Read about what's going on in our HopeGateWay Community Newsletter January 16, 2025.
If you don't find the information you're looking for in the newsletter, on this page or within the website, please send us an email!
Sundays at 10am EST
In person at 515 Woodford St in Portland, Maine
& on Zoom
Dial in audio: 1.929.205.6099
Meeting ID: 533 469 2118
Primary Words: 2026 Community Practices Series
Join us for worship at 10 am
What does it mean to belong to HopeGateWay? For many years, it has been our habit to commit annually to Community Practices by signing our individual names to the practices poster on the wall. This year we have reimagined our practices with input from the whole community. Our new practices are verbs, action words, that are already broadly enacted in our community. These are our Primary Words — words that we begin with, words of highest importance, and words that ground us in direct and firsthand experience. Each of these practices has the potential to take us deeper, to call us to more, and to lead us further on our journeys.
Over the next five weeks we will take the words one by one: Gather, Listen, Act, Share, Evolve. We will explore how these practices shape us as a community and as individuals, both in our life together and our life beyond the boundaries of HopeGateWay.
Jesus gathered with his beloveds. He listened to those on the margins as well as the sounds of the wind. He kept moving forward in action, even when that put him in the path of danger. Jesus shared himself again and again. He demonstrated to his followers an evolving faith and growth mindset, so that his followers might never believe they had arrived but always know they are on the path towards further growth.
HopeGateWay Kids + Parent Fellowship: Calling all HopeGateWay Kids ages 4-10!
Sunday, Feburary 1 • 9 am
You're invited to gather on Sunday mornings once per month from 9-9:45 am. This winter we'll be exploring HopeGateWay's community practices: Gather, Listen, Act, Share, Evolve.
HGW Kids is a time of exploring what it means to follow Jesus in community through singing, storytelling, discussion, and sensory play. We can't wait to wonder and listen and play with you! Parents are invited to enjoy coffee and conversation together during the kids' meeting time.
If you are interested in volunteering with HGW Kids in any capacity (bringing snacks, telling a story, leading a song, being the helper for the lead facilitator) please email christina@hopegateway.com.
Upcoming Dates:
- February 1
- March 1
- March 29
- May 3
- June 7
MultiFaith Prayer Vigil near Cumberland County Jail
Wednesdays • 2:45-3:15 pm
You are invited to join leaders from the Greater Portland MultiFaith Organizing group who will host weekly vigils to lament the harm inflicted on all those caught up in the immigration system, and to affirm the inherent worthiness of all people. Each gathering will include songs, silence, prayer, or other spiritual practices. We are planning this action to pray for those detained by ICE locally at the Cumberland County Jail and those who are a part of that system that is detaining them.
Advent Conspiracy 2025 • Maine Solidarity Fund
Each year, HopeGateWay participates in Advent Conspiracy, a movement to keep the holidays focused on what is truly important: to worship fully, spend less, give more, and love all. In this spirit, HopeGateWay chooses an organization to support with our Advent giving. This year we have chosen Maine Solidarity Fund as our recipient to highlight.
When our neighbors are under attack, we stand together. Right now, immigrant and Trans Mainers are facing unprecedented threats. Over the past few months, we’ve seen families afraid to leave their homes. People are detained without warning and without due process. Essential healthcare is becoming inaccessible. Government actors are growing more emboldened, and we must act now.
We refuse to let this happen on our watch. As frontline organizations, we’ve been responding to crisis after crisis, but we realized we needed a better way. In July, the People’s Coalition for Safety & Justice (PCSJ) launched the Maine Solidarity Fund to provide immediate, direct support when crisis hits. No bureaucracy. No delays. Just rapid response when our neighbors need us most.
You can learn more about their work here.
Tai Chi Practice
Tuesdays at 10am • 515 Woodford St
You are invited to practice Tai Chi and Qigong at HopeGateWay, led by Bronwen and Francis. This practice encompasses beginners and those who have practiced before. Tai Chi and Qigong - described as meditation in motion - are ancient Chinese practices promoting physical, mental and spiritual well-being through soft flowing motion harmonized with the rhythms of breathing.
Classes are wide open, warm and welcoming for anyone interested. They run a little over an hour in length and people participate as their schedules allow. There is no fee; however, modest donations, based on whatever participants can afford, are welcomed.
If you are interested, please contact Bronwen so that you can be placed on an email list that is just used if class is cancelled for that day. Otherwise, classes are every Tuesday at 10 .m.
Gather and Grow with HopeGateWay Small Groups
HopeGateWay offers a number of small groups. Recovery groups meet weekly on most nights of the week. We're always planning ahead for our next book study, film or podcast discussion. If you're interested in being part of a small group or if you have an idea for either a short-term or longer-term small group, email hello@hopegateway.com.
Community Care: Caring for One Another
At HopeGateWay, we follow Jesus' invitation to "love one another as I have loved you." Sometimes we offer our gifts and support and at other times we find ourselves on the receiving end. This is community, the kind of community that we want to be, graciously giving and receiving. Currently, we are providing meals for two families and we are looking for drivers willing to give rides to one or two people before and after worship on Sunday mornings. If you need assistance with some home cooked meals, groceries, errands or a visit, please contact us as well!
Looking to serve in a new way in 2026?
Consider Volunteer Opportunities with Hope Acts!
Hope Acts is seeking new volunteers as housing mentors, English language program support, transportation needs, and more. Check Hope Acts' volunteer page for more information. If you prefer, please call the Hope Acts office at 207-274-6005 or 207-228-1140 to discuss volunteer opportunities. Contact Alice for the ASAP program, Sarah for HHELP and Martha for anything/everything else. Volunteering is an act of hope AND a gift of hope. Reach out today.
HopeGateWay Conversations and Sermon Podcasts
If you'd like to learn more about what's going on within our HopeGateWay community, simply connect to our podcast page. You will find our weekly sermon podcasts at the same link. We encourage you to stay connected; let us know if there's something you'd like to know about HopeGateWay. Art McClanahan puts his heart and soul into making these conversations come alive.
Gateways Daily Reflection
Gateways is a daily email offering inspiring words for your daily time with God from HopeGateWay. Each morning we send out a prayer, reflection, poem, or other thought-provoking work along with a question or observation to take with you into your day. If you would like to try adding this to your daily spiritual practice, please sign up and join us. Subscribe here.
Sing along with the HopeGateWay Virtual Choir
Do you ever have worship songs going through your mind long after worship? You can now sing along at home any day of the week! Kelly and the HopeGateWay Acapella Virtual Choir creates a new song recording for worship every week. So our library of songs is growing! You can listen at this link.
Thank you for your faithful Stewardship!
Your generosity fuels HopeGateWay's Micah 6:8 mission to "do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God." You can access all of the materials to make your pledge commitment for 2024 here. You may also make a one-time or recurring gift through our website or send a check to 515 Woodford Street Portland, ME 04103. We are grateful for your generous support of HopeGateWay's ministry and programs.
Grab a CLYNK Bag and Support HopeGateWay
Support the ministry and mission of HopeGateWay in a super easy way! Just pick up one of our Clynk bags in the green tote in our lobby, fill it with returnable bottles and cans, and return it to a Clynk collection site near Hannaford. If you have a personal Clynk account, you can also donate your balance to HopeGateWay!
UPCOMING EVENTS