The Episcopal Church acknowledges the urgent need to address police violence and its racial justice implications. The Office of Government Relations continues to advocate for federal legislation on this issue, but we also recognize and respect the power of advocacy from individual communities, parishes, and organizations. The actions below are intended to encourage you to get involved locally, as the approaches to addressing police violence are highly dependent on local context, local structures, and local relationships, and must be attended to as such. 

The Episcopal Church calls for action to address police violence and reform, and “condemns the improper and violent actions of authorities against people of color.” The Executive Council encourages the Church to work toward transforming the criminal justice system at the federal, state, regional, and local levels, including by enacting substantial police reforms. 

Take action using the resources below: 

1. Write your members of Congress in support of legislation like the George Floyd Justice in Policing bill from 2021 that would set national standards and attempt to bring about lasting change to the ways that police departments operate 

2. Contact your state legislators to learn about reform efforts at the state level. Many states are working to enact major change and may be able to address specific issues you make them aware of. This can be done by visiting your states’ legislature page.  

3. Learn about your local law enforcement: What is its jurisdiction? Who controls funding and provides oversight? What is the racial makeup of the police force? Do they live in the communities they serve?  

4. Contact your local Mayor and Sheriff’s Office as well as your city council to ask them to implement policies to end police violence 

5. Learn about and connect with organizations working on police reform in your city and municipality. Here is a report as an example from Ferguson, MO, on community-based efforts to hold law enforcement accountable   

6. Engage in anti-racism training to better equip yourself for civic participation 

7. Attend “Reimagining Police: A 3-Part Series” by the Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing. Watch part 1, part 2, and part 3. (Part three features OGR’s Alan Yarborough and Rebecca Cotton speaking on disinformation) 

8. Read Presiding Bishop Curry’s Pastoral Message 

Beyond the immediate efforts of police reform, the Church has longstanding policy urging adequate investment in our communities, including investment in education, support for those facing homelessness or housing instability, access to food, and making reforms to end the school-to-prison pipeline. Addressing these issues and more are all crucial aspects of dismantling systemic racism and ensuring that our communities are safe, so all people can flourish. 

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The Episcopal Church stands in solidarity with the people of Venezuela following the presidential election. We believe that governments function best when they are responsive, participatory, and transparent, and ensure adequate protection for minorities. It is our duty to support the people of Venezuela in their efforts to protect democracy and the rule of law. We encourage Episcopalians to stay informed about the situation and pray for our fellow Episcopalians and all Venezuelans.  

Let us continue to pray regularly and advocate for democracy, human rights, a peaceful resolution of the crisis facing our siblings in Venezuela, and urge continued support for all Venezuelans, including those who have migrated to other countries.  

Background and other resources:

Voter Intimidation and Irregularities: There have been widespread allegations of voter intimidation and irregularities, including the disqualification of leading opposition candidates like María Corina Machado, who was barred from participating for alleged political crimes. 

Lack of Transparency: The CNE, influenced by President Maduro’s supporters, has not disclosed detailed vote tallies from the approximately 30,000 polling stations, raising doubts about the integrity of the results. 

Key moments which led to Venezuela protests 

Venezuela: The Perilous Path to a Key Election 

Episcopal News Service on Venezuelan Elections

General Convention Resolutions:  

2018-D096 – Urge Advocacy for Good Governance and Fair Participation 

2018-A215 – Express Solidarity with the Diocese of Venezuela 

—

Abogan por elecciones transparentes en Venezuela

La Iglesia Episcopal se solidariza con el pueblo de Venezuela luego de las elecciones presidenciales. Creemos que los gobiernos funcionan mejor cuando son receptivos, participativos y transparentes y cuando garantizan una protección adecuada a las minorías. Es nuestro deber apoyar al pueblo de Venezuela en sus empeños por proteger la democracia y el Estado de derecho. Alentamos a los episcopales a mantenerse informados sobre la situación y orar por nuestros hermanos episcopales y todos los venezolanos.

