It has been an exciting few months in the Sacred Ground program!

For those who are not aware, Sacred Ground is an 11-session, film- and reading-based program of conversations about race and racism. It started in The Episcopal Church, and has been adapted by St. Paul’s to be an interfaith offering for the whole community.

This fall, nine new Sacred Ground groups launched in the greater Brunswick area, welcoming nearly 75 more people into this important conversation. Six of these groups are operated by St. Paul’s, with four meeting at Curtis Library, one meeting on Zoom, and one meeting at Thornton Oaks. In addition, our neighbors at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick have started their fourth and fifth groups, and the South Freeport Church (UCC) has started their first in-house group. It is encouraging to see this work taking root throughout the broader community. We are learning together about race and racism and having the deep, meaningful conversations that are necessary if we hope to make progress on this issue. 

In another interfaith connection, has been inspiring to learn of the church history work that is ongoing at First Parish Church (UCC), and is related to the work going on here at St. Paul’s. They have undertaken substantial historical research, partnered with the Pejepscot Historical Society to produce an exhibit on slavery in Brunswick (which will soon be available for viewing at St. Paul’s) and hosted of a performance of Antonio Rocha’s Malaga. Their efforts toward truth-seeking and truth-telling will inspire many within that congregation and beyond. 

Additionally, we have continued and expanded our offerings for those who have completed the Sacred Ground program:

• We are currently in the midst of the second cohort of a three-session program looking at the issue of Wabanaki Sovereignty. We hope to inform ourselves with materials provided by Wabanaki organizations such that we might be useful in their efforts towards self-determination.

• We have begun quarterly gatherings to learn about opportunities for action towards racial justice in our community. At our first gathering, Andree Appel spoke about the work of the Midcoast New Mainers Group and how we might get involved. At our second gathering, Mary O’Brien of Hope And Action: An Economy For All spoke about ways to use our economic resources in the service of justice. If you are a part of any work on the issue of racial justice and would like to share your knowledge with the group, please let me know!

There is much to be done to understand and ultimately remedy the racial disparities that plague our society, and I’m so grateful to be in partnership with so many among you. Together we will strive towards Beloved Community. 

Please be in touch anytime. 

This program was launched in 2019 by The Episcopal Church and was so well-received that it has recently been adapted by St. Paul’s to be suitable for folks of all faiths (or no particular faith). This thriving program will be open to the greater community starting in the fall of 2021, and we hope you will join us.