St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is sponsoring this study program developed by The Episcopal Church that brings awareness of racial history in this country.
Last year Peggy Smith facilitated Sacred Ground for members of St. Peter’s. People were amazed both by what they hadn’t known, AND by how nurturing it was to learn these hard truths in a container of warmth, acceptance and spiritual dedication.
The 10-part 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. For more information, go to this link: episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground/.
Sacred Ground is a sensitive, prayerful resource that creates space for difficult but respectful and transformative dialogue on race and racism.
It invites participants to walk back through history in order to peel away the layers that brought us to today, reflecting on family histories and stories, as well as important narratives that shape the collective American story. It is especially designed to help white people talk with other white people.
The program involves watching a variety of documentary films (mostly from PBS) and reading two books, Waking Up White and Jesus And The Disinherited. There is a rich trove of additional recommended materials for those who want to delve deeper. A tremendous amount of care and thoughtfulness has gone into crafting the curriculum. Peggy brings experience as a nonviolent communications teacher to help handle strong emotions that come up. Last year’s group found the whole experience informative both intellectually and emotionally.
Sessions will run every other Wednesday, 5:30 – 7:00 PM on Zoom, beginning January 5. Session dates will be
January 5, 19;
February 2, 16
March 2, 16
April 6, 20
May 4, 18
The offering is provided within the gift economy, which means participants can, if they want and are able to, provide a gift for the facilitation. It is expected that participants will have access to the two books. Other readings & videos are available on the internet at no charge. The group size, minimum of 10 and a maximum of 40 participants.
To register contact Peggy Smith, peggy@opencommunication.org. Registration closes December 29, 2021.