Sigamos orando regularmente y abogando por la democracia, los derechos humanos, una solución pacífica a la crisis que enfrentan nuestros hermanos de Venezuela, e instemos a seguir apoyando a todos los venezolanos, entre ellos los que han emigrado a otros países.  

Trasfondo y otros recursos:

Intimidación a votantes e irregularidades: Ha habido acusaciones generalizadas de intimidación a votantes e irregularidades, incluida la descalificación de destacados candidatos de la oposición, como María Corina Machado, a quien se le prohibió participar [en las elecciones] por presuntos delitos políticos.

Falta de transparencia: El Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE), influido por los partidarios del presidente Maduro, no ha dado a conocer detallados recuentos de los votos en los aproximadamente 30.000 colegios electorales, lo que genera dudas sobre la integridad de los resultados.

British Broadcasting Network

International Crisis Group

Resoluciones de la Convención General:

2018-D096 – Insta a la promoción del buen gobierno y la participación justa.

2018-A215 – Expresa solidaridad con la Diócesis de Venezuela

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In June, the Episcopal Church convened for its 81^st General Convention (GC81) in Louisville, Kentucky. The General Convention, which serves as the governing body of The Episcopal Church, passed over 50 resolutions that have direct implications for the church’s public policy advocacy to the United States government. The Office of Government Relations (OGR) is tasked with carrying out much of the public policy advocacy on behalf of the church and is directly guided by the resolutions passed during General Convention. The OGR classifies its ministry into five policy areas: Creation Care; Ending Poverty; Migration, Refugees, and Immigration; Human Rights and Peacebuilding; and Racial Reconciliation. This General Convention passed a wide range of resolutions related to these policy areas and more, concerning both domestic and international issues.  

The international public policy-related resolutions from GC81 are centered around human rights and peacebuilding considering ongoing conflicts, many building on previous resolutions where The Episcopal Church has longstanding partnerships and interest. The Episcopal Church is committed to promoting non-violence and standing against human rights violations. GC81 resolutions update the church’s response to the violent conflict in Israel/Palestine, condemn war crimes committed by Russia against Ukraine, denounce the actions of Azerbaijan against Armenians, and re-affirm its stance against persecution of minority groups in Iraq. Additionally, the church re-affirmed its lamentation of the ongoing violence in Sudan and Haiti and its call for the permanent closure of the detention center at Guantánamo Bay.  

A number of resolutions focused on concerns about public policy issues in the U.S. relating to violence reduction, poverty, and racism. Four resolutions were passed to promote gun safety through promoting safe gun storage, increased gun regulation, and declaring gun violence as a national health crisis. GC81 resolutions also called for stronger protections against child labor and marriage, advocacy against gender-based violence, and condemning unnecessary censorship.  

To address concerns of poverty and public health and safety in our country, General Convention passed resolutions calling for solutions to rising housing costs, the maternity mortality rate of Black women, and inequity in mental health outcomes.  

General Convention also passed resolutions affirming our opposition to religious nationalism and its impact in promoting violence against the personhood and the social, cultural, and historical order of marginalized groups. Another resolution opposes government support for coercive Christian ministries like Indigenous boarding schools, homes for unwed mothers, and crisis pregnancy centers. 

General Convention also passed resolutions that urged the Office of Government Relations to engage in new policy areas. Convention expanded the scope of issues that the church engages with by passing resolutions to promote advocacy for victims of traffic fatalities and regulations for generative artificial intelligence.  

The Episcopal Church continues our longstanding engagement on issues of socially responsible investing, including support for faithful and ethically responsible investing addressing ethical concerns for social, environmental and governance matters, including climate change and human rights. General Convention reiterated our call to divest of fossil fuel companies from the investment portfolio and passed an expansion of the no buy list for companies that produce controversial weapons. General Convention affirmed the church’s advocacy for the right of all investors to consider all financial and other factors relevant to investing including through dialogue and voting, in making responsible investments. 

