Join us! Indoor In-Person Sunday Holy Eucharist at 10am

 Join us!

Indoor In-Person Sunday Holy Eucharist at 10am

☩ Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church ☩ 

630 East Cathedral Road Philadelphia, PA 19428

stmarycathrd@gmail.com 

215.482.6300

Click  HERE to visit our YouTube Channel

Join us! Indoor In-Person Sunday Holy Eucharist at 10am

 Join us!

Indoor In-Person Sunday Holy Eucharist at 10am

☩ Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church ☩ 

630 East Cathedral Road Philadelphia, PA 19428

stmarycathrd@gmail.com 

215.482.6300

Click  HERE to visit our YouTube Channel

Episcopal Church’s ‘Sacred Ground’ releases report, updated curriculum

 

Episcopal Church’s ‘Sacred Ground’ releases report, updated curriculum

Three years after launching Sacred Ground, a dialogue series on race, racism, and whiteness with more than 20,000 participants thus far, The Episcopal Church’s Racial Reconciliation and Justice Team is releasing a comprehensive evaluation report, updated curriculum and resources, and expanded licensing that invites people in other denominations/faiths to start their own Sacred Ground circles.   "Everywhere I travel, people are bursting to tell me about the transformational impact Sacred Ground has had in their lives," said Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. "The Lord is building Beloved Community through this movement, and in its updated and expanded form, Sacred Ground will help many thousands more take the next steps in the lifelong work of racial healing."   In partnership with the Union of Black Episcopalians, Sacred Ground worked with Christina Pacheco of Indígena Consulting Inc. in 2021 to conduct surveys and focus groups with more than 2,900 participants, facilitators, and organizers of the film- and readings-based series that includes circle groups throughout the U.S. (84 dioceses were represented among survey respondents).   The resulting 63-page report is designed to help Sacred Ground facilitators, organizers, and churchwide staff discover what they can do to create the best outcomes for circles. It includes a detailed breakdown of questions and results, charts, graphs, and numerous quotes from respondents.   Among other findings, the survey showed overwhelmingly that Sacred Ground has had a powerful impact on participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and emotional capacity. It has prompted action such as initiating “racial reckoning” conversations in one’s family, supporting Black businesses, holding listening sessions with Indigenous people, and joining county-level policing accountability projects. The survey also reflected a desire for more guidance in this area.   “It has helped us take action on racial justice, not just preach about it,” a Sacred Ground organizer is quoted as saying in the evaluation report.   While the program was especially designed to help White people talk with each other about race, the survey showed that participants of color also found the experience valuable for their own learning and transformation.   These and other survey results—as well as a curriculum review by volunteers, consultants, and advisors—informed changes, updates, and additions to the Sacred Ground program that include the following: A list of best practices for organizing and facilitating Sacred Ground circles, including a recommendation for more interracial circles. “We Bless You,” a 22-minute invitational video produced collaboratively with the Union of Black Episcopalians that speaks to those discerning whether to participate in a circle, and whether to form a White or interracial circle. A revised session 10 and new session 11 to help address the desire for help in moving from reflection to action. Curriculum additions, such as some related to the history of Indigenous boarding schools. Higher visibility of theological reflections in the program. Deeper Dive, a list of supplementary videos and readings for those who want to go further in their learning and exploration. In addition to the updated curriculum, Sacred Ground’s three-year licenses for videos and readings have been renewed, with an expansion for other local-level faith groups that would like to offer the program without direct Episcopal Church involvement.   One Sacred Ground facilitator is quoted in the report as saying: “Thank you. However painful it is to see what our country has done wrong, I am glad to have become informed of the truth. I hope everyone can have access to this program.”   Learn more about Sacred Ground and how to start a circle.

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT: Amanda Skofstad Public Affairs Officer, The Episcopal Church askofstad@episcopalchurch.org Subscribe here Facebook Twitter YouTube

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Join us for Indoor In-Person Sunday Holy Eucharist at 10am

Join us!

Indoor In-Person Sunday Holy Eucharist at 10am

630 East Cathedral Road Philadelphia, PA 19428

215-482-6300

Join us online at our YouTube Channel

Click  HERE to visit our YouTube Channel

☩ Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church ☩ 

stmarycathrd@gmail.com 

215.482.6300

The Easter Sermon of St. John Chrysostom

 

Are there any who are devout lovers of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!

Are there any who are grateful servants?
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

Are there any weary with fasting?
Let them now receive their wages!

If any have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their due reward;
If any have come after the third hour,
let him with gratitude join in the Feast!
And he that arrived after the sixth hour,
let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss.
And if any delayed until the ninth hour,
let him not hesitate; but let him come too.
And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.
For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,
as well as to him that toiled from the first.

To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows.
He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor.
The deed He honors and the intention He commends.
Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!

First and last alike receive your reward;
rich and poor, rejoice together!
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!
You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,
rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!

Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.
Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith.
Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!

Let no one grieve at his poverty,
for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;
for forgiveness has risen from the grave.

Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.
He destroyed Hell when He descended into it.
He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.

Isaiah foretold this when he said,
"You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below."
Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.
It was in an uproar because it is mocked.
It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.
It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.
It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.

Hell took a body, and discovered God.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.

O death, where is thy sting?
O Hell, where is thy victory?

Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!

Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!


The Easter sermon of John Chrysostom (circa 400 AD)