Here are some early descriptive statements that begin to describe what we're about...
Our Desire: to follow Christ faithfully, individually and in our life together
Our Goal: to create a new United Methodist community of faith in Portland, Maine to welcome non-Christians and nominal Christians, those with doubts and those with faith, those who’ve had a bad experience with church, and those who have never experienced Christian community, with a particular desire to engage the younger generations noticeably absent from most mainline churches.
Our Name: new light - a United Methodist community of faith
Tagline: rethinking what it means to follow Christ
Core Values:
- community: deepening relationships
- authenticity: being real
- inclusivity and hospitality: all are welcome
- grace: God’s free gift of love and forgiveness which we do nothing to earn or deserve
- creativity: the arts, music, dance, and more!
- service: caring for those in need in Portland and beyond
- Jesus’ message of the Kingdom of God, with a strong focus on peace and justice
- joy
- healing
- transformation: of ourselves, of the world
- everyone in ministry: God has given each of us different gifts, and God calls each of us to use these gifts in ministry
- stewardship of the earth: God’s Creation
- generous stewardship of our resource
What's Ahead...
- A small group will meet weekly at the home of pastors Allen & Sara Ewing-Merrill (31 Sheffield Street, Portland) beginning fall 2007, focusing on discipleship, leadership development, evangelism, and visioning.
- We will train small group leaders from the initial group, with the goal of multiplying small groups meeting in various locations in the greater Portland area.
- As an essential part of what we do together, small groups will be active in service, caring for people in need, throughout Portland and beyond.
- Eventually, small groups will gather together monthly for a worship celebration, Communion, fellowship, and a meal together.
- We will launch a public worship service when there are at least 150 people involved in small groups.
Our Focus: loving God, loving our neighbors, making disciples as we go (Jesus’ words in The Great Commandment and The Great Commission)
How can you be part of this?
- participate in the first small group forming this fall
- pray for this ministry, for our life together, for our leaders, and for God’s guidance in your own life
- invest in relationships – with people you already know and with people you meet
- invite friends to join you – pray about whom God is calling you to invite