To promote care for God’s creation, General Convention passed several resolutions calling for environmental protection. These resolutions highlight the importance of reliable water access and reducing fossil fuel use. Within advocacy for water rights, General Convention emphasized Indigenous water rights and the need for transparent communication from the federal government.  

Three resolutions were passed at General Convention focusing on advocacy for migrants including the expansion of Temporary Protected Status, the end of labor trafficking of migrant youth, and affirmation of principles for Migration with Dignity. These resolutions are paired with the work of Episcopal Migration Ministries who receive funding and task forces from General Convention. 

These resolutions and more will continue to guide the ministry of The Episcopal Church.  

For more information and news coverage on GC81: 

Episcopal News Service GC81 Coverage 

The Living Church GC81 Coverage  

To see a complete summary of Episcopal Church policies, please see Policy for Action Index of Episcopal Church Public Policy Resolutions. 

81^st General Convention Public Policy Resolutions: 

2024-A028: Reaffirm commitment to and encouragement across the Church of faithful and ethically responsible investing addressing ethical concerns for social, environmental and governance matters, including climate change and human rights, commonly referred to as ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) investing. 

2024-A029: Any and all investments in companies in fossil fuel industries remaining in the DFMS portfolio be sold by December 31, 2024. Reinvest divested fossil fuel company assets in clean energy alternatives, and that all such institutional investors be encouraged to adopt the same target for full and final divestment of such fossil fuel company investments and also to reinvest such assets in clean energy alternatives. 

2024-A030: Create and administer a DFMS Weapons No Buy List based on the DFMS No Investment in Certain Weapons Policy. 

2024-A078: Promote equity to reduce differences in mental health outcomes. Encourage Congress to enact legislation on the following package of policies that would serve to promote equity and to reduce differences in mental health outcomes: address implicit bias and unconscious bias in mental health diagnostics and treatment; address data challenges; address Social Determinants of Health; and invest in mental healthcare professional diversity; better mental healthcare treatment available.  

2024-A081: Combat Rising Religious Nationalism. 

2024-A084: Endorse the Anglican Consultative Council’s Communion Forest resolution. Undertake appropriate projects in support of the Communion Forest initiative.  

2024-A089: Affirm and uplift ongoing efforts to educate and empower advocacy addressing violence against women and girls.  

2024-A098: Seek further steps towards the phase-out of fossil fuels in future international negotiations, including the upcoming COP 29 meetings scheduled for Baku, November 2024, as well as in implementing legislation and regulations in the United States. Support public policy steps to reduce the adverse impacts of a fossil fuel phase-out on people and communities reliant on such industries for jobs, investment, and tax revenue; steps consistent with General Convention Resolution 2018-D081.  

2024-A163: Affirming the Ongoing Work across the Episcopal Church in Consideration of Ethical Issues in Investing. 

2024-A166: Call for the registration of firearms and gun regulation to protect public safety. Urge the federal government to work with manufacturers to develop nuclear barcode or other taggants and to require the use of these taggants in gunpowder so that the manufacturer and chain of distribution of batches of gunpowder may be traced.  

2024-A167: Advocate for indigenous and native people’s rights involving just use and protection of water resources.  

2024-B004: Reaffirm previous resolutions by commending the safe storage of guns.  

2024-C026: Refrain from passing laws/legislation that conflict with or interfere with the religious liberty of Episcopalians to practice their faith.  

2024-C031: Advocate for migration with dignity by promoting specific principles about migration that resonate with the teachings of Jesus and our baptismal promise to “respect the dignity of every human being.”  

2024-C035: Call for the end of labor trafficking of migrant youth. Advocate for comprehensive and enforceable policies at local, state, and national levels aimed at eradicating labor trafficking and protecting migrant youth.  

2024-D007: Condemn and lament the Hamas lead attack against Israel and the violent and destructive retaliation of the Israeli government in Gaza. Call for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, for the release of all Hamas-held hostages, and of Israeli-held unjustly detained Palestinian prisoners, and for the urgent provision of comprehensive, substantial humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, in particular such vulnerable populations as children, the elderly, and those in need of medical care.  

