Sacred Ground"
A 10-Week Dialogue Series on Race & Faith
Announcing a New Virtual Lenten Program

"Sacred Ground" A 10-Week Dialogue Series on Race & Faith

Classes take place on Mondays, 7:30 – 9 pm via Zoom 

February 22

March 1, March 8, March 15, March 22

April 12, April 19, April 26

May 3, May 10 

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 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, 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.

This course from the Mercer School is designed for those in our Diocese who do not have access to Sacred Ground in their own congregations, or for congregations who may not have enough interested members to form their own circle. It is part of our Diocesan commitment to building Beloved Community together. Facilitators are EDLI clergy and learning materials will be provided from the TEC website. No fee required.

REGISTER BY Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021

Questions?

Contact: merceroffice@dioceseli.org. or 516-248-4800 Ext 140.​

​Greetings,

Many of us are hearing the clear call to learn more about the origins of the inequities and injustices deeply embedded in our society today – and to take actions that support justice and equality. This summer and fall, Lifelong Learning offers two online opportunities to participate in the Sacred Ground curriculum, a film-based discussion series offered by The Episcopal Church that is especially designed to help white people engage in conversation about the history of race in America. The first will begin on Monday afternoons in July and the second will be on a weekday evening in September. Scroll down for more information.

Over the next few months, we are planning additional opportunities for conversations on racism, justice, and faith. We hope you will join us. As always, we invite your ideas and suggestions.

Faithfully,

— Diane M. Wright, Senior Associate for Lifelong Learning
and Director, Continuing Education

Sacred Ground: Conversations on Race and Faith
The pandemic has forced us to pause, look, and listen to the world around us. Bubbling to the surface are the cries that have been silenced for centuries. This past year I had the opportunity to participate in, and later lead, sessions of Sacred Ground, a film-based dialogue series from The Episcopal Church. This series offers a deep dive into the often-hidden history of our country and the negative effects still felt so strongly by so many of our brothers and sisters. It is soul work and provides space for the deep introspection necessary in the struggle towards racial justice. If you want to be more faithful to your baptismal vows of striving for justice and peace among all people and respecting the dignity of EVERY human being, please prayerfully consider taking this course.
​
Conor Salter
VTS Pathways to Ministry student

Conversations on Race and Faith: The Sacred Ground Curriculum
Online - Mondays July 13, 20, Aug 3, 17, 31, Sept 14
3:00 to 5:00 p.m. (ET)
Click here to register

Are you interested in reading, watching, and learning about the history of race and racism in America and the impact it has on our world today – and engaging in meaningful conversation about change? Join this online cohort and explore a rich curriculum focused on Indigenous, Black, Latino and Asian Pacific Americans as their histories intersect with European American history. For each session we will gather online for conversation to help us 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. This Sacred Ground curriculum has been especially designed to help white people engage in conversation about the history of race in America.

​During the Covid-19 emergency all gatherings are prohibited in NY State. If your ministry requires you to have Safe Church training, please contact your clergy or warden to determine if your parish participates in the SafeguardingOnline program. You can take the training online and the system should generate a certificate. We hope that in-person Safe Church training sessions will resume at the Mercer School this summer. Please continue to visit the Mercer website for updates.