Sacred Ground is part of the Episcopal Church's Becoming Beloved Community initiative, an invitation to gather in small groups for honest, grace-filled conversation about our shared history, our neighbors, and our common life as people of faith.
Grounded in story, Scripture, and listening, Sacred Ground is a sensitive, prayerful resource that creates space for difficult but respectful and transformative dialogue on race and racism. It invites participants to walk back through history in order to peel away the layers that brought us to today, reflecting on family histories and stories, as well as important narratives that shape the collective American story. While attention is given to race and racism, Sacred Ground also invites us to consider intersections with cultural divisions rooted in economic class, and regional and political identity, to consider how we might more fully live out Christ's call to love one another.
In short, Sacred Ground holds as a guiding star the vision of beloved community – where all people are honored, protected and nurtured as beloved children of God, where we weep at one another’s pain and seek one another’s flourishing.
The circle is open to everyone, whatever your background or starting point.
Sacred Ground Process
Truth Telling: Walk through America’s history, weaving in threads of personal and family experiences
Repairing the Breach: Develop sacred listening skills to promote courageous conversations and healing between divisions within our culture
Proclaiming the Dream: Challenge heart and soul to see how we’re called to make a difference in the lives of ourselves and others
Practicing the Way of Love: Learn how we might truly respect the dignity of every human being
Sacred Ground Format
3 hours homework per session:
READ — free online articles and book excerpts
VIEW — documentary films and interviews
Gather in circles of 8 to 10 participants with 2 facilitators; choose either an in-person circle or a ZOOM circle
Attend 11 Sessions, meeting every other week for 2 hours — September through March — with breaks for holidays.
Invite your friends, family, spouse and neighbors to join you; all are welcome!!
Sacred Ground Dialogue Circles
All registrants and facilitators are asked to attend an Orientation Meeting on September 13, 2026 in the Parish Hall 11:45 AM – 2:00 PM (Lunch provided)
Friday Circle |11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Church Office – September 25, October 9, October 23, November 6, November 27, December 11, January 8, January 22, February 5, February 19.
Sunday Evening Circle | 6-8 PM | Church Office – September 27, October 11, October 25, November 8, November 29, December 13, January 10, January 24, February 7, February 21.
Monday Evening Circle | 7-9 PM | via Zoom – September 28, October 12, October 26, November 9, November 30, December 14, January 11, January 25, February 8, February 22.
In addition, all Dialogue Circles will meet together for a final session on Saturday, March 13, 2027 in the Parish Hall from 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM (Dinner provided).
For more information
Visit the Episcopal Church’s Sacred Ground website
Contact Dana Guazzo