A church in the heart of the city, with a heart for the city

‘Monday School’ helps Alabama church address issues of race, faith and justice

July 07, 2025

[Episcopal Diocese of Alabama] Every Monday evening at All Saints Episcopal Church in Homewood, Alabama, a group of people spanning three generations gathers to read, reflect and talk honestly about race, faith and justice. They call it Monday School. After the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama organized a Sacred Ground group that concluded in 2024, All Saints member Memily Colvin wasn’t ready for the conversation to end. So, as part of another Alabama initiative, “One Diocese, One Book,” she hosted a discussion of a book by Catherine Meeks, “The Night is Long but Light Comes in the Morning: Meditations for Racial Healing.” To Colvin’s surprise, about a dozen people showed up, including some who weren’t Episcopalians. And they kept meeting, at first during the summer on Sunday mornings, but then switching to Monday evenings during Advent 2024. The week after Thanksgiving, there were 14 people, and Monday School was born. “It rhymes with Sunday School,” noted Karen Ammons, who also sings in All Saints’ choir and can’t attend traditional classes on Sundays. “Monday School gave us a new way to gather.” Since then, Monday School has grown into a diverse group of readers and thinkers who aren’t afraid of hard conversations and uncomfortable questions. The books they have chosen include “Jesus and the Disinherited” by Howard Thurman, “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and “The Church Cracked Open” by the Rev. Stephanie Spellers. Each one delves into America’s racial legacy and the church’s role in addressing it. Monday School is not just about books but also about the conversations they spark and what happens next. Members talk about difficult issues, reflect on their lives and, most importantly, take action. “Sometimes we come in and talk about things we have done during the week,” group member Abby Poole said, including “hard conversations we have had, moments we are proud of.” She added, “It is a place where different opinions are welcome, and no one gets mad. We just stop and really listen.” Tom Richeson agreed, saying, “At the end of the day, it is about listening more than talking. We learn best when we open our hearts, not just our minds.” That spirit of listening has made a lasting impact. For Taylor Gerard, Monday School was her path back to church. “When Abby brought me, it was just such an amazing experience,” she said. “I realized this was a safe space to talk about race, faith and the world. It made me want to come to church again.” Even in its simplicity, Monday School has become a powerful community. Colvin noted, “I am amazed at how many people here want to have racial conversations.” Members have built relationships across racial and generational lines, she said, and they have become more active in their communities. “When our diocese’s Commission for Racial Healing and Pilgrimage launched our first ‘One Diocese, One Book’ initiative studying Catherine Meeks’ book, we hoped it would inspire continued engagement in our parishes,” Breanna Carter, the diocese’s missioner for Racial Healing and Pilgrimage, said. “Monday School is the kind of faithful response we prayed for.” She added, “It is deeply encouraging to see that participants are not only reading and having meaningful conversations but also living out their faith in transformative ways — both within the parish and across the diocese.” –Nana Afia Tenkoramaa is director of communications for the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama.