Williams, an Episcopalian, is a senior correspondent at National Public Radio (NPR) who has written for The Washington Post and regularly appears on Fox News and PBS.

"We are ecstatic that Juan Williams has confirmed to give our keynote address this year at the 40th-anniversary conference," said the Rev. Martini Shaw, conference dean and rector of historic St. Thomas African Episcopal Church in Philadelphia.

At this time in American politics, where history is about to be made in the Democratic Party with the nomination of its first female or first African-American presidential candidate, Shaw said, who better than Williams to "speak with knowledge and appreciation?"

Episcopalians are set to gather in the "City of Brotherly Love" June 29-July 3 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Philadelphia-Cherry Hill in Cherry Hill, N.J., to celebrate past accomplishments and set new goals.

Hosted by the Union's Philadelphia chapter and themed "Celebrating Our Past: Reaching New Horizons," the conference will feature Youth Explosion IV; a founder's luncheon honoring UBE incorporators, past presidents and life members; a gala and tribute to the Rev. Canon Thomas Logan Sr. and the late Rev. Paul Washington; and an ecumenical reconciliation Eucharist.

"This is like a homecoming," said Shaw. "African-American Episcopalians from around the country will return to its roots in Philadelphia, where black folk in the Episcopal Church became active members in the church with the founding of St. Thomas."
Any time African-Americans can come together in Philadelphia, he said, "it should be seen as a celebration."

The intergenerational assemblage will celebrate the lives, contributions and sacrifices of people of color and pay musical tribute to Dr. Horace Clarence Boyer, professor of music (emeritus) at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Boyer is an expert on black gospel music and edited Lift Every Voice and Sing II.

Although each conference is unique, some elements have become a constant.

Youth will play an integral role in all aspects of the conference, including leading a youth Eucharist service on July 1.

Free time has been built into the conference to allow participants a chance to explore Philadelphia. Coinciding with the conference is Philadelphia's annual Sunoco Welcome America Philadelphia event.

"This is an annual celebration here in Philadelphia where we celebrate Philadelphia being the birthplace of America," explained Shaw. "So there are all kinds of activities that surround that week as it relates to Philadelphia gaining its independence from Britain."

For conference registration, visit http://www.ube.org/main.html. For more on Sunoco Welcome America Philadelphia visit: http://www.americasbirthday.com/.