2024-D008: Advocate for indigenous and native people’s rights to safety, transparency, and restoration in cases where the U.S. government and/or its agencies and military forces threaten or damage clean water and other natural resources, especially in decommissioning and defueling of Red Hill Bunker.  

2024-D009: Acknowledge U.S. accountability and responsibility in rebuilding Gaza.  

2024-D011: Call for the prohibition of assault weapons. Urge the United States Congress to ban, except for military and law enforcement agencies, the possession of all military-style assault weapons, bump stocks, and high-capacity magazines.  

2024-D012: Reaffirm commitment to conditioning U.S. Military assistance to Israel on human rights and a negotiated peace.  

2024-D013: Affirm our hope for all the people of Israel and Palestine to enjoy freedom, peace, justice, and national self-determination, and affirm our hope for the creation of a Palestinian State, coexisting with the Jewish State of Israel.  

2024-D014: Call for the declaration of gun violence as a national health crisis. Urge the reform of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) to ensure equal access to benefits without discrimination to families in communities with higher-than-average rates of homicide, and designate funding to provide community-based mental health services and supports to families who have lost loved ones to gun violence, homicide and suicide.  

2024-D017: Support regulations on generative artificial intelligence.  

2024-D019: Call for justice and peace in Ukraine and condemn the war crimes committed. 

2024-D021: Support child labor protections. Support domestic and foreign policies to strengthen and enforce child labor laws in the United States of America and globally and throughout the labor supply chain.  

2024-D027: Recognize traffic fatalities as a justice issue due to the disparate impact that our road and transportation systems have on vulnerable populations and seek measures to ensure traffic safety. Support policies at the local, state, national, and international levels of governance to reduce traffic fatalities and increase transportation safety.  

2024-D028: Renew call to close and commit to never reopening the U.S. military detention facility at Guantánamo Bay.  

2024-D029: Endorse the commitment by the U.S. government to conserve at least 30% each of U.S. lands and waters by the year 2030, as consistent with The Episcopal Church’s commitment to care for creation.  

2024-D031: Defeat funding initiatives and governmental support for coercive and abusive Christian ministries.  

2024-D039: Condemn unnecessary censorship and defend access to books at schools and libraries. Advocate for access to material affirming of LGBTQIA+, racial minority, and other marginalized experiences in schools and libraries.  

2024-D042: Call for the end of child and forced marriage. Support state and national policies that advocate for the minimum age to marry be eighteen, without exception and eliminate parental consent as an exception to marriage. Support policies such as access to educational, social and economic opportunities for girls.

2024-D043: Advocate for the protection Iraqi Christians and other minority groups in Iraq.  

2024-D047: Lament the overthrow and subsequent outbreak of civil war in Sudan and advocate for diplomatic efforts to bring about a cease-fire.  

2024-D054: Urge Congress to adopt reforms that would reduce the maternal mortality rate of Black women.  

2024-D056: Contact Representatives to call for a Ceasefire in Gaza and call for a suspension of arms going into Israel. Decry the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the ongoing terrorist activity of Hamas.  

2024-D057: Advocate for solutions to the rising cost of housing. Support policies at the local, state and national levels to decrease the unhoused population and increase affordable housing.  

2024-D060: Lament the state of unrest in Haiti and advocate for supportive actions directed at their stability.  

2024-D062: Condemn the actions of Azerbaijan and stand in solidarity with the people of Armenia and the refugees from Nagorno Karabagh against genocide. Advocate for and promote U.S. government policies and legislation to further this position, humanitarian relief to Armenia, and diplomatic interventions.  

2024-D067: Continue to support and advocate for TPS, call for the expansion of TPS and protect those who qualify for TPS.  

