Sacred Ground 2024

Our first Sacred Ground class is full, but we’d like to create a second class. If you’re interested in joining, reach out to Andy (804-615-2425) or Suzanne (804-839-3488), or email us at DoersSacredGround@gmail.com

Sacred Ground: A Dialogue Series on Race

Sacred Ground was launched in 2019 by The Episcopal Church and was inaugurated at St. James’s in Fall 2020. The curriculum covers social justice history for Indigenous, Black, Latino, Asian and other ethnic communities. Sponsored by the Becoming Beloved Community (BBC) group at St. James’s, Sacred Ground has been a life-changing experience for 80+ parishioners. The clergy and the BBC group feel the course offering should be a priority for our congregation. This Fall, Suzanne Hall and Andy Bennett, both members of the BBC committee, will co-facilitate a course beginning in early October on Zoom, every other Monday, calendar permitting.

The Sacred Ground program offers small discussion groups led by trained facilitators in order to make conversations about race and injustice safe, meaningful and more impactful. The program lasts for eleven sessions, so the groups are able to form deep connections that allow people to be comfortable exploring difficult concepts about race, the roots of racism, and how we approach racism in our time.

You can learn more at the Sacred Ground page on the Episcopal Church website. 

Our first Sacred Ground class is full, but we’d like to create a second class. If you’re interested in joining, reach out to Andy (804-615-2425) or Suzanne (804-839-3488), or email us at DoersSacredGround@gmail.com

Why should I join a Sacred Ground group?

Participants join the Sacred Ground program for many different reasons:

‚óè A desire to understand the roots of the racial disparities that exist in American society

‚óè A hunger for meaningful dialogue with other members of the community

‚óè A need to overcome the feeling of powerlessness when faced with the enormity of racism

‚óè An aspiration to raise children who can be capable citizens of a multiracial society

‚óè A wish to understand how and why the conversation around race has changed during one’s lifetime

Whatever your reasons for joining may be, know that you are welcome in this program.

Frequently Asked Questions

‚óè How often do the groups meet, and for how long?

Groups meet roughly every two weeks over the course of eleven sessions. The sessions are for approximately 2 hours.

‚óè Where are the sessions held?

The initial offering will be by Zoom.

‚óè Is there homework?

In preparation for each session, participants are asked to engage with video and print materials elated to the theme of that session. Preparation normally takes about 90 minutes.

‚óè Is this a religious program?

While the program is grounded in faith and designed by the Episcopal Church, it is not strictly religious. The course is intended to be inclusive and can be adapted and meaningful for people of all faiths or no faith at all.

More quotes from Sacred Ground Participants:

“Sacred Ground invited me to wrestle with what has been done and left undone in the past.” -Dena Moore

“The curriculum and discussions have enriched my life in ways I never would have imagined.” -Priscilla Webster

“I think Sacred Ground could make this a kinder, gentler nation.” -Sam Fuller

‚ÄúSacred Ground’s hopeful approach to these difficult topics gave me insight into how we as a faith community can do better when it comes to racial healing.‚Äù -Christie Hartwell

‚ÄúYou don’t know what you don’t know. ‚ĶIt’s eye-opening, and relevant.‚Äù -Susan Coleman

“Sacred Ground was an amazing experience for me and helped me to recognize how many inbred prejudices I have. It enabled me to begin to look at them for healing and reconciliation.” -Lucy Oliver

“It was an eye-opener for me, and having the opportunity to discuss the things I learned with fellow St. James’sers who strive to love our neighbors as ourselves was especially powerful.” -Brooke Taylor

“The material covered is sobering, but the conversations and shared experiences around the material were every bit as raw and inspiring.” -Mark Shuford

“It created a new way of looking at our world. I am so very hopeful our community can overcome and help heal the injustices that have been ignored for so very long.” -Kay Tyler

“It’s amazing what I learned.” -Rhoda Mahoney

“Learning it from the Sacred Ground point of view and sharing it in a small group is a life-changing experience.” -Marjorie Bribitzer

“The course gave me a broader perspective about history and facts that I hadn’t known previously.” -Fontaine Williamson

To Sign Up, call Andy (804-615-2425) or Suzanne (804-839-3488), or email us at DoersSacredGround@gmail.com.