Ecumenical Sacred Ground Circles

Many churches have already engaged in ecumenical Sacred Ground circles and have shared that this has been a valuable experience. This page is intended as a way to share what folks have learned about this work and to help you consider whether this is a path your own congregation might pursue.

What are some benefits of Ecumenical Sacred Ground circles?

• Learning alongside folks from multiple congregations adds more perspectives, enriching the conversation.
• The relationships forged between congregations through this process are a blessing in themselves and can also foster coalitions to work towards racial justice.
• Offerings of prayers, scripture, hymns, and reflections from different faith traditions expand and deepen the experience for all.

How to begin an Ecumenical Sacred Ground journey? 

There are several possibilities:

• The most common first step is reaching out to one or two other congregations to form a partnership circle. You may already have a relationship with another congregation, or this can be a way to begin such a relationship. Here are some editable outreach materials that might help you get started:
  • Flyer
  • Info session outline
• Ecumenical partnerships have sometimes been formed at the diocesan level. This is a larger-scale process that involves working with diocesan staff to reach out to ecumenical partners. A benefit of this approach is the potential to run multiple circles simultaneously, allowing for scheduling flexibility, Zoom/in-person options, etc.
• Interfaith/secular partnerships have also developed through Sacred Ground. This is a bit of a different invitation, since it involves significant adaptation of the materials and circle process. NOTE: At the moment, the materials and guidance offered here don’t specifically address this type of circle.

What are some considerations when doing Sacred Ground Ecumenically?

There may not be any pre-existing relationship among the participants in an Ecumenical circle. This can be beneficial in certain ways, but can also make it harder to establish the trust needed for vulnerable sharing.  It could make sense to consider:

• Co-facilitating with someone from the partner congregation.
• Allowing additional time and prompts for community-building in the early sessions.
• Checking in regularly with all participants about the circle experience.

While most of the materials in the program will be applicable to those from all denominations, some of the materials specifically address the history of the Episcopal Church and its current approach to this issue. It will make sense to draw in materials on these topics from the faith traditions represented in the circle. (See “Ecumenical Partner Materials” below).

Ecumenical Partner Materials

These are materials about the history and/or current approach of partner denominations on racial issues to use alongside the existing curriculum. (NOTE – If you compile such resources for another denomination or add to what is below, please share these resources with us so others might benefit!)

• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: Racial Justice Resources, particularly:
  • Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent
  • A Declaration of the ELCA to American Indian and Alaska Native People
  • How Strategic and Authentic is Our Diversity: A Call for Confession, Reflection, and Healing Action
  • Hidden Gems: Educational Tools for Combating Anti-Asian Racism
  • Presiding Bishop Easton Issues Statement on Immigration Executive Orders
• Moravian Church in America Northern Province: Northern Province Racial Justice and Healing, particularly:
  • Action Plan Toward Racial Justice and Healing (2020)
  • A Statement on Racism and the Church (1998)
  • Deeper Dive: Resolutions from 2023 Synod Church and Society Committee including Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery
• Moravian Church in America Southern Province: The Moravian Team for Racial, Cultural, and Ethnic Reconciliation, particularly:
  • Continuing the Journey of Racial Reconciliation (2020)
  • Awakenings: Conversations on Race and The Church
• Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): Racial Equity Ministry, particularly:
  • Facing Racism: A Vision of the Intercultural Community Churchwide Antiracism Policy
  • Institutional Antiracism Assessment
  • Article about the history of slavery in the Presbyterian Church.
  • The Belhar Confession and Context. This vimeo was created in the process to have the confession added to the Book of Confessions in 2016.
  • (Deeper Dive Book) Black and Presbyterian

Many thanks to all those who have taken the initiative to launch ecumenical Sacred Ground programs and especially to those who have contributed so generously to the resources here: Maria Tjeltveit, Virginia Evans, Tom Momberg, Sue Koenig, and Jill Henderson