I will be joining in again for my second season as a participant learner with this cohort that has ended up meaning a lot to me. This is a film and reading based dialogue on race and faith with newly updated materials about racism in the United States of America’s history. I think this is a timely gathering and if you want to journey with others who want to learn more about this too- this may be the opportunity for you.
This 11-part series is called Sacred Ground: A Film and Reading-based Dialogue on Race and Faith with has been funded and hosted by the Episcopal Church since 2019. You can learn more here: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground/ However, this particular online group offering is graciously hosted again for the 6th season by a partnership of different faith leaders (Lutheran, Moravian, Episcopalian) working together in Full Communion with one another, led by the Rev. Maria Tjeltveit.
How can a group of people come together to learn and have real conversations about the materials they’ve engaged in about race, racism and faith together online?
Find out at the Preview!
Come to the Preview Session on 17 August 2026 to be introduced to this curriculum, meet a few of the leaders (if not all), and get your questions answered. When I attended the preview last year, I had a lot of questions since I didn’t know the group and am a person of color. I was curious about how I’d feel and how this particular group would work. What was the tone of this group and how would they lead facilitating these important and to many, very sensitive topics? If you have similar concerns or questions as I had when I was first checking out this group and community last year, you can discern for yourself if may be for you by reaching out in advance to ask your questions and/or sign up to attend the preview on Zoom online.
Download the invitation letter to those interested below!
Details you can download
Details and dates for 2026-2027 Full Communion Sacred Ground group in a letter to those considering this opportunity and alternative flyer:
This year’s Preview Session is on Monday 17 August at 12:30pm CST or 6pm CST on Zoom (email sacredground.beth@gmail.com to register so you will get the link). After the preview, the cohort’s 11 sessions meet every other Monday on Zoom at the same times (12:30pm CST or 6pm CST) for 1.5 hrs for the morning sessions or the evening sessions starting 31 Aug – 23 Nov and then 4 Jan – 8 Feb 2027.
I’m excited to be journeying together again with others to learn, think through, lament, and share reflections with one another on the topics of race, racism, and our Nation’s history during this time together. Maybe I’ll see you there online!
You are invited to Sacred Ground this fall, 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 11-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 is 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.
Join a full communion Zoom group, with Episcopalians, Lutherans, Moravians, and others, every other Monday , beginning August 31, from 12:30-2pmCST or 6-7:30pmCST, with extended sessions the first session and last two sessions. (There is a break for Advent/Christmas and we end before Lent on 8 Feb 2027.)
There is a preview happening August 17th!! Email to register for the preview and for the 11 session cohort.
COMMITTMENT: There are about 2 hours of film-watching and reading between each session. In addition to the larger group each person will be a part of a small dialogue circle. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend each session, to build trust and depth in the circles.
Sacred Ground is free but it requires an investment of your time and heart that will challenge and reward you, as we work toward becoming Beloved Community.
Please go to www.episcopalchurch.org/sacredground to learn more about Sacred Ground. Contact the Rev. Maria Tjeltveit at sacredground.beth@gmail.com if you have questions or would like to register for a preview session (Aug. 17) or the full course.
Details I’ve gathered
- open ecumenically
- don’t need to be Christian to participate but respectful that the content is Christian (based perspective)
- “Sacred Ground was created by the Episcopal Church in 2019. The films and readings were mostly set at that time. There was a revision in 2022, with some updated materials. There is another update happening now (2026) and will be reflected on the website by the time we begin mid/end of August 2026!
- allow heart to be changed and ourselves to be transformed
- take some of what you learn to work to create a loving community
- this is not a ‘drop-in’ opportunity, after the PREVIEW, if you commit (deadline 31 Aug?) they ask for consistent participation as much as you can.
- Cost is to invest your time and heart by attending regularly, purchase a copy of 2 books (Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman and Waking Up White by Debby Irving or White Awake: An Honest Look at What it Means to be White, by Daniel Hill.)
- There is a focus on other people groups as well: “Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.”
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