Racial Healing

Racial Healing

Creating Pathways to Reconciliation

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In Pursuit of Racial Healing

We know that the sin of racism has plagued our history as a nation, as a state, and as a church. But we also know that these issues are not a surprise to God, who has clearly instructed us to love, respect, and honor all people as God does.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

Alabama is home to many sacred and historically significant spaces connected to the rights of Black Americans. As the Episcopal Church, we want to be on the correct side of history in the future, even if we have, at times, failed in the past.

This is why we actively pursue racial healing today—so that every person in our diocese and beyond knows that they are seen, heard, welcomed, and loved by God and by the Episcopal Church. And that we will join all those fighting for justice and equality today.

Start A Racial Healing Conversation

Racial Healing

A Place Where Everyone Feels Seen, Heard, and Welcome

Racial healing is a spiritual endeavor and journey in which we learn from our history, look at our strengths and weaknesses, and find new ways to diversify our parishes and create beloved community.

  • Space to Remember and Reconcile

    We’re committed to hosting and engaging with racial healing pilgrimages and historical education.

  • Opportunities to Learn and Grow

    We offer training, studies, groups, and ministries focused on racial healing, restoration, and unity.

How to Be Part of Racial Healing in the Episcopal Church in Alabama

Racial Healing

Jonathan Daniels and the Martyrs of Alabama Pilgrimage

Join us as we remember Jonathan Daniels, who was detained and murdered after picketing white-only businesses. Every August, hundreds gather to walk the path that Jonathan walked and to pray where he died. Experiences like the pilgrimage crack open the toughest parts of our history so that we can learn, heal, and grow.

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Racial Healing

Courageous Conversation Beyond Diversity Training

Beyond Diversity, is a compassionate curriculum to build community, launch innovation, and navigate the predictable pitfalls in interracial, multi-cultural conversations about race. Powerful and personally transforming, this two-day seminar helps leaders, employees, and organizations understand the impact of race on their lives, their work, and their overall growth. Interactive and stirring exercises strengthen participants’ critical consciousness of race and lead them to investigate the role that racism plays in institutionalizing achievement disparities. Most importantly, it models and teaches a protocol for discussing race in ways that are productive, insightful, and generative.

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Racial Healing

Person2Person

Every year, Sawyerville hosts Person2Person, a weekend conference for high school and college students from all over the state to come together to learn about the history of race in Alabama. Participants also talk about their own experiences of race and discern, as Christians, what they can do to improve race relations now.

 

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Racial Healing

Sacred Ground Curriculum

This 11-part series created by the Episcopal Church of the United States focuses on healing and education between all races—Sacred Ground is available for all parishes to take part in as we work to learn more about one another.

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Racial Healing

Sawyerville Ministry

Sawyerville is a diocesan ministry that creates opportunities for children and youth in Hale County through free summer programs, mentoring, and scholarships. Its programs work to serve God, broaden the horizons of participants and staff, improve race relations in Alabama, and enrich the lives of those living in poverty.

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Racial Healing

Anti-Racism Training

A program designed to foster empathy, understanding, and unity among individuals from diverse backgrounds. This training encourages participants to recognize the inherent humanity in everyone, transcending racial and cultural differences and striving towards a more inclusive and equitable church.

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What People Are Saying About Racial Healing Initiatives in the Diocese in Alabama
“At Sawyerville, I learned how to be a role model.”
Sawyerville Summer Camp Staff Member
“My favorite thing about Sawyerville is the way the space is a safe place. Sawyerville allows anyone across the state of Alabama to participate in a camp that’s all for the kids and uplifting of God’s work!”
Sawyerville Intern
“I really appreciated their approach and sensitivity. It was very helpful to acknowledge that each of us becomes who we are through experiences that shape our views and the messages we receive over our lifetime. I think it helps remove the sense of guilt so often referred to in these kinds of conversations and keeps them going.”
Courageous Conversation Attendee
“I appreciated that the facilitators were able to get the group to ‘dig deep’ with such care and empathy while also not sacrificing the intent of the event to challenge our thinking and beliefs around race relations and identity.”
Courageous Conversation Attendee
Racial Healing


Parish and Diocesan Pilgrimages

Alabama is home to many sacred Civil Rights monuments, memorials, and museums. If you would like to plan a pilgrimage to one of these sacred sites, our Missioner for Racial Healing would be delighted to meet with you.


Breanna Carter

Breanna earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and an MBA from Louisiana State University Shreveport.

She previously served as the Assistant Director for the diocesan ministry Sawyerville.

As the Missioner for Racial Healing and Pilgrimage for the Episcopal Diocese in Alabama, she leads efforts to promote racial healing and reconciliation, fosters conversations and initiatives that bridge divides, and promotes unity within the church and community.

Contact Breanna Carter (bcarter@dioala.org) 205-358-9230.