Sacred Ground

Sacred Ground is an Episcopal Church film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. A small group is 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 series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.

Sacred Ground is part of Becoming Beloved Community, inspired by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and endorsed by the General Convention as the Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society. This series is open to all, and especially designed to help white people talk with other white people. Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day — all while grounded in our call to faith, hope and love.

In the fall of 2024, St. Peter’s will be offering the series in person Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., beginning on October 1. It is a challenging program that includes reading materials and viewing videos as well as taking part in frank and honest discussions, all led by clergy and lay parishioners who have previously taken the course: Pastor Greg Harbaugh, Karen Papke-Shields and Linda Hurley.

There are two optional books for the class: Waking Up White and Jesus for the Disinherited.