O Holy Night

Can You Imagine?

CAN YOU IMAGINE

Can you imagine
how it would feel
to a homeless woman
who has spent months
or years sleeping on the streets
or mats at the city shelters
to finally have
a home of her own?

Can you picture the look
of wonder on her face
when she opens the door of
a brand new apartment
and says "This is mine"?

Can you imagine her
sleeping for the first time
in her own bed,
feeling really truly safe at last?

Multiply that 60 times.

Check out the Florence House, the new shelter in Portland that will do exactly what this poem talks about, when it opens in March. Then consider making a financial contribution this year, to help those who really need it. Checks can be made payable to New Light (with Advent Conspiracy in the memo line) or online here.

Advent Conspiracy Video

I've watched this video 10 times, and it doesn't stop being meaningful. Watch it, and pass it on.






This Christmas consider making a financial contribution to help those who really need it. Checks can be made payable to New Light (with Advent Conspiracy in the memo line) or online here.

Blood: Water Mission

Did you know that $1 can provide water for a year for a sister or brother in Africa? We have decided to give half of the money raised through Advent Conspiracy to Blood:Water Mission, an organization dedicated to empowering communities to work together against the HIV/AIDS and water crisis in Africa.

Blood:Water Mission promo video from Blood:Water Mission on Vimeo.

Blood: Water Mission funds full-scale programs in iWASH: Integrated Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene. This approach is critical as community behavior changes in hygiene and sanitation practices have the potential to more than triple the health impact of clean water alone. While each program is unique according to the cultural, environmental, and political climate in which it's implemented, every program is built around core principles in community empowerment. To date water technologies used in Blood: Water Mission projects include drilled wells, rain catchment, spring development, gravity flow, and biosand filtration.

Through the efforts of many generous supporters, Blood:Water Mission has completed 859 water projects, in 11 countries, changing the lives of over 570,000 people. They have also opened 3 clinics, tested 18,000 people for HIV/AIDS, and served over 22,000 people.

This Christmas, consider making a financial contribution to help those who really need it. Checks can be made payable to New Light (with Advent Conspiracy in the memo line) or online here.

Christmas Eve Worship Celebrations

Thursday, December 24

4:00 pm

Candelight Worship celebration at Hope.Gate.Way. (185 High Street, Portland), with coffee, hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, and hot appetizers starting at 3:30 pm. Join us and help us extend hospitality to our neighbors.

6:00 pm

"Under the Night Sky" -- a starlight and candlelight worship celebration outside at Congress Square, corner of Congress Street & High Street. It could be a bit chilly, so make sure you bundle up!

Both of these Christmas Eve celebrations will be filled with wonderful music and all the joy of the Christmas story. Christmas Eve is the perfect time to invite family members and friends to join you to share this special night. Who will you invite?

Christmas Fun at Monument Square!

Sunday, December 20th
2-5pm at Monument Square

This is an event you won't want to miss! We'll hang out at Monument Square for the afternoon, next to Portland's giant Christmas tree, with horse & carriage rides coming and going. We'll sing Christmas carols, give out FREE coffee and hot chocolate (yes, with marshmallows) to our neighbors, and construct a community project, inviting passersby to reflect on their hopes and prayers for the world and add them to a big cardboard tree. We'll also distribute postcards announcing our Christmas Eve worship gatherings. It's going to be awesome, and we need as many people from New Light to be there as possible, to spread good cheer and meet new friends!

Florence House

We have decided to give half of the money we raise from Advent Conspiracy to a local project called Florence House, a project of Preble Street. Florence House will provide safe, supported permanent housing to chronically homeless women in Portland, Maine.

The building will include three types of housing designed to offer options to 60 women including:

• Efficiency Apartments for individuals who are ready to manage independently.
• A Safe Haven to provide a permanent private living space for chronically homeless women who are not quite ready to maintain their own apartments and who may, with support, begin to develop trust, self-assurance, and skills to become more independent.
• A small number of Emergency Beds for immediate, short-term housing for women who are temporarily homeless because of an economic or situational crisis.

The Florence House model is based on approaches to homelessness and chronic mental illness that have emerged nationally as key strategies for ending homelessness.

Consider making a financial contribution this year, to help those who really need it. Checks can be made payable to New Light (with Advent Conspiracy in the memo line) or online here.

Ugly Sweater Christmas Party

December 17th-5:30pm
at Allen and Sara's house (31 Sheffield St. Portland)

Our annual community Christmas Party is going to be a blast! We'll get together at Allen & Sara's house for a potluck dinner (bring an appetizer, salad, side dish, or dessert to share if you can). As usual we'll have a Yankee Swap, but the rules are very strict: do not buy anything. Make it, bake it, or regift it, but do not spend money on your Yankee Swap gift.

This year the fun gets even better: we're adding an UGLY SWEATER component. We are asking all party guests to wear your ugliest sweater. Feel free to be creative (you could always embellish if you don't have an ugly seater) or visit Goodwill to get a cheap one. This will be super fun if we all agree to be ridiculous together, and just think of all the awesome pictures we will get! Oh, and yes, there will be a fabulous prize for the ugliest sweater.

Feel free to invite all of your friends over for this exciting event, and remember, no regularly scheduled LIFE groups next week... just one big party on Thursday! Bring a friend. Bring a neighbor. Bring your great-aunt Bertha. Or just bring yourself. But one way or the other, make sure you're with us for this festive event!

Advent Conspiracy 2009

We are issuing a challenge to members of New Light and Chestnut UMC to celebrate Christmas more simply, this year by spending less on Christmas gifts for friends and family -- and then to match that amount, dollar for dollar, with a gifts to people who really need it. With a little help from Advent Conspiracy, we are encouraged to spend the season worshiping fully, spending less, giving more, and loving all.

