SACRED GROUND

Welcome to Sacred Ground, a “deep-dive” antiracism study. 

Registration is still open for the Sacred Ground deep-dive antiracism series beginning on August 25th, 2021. We will be gathering for 12 sessions over 23 weeks, with meetings via Zoom every other Wednesday from 2:30-4:00pm PDT.

Sign up for 2021 Sacred Ground here.

From the Episcopal Church’s website: 

Sacred Ground is a film- and readings- based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. The 10-part series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings.  

In an introductory message, the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers says: 

More than a teaching tool, Sacred Ground aims to call us from our small worlds and small screens and into intentional, sustained circles in which we can pray, watch, share our own stories, reflect, wonder, reckon, heal, and commit to action. Think of it as a pilgrimage in place.

Is Sacred Ground for me?

From Stephanie Spellers again (abridged):

“In particular, Sacred Ground has been designed to provide a context for white folks to talk to other white folks about their own racial identity and stories, with an eye toward class, region, and family history. Why is this important? Whites-only or segregated groups sound like a step backward. But when it comes to the work of justice and healing, we need to do a dance – moving from interracial circles to affinity groups and back again. As a black person, I often need to test and speak vulnerable truths among other black people before extending outward. There is healing work we can only do with people who’ve engaged in the same struggle and bear the same responsibility.

With Sacred Ground, white folks may learn to create a faithful, compassionate, truthful space for hearing and sharing stories and histories. In this space – surrounded by our shared faith in redemption, resurrection of life, and the abounding grace of God – I hope white Episcopalians and friends will grow in wisdom, strength, courage, and wholeness. That’s the only way we become a beloved community.

All that said, you do not have to be white to participate in Sacred Ground. Whatever your racial background, we hope this carefully curated collection of readings and films will prove enlightening and transformative.”

Racial Justice Resources

Click here for some resources to build a daily habit of anti-racism. Share them with friends, family, or strangers you meet along the way!

Assignments

As the course progresses, I will post links to all materials and films on the study page for each session. Assignments are to be completed BEFORE each session, for discussion:

  • Session #0: Course Introduction
  • Session #1: Stepping onto Sacred Ground
  • Session #2: The Roots of Whiteness, and Deeper Roots
  • Session #3: Whose Land? Exploring Indigenous History
  • Session #4: Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery: Exploring Black History
  • Session #5: Whose Land? More Layers: Exploring Latinx History
  • Session #6: Americans, Not Foreigners: Exploring Asian/Pacific American History
  • Session #7: Selective Access to the Melting Pot and the American Dream: 1830s-1960s
  • Session #8: Divisions in Present-Day White America
  • Session #9: Legacies: Racism’s Long Life
  • Session #10: Becoming Beloved Community
  • Session #11: In the Beloved Community
  • Commissioning Service
More information can be found on EpiscopalChurch.org/Sacred-Ground.