Read about what's going on in our HopeGateWay Community Newsletter May 15, 2026.

If you don't find the information you're looking for in the newsletter, on this page or within the website, please send us an email!

Sundays at 10am EST

In person at 515 Woodford St in Portland, Maine

& on Zoom

Zoom Worship Link

Dial in audio: 1.929.205.6099

Meeting ID: 533 469 2118

Sermon Series: Mary Rose And Embraced Them

The Gospel of Mary is an ancient Christian text from the 2nd Century, which was rediscovered in three different locations over the last 130 years. The text is tragically short; over half its pages are missing. And yet, what survives is seismic. What emerges from this text is not a sentimental portrait of Mary Magdalene. It is a glimpse of an entirely different Christianity, one where: sin is not guilt, but a loss of alignment; the heart is our truest guide; apostleship is earned through inner mastery, not gender or hierarchy; and where a woman stood as the foremost living vessel of the teaching. But this Gospel does more than reveal what was lost. It invites us to remember what is still possible — and to answer its deepest call: to become fully human.

Pentecost Kite Flying

Sunday, May 24 • 3 pm

Bug Light Park, South Portland

Gather at Bug Light (Madison Street in South Portland) to celebrate Pentecost! Bring your own kite and some to share — or come empty-handed to enjoy the wind and the waves and our fun-loving community. On Pentecost, the Spirit came in wind and flame, and we remember the story by letting our spirits and our kites soar together.  

All are welcome.

Don't forget to wear red for Pentecost.

Understanding Gender and Sexuality: A 3-Part Learning Opportunity

Tuesdays: May 26, June 2, and June 16, 6-8pm

An invitation to honor Pride Month by deepening our understanding of gender and sexuality. 

Register below for the three-session "Understanding Gender & Sexuality" learning opportunity led by Christine Caulfield, held on Tuesdays, May 26, June 2, and 16 at 6-8pm in person at First Congregational Church in South Portland (FCCUCC). Sponsored by the Mission and Social Witness Team at FCCUCC, but donations are welcome.  Participation in all three sessions is encouraged.

In a time of significant controversy concerning gender and sexuality, this three-part program will present a factual basis for understanding why these controversies and issues exist. It will examine claims and information about gender from the disciplines of biological science, sociology, history, and political science. 

Rich with information, the workshop will include presentations by educator Christine Caulfield, as well as opportunity for discussion. No quizzes or homework. Print and online resources will also be suggested for those who wish to develop a broader understanding of what is covered.

Christine Caulfield is an advocate for equal rights and treatment of people in the LGBTQ+ community, having spent seven years at MaineTransNet, and currently serving on the board of the Equality Community Center in Portland. She is a former public high school teacher of 22 years, teaching history, civics and government, several electives, AP courses and a team-taught course that explored the origins of power and privilege in US history. She is a parent of two adult daughters, and a very proud grandparent of four. She has a great deal of experience teaching workshops and training in public, organizational, and educational settings on various topics impacting transgender people and communities.

Broad-Based Organizing Training

Thursday-Saturday, May 28-30

Augusta, ME • Join the HGW Team 

HopeGateWay is a part of a state-wide effort to form a Broad-Based organization in the IAF model of buliding power and creating systems of trust and connection. We are building an organization of organizations that have members and are able to work together to respond to share interests and needs. This model is 80+ years old and has been implemented all around the country. We are working to bring it to Maine. This model is distinct from the work that is being done by many other entities around the state in that it is intentionally non-partisan and works across a broad base of differences. We are recruiting organizations from day cares to unions to ethnic groups to faith communities of all stripes. 

Several members of HGW have attended previous trainings and are engaged in this work. We'd love to have you join the effort and learn more. Talk with Jeremy, Katie, Bethany, Sara, Kathy, or Diane to learn more. Funds to support registration costs are available. We'd love to have a small contingent from HGW attend this training. 

