Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Welcome to new light!

We are a new community of faith just forming in Portland, Maine.

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

Saturday, October 20, 2007

We love Portland, Maine.

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