By Andrea Lauerman

This first month as Sacred Ground coordinator has left me thinking about connection. Many of the stories in the news these days are about how divided we are as a country. This division is certainly something we need to be attuned to, but I am also inspired by the many ways that folks are coming together to move toward Beloved Community.

I have seen firsthand the power of Sacred Ground to foster deep connection in the circles that I have facilitated. Folks with different racial identities, political beliefs, socioeconomic backgrounds, and myriad other differences learn and practice having deep, difficult conversations while acknowledging and valuing the diversity among us. Through this process, we are able to understand our painful national history of racism, and to consider together what this new understanding might ask of us in terms of actions toward racial justice.

If you haven’t yet had an opportunity to participate in a Sacred Ground group, please consider doing so. If your church doesn’t yet offer Sacred Ground, you can organize a group (click “getting started” on our website), find another congregation that does offer it (click “Sacred Ground” under the ministries drop-down on the Episcopal Asset Map), or reach out to your diocese to find out about how you can get connected to an in-person or virtual group in your area.

In addition to Sacred Ground groups, we seek to foster connection in other ways:

GENERAL CONVENTION: The Sacred Ground team was all together in Louisville, Kentucky, for General Convention. We presented about Sacred Ground at the Racial Justice and Creation Care learning party (along with intrepid Sacred Ground facilitator/organizer Jayne Osgood), where we also learned about the reparations process of Christ Church Cathedral in Louisville. We greeted thousands of worshipers at the General Convention revival, hosted several Sacred Ground “meetups” at our booth in the exhibit hall, and spoke with hundreds of people about the program throughout this inspiring week.

REGIONAL CONVENINGS: We are launching a series of regional Sacred Ground convenings to bring together folks who are looking to take their Sacred Ground journey to the next level, as well as those who just want to learn more about the program. These will be opportunities to celebrate the deep work of Becoming Beloved Community and to plan meaningful action toward racial justice. The first such gathering will occur in Durham, North Carolina, on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 9 and 10. If you reside in that area or are interested in attending, please mark your calendar. 

FALL WEBINAR WITH BISHOP CURRY: Knowing that many Sacred Ground groups start in the fall, we will gather for the Sacred Ground program-year launch on Sept. 17, from 1-2:30 p.m. ET on Zoom. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will join us for a virtual conversation and to offer his blessing upon this work. We hope that it will be an opportunity to explore the spiritual dimension of Sacred Ground and to share in the hope, joy, and purpose that this program embodies. 

Thanks to each of you for the work that you do to combat racism and to bring us ever closer to Beloved Community. I feel fortunate to be a part of this effort.

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Andrea Lauerman is the Sacred Ground program coordinator.