Sacred Ground

SACRED GROUND, A FILM-BASED DIALOGUE SERIES ON RACE AND FAITH

The GSL Social Justice ministry continues to seek to inspire our community to more fully live into our Baptismal Covenant “to strive for justice and peace among all people.” The next phase of our work began in September 2021, when we began to offer the Sacred Ground series developed by the national Church. Sacred Ground includes a robust curriculum of films and readings on race and faith. Small groups, called dialogue circles, have been considering the history of race and racism in America and have brought their own stories and experiences to the conversation. Sacred Ground is part of The Episcopal Church’s Becoming Beloved Community initiative committed to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice. Grounded in our call to faith, hope, and love, Sacred Ground is specifically designed to help educate white people through conversation as we peel back each layer and consider the origins and causes of present-day divisions and challenges. This work is not easy, but it is holy.

Many helpful resources (ranging from excerpts of the films used to guides for how to prepare to participate) can be found on the national Church website here: Sacred Ground – The Episcopal Church. All materials for Sacred Ground are provided by the church, including the two core books, Waking Up White by Debby Irving, and Jesus and the Disinherited by Dr. Howard Thurman.