Sacred Ground
A Film Based Dialogue Series on Race and Faith

The clergy of St. James invite you to join them in participating in “Sacred Ground.”
Although our dialogue series has already begun, we are still welcoming members to access the material and work through this powerful curriculum by the Episcopal Church on the subject of race and faith.
In the course of this 10 part series we will read materials and view videos which could transform our hearts and enlighten us as fellow human beings. Each part of the series is rich with reading and viewing.
To read more click HERE.
Although our dialogue series has already begun, we are still welcoming members to access the material and work through this powerful curriculum by the Episcopal Church on the subject of race and faith.
In the course of this 10 part series we will read materials and view videos which could transform our hearts and enlighten us as fellow human beings. Each part of the series is rich with reading and viewing.
To read more click HERE.

Fr. Mark writes,
“When I was preaching on Pentecost I was struck by how the disciples were able to speak to the crowd in words that each could comprehend. Parthians, Medes, Libyans, Cretans and Arabs were all addressed in a language that they could understand. I don’t feel able to do that when it comes to matters of race and racial injustice. Whatever words I use will be understood by some people in one way and taken to mean something else by others. I can’t speak in a language that all can understand. I acknowledge that this often leaves me unable to speak about things which I should able to address. I acknowledge too that I have benefitted from white privilege. And I’m mindful that I live in a town which has a troubled history when it comes to matters of race. I want to be able to learn to speak about race in America. There are some things which are too important to leave unsaid. So, I am committed to completing the “Sacred Ground” course. I hope that others will join me in this endeavor.”
“When I was preaching on Pentecost I was struck by how the disciples were able to speak to the crowd in words that each could comprehend. Parthians, Medes, Libyans, Cretans and Arabs were all addressed in a language that they could understand. I don’t feel able to do that when it comes to matters of race and racial injustice. Whatever words I use will be understood by some people in one way and taken to mean something else by others. I can’t speak in a language that all can understand. I acknowledge that this often leaves me unable to speak about things which I should able to address. I acknowledge too that I have benefitted from white privilege. And I’m mindful that I live in a town which has a troubled history when it comes to matters of race. I want to be able to learn to speak about race in America. There are some things which are too important to leave unsaid. So, I am committed to completing the “Sacred Ground” course. I hope that others will join me in this endeavor.”

Mo. Rebecca writes,
“As followers of Jesus we are being asked to listen and learn more deeply than ever when it comes to matters of race, justice, and inequality. The Sacred Ground curriculum offers us that opportunity."
“As followers of Jesus we are being asked to listen and learn more deeply than ever when it comes to matters of race, justice, and inequality. The Sacred Ground curriculum offers us that opportunity."
Return to the source page for the course materials HERE.

Two Books to Read
Participants are asked to read these two books as part of the Sacred Ground curriculum.
Waking Up White by Debby Irving
Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman
Follow the links to purchase them online.
Participants are asked to read these two books as part of the Sacred Ground curriculum.
Waking Up White by Debby Irving
Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman
Follow the links to purchase them online.