Arizona Faith Network Annual Gathering

📅 Tuesday, December 2, 2025
🕘 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Registration 8:30, Breakfast 9:00, Program 10:00)
📍 Baháʼí Faith Community Center | 6910 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
🌐 Hybrid (in-person & live-streamed) | Bilingual (Spanish & English)

Join Arizona Faith Network to rise together in unity at this year’s Annual Gathering, themed United We Rise. This will be a morning of connection, learning, and celebration with people of faith from across Arizona. Whether you’ve been with AFN for years or are joining us for the first time, you belong here.

We are honored to welcome Gen Kelsang Chenma, Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Center Phoenix, as our keynote speaker. A Buddhist nun known for her warmth and practical wisdom, Gen Chenma will inspire us to embrace compassion and courage as we work for peace and justice in our communities.

👉 Register Now to save your spot—in person or online. Choose the option that best supports your well-being, and be part of this transformative day.

We are especially excited to celebrate and honor an outstanding group of leaders who have gone above and beyond in their service to Arizona’s communities. This year’s AFN Awardees include:

• Rev. Bridge Builder Award: Dr. Warren Stewart, Pastor Emeritus, First Institutional Baptist Church, Phoenix

• Peacemakers in Action Award: Gokhan Dorum, CEO, SEMA Foundation;

• Mary Permoda, Director of Mental Health Ministry, Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix

• Above and Beyond Award: Pastor Towanda Connelly, Wesley United Methodist Church

• Legacy Award: Billie Fidlin, AFN Board President Emeritus

• Community Hero Award: Representative Patricia Contreras (LD12) and

• Detective Michael Hillman, Phoenix Police Department, Community Relations Bureau – Community Response Squad