith, the scholarship has been renamed The Marguerite Smith Scholarship Fund.

Membership: If you are a child of God, we invite you to join our Chapter to explore, engage, and advocate for those in need and discern what God is calling us to do next. We gather on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 AM, both online via Zoom and in person at the Church of the Epiphany and Christ Church in Orange, NJ. If you have questions, please reach out to a member of our Executive Board:

The Rev. Danielle D. Baker, Vice President – St. Paul’s, Morris Plains
Robert Simmons, Treasurer – Epiphany & Christ Church, Orange
Rosalia Clegg, Membership Co-Chair – House of Prayer, Newark
Rene Pilgrim, Scholarship Chair – St. Luke’s, Montclair
A. Lorraine Jones, Past President – Epiphany & Christ Church, Orange

Our Mission: To unite the diverse cultures, concerns, and gifts of Black Episcopalians by providing preparation and encouragement by way of living out our Baptismal Covenant and fully participating in the mission and governance of The Episcopal Church. This is demonstrated by engaging and welcoming people of color and all God’s children on every level and in every way.