Worship at The Abbey

The Abbey meets on Sunday at 4 p.m. in the downstairs area of Zion Spring Baptist Church in North Avondale. The church is located at 528 41st N, Birmingham, AL 35222. We also offer a virtual church option at the same time, allowing our community to gather both in-person and online at the same time.

Our worship is designed to be participatory, and to engage the spiritual insight of everyone there! We read from Scripture, preach the Good News to one another through a conversational sermon, and offer prayers for our neighbors, ourselves and the world

What is this Episcopal stuff?

The Abbey is a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. The Episcopal Church is a liturgical church. Our worship follows a pattern set out in the Book of Common Prayer (1979). We follow the Revised Common Lectionary. We also observe the traditional liturgical seasons, which include Advent, Christmastide, Epiphany, Lent, Eastertide, and Pentecost.

Our worship is rooted in our Anglican tradition. The Episcopal Church is the American expression of the Anglican Communion, which centers on sharing a common prayerbook and a relationship with the Archbishop of Canterbury of the Church of England. Our current prayerbook includes our English tradition and also brings in ancient prayers and liturgies of the Christian Church.

What is worship like at The Abbey?

We worship together every Sunday at 4:00 p.m. We praise God through music, prayer, a reflection on Scripture, and a celebration of the Holy Eucharist (the Lord’s Supper). There are many ways to be involved. Everyone is welcome to receive communion – the Table belongs to God.

Abbey community member, Rick Putman, offers a Meditation on Communion at The Abbey.

What is church like for children?

For children ages 3-10, we offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montesorri approach to religious formation. Children spend the first half of the worship service in a specially-prepared environment called the atrium. During this time, they are led in hands-on activities that help them explore and reflect on scripture, prayer, and liturgical events. During Eucharist, the children return to main area where they are invited to take an active role in the service.

Who can come? And what should I wear?

Anyone. Seriously, anyone and everyone. Kids, teenagers, young adults, adults. Everyone is welcome at The Abbey, regardless of race, ethnicity, faith tradition, class, age, political party, education, gender, marital status, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Our service is a relaxed environment. Wear what makes you feel comfortable and invite anyone you think would be interested.