In the fall of 2020 the leadership of Living Beatitudes Community and Christ Episcopal Church began a discussion concerning race, justice and faith issues. A number of adult ed. programs grew from those discussions. “Sacred Ground”, “We Say Black Lives Matter, Did You know? Project” and the book “Face to the Rising Sun” Reflections on Spirituals and Justice written by Mark Bozzuti-Jones, an Episcopal priest.
Both communities were invited to participate in Sacred Ground. The series began in September 2021 and we are presently in our 8th lesson. Sacred Ground is a film-based dialogue series on race and faith developed by the Episcopal Church. “Sacred Ground” is the Episcopal Church’s Long-term Commitment to Racial Healing and Reconciliation.” This course challenges us to understand and live the call to work for justice and equality for all God’s children.
“We Say Black Lives Matter, Did You Know?” was developed by the Living Beatitudes Community. It is an educational series to help our two communities and the larger Dayton community gain an awareness of the issues that too often we unknowingly participate in systemic racism. As people of Faith, we need to examine these issues openly. “Often the response to claims of Black Lives Matter, is All Lives Matter. This phrase is mere charade unless all Americans experiences a sense that their lives matter enough to protect and promote equality. BLM cries out in the wilderness of America and asks America to fulfill its commitment to the claim that all are created equal. Only then can we honestly say that All Lives Matter.” This is how we honestly live our faith by the practice of protecting and promoting the reality that we are all children of God.
In recognition of Black History Month, February 1st, the Living Beatitudes Community and Christ Episcopal Church placed two signs in front of the church. These signs (both 4’ x 6’) say “Black Lives Matter because ‘All’ didn’t include Black when they said ‘with liberty and justice for All”. As people of faith, we need to speak the truth that even though we are all children of God many in our communities have NOT been treated as such. Given the emotionally charged debates elicited by “Black Lives Matter Movement” we are launching the “We Say Black Lives Matter Project” to promote a deeper understanding of the BLM movement’s roots and motivations. The “Did You Know” pieces are not only posted in the front hall of church and in the Living Beatitudes Community space, but we are also sharing one a week throughout the year to further advocate learning from our history. We are asking everyone to share these educational pieces of history. Our objective through these joint activities, is to foster meaningful dialogue, racial healing, reconciliation and justice in our personal lives, our ministries and our society.