Read about what's going on in our HopeGateWay Community Newsletter November 14, 2024.
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
Yours Truly: Our Stewardship Worship Series
We are not alone. We need each other. Community and meaningful connections are more important than ever. We belong to each other at HopeGateWay and we will have each other's backs and the backs of those who are in need of support and defending. When you sign a letter, "yours truly" you are indicating a sincerity of heart and spirit and a connection with the recipient. That's what we need from one another--a commitment to one another. In this stewardship series, we are focusing on how the choices we make for the sake of our community will help us each be the people who are needed for the time ahead.
Stewardship Commitment Sunday will be November 24.
Resilience Through Reflection and Practice
1st and 3rd Mondays, October - February • on Zoom
Using Rhonda Magee’s deeply insightful and invitational book, The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness, as a reference guide, we will explore how we can move closer to be the change we pray and hope we can be for our hurting world, both individually and collectively.
The Inner Work of Racial Justice draws upon practices of mindfulness for building resilience and capacity for addressing racial justice. Most, if not all, of the practices are easily adapted for facilitating inner work and outer action toward climate change political differences, etc., as well as racism. It’s all interrelated.
As a way to counter the swirling news, emotions and hope of these times, we will intentionally meet during the weeks before and after Election Day. Facilitators: Diane McClanahan, Wanda Stahl and Kathy Strand welcome your questions and participation. Sign up to receive a copy of a reading for the first gathering. Books will be available at the first gathering for an optional donation of $10.
Tai Chi Practice
Thursdays at 10am • 515 Woodford St
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, are welcomed.
If you are interested, please contact Fred Brancato 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.
Youth Service Corps • packing shelf stable meals
Sunday, November 24th • 11:30am to 2:30 pm
Trinity Episcopal Church • 580 Forest Avenue
Youth should meet at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 580 Forest Ave. Portland at 11:30am to begin packing meals with End Hunger New England. After packing meals, youth will share pizza lunch. At 1:30 pm - Community building games and planning for December's events. Please reach out to Allen or to Amber Burks, youth coordinator, to RSVP... If others from the church beyond youth would like to attend, please send an early RSVP, by November 7th to ensure spots for those who want to participate. This event draws a crowd and spots are limited.
Facebook Livestream and on-demand video
Worship services are usually 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 Christie or email christie@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 if you'd be willing to help! 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 2024?
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!