Exemplary Ally Awards

UBE EXEMPLARY ALLY AWARDS

The vision of the Church Pension Group, “to provide our clients with the highest possible level of financial security in retirement consistent with exemplary financial stewardship on our part and with the evolving needs of the Church” provides the primary impetus for the mutually beneficial partnership Church Pension Group has forged and maintained with the Union of Black Episcopalians for many years. CPG has been a major donor towards UBE’s Annual Business Meeting and Conference, contributing financially and faithfully sending key organizational representatives every year. This connection has kept UBE clergy membership apprised of research being undertaken of special interest to persons of color as well as of benefits of importance to clergy and laity alike. Most significantly, CPG has and continues to undertake bold and innovative initiatives to make certain CPG is doing more than merely identifying evolving needs. Within the last decade alone Church Pension Group, and its Church Publishing, Inc. arm, have partnered with UBE in the launch of our quarterly virtual “We’re Talking Now” series, has provided UBE members with discounts on book purchases, has spearheaded the analysis of clergy compensation data to provide insight into the Church’s treatment of minorities and has facilitated the offering of a CREDO wellness affinity group offering specifically for clergy of color and will do so again in 2023. When asked to share why the relationship with the Union has been a priority for CPG, Anne Malloney, former Chief Ecclesiastical Officer for CPG writes, “As with all good relationships where the parties involved positively impact one another, CPG has benefited uniquely from this one. In order to fulfill its purpose to serve the lay employees and clergy who serve the Episcopal Church, CPG must remain alert to the changing needs and evolving concerns of the Church. UBE has been a faithful partner as a source of information, honest feedback, and crucial connection to important constituents. For example, UBE and its membership helped CPG prove out our affinity CREDO model by their early participation in this program. Its success affirmed the wisdom of this approach as another option in our core educational offerings for clergy. Similarly, it was because of UBE’s partnership that CPG was able to get the word out to Clergy of Color asking for important demographic data to help the Church address issues of equity and parity…There are too many examples to list here, but the message I want to convey is the importance of the UBE relationship to the Church Pension Group.” Through its rewarding partnership with the Union, Church Pension Group attests to the value of the voice and presence of black Episcopalians and other persons of color in The Episcopal Church and further demonstrates the Church’s efforts to achieve God’s Beloved Community amongst all its members.

UBE EXEMPLARY ALLY AWARD

When one looks at the meaning of the word “Exemplary”, it truly describes the relationship and support that the Diocese of Southern Ohio has provided the Union of Black Episcopalians over these past 35 Years. The Diocese of Southern Ohio has been a model of inspiration and shared vision of eradicating racism from the church and society. Over the past 35 years, it has been the trellis that has supported UBE to grow and become the organization it is today. The Genesis of the relationship between the Union of Black Episcopalians and the Diocese of Southern Ohio began in 1987 when UBE held its Annual Meeting and Conference on the campus of Xavier University in Cincinnati located in the Diocese. UBE was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Office of Black Ministry to support the conference which had to be requested and administered by the office of the Diocesan Bishop. The then Bishop, The Right Rev. William M. Black, provided an additional $20,000 to help with the underwriting of conference expenses. This was the first time that the UBE Annual Meeting and Conference had met west of the Allegheny Mountains. From 1989 to the year 2009, the UBE National Office and Headquarters was located in the Diocese of Southern Ohio. The Diocese in many ways has served as the Fiscal Agent for UBE by providing a series of grants, advances, loans, and loan guarantees to support UBE during those times of shortfalls in Annual revenue or unexpected expenses. In 2002 UBE was forced to cancel the Annual Meeting and Conference due to a national boycott of downtown Cincinnati caused by the shooting in the back of a young unarmed black man by the local police. The Rt Rev. Herbert Thompson Jr. intervened to call for a “Summit on Racism” and met with the hotel owners on behalf of UBE to make arrangements and serve as guarantor of UBE’s $73,000 debts owed to the hotel and others. In 2016 the Diocese restructured an outstanding $100,000 loan to be a combination $50, 000 grant and a $50,000 ten-year loan at 4% interest. The UBE Board of Directors has voted to pay off the loan balance and is pleased to present a check for this amount at the 2022 UBE Awards Dinner. UBE celebrates the steadfast support and encouragement it has received from the Diocese of Southern Ohio, a partner whose assistance in word and deed has enabled UBE to stabilize its operations and realize the present that we now enjoy.