Canterbury UMC

Ash Wednesday
2026-02-18 07:30 - 19:00 (America/Chicago)
Join us on Ash Wednesday, February 18, as we begin the season of Lent together with meaningful opportunities for worship and reflection. We will offer drive-through ashes at the Chapel from 7:00–8:30 a.m., a noon service in the Chapel, and a special evening service at 6:00 p.m. in the Canterbury Center. Dinner will be served that evening, though no studies will meet, allowing space for rest, worship, and prayer. Wherever you are in your faith journey, we invite you to come and mark this holy day with us.

RISE Day of Fun
2026-02-16 10:30 - 15:00
4th-6th grades… Join us on Monday, February 16 from 10:30 AM-3:00 PM for an exciting day full of games, free play, and time together at Activate. The cost is $30, which includes a ticket to Activate and lunch. Sign up by clicking here.

Exploring the Life and Witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
2026-02-12 11:30 - 13:00
Join us for a meaningful series of Thursday daytime learning sessions as we continue growing together on our discipleship journey. “Exploring the Life and Witness of Dietrich Bonhoeffer” will allow us to take a closer look at the life, theology, and his lasting impact through three sessions in Room M227. Feel free to attend one, two, or all three! Registration not required.
– Thursday, February 12 | 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Rachel Estes will show a film on the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
– Thursday, February 19 | 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Pastor Bill Morgan will share reflections on Bonhoeffer.
– Thursday, February 26 | 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Pastor Tori Hastings will continue the conversation on Bonhoeffer.

engAGE Lunch and Learn
2026-02-10 11:30 - 13:00
Please join us for a special Lunch & Learn as we welcome back Warren B. Lightfoot. Enjoy a wonderful lunch as he leads us through engaging exploration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, examining the evidence for Christ’s bodily resurrection through classical art and authoritative sources, including the Bible. Come be inspired, challenged, and enriched by this compelling exploration of faith, history, and art. All are welcome! $10. RSVP by February 5 to Valerie Boyd at 874-1523 or valerie.boyd@canterburyumc.org.

Next Steps | Begins February 1
2026-02-01 09:15 - 10:30
New to Canterbury? This Sunday morning class is a basic introduction to our church family and a wonderful time for you to connect with others. If you are interested in making Canterbury your church home, please join us on 2/1, 2/8 and 2/15 at 9:15 AM. To register, email becky.king@canterburyumc.org.

UMW Women's Dinner
2026-01-29 18:00 - 19:00
You’re invited to a special evening of food, fellowship, and inspiration at the United Methodist Women’s Dinner on Thursday, January 29 at 6 PM. Enjoy a delicious meal and hear from Ashley McMakin, owner and founder of Ashley Mac’s, as she shares her story of faith, family, and building a beloved local business. Tickets are $25 per person. Come be encouraged and connect with women across our church community… we can’t wait to see you there!
Register here: UMW Women’s Dinner

Serve Day
2026-01-25
Serve Day at Canterbury returns on Sunday, January 25! After such an incredible experience last year, we can’t wait to come together again to serve our neighbors and community. Mark your calendar and make plans to join us for this special Sunday of hands-on ministry, fellowship, and impact – you won’t want to miss it!
Sign up for your project now by visiting canterburyumc.org/outreach/

Iron City Men's Event
2026-01-10 09:00 - 12:00
Save the date for a powerful morning of inspiration and fellowship at the Men’s Ministry Gathering on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 9 AM to Noon at TopGolf. This event features two dynamic speakers, Jerry Pate, U.S. Open Champion and Alabama Hall of Fame golfer, and Aaron Feld, renowned strength coach from the University of Oregon and University of Miami. Enjoy great conversation, encouragement, and connection with men from across the community. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today: $50 per person or $25 for college students. Sponsored by Bluff Park UMC, Canterbury UMC, Grace UMC, New Beginnings UMC, St. Mark UMC, Trinity UMC, and West District UMC. Register now by clicking here.

A Storybook Christmas
2025-12-24 13:00 - 14:00
Bring the whole family and celebrate Christmas Eve with us in Canterbury Center at 1 PM! This casual, kid-friendly service features a fun and creative retelling of the Nativity story, joyful Christmas music, communion, and the magical glow of candlelight. It’s a special way for families with young children to come together, make memories, and experience the wonder of Christmas. * Service to be livestreamed

Christmas Eve Services
2025-12-24 11:00
New Traditions Service
11 AM | Chapel
A Storybook Christmas
1 PM | Canterbury Center
Contemporary Service
3 PM | Canterbury Center
Sanctuary Service
3 PM | Sanctuary
Sanctuary Service
5 PM | Sanctuary

Kids Cookie Connection
2025-12-22 10:00 - 11:00
Mark your calendar and make sure to bring your children to participate in this sweet and fun morning activity!
Join us at 10 AM in Canterbury Hall to decorate Christmas cookies to pack up and take to our homebound friends. Fun for kids of all ages!

The Longest Night
2025-12-21 18:00 - 19:00
You are invited to a special Winter Solstice Service for a sacred space of reflection, comfort, and renewal. This quiet, contemplative time of worship on the longest night before Christmas will be held on Sunday, December 21 at 6PM in the Chapel. Together, we will acknowledge the darkness and difficulty that can accompany this season, while holding on to the promise of peace, healing, and hope that the coming Light brings. * Service to be livestreamed

A Service of Lessons and Carols
2025-12-21 08:15 - 11:30
Join us in worship on Sunday, December 21 at 8:15 AM in the Chapel or 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary for a beautiful Service of Lessons and Carols. Through scripture readings and inspiring music, we’ll prepare our hearts and minds for the coming joy of Christmas. * Services to be livestreamed

Canterbury Christmas Chili Cookoff
2025-12-17 17:30 - 19:00
Join us for a fun and festive evening at Canterbury’s Christmas Chili Cookoff! Enjoy a hearty spread of homemade chilis and grilled cheese while celebrating the season with friends, games and great food! Enter your best chili to compete for fun prizes… or simply come ready to taste and vote for your favorites! Proceeds will benefit the Jackson Olin High School feeding program, helping ensure students have meals over the holidays. All ages are invited to come share in the Christmas cheer and make a difference! [ $10 adults | $7 kids & youth | $30 family max ] Enter your chili by clicking here, $20 reg. fee, deadline to enter is December 10.

Legacy Luncheon & Holiday Sing-Along
2025-12-16 12:00 - 13:00
Wear your favorite Christmas sweater and join the Canterbury Staff for the annual Christmas carol sing-along! All are invited for festive fellowship and a great lunch! ($5) Please RSVP by December 11 by emailing Valerie Boyd.

Side-by-Side Christmas Concert
2025-12-09 14:00 - 15:00
What better way to enjoy the holiday season than with a fun and festive Christmas concert from an 80-voice chorus and band! The Side-by-Side Community Chorus is made up of folks from our Encore community who love to sing and be with friends! The concert will be held in Canterbury Hall and will benefit the Encore Family Fund. Free admission, donations will be accepted at the door! Make plans to shop for unique holiday gifts before and after the event.

Birmingham-Southern Alumni Choir Concert
2025-12-05 19:00 - 20:00
All are invited to attend this special music event in Canterbury’s Sanctuary. It is the choir’s 89th year to perform Lessons & Carols.

Advent Kickoff! Crafts, Carols & Cheer
2025-12-03 18:00 - 19:00
Join us on Wednesday, December 3 from 6-7 PM in the KidsMin area for a joyful kickoff to the Advent season! Kids will have a merry time creating Christmas crafts, playing games, and singing their favorite Christmas songs with Miss Bella. It’s the perfect way to begin Advent with plenty of cheer, creativity, and Christmas spirit!

Youth | Journey Retreat
2025-11-21 - 2025-11-23
Journey Retreat will be November 21-23 at Shocco Springs in Talladega, AL. This is a retreat for all 7th-12th graders (friends are welcome!). Registration is now closed.

Men's Breakfast
2025-11-20 06:30 - 07:30
Canterbury UMC Men’s Ministry is excited to welcome author Russell J. Levenson, Jr. as the guest speaker for the November Men’s Breakfast. Join us for a delicious breakfast, great fellowship, and a compelling talk on Levenson’s book, “Witness to Belief: Conversations on Faith and Meaning”.

