A Lenten Invitation to Participate in Sacred Ground with the Diocese

Sacred Ground is a film and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. It was developed by The Episcopal Church as a part of “Becoming Beloved Community” and is designed to promote racial understanding, justice and reconciliation. The materials focus on Black, Indigenous, Latino & Asian-Pacific histories as they intersect with European American histories.

​Registration for this Lenten offering of Sacred Ground has ended. The sessions have begun.

Participant Response Sign-up

During each session of Sacred Ground, facilitators look to participants to lead the group into small group discussions by offering a personal response. 

During each Sacred Ground session, there are opportunities for two separate responses from participants that help lead the group into breakout discussion time. The FIRST RESPONSE can be a personal reaction to the assigned readings, videos, or theme of the week. The SECOND RESPONSE will explore a reading, video, or theme of the week in a deeper way through a story, current news item, or a personal reflection. 

Ready to sign up? Choose a date through the sign-ups below:

Additional Resources

For the most part, all you need to participate in the program are an open heart and mind, internet connection, and a computer/phone/tablet. However, there are two books that participants are asked to purchase or borrow on their own. Books are available through the Grace Church Cathedral Gifts of Grace Bookshoppe (giftsofgrace@gracesc.org or 843-732-3019) or you may order from your favorite bookseller.
  • Waking Up White by Debby Irving
  • Jesus & the Disinherited by Howard Thurman

Sacred Ground and The Episcopal Church

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 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.

Watch the video to the right in which the Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, invites all to participate in Sacred Ground. 

Find more information about Sacred Ground on The Episcopal Church website at this link.

Sacred Ground & The Diocese of SC

Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley invited the people of the Diocese of South Carolina to consider participating in Sacred Ground beginning during Lent. The Diocesan Racial Justice & Reconciliation Commission is currently offering the Sacred Ground program via Zoom through two separate sessions: either Mondays at 6 pm or Tuesdays at 1 pm. 

​Option 1 - Mondays at 6 pm: March 7, 21, April 4, 18, May 2, 16, June 6, 20, July 11, 25

Option 2 - Tuesdays at 1 pm: March 8, 22, April 5, 19, May 3, 17, June 7, 21, July 12, 26 

Anyone can attend - clergy or lay, Episcopalian or not - anyone interested in honest discussions about race. Attendance is important. All who commit to participating in the Sacred Ground are asked to make attendance a priority. Missing more than two sessions is not advisable. People registered for one session, can attend the session on the alternate day if that is more feasible in any given week. Please let the program coordinator know if you need to switch sessions for a week.