Read about what's going on in our HopeGateWay Community Newsletter February 13, 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

Lenten Series 2026

Companioned: love that does not turn away

This year, we will be inspired by Through Holy Week with Mary Magdalene teachings of Cynthia Bourgeault. In that series, Holy Week is not treated as a courtroom drama about guilt and acquittal, but as an initiation into conscious love. Not a trial. Not a settlement. An initiation. When Mary Magdalene is restored to her place at the foot of the cross, the meaning of crucifixion does not merely adjust. It stops behaving like bookkeeping. What had long been framed as cosmic accounting is exposed as love doing what love does when it is not interrupted.

Once that happens, the entire story tilts.

Not in doctrine first.

In tone.

Christianity begins to sound different. Less tight. Less afraid. Less obsessed with proving that God is justified in doing what God does. Love is no longer treated as a liability that must be hedged. It is allowed to stand there without apology.

A guide with readings and practices for your Lenten journey is available at this link. In large part, the content is written by Virgin Monk Boy from his Substack.

Mardi Gras Potluck

Sunday, February 15, following worship

Following worship next Sunday, we will set up for a fun potluck lunch, a Mardi Gras themed celebration. You are invited to bring Mardi Gras (Louisiana) themed food. Come ready for some community and some joy!

Ash Wednesday Service at HopeGateWay

February 18 • 6pm • 515 Woodford Street & Zoom

All are welcome to join this contemplative Ash Wednesday service as we begin the Season of Lent. We will begin our Lenten Journey together as we sing, pray, reflect, and receive ashes reminding us that we will all die and still we are each as glorious as stardust.

Join Sara and Kelly for a meaningful beginning of your Lenten journey. 

For Such A Time as This: An Emergency Devotional

Five Weeks of Reading, Reflection, Conversation, and Support for Our Journey Through These Times

Tuesdays • Starting Feb 24

For Such a Time as This is a small but mighty book of short devotions offering wisdom, encouragement, and possible action steps as we navigate these times of social and planetary upheaval. This Lenten small group experience will offer participants the opportunity to move through this book together. We will meet for five sessions on Zoom to share learnings from our readings and offer one another support in living faithfully and courageously in these days. You will find that the themes of this book dovetail well with our newly reformulated Community Practices, so the timing is particularly good. I hope you will join us! 

When: Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 starting February 24 and ending on March 31 (NO MEETING March 10) 

Facilitated by Wanda Stahl. 

Register and learn more here.

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

Sunday, March 1 • 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.

Upcoming Dates: 

• March 1
• March 29
• May 3
• June 7

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!