Read about what's going on in our HopeGateWay Community Newsletter January 9, 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
New Series Starting January 12th: The Upside Down Kingdom
During this era, with the rise of Christian Nationalism in our country, we are going to spend the next few months looking at the actual teachings of Jesus and the overarching theme of all of his teachings: The Kingdom of God. This Upside-down Kingdom is already among us, Jesus says — but also something we aspire to — and it stands in contrast to the destructive aims of Christian Nationalism. The Sermon on the Mount is one of Jesus' stump speeches. It's packed full of hard teachings about how we should care for the vulnerable and how we find hope in the most challenging of times. If you want to get the heartbeat of Jesus — to see how he understood reality and envisioned faithful living for his followers — there's no better place to turn. As we explore the Upside Down Kingdom over the coming weeks, we hope these teachings will help us live with integrity as we seek a different way of caring for one another that demonstrates the belovedness and worthiness of each and every person with a preferential option for those with less power and privilege. Come join us on the journey.
The Bible Project has provided inspiration and resources for this series. You can check out their intro video to The Sermon on the Mount.
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.
Pause & Reflect through the practice of Lectio Divina
Tuesdays starting January 14 • 10:00-10:30am on Zoom
In these days of 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 (starting January 14) at 10am 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.
Celebrating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Songs and Wisdom for Our Times
Sunday, January 19, 2025 • First Congregational Church, UCC, South Portland
All are welcome to attend an afternoon of music and reflection on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, in a celebration honoring his work and legacy that features religious leaders from the Greater Portland Multi-faith Group, group singing, and music by the Sea Change Chorale. Pastor Sara is on the planning team.
Committed to Listen: Observing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
“The Malaga Ship: A Story of Maine and the Middle Passage” by Antonio Rocha
Monday, January 20 @ 12pm • 515 Woodford Street
To observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2025, the Maine Council of Churches, The BTS Center, and Atlantic Black Box are collaborating to host a public, in-person, mid-day performance of Antonio Rocha’s solo show, “The Malaga Ship: A story of Maine and the Middle Passage.”
The Malaga was a 183-ton brig built in 1832 in Brunswick Maine, in a shipyard owned by Joseph Badger. The ship eventually found herself as part of the already illegal transatlantic trade of African captives to the Americas, especially Brazil. Using his entire body and voice, performing artist Antonio Rocha sings, narrates, and mimes his way through this poetically toned historical tale told mostly from the perspective of the ship. The story vividly explores the reality and impact of the slave industry — the largest industry in the world in the 1800s. The story also has deep meaning for the performer, since Malaga goes to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1845, where Rocha was raised in a biracial household over a century later.
The gathering will include music, the 45-minute performance, conversation with the actor, and space for reflection and sharing. Tickets are free and should be reserved in advance. Donations will be gratefully received to support the work of the Maine Council of Churches.
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.
This group is a closed group.
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.
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!