2024-D075: Call for the Immediate Release of Ms. Layan Nasir from Administrative Detention in Israel Condemn the April 7, 2024, arrest and imprisonment of Palestinian Anglican Layan Nasir by the Israeli military. Denounce the use of administrative detentions without charge, trial, or conviction with no or extremely limited access to legal counsel or family visitation.    

2024-D076: Reaffirm commitments to reparations for slavery, to community development, and to the role of the church in leading the nation towards racial reconciliation. Create and make available tools, comprehensive resources, and specific reparative capital vehicles so that the church can do this work. 

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As announced at the close of the 81st General Convention, the installation of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe will be a simpler, scaled-down event this fall with a view toward reducing carbon footprint and increasing virtual engagement and participation.

The installation service will take place on Nov. 2 at the Chapel of Christ the Lord in The Episcopal Church Center in New York City with a prelude beginning at 10 a.m. ET and the service starting at 11 a.m. ET. There will be an extensive livestream production to support churchwide access and participation.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend virtually—and dioceses should begin thinking about organizing watch parties. The Episcopal Church Office of Communication will be supporting those efforts with customizable invitations and other assets, with more information available in the coming months.

The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and chair of the installation planning committee, said: “I am delighted to work with Presiding Bishop-elect Rowe and the committee in planning this historic installation. Having planned and experienced a scaled-down consecration myself during COVID, I am very familiar with the challenges and opportunities this presents.

“As a planning committee, we are committed to centering the rich diversity of our church and providing increased opportunities for virtual engagement to our community and beyond.”

The official roster for the installation planning committee is below, as well as others providing consultation and support:  

Timothy Gee, Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real
The Rev. Charles Graves, Episcopal Diocese of Texas
The Rev. Molly James, General Convention Office, Episcopal Church in Connecticut
The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson, chair, Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
Canon Andrea McKellar, Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina
The Rev. Greg Millikin, Episcopal Diocese of Chicago
The Rev. Consuelo Sanchez, Episcopal Diocese of Honduras
The Rt. Rev. E. Mark Stevenson, Episcopal Diocese of Virginia

Presiding Bishop’s Staff
Ednice Baerga
Darvin Darling
Sharon Jones
The Rev. Canon C.K. Robertson
Bill Savarese
Jeremy Tackett

Liturgy and Music Consultants
Dent Davidson
The Rev. Canon Rose Duncan
The Rev. Lester McKenzie

Those with questions are encouraged to email info@episcopalchurch.org.

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11 de agosto de 2024 – Pentecostés 12 (B)
La Ceremonia de Investidura del Obispo Presidente electo Rowe

Como se anunció durante el cierre de la 81ª Convención General, la investidura del Obispo Presidente electo Sean Rowe este otoño será un evento más sencillo y de menor escala con el fin de reducir la huella de carbono y fomentar una mayor participación virtual.

La ceremonia de investidura tendrá lugar el 2 de noviembre en la Capilla Christ the Lord del Centro Episcopal de Nueva York. El preludio comenzará a las 10 a.m. horario del este de Estados Unidos y acto seguido se celebrará la ceremonia a las 11 a.m. ET. Para facilitar el acceso y la participación de toda la Iglesia, habrá una amplia transmisión en vivo.

Todos están invitados a asistir de manera virtual y las diócesis deberían ir pensando en organizar fiestas locales para ver la transmisión del evento. La Oficina de Comunicación de la Iglesia Episcopal apoyará este tipo de iniciativas con invitaciones personalizadas y otros recursos. En los próximos meses tendremos disponible más información.

El Reverendísimo Deon Johnson, obispo de la Diócesis Episcopal de Missouri y presidente del comité de planificación de la investidura, comentó: “Estoy encantado de trabajar con el Obispo Presidente electo Rowe, así como con el comité en la planificación de la histórica investidura. Puesto que personalmente planifiqué y experimenté una consagración a escala reducida durante la pandemia del COVID, estoy bien familiarizado con los retos y oportunidades que esto conlleva.

