GROUP MEETS TUESDAYS, 6:30–8:30 P.M.., BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 12, 2023, AND ENDING JUNE 4, 2024, in Leffler House or online via Zoom. Capacity is limited; registration is required.

A Film- and Readings-Based Dialogue Series on Race and Faith

Everyone in the Saint Mark's Cathedral community is invited to consider participating in Sacred Ground, an intense, small-group learning cohort which will meet over thirteen sessions, September 12 through June 4 at 6:30–8:30 p.m. on the second floor of Leffler House (hybrid option available). Capacity is limited, so if you feel called to be part of a Sacred Ground circle, please register as early as possible using the form here.

The series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories. Check out much more introductory material here.

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.

The hope is that members of this first circle at Saint Mark’s may be co-facilitators of future Sacred Ground circles here, but it is not a requirement.

Session Schedule

The Sacred Ground curriculum involves thirteen session that have been designed to work together as a whole. Those who register for Sacred Ground should be able to attend all or almost all of the sessions. The thirteen Tuesdays are as follows:

• September 12, 2023 (Orientation, Community Building)
• October 3, 2023
• October 24, 2023
• November 14, 2023
  • [Thanksgiving Break]
• December 5, 2023
  • [Christmas Break]
• January 9, 2024
• January 30, 2024
• February 20, 2024
• March 12, 2024
  • [Holy Week/Easter Break]
• April 2, 2024
• April 23, 2024
• May 14, 2024
• June 4, 2024 (End of Class Celebration/Visioning)

Facilitators

The co-facilitators are Hannah Hockkeppel and Heather Millar.

Hannah Hochkeppel joined Saint Mark’s in 20TK, and currently serves as the Co-Program Director for Seeds of Peace in the United States, an organization that works to equip exceptional youth and educators with the skills and relationships to work in solidarity across lines of difference to create more just and inclusive societies. With more than 10 years of experience in a variety of education and program development spaces, Hannah is deeply invested in the work of youth empowerment, advocacy, and peace-building. She holds a B.S in Psychology from Virginia Tech, a M.A in Religion and Theology from Seattle University, and is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Education at Seattle Pacific University.

Heather Millar is a relatively new Saint Mark's parishioner. She moved to Seattle from San Francisco in February 2022. While living in San Francisco, she was very active at Grace Cathedral and in 2020-2021, co-facilitated a Sacred Ground circle there. She was an independent journalist for 30 years and now works at an environmental non-profit.

Please check out this brief video invitation to participate from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry: