Lent and Holy Week Services
Ash Wednesday- February 18
7am,Bibb Chapel
12pm, the Nave, soup lunch to follow in Ridley Hall
6:30pm, the Nave *nursery is available
6:30pm, Ash Wednesday for Kids in Ridley Hall
Wednesdays in Lent- 12pm in the Nave, soup lunch to follow in Ridley Hall
Maundy Thursday, April 2- 7pm in the Nave
Good Friday, April 3- 12pm and 7pm in the Nave
Stations of the Cross, April 3- 5:30pm
The Great Vigil of Easter. April 4- 7pm in the Nave, reception in Ridley Hall to follow.
Easter Sunday, April 5- 7:30am, Rite I in Bibb Chapel
8:45am Rite II with Children's Chapel
10am- Easter Egg Hunt for Children
11am- Rite II with Children's Chapel
Staff Directory
Kayela Allen- Director of Parish Engagement kallen@nativity-hsv.org
Madeleine Bell-Colpack- Director of Youth Ministries mbellcolpack@nativity-hsv.org
Amy Brooks- Director of Communications abrooks@nativity-hsv.org
Emily Cantrell- Director of Christian Formation ecantrell@nativity-hsv.org
Austin Cook- Director of Finance acook@nativity-hsv.org
Jabbar Jasper- Facilities Manager jjasper@nativity-hsv.org
Rachael Samples- Worship Coordinator rsamples@nativity-hsv.org
Sally Stockton- Director of Kitchen Ministries
Clergy
The Reverend Michael Goldsmith Rector mgoldsmith@nativity-hsv.org
The Reverend Melissa M. Hartley, PhD Priest Associate mhartley@nativity-hsv.org
The Reverend Rosie Veal Eby Priest Associate rvealeby@nativity-hsv.org
The Reverend Deacon Bob Serio, MD Deacon bserio@nativity-hsv.org
Veronica Love- Weekend Sexton
Aaron Tan, PhD-Director of Music atan@nativity-hsv.org
Lane Tutt- Groundskeeper ltutt@nativity-hsv.org
Keke Warren- Nursery Manager
Marlin Wilder- Assistant Facilities Manager
The Season of Lent
by Mother Melissa
The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, this year falling on February 18. In the early days of the Church, the season of Lent marked a time in which certain sinners who had been banned by the Church would sit in sackcloth and ashes as a sign of their penitence. After due penance, they would be allowed back into the community of faith, usually at the time of the Easter Vigil. A brief explanation of this is found in the Invitation to a holy Lent in the prayer book on page 264-265. It reads, “It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith...”
We begin this season by putting ashes on our foreheads as a sign of our continual need for repentance and forgiveness. On Ash Wednesday, we pray the Litany for Penitence, which is very inwardly focused, asking for forgiveness for those acts that we, as individuals, have done. In contrast, by the time we reach Good Friday, near the end of Lent, the Solemn Collects of Good Friday have shifted our focus from ourselves to concerns for other people. This season urges us to become less inwardly focused and, instead, to be drawn to the needs of others.
Many people choose to either give something up or take something on as a Lenten discipline. I would suggest that whatever you do, ask if this is going to help draw you into a deeper relationship with God. If you do not know where to start, I would recommend the Daily Devotions, found in the prayer book, beginning on page 136. They are short and are a helpful way to begin setting aside a time for prayer. The Lenten daily meditations from The Episcopal Church are helpful, as well, and that resource is mentioned in this edition of the Steeple.
As we begin our Lenten journey, let us remember the words of the Ash Wednesday liturgy: “I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self- examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.”
Click HERE for the 2026 Lenten Meditations from Episcopal Relief and Developent!
Children and Youth
Children and Youth Calendars
Sign up for the weekly Children's Newsletter HERE.
Sign up for the weekly Youth and Parent email HERE.
Sign up for the Club 56 email HERE.
Questions about Children's Ministry? Contact Emily Cantrell ecantrell@nativity-hsv.org
Questions about Youth Ministry? Contact Madi Bell-Colpack mbcolpack@nativity-hsv.org
Outreach
Greetings from your Outreach committee. Now that the 2026 budget has been approved, we wanted to let the congregation know what agencies we are supporting in 2026. Here are a list of non-profit organizations we are funding. AshaKiran. Boy’s and Girls Club 305 8th Street. Camp McDowell Special Session Christian Wonen’s Job Corp. Foster Connections Global Ties Alabama. Foothills Day Camp Shower Up. Girls Inc. Huntsville Assistance Program. Inner City Learning Center Meals on Wheels. Kids To Love Russel Erskine Ministries. Sawyerville Summer Camp North Alabama Food Bank. Second Mile Thrive Alabama. Sleep in Heavenly Peace First Stop. The Caring Link Community Free Dental Clinic. Village Of Promise Friends Inc. Aid to Inmate Mothers His Way. Limestone Indigent Christmas packages The Care Center. Habitat for Humanity If you have any questions please reach out to me and I will do my best to answer your questions. The Outreach Committee meets the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30. We are meeting in Ridley Hall during construction. You are welcome to join us.
Thank you
Michael Shipley
MichaelLShipley@aol.com. 256 520 8741 Outreach Chair
Outreach cont...
Into Light Project: Real People, Real Stories
Not One More Alabama is proud to bring to Huntsville the acclaimed exhibition: INTO LIGHT Project: Real People, Real Stories. This exhibition uses art and storytelling to change how society understands addiction.
The exhibition features portraits and written narratives of individuals in Alabama who died from drug addiction or related causes – a son or daughter, parent, sibling, friend — whose life mattered far beyond their struggle with substance use disorder. Together, the artwork and stories invite viewers to see addiction not as a moral failing, but as a disease that touches families and communities across every demographic.
“Every portrait represents a life that was loved, and every story gives us a chance to replace judgment with understanding,” said Theresa Clower, Founder and CEO of the Into Light Project. “When communities encounter these faces and these stories, something shifts. People begin to see addiction through a human lens — and that opens the door to compassion, healing, and hope.”
By pairing powerful visual art with deeply personal stories, the exhibition creates a space for reflection, learning, and honest conversation about the impact of addiction and the importance of treatment, prevention, and recovery. The exhibition aims to raise awareness, educate the public, reduce stigma, and support families and individuals affected by substance use disorder throughout the Huntsville region and beyond.
Opening Night: Feb. 9th from 6 - 7 pm
Location: NOMA Office 2200 Bob Wallace Ave. SW, Huntsville, AL 35805
Exhibit set to run from February 9 - 20, 2026
Monday - Friday: 6 - 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 14th 5 - 7 pm
Sunday, February 15th 5 - 7 pm
Easter Flower Dedications
Volunteer Workday
Easter Flower Dedications will open March 8th! Flower dedications are $20 each and may be submitted using the QR code, or by filling out a form. The forms will be located in the Banister room on the table next to the drink cooler, the table next to the Chapel interior entrance or the foyer of the Nave. The deadline to submit a Christmas Flower Dedication is March 30th.
Dusting Day!
Tomorrow February 14th at 9am!
As construction continues to move forward, we are grateful for the progress—and mindful of the dust that comes with it. You are invited to join us THIS Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. as we dust the Nave, Ridley Hall, Bibb Chapel, and common areas of the church.
All supplies will be provided.
Thank you for helping us care for our shared spaces. We look forward to working togethermany hands make light work!
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity
208 Eustis Avenue Huntsville, Alabama 35801
