“Facing Racism”
"FACING RACISM" AT CHRIST CHURCH
During the racial unrest of the 60s The Episcopal Church specifically recognized and named the sin of racism. Yet, it wasn’t until 2015 that the Church designated racial healing among its top priorities. Then, in 2018, and again in 2022 and 2024, the National Church’s General Convention affirmed the long-term goal of “Becoming Beloved Community.” Beloved Community is a phrase popularized by Martin Luther King, Jr. It refers to all races, classes, and cultures finding, experiencing and living into our common humanity.
In the spring of 2020 Christ Church hosted a couple of book studies centered on race. Following these studies, several of us began to gather informally to continue the discussion. We talked about articles that we were reading, videos that we were watching, experiences that we were having, and things that we were beginning to understand differently.
We soon realized that these studies of Black history, and our subsequent conversations about the Black experience in America, had opened doors to a world of information and experience about which we had much to learn. We sensed that we were being drawn to the sacred work of facing racism.
We call the ministry “Facing Racism” because our desire is to discover and share truth about racism in America, and to advocate for racial healing and equity. We believe that a world without racism will set everyone free. Therefore, we’re working to create safe spaces for honest dialogue, abundant grace and generous love.
For more information on Facing Racism, contact Father Bob Morris at: [email protected].
FACING RACISM’S UPCOMING EVENTS
MOVIE NIGHT featuring “BEST OF ENEMIES”
HOW TO TALK WITH CHILDREN ABOUT RACE
MOVIE NIGHT featuring “ORIGIN” a docudrama by Ava DuVernay
PILGRIMAGE TO MONTGOMERY
ST. AUGUSTINE CIVIL RIGHTS WALKING TOUR
BOOK STUDY of “BLACK WAS THE INK”
“SACRED GROUND” — A PILGRIMAGE IN PLACE
“We don’t know what we don’t know, until we know it!” says Father Bob Morris, retired priest at Christ Church and Sacred Ground facilitator. “That’s been the testimony of many at Christ Church who have participated in Sacred Ground Circles.”
Sacred Ground is a dialogue series on race and faith created by The Episcopal Church and brought to Christ Church by Facing Racism. This 10-session curriculum uses film and readings to introduce stories, images, and language for grasping racial identity and experience across the spectrum. Participants form an intentional, sustained circle of learning in which to walk back through history and peel away the layers that bring us to today, reflecting on family histories, as well as important narratives that shape the collective American story.
Parishioner Stacy Shepherd, who was part of Christ Church’s first Sacred Ground Circle in 2022, says that the experience changed her. “I feel it gave me a much broader sense of humanity as a whole,” she says. “And the importance of keeping an open mind and an open heart.”
Father Tom Reeder, Mother Laura Magevney and Deacon Leila Quinlan participated in a Sacred Ground Circle for clergy last September. “The curriculum was fantastic,” Deacon Leila says. “In every cultural group we learned there are power struggles and discrimination. It broadened my empathy to the struggles people have.” She especially valued that the series concluded with participants considering, “Who am I going forward? And how can I expand my own loving kindness to people of all ethnicities?”
Facing Racism’s next Sacred Ground Circle begins in late September, meeting approximately every other week, primarily on Monday evenings. To ensure intimate and robust discussion the circle is limited to 12 participants, on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information on Sacred Ground contact Father Bob Morris at: [email protected].