In our continuing efforts to become antiracist, Saint Columba's will be hosting a Sacred Ground dialogue circle. As described on 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 her message about the program, 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”.

The curriculum resources include documentary films, articles, video clips, and book excerpts, which participants will be responsible for reading and viewing prior to each meeting.

The group will meet for 12 sessions over 23 weeks beginning September 2nd, with one held every other Wednesday from 2:30-4:00pm PDT.

Space will be limited due to the "small group" nature of the course; if we have more applicants than we have space, we will create a waitlist as we see how to expand the circles.

More information here: https://deaconsjourney.com/justice/sacred-ground/.

The course is free and open to all. The 21-Day Forum or similar antiracism work is a prerequisite to this deeper dive.

This initiative is being led by Deacon Ari Wolfe.