The Racial Justice and Reconciliation workgroup has continued its work throughout the pandemic, and we are excited to bring you these new and ongoing projects and activities. Read more below!

Sacred Ground: We’ve run a Sacred Ground program and are looking to organize another one.  Its website describes it as “a film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith.  Small groups walkthrough 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, ministries, and society. This series is open to all and 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.” Look for an announcement in the Epistle and other parish media for details and offerings.

Truth-Telling Project: Our Truth-Telling Project has continued with fits and starts depending on whether the interviewers could meet in person with the interviewees or whether a Zoom meeting could be arranged. We are collecting stories from parishioners on racial justice work and the state of race in our parish and community. We’re looking to wrap up interviews with our elders over 80 and begin conversations with parishioners in their 70s.

Stagville: Over the years, St. Philip’s has had members who were descendants of the Cameron family, including Annie Cameron Collins Wall, one of the first members of the congregation. The Camerons were the largest holders of enslaved persons in North Carolina. Their primary plantation was/is Stagville, located off the Old Oxford Highway north of Durham. We’re looking at an intergenerational visit on May 14. Look for details closer to the date and background to better inform our visit.

Learn more about the basis of our work and what we’ve done before.