Sacred Ground: A Film-Based Dialogue on Race and Faith

Photo by Erez Attias on Unsplash

Sacred Ground is a film- and reading-based dialogue series on race and faith. Participants will walk together through America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in the threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. It’s an invitation for small groups to gather to learn, share, and prepare to become Beloved Community.

“Sacred Ground is a time and opportunity to hear the story of our past with regard to race, to hear our stories of our pasts,” said The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. “By listening to those stories and hearing them, and then telling our own stories together, and then looking possibly at the stories of our very faith, somehow, from the travail and the reality of all of those stories may emerge hope for a new day.”

Built around a curriculum of powerful documentary films, videos, and readings, this 10-part series considers some of the major chapters of the United States of America’s history of race and racism. It focuses on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian American histories as they intersect with European American histories. Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to challenges and divides in the present day – all with a deep foundation in faith and love.

While not specifically written for young people and youth groups, the material is accessible and relevant and can easily be adapted for your young people.

Created by Katrina Browne, producer and director of the documentary Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North, this small group resource 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. Sacred Ground is especially targeted to help white people talk with each other about racism past and present, their own racial identity, and the interwoven issues of class, region, and ideology.

Dismantling Racism Youth Curriculum

Dismantling racism is the work of a lifetime, and no single course of study will "fix" things. However, a well-designed curriculum with solid theology, good pedagogy, and useful materials can help jumpstart a conversation within a youth group and a church. This resource is one such opportunity.

The Office of Youth Ministry of the Diocese of Atlanta in partnership with The Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing have designed, printed and piloted a groundbreaking six-week Dismantling Racism for Youth Curriculum for grades 6 through 12. The first draft of the curriculum was completed in July of 2017 and piloted during the 17-18 school year in 8 parishes with over 100 youth in participation. After receiving feedback, course refinements were made and now, they are now ready to share our work with anyone and everyone.

In order to receive the curriculum, one must complete their "train the trainer" course, a one-day training by the curriculum writers and others experienced with the course.

We would be happy to bring the training to this diocese if there is sufficient interest in bringing the training here. To express interest in this possibility, contact the Rev. H. Mark Smith, Diocesan Youth Missioner.

Let us continue to be Christians that address tough issues

choosing love over all else.

-Easton Davis, Youth and Young Adult Missioner, Diocese of Atlanta

Thinking About Race: 10 Ways Well-Meaning White Teachers Bring Racism Into Our Schools [and Churches!]

Originally written for classroom teachers, this important article addresses an issue that is just as important for youth workers, youth ministers, Christian educators, and others working with young people in church.

The author, Jamie Utt, says in his introduction, "most White teachers mean well and have no intention of being racist. Yet as people who are inscribed with Whiteness, it is possible for us to act in racist ways no matter our intentions. Uprooting racism from our daily actions takes a lifetime of work." The article goes on to identify common ways White adults working with young people of color can shut down communications with them and, as importantly, things that can be done to more fully embody the wide and inclusive love of Christ in our work with all young people.

This thought provoking article is a fertile source for personal reflection and prayer. It could also be used as the centerpiece of an important meeting topic among a team of youth workers, or between youth workers and young people or parish leadership and parents.

It's an important resource for all who interact with youth in places of learning. Read the whole article here.