Read about what's going on in our HopeGateWay Community Newsletter May 27, 2023.
Join us in person at 509 High St. in Portland, Maine or online from your home or away!
Sunday morning worship is at 10am
Dial in audio: 1.929.205.6099
Meeting ID: 533 469 2118
Masks optional, yet encouraged. (KN95 masks available)
The God Who Riots
Our worship series is inspired by the book The God Who Riots: Taking Back the Radical Jesus, written by popular YouTuber and public theologian Damon Garcia. Our goal in this series is to connect with the Jesus who flipped tables in the temple and led an empire-destabilizing movement for liberation. The spirit of this God is embodied in today's protests, riots, and strikes. As we join this struggle for liberation, we are joining the God who riots alongside us, within us, and through us. Jesus said the Spirit of the Lord anointed him "to let the oppressed go free," and those of us who claim to follow Jesus today must commit to this radical mission of liberation. Join us for a time of reflection, action, reckoning, reparations, and transformation as we get to know Jesus, the God who Riots.
The God Who Riots • Book Discussion • Chapter 4
Thursday, June 1 • 6:30 pm • In person at 509 Forest Avenue, Portland
Join Sara for a conversation on Chapter 4 of The God Who Riots: "Taking and Reshaping Jesus." Author Damon Garcia challenges us to reintegrate the Jesus that has been stolen from the marginalized and placed with those in power. He says, "It begins with affirming the inherent, an unconditional dignity, shared by all of us, and then it leads to resistance of the systems that categorize humans above other humans. This type of religious expression resists the oppressive systems that the devalue us, even if that means resisting a popular version of our religion." Books are available for a cost of $20. Chapter 4 is available in paper or PDF form for those who register for the group. Please register for the discussion here.
Sunday Brunch
Sunday, June 4 • 10am • 509 Forest Avenue
Sunday morning worship will look a little different on June 4th! We'll be celebrating in community with special music, singing, and a potluck brunch at 509 Forest Ave. Plan to bring your favorite brunch food, if you can — fruit, pastries, an egg dish, bacon or sausage, juice, yogurt, or something else — or just come! — and join your HopeGateWay friends around the tables. This is a celebration you won't want to miss!
Pride Portland! Parade
Saturday, June 17 • gathering at 12 noon
Pride Portland! brings together people in Greater Portland for an annual parade and festival to celebrate and honor the accomplishments of the LGBTQ+ movement and to raise awareness of the community’s ongoing struggles. Come celebrate and help foster an environment of inclusivity, accessibility, and solidarity.
Are you interested in marching with HopeGateWay and area churches in this year's Pride Portland parade? Please sign up if you plan to attend. We'll connect you with a point person in case you have any questions! Please plan to arrive downtown around noon to find parking and make your way to find the multifaith group. There will be a float and HopeGateWay, along with other churches, will carry our banner, give out stickers, etc. The parade steps off from Monument Square at 1 pm, proceeds along Congress Street to Congress Square Park, down High Street to Park Avenue, where it enters Deering Oaks Park by Mellen Street, and lasts for about an hour. The Pride Festival is held Deering Oaks Park from 1pm to 5pm.
If you aren't up for marching but wish to participate in another way, Williston-Immanuel United Church has invited us to join them in handing out water at their front door, 156 High Street. Let us know how you'd like to participate.
Facebook Livestream and on-demand video
Worship services are live-streamed and recorded on Facebook.
If you miss worship, you can always join us! facebook.com/hopegateway
Gather and Grow with HopeGateWay Small Groups
HopeGateWay offers a number of small groups. Our Active Hope group and our three Murmuration groups meet monthly. 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, talk with Bethany or email bethany@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. Please contact our Care Coordinator, Diane McClanahan if you'd be willing to help! If you need assistance with some home cooked meals, groceries, errands or a visit, please contact Diane.
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 and look for this logo. 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. Listen to the latest: Sara's Easter message.
2023 Gifts and Talents Survey
Please take the time to fill out our 2023 Gifts and Talents Survey. Let us know ways in which you'd like to serve in the HopeGateWay community and beyond! In this way, we can organize ourselves creatively, serving in ways which feel most authentic and life-giving!
Gateways Daily Reflection
Each morning, we send out a prayer, reflection, or Scripture reading, along with a daily question to ponder. Consider trying this as a new spiritual practice. We'd love to add you to our list! 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 2023 here. You may also make a one-time or recurring gift through our website or send a check to 509 Forest Avenue, Portland, ME 04101. We are grateful for your generous support of HopeGateWay's ministry and programs.
Tai Chi Practice
Tuesdays at 10am • 509 Forest Avenue
You are invited to practice Tai Chi and Qigong at HopeGateWay, led by Fred Brancato. 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, is welcomed.
If you are interested, please contact Fred Brancato at opus4fred@gmail.com so that he can place you on an email list that he uses only if class is cancelled for that day. Otherwise, classes are every Tuesday at 10 a.m.
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!