ALTON - Alton Area Church Women United will host their annual community Lenten services while giving back to local nonprofits.
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Starting on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, and continuing through Good Friday on April 3, 2026, community members are invited to attend 30-minute Lenten services every Wednesday afternoon. All offerings that are collected during services will be given to Oasis Women’s Center and Crisis Food Center.
“We want to have a big crowd, because all the money that’s collected at the services is divided between Oasis Women’s Center and Crisis Food Center,” explained Eva Perkins with Alton Area Church Women United.
The services run from 12–12:30 p.m. After services, the churches will serve lunch for $5. This lunch includes a soup, sandwich, dessert and drink. Proceeds from the lunch will stay with the churches.
The free-will offering collected during services will be donated. Perkins hopes many people come out to build their relationships with God and the local church community while helping two area nonprofits.
Services are as follows:
Wednesday, Feb. 18 — Ash Wednesday
- Where: Main Street United Methodist Church at 1400 Main Street in Alton, IL
- Speaker: Pastor Don Sandford from Greater St. James MBC
Wednesday, Feb. 25
- Where: Unity Fellowship Church at 1301 West Delmar in Godfrey, IL
- Speaker: Minister Ruby Madison from Open Door Fellowship Church
Wednesday, March 4
- Where: Tabernacle MBC at 2621 Amelia Street in Alton, IL
- Speaker: Pastor Nick Gleason from Main Street United Methodist Church
Wednesday, March 11
- Where: Greater St. James MBC at 2016 Belle Street in Alton, IL
- Speaker: Pastor Ian Caveny from First Presbyterian Church
Wednesday, March 18
- Where: Open Door Fellowship Church at 929 Milnor Street in Alton, IL
- Speaker: Pastor Michael Porter from Millennium Temple COGIC
Wednesday, March 25
- Where: First Presbyterian Church at 4th and Alby Street in Alton, IL
- Speaker: Pastor John Buford from Tabernacle MBC
Wednesday, April 1
- Where: Morning Star MBC at 1 East 6th Street in Alton, IL
- Speaker: Pastor Gregory Harrison from Deliverance Temple COGIC
Friday, April 3 — Good Friday
- Where: Deliverance Temple COGIC at 1125 East 6th Street in Alton, IL
- Speaker: Pastor Charles Burton from Unity Fellowship Church
