Read about what's going on in our HopeGateWay Community Newsletter September 26, 2025.
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
Dial in audio: 1.929.205.6099
Meeting ID: 533 469 2118
Thecla: An Ancient Story of Resistance and Resilience
Our Current Worship Series
Why have you never heard of Thecla, the Apostle Paul's most famous sidekick? Because her story was hushed by church authorities who chose which books were included in the Bible and which stories were authorized to be told. Nevertheless, she was one of the most famous followers of the way of Jesus until the 6th Century.
Starting September 21, Pastor Sara will lead a 5-week series on the Acts of Thecla, which is an action-packed story that was a part of the larger text, The Acts of Paul, an ancient writing circulated widely during the first few centuries after Jesus' life and death. God rescues Thecla from being burned at the stake. She fights an assaulter in the street, with absolutely no help from Paul. A lioness becomes her admirer and defender. She baptizes herself in a pool of deadly sea lions. And the women unify to defend and protect her.
During these days of turmoil and chaos, we need stories like Thecla's, both to give us the hope of miracles and to teach us to center ourselves in Divine Love, even in the midst of persecution. Join us to learn an unforgettable story — a tale of faithfulness, resistance, and resilience.
Community Sing at HopeGateWay
Sunday, October 12 • 3:30-5pm
Facilitated by Emilia Dahlin 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.
Bi-monthly Community Sing Sign-up - Sign up to learn about future events and opt-in to the Response Team to sing at resistance and change events. If you're getting this, you've already done this, but you can pass along this form link.
Community Singing Events - Organize here! List events of resistance, of community/land/water healing, and any community event where singing would be supportive.
Facebook Group Page: Community Singing - Find your singers and organize.
Children welcome! Free to all (any donations to support the space appreciated).
What is a community sing? Questions: emilia@emiliadahlin.com
HopeGateWay Kids starting up October 5 at 9am
Calling all HopeGateWay Kids ages 4-10! You're invited to gather on the first Sunday of the month from 9-9:45 am, starting in October. Our theme for the fall is: Being Church Together
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..
Dates and Topics:
- Oct. 5 What is communion? Why do we do it and how do we do it?
- Nov. 2 What is prayer?
Pause & Reflect through the practice of Lectio Divina
Mondays • 10:30-11 am on Zoom
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 Monday at 10:30 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 meets on Zoom for just 30 minutes. No prep needed. This is an open group — you can join any week.
Meditation & Conversation Small Group
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!
UPCOMING EVENTS