‘Traces of the Trade’ to be shown at St. Michael’s

LITCHFIELD — On Sunday, Feb. 16, at 2 p.m. in St. Michael’s Church, members will show the film “Traces of the Trade.”

Katrina Browne, an Episcopalian and filmmaker, produced and directed the Emmy-nominated “Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North,” a documentary about her discovery that her ancestors, the DeWolfs of Rhode Island, were the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history.

She and nine cousins retraced the Triangle Trade and gained new perspectives on the black/white divide. Browne was interviewed on the Sundance Channel on Jan. 21, 2008 in conjunction with the world premiere of the film as an official selection at the Sundance Film Festival 2008, held in Park City, Utah.

This exploration of the participation of the New Englanders in the nation’s most damaging sin is being shown by St. Michael’s in response to the work of Episcopal churches on racial reconciliation.

Michael Curry, the presiding Bishop in Connecticut, defines reconciliation as the spiritual practice of seeking a loving, liberating and lifegiving relationship with God and one another, and striving to heal and transform injustice and brokenness in ourselves, our communities, institutions, and society.

A discussion and refreshments will follow the screening. All are welcome and there will be a freewill offering. St. Michael’s-Litchfield community house is located at 23 South St., just off the Litchfield Green and across the driveway for the church. Call 860-567-9465 for details.

Amishadai Sackitey / Contributed photo DeWolf family members and Ghanaian Beatrice Manu at a river ceremony in Ghana.