Green Teams Gathering 

Saturday, May 30 • 10 am – 4 pm

at Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment in Freeport

Join The BTS Center and faith communities from across New England in a spirit of bold collaboration and vision. This year's Green Teams Gathering, "Ceding Conquest, Seeding Justice," will feature keynote speaker Dwayne Tomah, a Passamaquoddy Language Keeper, educator, and former Tribal Council member, exploring The Doctrine of Discovery from an Indigenous perspective. The day will include inspired workshops, community singing, meaningful connections, generative group time, curated farm tours, and opportunities for un-learning and learning how our faith communities can respond to the vision of Indigenous and ecological thriving. Cost (including lunch) is $35 per person when registering as a member of the HopeGateWay team. Learn more and register at thebtscenter.org/greenteams. Talk with Bethany or Sara to learn more about the team going from HGW. 

Community Sing

Sunday, June 14 • 3:30 pm • at HopeGateWay

Help us sing in our next rotation around the sun! It's been a year of growth, connection, creativity, resistance, expansion, and SONG.

From Emilai Dahlin: Deep gratitude for my team, my collaborators, my friends: Ember Rilleau, Sara Ewing-Merrill, Jamien Jacobs, and Deb Bicknell for building a beautiful container.

Thank you for being part our community. If you're not yet, join us! 

All ages welcome. Facilitated by Emilia Dahlin in a perfection-free field. No Experience necessary.

Masking is always welcome. Air purifiers will be present.

What is a community sing?

More info here or subscribe to the Greater Portland Community Sing newsletter.

HopeGateWay Kids + Parent Fellowship: Calling all HopeGateWay Kids ages 4-10! 

Sunday, June 7 • 9 am

You're invited to gather on Sunday mornings once per month from 9-9:45 am. This winter we'll be exploring HopeGateWay's community practices: Gather, Listen, Act, Share, Evolve. 

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.

If you are interested in volunteering with HGW Kids in any capacity (bringing snacks, telling a story, leading a song, being the helper for the lead facilitator) please email christina@hopegateway.com.

Broad-Based Organizing Training

Thursday-Saturday, May 28-30

Augusta, ME • Join the HGW Team 

HopeGateWay is a part of a state-wide effort to form a Broad-Based organization in the IAF model of buliding power and creating systems of trust and connection. We are building an organization of organizations that have members and are able to work together to respond to share interests and needs. This model is 80+ years old and has been implemented all around the country. We are working to bring it to Maine. This model is distinct from the work that is being done by many other entities around the state in that it is intentionally non-partisan and works across a broad base of differences. We are recruiting organizations from day cares to unions to ethnic groups to faith communities of all stripes. 

Several members of HGW have attended previous trainings and are engaged in this work. We'd love to have you join the effort and learn more. Talk with Jeremy, Katie, Bethany, Sara, Kathy, or Diane to learn more. Funds to support registration costs are available. We'd love to have a small contingent from HGW attend this training. 

Green Teams Gathering 

Saturday, May 30 • 10 am – 4 pm

at Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment in Freeport

Join The BTS Center and faith communities from across New England in a spirit of bold collaboration and vision. This year's Green Teams Gathering, "Ceding Conquest, Seeding Justice," will feature keynote speaker Dwayne Tomah, a Passamaquoddy Language Keeper, educator, and former Tribal Council member, exploring The Doctrine of Discovery from an Indigenous perspective. The day will include inspired workshops, community singing, meaningful connections, generative group time, curated farm tours, and opportunities for un-learning and learning how our faith communities can respond to the vision of Indigenous and ecological thriving. Cost (including lunch) is $35 per person when registering as a member of the HopeGateWay team. Learn more and register at thebtscenter.org/greenteams. Talk with Bethany or Sara to learn more about the team going from HGW. 

Alternative Sunday Gatherings • June 28, July 26, & August 30

The last few summers, we have experimented with not meeting in the typical way once a month, and this year we are going to continue that practice. For three Sundays this summer, we will be gathering differently in ways similar to what we did last summer. More details to come, but mark your calendars with these special dates. 

MultiFaith Prayer Vigil near Cumberland County Jail

Wednesdays • 2:45-3:15 pm

You are invited to join leaders from the Greater Portland MultiFaith Organizing group who will host weekly vigils to lament the harm inflicted on all those caught up in the immigration system, and to affirm the inherent worthiness of all people. Each gathering will include songs, silence, prayer, or other spiritual practices. We are planning this action to pray for those detained by ICE locally at the Cumberland County Jail and those who are a part of that system that is detaining them. 

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.

Gather and Grow with HopeGateWay Small Groups

HopeGateWay offers a number of small groups. 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, email hello@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. 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 2026?

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!