Racial Reconciliation and Sacred Ground

Source: Site Page (//Ministries/sacred-ground.html). GUID page-3189460.

Sacred Ground

Film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith; 11 parts covering Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.
Part of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal Church's long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice.
Open to all; especially designed to help white people talk with other white people.

Diocesan-wide Zoom session, mid-January to mid-June; facilitated small "circles" meet every other week plus outside study.
Free; required books: Waking Up White (Debbie Irving) and Jesus and the Disinherited (Howard Thurman).
2026 registration open. Past participants may facilitate; parishes may start their own circles. Contact: Lesley Dean-Sims.

After George Floyd's murder in 2020, diocesan leadership asked a small group of lay people to help advance racial justice.
Sept 2020: Women's Ministry webinar on Caroline Randall Williams's essay "My Body is a Confederate Monument."
Jan 2021: first diocesan Zoom Sacred Ground circles.
June 2023: after the Monuments and Roads pilgrimage, a Voter Registration Committee formed, holding drives in North and South Omaha.
Early 2024: Racial Reconciliation commission formed; meets quarterly.

Chair: Lesley Dean Sims (Church of the Resurrection, Omaha); Co-Chair: MJ Matthews (St. Andrew's). Member list truncated in source.