Sacred Ground is a film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity.
Sacred Ground 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. This series is open to all, and especially designed to help white people talk with other white people. Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day – all while grounded in our call to faith, hope and love.
Please pray for the work being done in Pittsburgh through our Beloved Community Initiative (BCI), the Commission on Race and Reconciliation, and the Social Justice and Outreach Committee. This is a very difficult time in our nation and it is a difficult time in our Christian communities. Pray for the unity of all.
Shahnaz Alam-Denlinger is the Sacred Ground & BCI program manager for the Diocese of Pittsburgh and can be reached at s.alamdenlinger@episcopalpgh.org or 412-251-7456 with any questions about our Sacred Ground programs.
If there is an interest in parishes wanting to host a Scared Ground Level 1 or 2 later in the year, please contact Shahnaz. She is available to train any leaders who want to lead these new sessions. All of the training sessions will be via Zoom.
Please register for the sessions below by clicking here.
Upcoming New Level 1 Session (9 weekly sessions):
St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 378 Delaware Avenue, Oakmont, PA 15139 in person and/or online starting Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 6 p.m.
Dinner will be provided for those attending in-person and the course will be available on Zoom for those unable to attend and/or full Zoom sessions will occur. The following link will be used for those attending online: https://wts.zoom.us/j/89796804584?pwd=3PgH8tCAi4PMqppvWTyRtUzjr2faor.1 (If needed – Meeting ID: 897 9680 4584 Passcode: 515772)
Upcoming New Sacred Ground Level 2 Session (7 weekly sessions):
St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 378 Delaware Avenue, Oakmont, PA 15139, beginning on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 6 p.m.
The first 4 sessions will be online via Zoom and the remaining sessions in-person or via Zoom if one is not able to attend in person. Dinner will be provided for those attending in-person. The following link will be used for those attending online: https://wts.zoom.us/j/89796804584?pwd=3PgH8tCAi4PMqppvWTyRtUzjr2faor.1 (If needed – Meeting ID: 897 9680 4584 Passcode: 515772)
Additional Level 2 sessions are being planned at Calvary Episcopal Church in East Liberty beginning in August or September.
New facilitator training including updates for existing Sacred Ground leaders and co-leaders:
Online sessions via Zoom sessions will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, & Thursday, May 1, 2025 using the following link: https://wts.zoom.us/j/89796804584?pwd=3PgH8tCAi4PMqppvWTyRtUzjr2faor.1 (If needed – Meeting ID: 897 9680 4584 Passcode: 515772)