Read about what's going on in our HopeGateWay Community Newsletter April 26, 2023.
Every Sunday 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
Eastertide Worship Series:
Hidden in Plain Sight: Women Who Knew Jesus
Did Jesus have female disciples? Popular memory would say no. Not only are women not imagined as being part of Jesus’ mission, but the story of Christianity’s spread is also a masculine one. In the first century – so the story goes – the Christian message was taken to the lands around the Mediterranean by two great men: Peter and Paul.
But is this the full story? Paul's letter to the church in Rome ends with a list of important people he knew there. What’s fascinating about this list is that of the twenty-nine names in the chapter, eleven – more than one-third of them – are women. Most significant of all is the fact that the letter itself was delivered by a woman, Phoebe. (Paul wrote to commend her to people who didn’t already know her, strongly implying that she had been sent from him with the letter.)
So how do we explain the presence of so many women in the Christian movement when they seem to have been absent earlier, in Jesus’ mission? If we look carefully at the Gospels, we’ll see that there is more evidence for women in the mission of Jesus than we first supposed. Here and there women do appear. Traces of Jesus’ women disciples haven’t been completely rubbed away.
Over the next 8 weeks we are going to take a look at the hidden story of Christianity, the one right there in plain sight. The stories of the women who knew Jesus.
Hidden in Plain Sight Study
Starting Wednesday, April 24 • 6:30 pm on Zoom
To accompany our worship series, Hidden in Plain Sight: Women Who Knew Jesus, Sara will be leading a 4-session study. Readings will be provided to those who register. Did you know that Phoebe delivered the Letter to the Romans? Did you know Junia was one of the Apostles chosen by Jesus who was imprisoned by Rome? Do you know that Prisca and Aquilla served as Paul’s lead team and prepared the way for his missionary journeys? The group will meet at 6:30pm on Wednesdays: April 24, May 1, May 8, & May 15. Register at the link or talk with Sara.
Spring Work Day at 515 Woodford Street!
Saturday, April 27 • 9 am – 3 pm
We have been in our new church home for a few months now, and we are seeking to continue to make this space welcoming for all. You are invited to come help with indoor and outdoor projects, from painting, to planting flowers, and a variety of other handy projects. All are invited and encouraged to join us on Saturday, April 27 — for a morning shift (9-12) or an afternoon shift (12-3) or both. There are also some small projects that could be done on a Sunday after worship. Please contact a Building Team member with questions — these include Martin Turnidge, Katie Mears, Sara Bruce, Allen Ewing-Merrill, Stephanie Cooke, and Rick Smart.
Book Study: Singing the Psalms with My Son: Praying and Parenting for a Healed Planet, by Wilson Dickinson
May – June 2024 • 5 Weekly Online Sessions
This spring, The BTS Center invites you to participate in a 5-week book study of Wilson Dickinson’s book, Singing the Psalms with My Son: Praying and Parenting for a Healed Planet — an inspiring book for parents, grandparents, religious educators, and all who care about children of today and the future. In seeking a path of parenting which will focus on transformation and hope, Dickinson turns to the Psalms, finding in these ancient texts the language and practice for lament, for joy, and for navigating the complexities of a world of constant change. The book study will take place over five online sessions, with each session being offered at two different times each week — Tuesday evenings and Thursdays mid-day (come to either at your convenience) — and two facilitators guiding each conversation. Author Wilson Dickinson will join both sessions during the final week. Learn more and register.
Undies Sunday! • Sunday, May 5
There's a great need for items of personal hygiene in our unhoused and under-resourced communities. This spring, we invite you to bring new-in-package underwear of any size. We hope to fill a bin and donate it to Maine Needs. Please bring undies of any size by May 5.
If you're available to deliver on our behalf — especially if you haven't yet had an opportunity to visit Maine Needs and see the great work they are doing — please let Christie know. If you prefer to purchase online and ship to Maine Needs, please choose from their weekly wishlist. Thanks!
Book Study: Singing the Psalms with My Son: Praying and Parenting for a Healed Planet, by Wilson Dickinson
May – June 2024 • 5 Weekly Online Sessions
This spring, The BTS Center invites you to participate in a 5-week book study of Wilson Dickinson’s book, Singing the Psalms with My Son: Praying and Parenting for a Healed Planet — an inspiring book for parents, grandparents, religious educators, and all who care about children of today and the future. In seeking a path of parenting which will focus on transformation and hope, Dickinson turns to the Psalms, finding in these ancient texts the language and practice for lament, for joy, and for navigating the complexities of a world of constant change. The book study will take place over five online sessions, with each session being offered at two different times each week — Tuesday evenings and Thursdays mid-day (come to either at your convenience) — and two facilitators guiding each conversation. Author Wilson Dickinson will join both sessions during the final week. Learn more and register.
Maine Council of Churches • Comedy Night
featuring Chip Leighton of Teenager Texts
Friday, May 10 • 7:30 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church Hall in Brunswick
For one night only, Friday, May 10, Chip will be doing a benefit performance for the Maine Council of Churches. The house only seats 225 and tickets are selling fast – so get yours NOW! Tickets start at $50 with all proceeds benefiting Maine Council of Churches
Pentecost Kite Flying
Sunday, May 19 • 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.
Collective Honesty and Complicated Hope
An Evening with Katharine Hayhoe, Climate Scientist
Wednesday, May 22 • 7:00-8:30 pm • Online
Registration fee: $15 Scholarships available. Contact Program Director Nicole Diroff to inquire.
Now more than ever before, we see the impacts of climate change in our local communities, from devastating flooding to wildfires to the shifting of seasons and the impact on local food systems. Science tells us it’s too late to avoid all of the impacts of climate change, but science also tells us that it is not too late to avoid the most serious and dangerous impacts — and our collective choices will determine how we experience these changes now and in the future.
Understanding who and how we wish to be in this changing world requires collective honesty — supporting one another as we honestly reckon with the realities of our present moment; embracing a theologically rich and nuanced understanding of hope in a climate-changed world; and grounding ourselves in community to nourish the challenging and necessary work of these times.
Join the BTS Center for a special evening event with renowned climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe, author of Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Call for Hope and Healing in a Divided World, and a leading voice in connecting the data of climate change with faithful and meaningful responses. Dr. Hayhoe will be joined by a panel of wise conversationalists who will engage with one another around how we face with honesty what is happening, how we hold faith and climate science in conversation with one another, and how we embody complicated hope as we respond to the intersecting crises of our day.
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 2023 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!