“Somos el comité de planificación y como tal, estamos comprometidos a destacar la rica diversidad de nuestra iglesia y a ofrecer mayores oportunidades de compromiso virtual tanto a nuestra comunidad como a otros más allá”.

A continuación se encuentra la lista oficial del comité de planificación de la investidura, así como los nombres de otras personas que brindan consultoría y apoyo:

Reverendo Timothy Gee, Diócesis Episcopal de El Camino Real
Reverendo Charles Graves, Diócesis Episcopal de Texas
Reverenda Molly James, Oficina de la Convención General, Iglesia Episcopal de Connecticut
Reverendísimo Deon Johnson, presidente, Diócesis Episcopal de Missouri
Canóniga Andrea McKellar, Diócesis Episcopal de Carolina del Sur
Reverendo Greg Millikin, Diócesis Episcopal de Chicago
Reverenda Consuelo Sánchez, Diócesis Episcopal de Honduras
Reverendísimo E. Mark Stevenson, Diócesis Episcopal de Virginia

Personal del Obispo Presidente
Ednice Baerga
Darvin Darling
Sharon Jones
Reverendo Canónigo C.K. Robertson
Bill Savarese
Jeremy Tackett

Consultores de Liturgia y Música
Dent Davidson
Reverenda Canóniga Rose Duncan
Reverendo Lester McKenzie

Si tiene alguna pregunta, sírvase enviar un correo electrónico a info@episcopalchurch.org.

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General Convention considered many pieces of creation care legislation, which were submitted by dioceses, committees, task forces, and other bodies. We have curated this list of the resolutions that were passed by both houses of General Convention. Please note: Budget requests in these resolutions will not necessarily be funded; final budget reconciliation will take place between September and November 2024. See Episcopal Church Budget Committee for more details. 

GC2024 – A021– Create a Care of Creation Loan Program for Episcopal Dioceses

GC2024 – A028 – Support for Freedom to Consider Ethical Issues in Investing.  

GC2024 – A029 – Divest from Fossil Fuels

GC2024 – A084 – Join The Anglican Communion Forest Initiative 

GC2024 – A098 – Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation

GC2024 – A099 – Task Force for Indigenous Justice to Increase Advocacy Groups Reflecting Creation Care and Environmental Justice Ministries

GC2024 – A167 – Water Rights for Indigenous Communities and Lands

GC2024 – B001 – Experimental Creation Care Language for the Baptismal Covenant  

GC 2024 – B002 – Build Eco-Region Creation Networks for Crucial Impact 

GC2024 – D008 – Protection of Water “Ola i Ka Wai – Water is Life” 

GC2024 – D029 – Commit to the 30×30 Initiative for Biodiversity

GC2024 – D030 – Create a Task Force in Imagining a Church Grounded in Creation Healing as Christian Ministry 

GC 2024 – D041 – Support the Adoption of an Ecumenical Feast Day of Creation in our Liturgical Calendar 

GC2024 – D050 – Resolution to Complete the Journey to Net Carbon Neutrality by 2030

We will be exploring these resolutions in more detail in this newsletter throughout the coming year. In the meantime, read more in this article by Episcopal News Service.

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For many months, security experts have warned that there is a high threat of extremist violence surrounding the 2024 U.S. election. The assassination attempt on former President Trump on July 13, 2024, is exactly the kind of political violence that experts have predicted will occur in response to a variety of factors including instability, violent rhetoric, and heightened political tension as well as disinformation exacerbated by artificial intelligence. Council on Foreign Relations research fellow Jacob Ware released a list of warning signs and possible points of election violence including: 

• Warning signs 
  • Existential political rhetoric used by political figures
  • Casting doubt over election results, especially before voting commences
  • Armed paramilitary mobilization, including on social media
  • Spreading of foreign disinformation and interference

• Threats leading up to the election 
  • Violence at political rallies/meetings including the Republican National Convention and Democratic National Convention  
  • Meaningful dates associated with specific political figures (i.e. the day former President Trump was convicted of 34 felonies) 

