Read about what's going on in our HopeGateWay Community Newsletter August 29, 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
Summer Series: I've Been Meaning To Ask...
As we read headlines of the epidemic of loneliness, and our ever divided country, we wanted to spend the summer deepening in community and connection, using this series from Sanctified Art which was created during the times of social distancing during the pandemic. This series invites us to consider, “How can we listen to one another? How do we find connection with others? How do we create space for compassionate dialogue and for seeking the holy in one another?”
While the challenges of becoming beloved community to one another are endless, these questions are simple. All courageous conversations begin with simple questions and the curiosity to truly listen. The series title "I've been meaning to ask..." conveys intentionality, warmth, curiosity, and consideration. In essence, this question also implies the following statements: “I’ve been thinking about you and I’ve been wanting to check in... You’ve been on my mind... I haven’t known how to have this conversation, but I’m getting started with a question.” The ellipses symbolize the main objective of this series: to cultivate courageous conversations — and to keep having them, even if we need to pause.
May this series help us to behold each other as images of the divine. May it help us strengthen our capacity for empathy and compassion. May it remind us of the power of asking unassuming questions. May it show us that courage is rooted in the heart. Through vulnerability and authenticity, may our courageous conversations lead us to glimpse hope, joy, and beauty — and to become the community God created us to be.
Apple Picking: A HopeGateWay tradition!
Sunday, September 8th • 2 pm • Thompson's Orchard, New Gloucester
Celebrate the arrival of autumn with an afternoon of apple-picking and apple crisp baking! Spending time together in the orchard, followed by a pizza and apple crisp dinner is a longstanding HopeGateWay tradition! We'll gather for apple-picking at Thompson's Orchard in New Gloucester at 2 pm, fill our baskets, and return to Ali and Erica's home at 10 Eastlawn in Portland for apple crisp making (gluten free!) and community time together. Please bring a lawn chair to the Lovejoys for yourself / your family members if you are able to do so. Feel free to invite a friend! Please sign up so that we'll have ample pizza and apple crisp!
Volunteer at Laundry Love
Wednesday, September 11 • 1-3 pm & 3-5pm
Laundry Love will take place on September 11th at Wash Tub II on Forest Avenue. Consider this volunteer opportunity. We offer Laundry Love in partnership with Trinity Episcopal and their volunteers. While folks do their laundry, offer a helping hand to make this process run smoothly and spend time with others in community. If you are interested in volunteering, reach out to Bethany.
Community Connections Fair
Saturday, September 14th 1-4pm
What is a Community Connections Fair, you ask? We were approached by a member of our community asking if HopeGateWay would host a fair to connect non-profits with wiling volunteers, folks wanting to find places to utilize their skills in a volunteer capacity. We said YES and it has been a fun collaboration! We hope this fair will attract both those new to our community and those who have been here awhile, but still may be looking for a place to connect and find meaningful volunteer work and friendships. In addition to the non-profit groups already committed (below), we will also have musical performances by two groups: the FLUKES (Fun Loving Ukulele Society) and Sea Change Chorale, Maine's Social Justice Chorus.
Confirmed participants include:
Maine Needs
MOAC: Maine Outdoor Adventure Club
Hope Acts
Project Feed
Rewild Maine
St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen
If you are a part of a non-profit you think would like to be included, please have them reach out to Bethany at hello@hopegateway.com. Also, please mark this afternoon on your calendar if you're able to lend a couple of hours for hospitality!
HopeGateWay Kids: Children's Ministry and Parent Fellowship
Sundays: September 15th to October 6th • 9am
Calling all HGW Kids ages 4-10! Are you curious about God? Do you like stories and songs and silly skits? Do you want to get to know other HGW kids better? Come join Melissa and Kit for the HGW Kids Fall Series "I've Been Meaning to Ask...!" During this series, which will meet at 9am on four Sunday mornings this fall, we will explore 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 in the upper room during the kids' meeting time.
De-escalation and Active Bystander Training
September 19 AND October 10th morning or evening sessions
Offered online by Maine Council of Churches in partnership with Maine-based Prevention.Action.Change. This 4-hour training is divided into two 2-hour sessions. When you register, you will be able to choose either a daytime or an evening track.
Morning Sessions:
Thursday, September 19, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Thursday, October 10, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Evening Sessions:
Thursday, September 19, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Thursday, October 10, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Dancin' with Dylan: a benefit for Hope Acts
Saturday, September 21 • 7pm - 9pm • Cove Street Arts
On Saturday, Sept. 21 join Hope Acts for an unforgettable evening "Dancin' with Dylan" at the beautiful Cove Street Arts in Portland. Enjoy an evening filled with music, dancing, art, friends, delicious food and drinks — all in support of Hope Acts. Purchase tickets or donate today! Cove Street Arts is located at 71 Cove Street, Portland. Please reach out to Madeleine at Hope Acts with any questions.
Living Peace, Practicing Nonviolence: The Lessons of Jesus, Gandhi and King, for Today
Saturday, September 28th • 9am - 3pm • Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Drawing from the wisdom of Jesus, Mahatma Gandhi, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., author, activist, and peace teacher Fr. John Dear will lead an exploration of the path of nonviolence as a powerful force for change in our world. Fr. John is a renowned peace advocate and Nobel Peace Prize nominee who has directed the Fellowship of Reconciliation and served as a Red Cross chaplain after 9/11. He has traveled to global conflict areas, lectured extensively in the U.S., and pastored in New Mexico. He’s collaborated with Mother Teresa and Pope Francis on anti-death penalty efforts and nonviolence messages. Co-founding Campaign Nonviolence and the Nonviolent Cities Project, he’s authored books like 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 and 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦.
This event is being co-sponsored by the Saint Joseph's College Center for Faith and Spirituality, the Maine Council of Churches, Pax Christi Maine, Special Care Service of Maine, The BTS Center, The Chaplaincy Institute of Maine (ChIME), and the Unity Center for Spiritual Growth. Email cfs@sjcme.edu for a registration link.
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.
Tai Chi Practice
Tuesdays 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, 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.
This class meets on the Western Prom for the summer ~ gathering at HopeGateWay in case of inclement weather. Please join the email list noted above for full details.
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!