Collects for Lent

You may remember that in previous years All Saints parishioners wrote reflections that were gathered into a devotional booklet for Lent. While we are not collecting reflections this year, we are producing a Lenten devotional guide of a different sort. This year’s guide is a collection of collects. A collect (pronounced CAH-lect) is a short liturgical prayer, typically once sentence long, that captures a certain theme or concept concerning our relationship to God. At least one collect can be found in every service in the Book of Common Prayer. A collect usually contains an invocation, a petition, and a conclusion. The invocation highlights one or more of God’s attributes. The petition asks for God’s aid in living out our faith, and the conclusion gives praise to God and is often Trinitarian in its language. If you would like to receive a daily "collect" email during Lent, fill out the form above.

The collects in this year’s Lenten devotional book are the creative work of our two Education for Ministry (EfM) groups at All Saints, which are led by mentors Bryson Waldo, Stephanie Diethelm, and Conrad Ponder!

Started in 1975 EfM is a long-running and highly regarded program of theological education for lay persons that originated at the School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. The heart of this four-year program of study are the weekly group meetings, during which participants gather for reflection, shared learning, worship, and support. EfM participants prepare for service to God through in-depth study of the Old Testament, New Testament, church history, and theology. Each week the groups take part in a method of theological reflection and then work together to write a collect that sums up the insights from that reflection in the form of a prayer. We are pleased that the All Saints groups have graciously agreed to share their work with the rest of the congregation and the community. We’re also grateful to our Parish Coordinator Tara Portney, who lovingly compiled them in this devotional booklet, which we hope will draw you more deeply into God’s transforming love over the course of this Lenten season.

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More Announcements

Women's Retreat - Camp McDowell - March 13-15

February 18, 2026

Join us March 13-15 for our Women's Retreat at Camp McDowell. We will practice rest, creativity, and wonder at the different ways we practice resilience-- all the while enjoying good company, good food, and wonderful, wonderful Camp McDowell. Be sure to register above. Questions, email rneislar@allsaintsbhm.org

Lent 2026

February 17, 2026

Sundays in Lent

We Love Our Children's Pew Art!

February 11, 2026

Maybe you have seen a 'Children’s Pew Art' sheet in your pew? These are meant to be a simple way to invite our young friends to draw what they see in church, picture something they hear in the Bible reading, write a letter to God, ask a question, or create a prayer. We share in nurturing their spiritual lives, just as we promise at baptism. They learn by watching and listening. They absorb what is going on around them. So enjoy watching your child draw on them. You can take yours home to reflect on during the week, or let it stay for someone else to find. We truly love discovering these colorful reflections of faith all over the church!

Huge Lineup of Speakers for Stories on the Way

February 10, 2026

Stories on the Way: Stories and Poetry for Lent Our faith is built on a collection of stories shared over generations. Jesus taught in stories. Stories are interwoven in our identities as beloved children of God. As we make our way through the season of Lent, you are invited to join us for three evenings of sharing stories and poems on Wednesdays, February 25, March 4, and March 11 . We will begin each evening at 5:30 with a simple supper. We will close out each evening with Compline (a short night prayer service). Use the link below to let us know if you will be joining us for dinner and if you will be bringing children. The Wednesday Atrium will be available. Please RSVP for dinner here Each evening, we will be joined by featured storytellers and poets. You are also invited to bring your own poetry or a favorite poem to share. Your host: The Rev. Kelley Hudlow Featured storytellers: February 25 Repentance The Rev. Kelley Hudlow The Rt. Rev. Kee Sloan March 4 Mercy The Very Rev. Richard Lawson, Bishop-elect Beverly Brasell March 11 Hope Jamie Parris The Rev. Dillon Green Dr. Shanti Weiland …and more!

13th Diocesan Bishop of Alabama: The Very Rev. Richard T. Lawson III

February 1, 2026

The Very Rev. Richard T. Lawson III, dean of Saint John’s Cathedral in Denver, has been elected the 13th diocesan bishop of Alabama. He was chosen on the first ballot at today’s special convention at the Cathedral Church of the Advent. Following the required consent process of The Episcopal Church, Bishop elect Lawson will be ordained and consecrated on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Birmingham. We give thanks for all who served in this search and ask for continued prayers during this time of transition.

Bingo Night Feb. 11

January 30, 2026

We will have an all ages Bingo Night in the Great Hall on Wednesday, February 11 from 5:00 to 6:30pm . We are leaning into a Valentine theme and making it a relaxed evening for all generations to gather, play, and enjoy time together. This timing also works well if you are coming before or after choir rehearsals. We will have Roly Poly sandwiches, chips, and dessert available, with a suggested donation of $5 to help us plan for food. Come for a round or stay for the whole evening. Everyone is welcome.