• Threats during the election 
  • Intimidation and violence against voting centers and election workers  
  • Violent threats towards ballot counters  

• Threats following the election 
  • Attacks on government buildings / law enforcement  
  • Constitutional milestones (i.e. electoral vote, counting of votes, inauguration day, or the January 6 anniversary) 

Election violence and its threat to U.S. democracy impacts all of us, and we have a responsibility to respond in a way that promotes peace and understanding in times of great tension. As leaders in the Episcopal community, we can prepare by being familiar with the threats of political violence, practicing de-escalation in tense moments, and having a response ready to share with your community if political violence continues. Some resources for response and de-escalation are: 

• The Crisis Prevention Institute’s four steps to de-escalation  

• Faith in Public Life’s de-escalation training for people of faith video 

• The Center for Strategic & International Studies’ analysis and commentary  
  • The CSIS’s Defending Democratic Institutions Page  

• The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s guide to generative A.I. and rumor vs. reality page  

• The Council on Foreign Relations’ response and recommendations following the Trump assassination attempt  

At their core, responses to escalating and tense situations leading up to this year’s election need to be guided by peace and truth. By educating ourselves on current issues and warning signs, we can better lead by pushing back against political violence. 

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By Andrea Lauerman

This first month as Sacred Ground coordinator has left me thinking about connection. Many of the stories in the news these days are about how divided we are as a country. This division is certainly something we need to be attuned to, but I am also inspired by the many ways that folks are coming together to move toward Beloved Community.

I have seen firsthand the power of Sacred Ground to foster deep connection in the circles that I have facilitated. Folks with different racial identities, political beliefs, socioeconomic backgrounds, and myriad other differences learn and practice having deep, difficult conversations while acknowledging and valuing the diversity among us. Through this process, we are able to understand our painful national history of racism, and to consider together what this new understanding might ask of us in terms of actions toward racial justice.

If you haven’t yet had an opportunity to participate in a Sacred Ground group, please consider doing so. If your church doesn’t yet offer Sacred Ground, you can organize a group (click “getting started” on our website), find another congregation that does offer it (click “Sacred Ground” under the ministries drop-down on the Episcopal Asset Map), or reach out to your diocese to find out about how you can get connected to an in-person or virtual group in your area.

In addition to Sacred Ground groups, we seek to foster connection in other ways:

GENERAL CONVENTION: The Sacred Ground team was all together in Louisville, Kentucky, for General Convention. We presented about Sacred Ground at the Racial Justice and Creation Care learning party (along with intrepid Sacred Ground facilitator/organizer Jayne Osgood), where we also learned about the reparations process of Christ Church Cathedral in Louisville. We greeted thousands of worshipers at the General Convention revival, hosted several Sacred Ground “meetups” at our booth in the exhibit hall, and spoke with hundreds of people about the program throughout this inspiring week.

REGIONAL CONVENINGS: We are launching a series of regional Sacred Ground convenings to bring together folks who are looking to take their Sacred Ground journey to the next level, as well as those who just want to learn more about the program. These will be opportunities to celebrate the deep work of Becoming Beloved Community and to plan meaningful action toward racial justice. The first such gathering will occur in Durham, North Carolina, on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 9 and 10. If you reside in that area or are interested in attending, please mark your calendar. 

FALL WEBINAR WITH BISHOP CURRY: Knowing that many Sacred Ground groups start in the fall, we will gather for the Sacred Ground program-year launch on Sept. 17, from 1-2:30 p.m. ET on Zoom. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will join us for a virtual conversation and to offer his blessing upon this work. We hope that it will be an opportunity to explore the spiritual dimension of Sacred Ground and to share in the hope, joy, and purpose that this program embodies. 

Thanks to each of you for the work that you do to combat racism and to bring us ever closer to Beloved Community. I feel fortunate to be a part of this effort.

–

Andrea Lauerman is the Sacred Ground program coordinator. 

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