Anti-Racism Trainings

The Episcopal Church in Western Oregon is committed to the work of becoming an anti-racism community. Becoming Beloved Community is a churchwide initiative intended to support the work of:

TRUTH-TELLING: Telling the Truth about Our Churches and Race
PROCLAMATION: Proclaiming the Dream of Beloved Community
FORMATION: Practicing Jesus’ Way of Healing Love
JUSTICE: Repairing the Breach in Society and Institutions

 The Episcopal Church’s Beloved Community page offers a list of events, community resources, and curricula in English, Spanish, and French.

Programs for Anti-Racism Training

Those who are canonically required to complete anti-racism training may do so through the 1-day Dismantling Racism training at the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, through completing a Sacred Ground class, or through one of the anti-racism courses offered through Bexley Seabury’s Pathways for Baptismal Living program.

DISMANTLING RACISM is a free 1-day training that seeks to increase “racial understanding, healing and reconciliation.” It is offered by the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing and is open to all clergy and lay leaders in faith communities. Classes are facilitated regularly throughout the year. More information, including upcoming trainings, can be found at centerforracialhealing.org.

SACRED GROUND is an 11-part film- and readings-based course that is part of The Episcopal Church’s anti-racist Becoming Beloved Community initiative, a long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society. Sacred Ground cohorts are facilitated regularly in our diocese. Upcoming cohorts in our diocese will be announced in our diocesan communication. For more information about Sacred Ground can be found at episcopalchurch.org.

PATHWAYS FOR BAPTISMAL LIVING ANTI-RACIST PROGRAMS The Episcopal Church in Western Oregon has partnered with Bexley Seabury Seminary to provide formational classes and resources to everyone in our diocese. Bexley’s Pathways for Baptismal Living program includes several classes that support the work of becoming a community of anti-racists. Learn more at bexleyseabury.com.

BECOMING BELOVED COMMUNITY: UNDERSTANDING SYSTEMIC RACISM FOR GROUPS is a 6-week online course offered by ChurchNext focused on learning how systemic racism has been integrated into the U.S. culture from the beginning and the Episcopal Church’s participation in it. Learn more at churchnext.tv.