Established in 2017, Building the Beloved Community (BBC) is a ministry focused on issues of racial justice and reconciliation in our church and community. Our efforts are divided into four quadrants of the labyrinth, an ancient Christian symbol reflecting the twists and turns of life’s journey and how they all lead us closer to our true home with God. Each quadrant represents the Episcopal Church’s national efforts to building God’s beloved community on earth. Throughout the year we host film series, lectures, pilgrimages, and community partnerships to deepen our participation in dismantling systems, practices, and ideas that contribute to racism and injustice.
Check out the E-News for the latest updates.
As part of the Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society, St. Paul’s is an active facilitator of Sacred Ground, a 10-part series 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. St. Paul’s has held three circles. The fourth circle will begin in winter 2024.
Pilgrimages seek to nurture intellectual and spiritual transformation through immersive engagement and reflection in locales of historical importance. In summer 2023, we completed a Harriott Tubman Eastern Shore Pilgrimage.
Additional Resources
WATCH
13th, Netflix documentary by Ava DuVernay, about the connection between US Slavery and the present day mass incarceration system. (1 hour, 40 minutes)
This is Us, Dr. Eddie Glaude (Princeton University) explains why blaming current racial tensions on Donald Trump misses the point. (3 minutes)
How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them, TED Talk by Vernā Myers, encourages work vigorously to counter balance bias by connecting with and learning about and from the groups we fear. (19 minutes)
How to deconstruct racism, one headline at a time, TED Talk by Baratunde Thurston that explores patterns revealing our racist framing, language, and behaviors. (10 minutes)
Indigenous People React to Indigenous Representation in Film And TV, Conversation with a diverse range of Indigenous people by FBE about media depictions of Indigenous people, Columbus day, and Indigenous identity. (15 minutes)
What Being Hispanic and Latinx Means in the United States, Fernanda Ponce shares what she’s learning about the misunderstanding and related mistreatment of the incredibly diverse ethnic category people in U.S. call Hispanic. (12 minutes)
READ
Racial Justice Audit The Episcopal Church’s audit on experiences of people of color in the church
Episcopal Church Racial Reconciliation Resources by The Episcopal Church
It’s Not Just the South: Here’s How Everyone Can Resist White Supremacy, by Sarah van Gelder
Understanding the Racial Wealth Gap, by Amy Traub, Laura Sullivan, Tatjana Mescheded, & Tom Shapiro
White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, by Peggy McIntosh
Caught Up In God, by Willie James Jennings
LISTEN
Code Switch, hosted by journalists Gene Demby and Shereen Marisol Meraji
TED Radio Hour – Mary Bassett: How Does Racism Affect Your Health? host Guy Raz speaks with Dr. Mary T. Bassett, Director of the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University
Here & Now – Without Slavery, Would The U.S. Be The Leading Economic Power? host Jeremy Hobson and author Edward Baptist
