Read about what's going on in our HopeGateWay Community Newsletter April 10, 2025.
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
Our New Sermon Series is Undeterred: Stories Of The Resistance
Pause & Reflect through the practice of Lectio Divina
Tuesdays • 10:00-10:30am on Zoom • Restarting March 18
In these days with a lot of troubling news swirling around and within us, taking a moment to simply pause, reflect, and be with others can be a gift. All are welcome to join Pastor Christie each Tuesday at 10 am via Zoom to do just that. We will center our time together around the practice of Lectio Divina, or sacred reading. We will read and reflect on either the text for the upcoming Sunday or a poem connected to the theme. This is not a “heady” study but a space to listen to the text, ponder it, and see what invitation is arising within you. This group will be on zoom and just 30 minutes. No prep needed. This is an open group — you can join any week.
Life After Doom
A Book Study with Wanda Stahl & Allen Ewing-Merrill
Mondays 6:30-8:00 pm (a combination of in-person and online sessions)
Join others from the HopeGateWay community for a 9-session study of Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart, by celebrated author Brian McLaren. As we wade more deeply into the realities of climate change, and as the instability of our systems and structures becomes more apparent, we are confronted with many possibilities for what the future may hold — and all those scenarios, to varying degrees, hold suffering and darkness as well as potential for healing and transformation. The work of holding these unknown worlds while actively working toward a better future can be lonely, especially when the scaffolding of our systems feels inadequate at best and actively harmful at worst. How do we look honestly at what is while envisioning a way forward for ourselves, our communities, and our world? Join us for the conversation.
- First Session: Monday, March 31 • 6:30-8:00 pm at HopeGateWay
- Online Sessions: Mondays, April 14, April 28, May 19, June 2, June 16, June 30, and July 14 • 6:30-8:00 pm
- Final Session: Monday, July 28 (tentative) • 6:30-8:00 pm • in person (location TBA)
If you're interested in participating, please sign up here. We encourage you to obtain your own copy of the book at your favorite bookstore. Please let Wanda or Allen know if you need assistance in locating a book.
Building Beloved Community Beyond the Gender Binary
Saturday, April 26 • 9am-4pm
Allen Ave UU, 524 Allen Ave, Portand
Building Beloved Community Beyond the Binary is a gathering hosted by Allen Avenue UU partnering with UU Church of Brunswick and First Parish UU of Portland and others as a gift of support to the trans and nonbinary community. BBCBB is a program originated by the First UU Society of Syracuse as an annual event based on radical welcome which has expanded to include satellite locations across the country. In addition to a program provided via Zoom - a keynote and at least one track of additional workshops - we may add workshops and/or activities of our own from and for the trans community with a separate offering for cisgender people who are ready to learn more about how to be an ally.
Register for the Portland, Maine event at this link.
Spring Community Sing
Sunday, April 27 • 3:30-5pm • 515 Woodford Street
Facilitated by Emilia Dahlin and Deb Bicknell (Transcendence Project) in a perfection-free field. No Experience necessary.
Difficult times call us to utilize one of our oldest social technologies to keep us united, connected, motivated, and regulated - singing!
We sing to fuel our movements - Songs can ignite and sustain causes for liberation and progression that we hold dear.
We sing for medicine - We can regulate and activate our bodies and brains, feel a sense of belonging, connect with neighbors and friends, and fill our cups to sustain our work. We can channel grief and anger or elicit reverence and PLAY! Through singing we practice bravery, vulnerability, and community care. We feel the power generated by joining our voices as ONE.
You’re welcome to bring a simple song to share! Please add to this song/singing resource we’re building, which also offers some considerations for songs to bring.
Please listen to your body and come another time if you’re feeling less than healthy. Masking is always welcome. Air purifiers will be present. Children welcome!
Free to all (any donations to support the space appreciated).
What is a community sing? Questions: emilia@emiliadahlin.com
Sign up for the mailing list to learn about future dates.
A World Unraveling: A Day with Brian McLaren
Saturday, May 3 • 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
The Grand Ballroom at the Westin Hotel, Portland
Are you feeling like the world, as you have known it, is unraveling around you? Are you struggling to figure out how to stay sane and engaged amidst so much change? If so, this is the one-day event for you.
For twenty-five years, influential author and activist Brian D. McLaren has navigated the complex interplay between religious faith and contemporary culture in our rapidly changing world. His work incorporates valuable insights from philosophers, poets, scientists, and theologians, addressing pressing themes such as hope, the significance of grieving, and the need for fresh perspectives on thinking, becoming, and belonging during difficult times.
Join Brian for an inspiring conversation on remaining hopeful and finding purpose amid the world's environmental, economic, political, military, and social crises unraveling our world. You don’t want to miss this opportunity if you are eager to strengthen your community and uplift your family while discovering the courage and resilience necessary to face the challenges ahead.
Tickets are $90, which includes lunch. Online registrations close on April 26. Learn more and register at www.aworldunraveling.org
HopeGateWay Kids: Children's Faith Formation & Parent Fellowship
Sundays, May 4 & June 1 • 9am
Calling all HGW Kids ages 4-10! Save the dates of May 4 and June 1 for our next HGW kids gathering!
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.
As we figure out the best flow and the amount of volunteer energy we have for HGW Kids faith formation, we will be aiming to do a monthly pre-worship gathering. If you are interested in volunteering with HWG Kids in any capacity (bringing snacks, telling a story, leading a song, being the helper for the lead facilitator) please contact Christie.
Meditation & Conversation Small Group beginning Thursday, January 9
Second & Fourth Thursdays 7-8pm • 515 Woodford Street
Are you looking for a chance to ground yourself? A time to step away from the chaos of life? A chance to connect with God and others? Join Pastor Sara at 515 for 20 minutes of guided meditation and 40 minutes of conversation. Let's talk about the longing of our own souls, the questions we have, and our own experiences of the Divine. This is an open group — you can join any week.
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.
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!