Kenya Information Meeting
2025-11-16 11:45 - 12:30
Join us in Wesley Hall on Sunday, November 16 to hear about the Canterbury mission trip to Kenya in Summer 2026. We will discuss the mission project, costs, dates and logistics. If you are unable to attend but still interested in learning more, please email Hill.carmichael@canterburyumc.org or Rachel.estes@canterburyumc.org for notes from the meeting.

Kids Critter Day Event
2025-11-11 10:00 - 11:00
Join us on Tuesday, November 11 at 10 AM in Canterbury Hall for a wild morning of fun! We’ll start with a short story time, then make a cool critter-themed craft you can take home. After that, get ready to meet some amazing animals native to Alabama… brought by none other than Aaron the Snake Professor! Invite your friends and come learn, laugh, and get up close (but not too close!) with some incredible critters! No charge, all welcome!

Book Club
2025-11-10 11:30 - 12:30
Bring a friend to Book Club in November! It is held on the 2nd Monday of the month from
11:30 AM-12:30 PM. Bring your lunch and join in the discussion.
For book titles and dates, click here.

1st Grade Faith Milestone
2025-11-09 09:15 - 10:30
Faith Milestones are a chance for the church to celebrate exactly who your child is right now and connect that to important parts of our faith practices here at church. We are so excited to see you and your 1st grader at our 1st grade milestone on Nov 9. We will be learning about baptism and how it teaches us who we are in God’s eyes. Please register here so that we will be prepared with materials for your family.

Session 3 Fall Bible Studies
2025-11-05 18:00 - 19:00
Our 3rd fall session of Wednesday Night studies will begin on November 5 and will run through December 3. This great lineup is available for you to register now!
• Tori Hastings – Christian Community in a World Torn Apart: Lessons from Dietrich Bonhoeffer
• Rick Owen – Feeling the Blues: More than Music it is Community
• Keith Thompson – The Wesley Way: John Wesley’s Approach to Spiritual Growth
• Caroline Bundy & Rachel Estes – Faith Works: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat”
• Jordain Boland & Natalie Moon – The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brene Brown
• Eleanor Christiansen – Woven: Teaching Your Kids Faith
• Lisa Donnell & Team – Letters of Paul (ongoing)

Kids Halloween Fun Night
2025-10-29 17:00 - 19:00
Wednesday, October 29 will be spook-tacular! 🎃 Wear your costumes to church for dinner and a night full of Halloween fun!

Sage Legacy Luncheon
2025-10-28 12:00 - 13:00
All are invited to October’s Legacy Luncheon as we welcome Canterbury’s very own Perryn Carroll. She is the Executive Director of The Jimmie Hale Mission – and was named the 2025 Remarkable Woman of the Year for Central Alabama! Come for great food and fellowship and to hear her compelling story! Lunch ($5). RSVP by emailing Valerie Boyd by October 23.

Youth Costumes on the Court
2025-10-26 16:30 - 18:00
Spooky season is officially here! To celebrate Halloween, we will be having a special MYF this Sunday, October 26 beginning at 4:30 PM. We will meet on the top level of the Parking Deck – making breakfast on the Blackstone, playing lots of games including Pickleball and Spike Ball, doing some Halloween activities, and having a costume contest with a great prize. But the main event will be a 3v3 basketball tournament! 🎃

4K Faith Milestone
2025-10-19 09:15 - 10:30
We are so excited to see you and your 4K kiddo on October 19 at 9:15 AM in the Small Dining Room. We will be learning about prayer and how it helps us feel connected to God’s heart. Please click here to RSVP so that we will be prepared with materials for your family.

Grief Care
2025-10-01 12:00
When we lose someone we love, we embark on a journey not of our choosing. But it is a vital and sacred journey for grief just the same. This group serves as a means of self-care and shared community for persons in grief. During this 6-week course, we will listen, share and gain important tools in navigating our unique grief experiences. Led by Hill Carmichael on Wednesdays at 12 Noon in Room M200.
Click here to register.