We are focusing our efforts this year in two different ways:
First, a local project, to help Florence House, the new Women's Shelter opening in Portland, by furnishing an apartment. Florence House, a program of Preble Street, will provide safe, supported permanent housing to chronically homeless women in Portland.

Secondly, a global project, Blood:Water Mission is partnering with groups and individuals to empower our sisters and brothers in Africa to build healthier communities through sustainable clean blood and clean water solutions. Since 2004, Blood:Water Mission has completed 617 water projects delivering clean water, hygiene, and sanitation training to 460,000 people while helping to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Did you know that $1 provides one year of clean water for our sisters and brothers in Africa? Let's see how many people we can help this holiday season.

When you're ready to make your contribution, just make a check out to New Light, clearly marking "Advent Conspiracy" on the memo line. Or if you'd like to make your gift online using a credit or debit card, you can do that here... Just scroll down and make your gift in the "Advent Conspiracy" category.

Join the Conspiracy! And remember, matching your Christmas spending dollar for dollar is the challenge, but it is not an all-or-nothing deal. Set a goal and try to reach it, and honor Christ by helping people in need this holiday season.

Sara Groves Christmas Concert

"O Holy Night"
Sara Groves in Concert
Manchester, NH
Sunday, December 6 - 6 pm

We're going as a group to this Christmas concert with Sara Groves on Sunday, December 6, leaving Portland at 3:15 pm, and stopping for a quick dinner along the way. Tickets are $15, but if you can't swing that, just let us know and we'll make it work for you.

Want to go along? Great! Contact Erica right away to reserve your ticket.

Check out Sara Groves here.

Sara Groves 2009 Christmas Tour Video from Sara Groves Music on Vimeo.

Happy Thanksgiving!

On your feet now -- applaud God!
Bring a gift of laughter,
sing yourselves into God's presence.
Know this: God is God, and God, God.
God made us; we didn't make God.
We're God's people, God's well tended sheep.
Enter with the password: "Thank you!"
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank God. Worship God.
For God is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.

- Psalm 100, The Message

May your Thanksgiving be filled with good food, people you love, and gratitude that overflows into action.

Parkside Neighborhood Block Party

This Saturday, Oct. 17
12:00 noon - 2:30 pm
on Sherman Street, adjacent to Sacred Heart - St. Dominic Catholic Church

It's going to be a great event, with live music, a bounce house, three neighborhood dance groups performing, pizza, hot dogs, apple cider, homemade pie, face-painting, kids' games, a clothing give-away, and more!

Want to volunteer? Show up at 9:30 am to help with set-up, or sometime before noon to volunteer during the event.

We're collaborating with Immanuel Baptist Church, Sacred Heart - St. Dominic Catholic Church, PROP's Parkside Neighborhood Center, Parkside Community Policing, Parkside Neighborhood Center, Wayside Soup Kitchen, SPIRAL Arts, and several local businesses to make this happen. Be part of this movement that's transforming Parkside neighborhood!

Introducing a new resource: GPS

Introducing a new resource: GPS
Grow through Prayer and Scripture

As we enter the fall season, we're refocusing LIFE Groups a little bit and putting together some new resources and experiences that we hope will help you grow deeper in your faith, primarily through reading and reflecting on Scripture and prayer.

Starting this Sunday, we'll be e-mailing out a brief Scripture passage each day, along with a thought-provoking Question of the Day. We hope you'll pause for a few minutes sometime during the day to read and reflect, and then to spend some time in prayer. Most weeks when we come together in LIFE Groups, we'll explore more deeply one of the passages that came up in the daily reading. We hope this continuity between the daily reading and the discussions in LIFE Groups will provide a forum for deeper reflection and sharing.

If you are not currently active in our community, but would like to receive our GPS e-mails each day please send Erica an e-mail at erica@newlightportland.org, and she will gladly add you to the list!

New LIFE Groups Starting this week!

Summer is over, and here we are in the first days of fall. It's time to transition into our fall schedule for LIFE Groups. You've been waiting... you've been wondering... and here are the details!

Tuesday LIFE Group: 5:30 pm - hosting: Allen Ewing-Merrill & Dean Richardson

Wednesday LIFE Group: 6:00 pm - hosting: Michael & Maire Trombley

Thursday LIFE Group: 5:30 pm - hosting: Erica Tobey & Sara Ewing-Merrill

Please take a minute and let us know which group you're planning to join.

The Tuesday & Wednesday groups start this coming week (Sept. 29 & 30). The Thursday group will start one week later: Oct. 8.

Here's to fall, with cooler nights, beautiful colors and crunching leaves!

Apple Picking and Worship Photos!

Members New Light had a great time this weekend picking lots of apples, making apple crisp, eating delicious pizza, and worshiping together. Check out this pictures!

Daily Devotional Readings

Guide to Daily Devotions
September 14-21, 2009

S – Scripture: Read the assigned passage slowly and carefully.
O – Observation: Record observations on the passage… What is the lesson for you?
A – Application: How do these words apply to you in your own life?
P – Prayer: Write a prayer to God concerning this passage and your life.
Y – Yield: What do you need to surrender to God for this lesson to become alive in you?

Daily Exercise:

• Read the assigned Scripture passage.
• Using the SOAPY guide (above), record thoughts and reflections in your journal.
• Pray the Covenant Prayer .

Daily Readings:

Monday, September 14: 1 Corinthians 1:1-19
Tuesday, September 15: 1 Corinthians 1:20-31
Wednesday, September 16: 1 Corinthians 2:1-13
Thursday, September 17: 1 Corinthians2:14-3:15
Friday, September 18:1 Corinthians3:16-23
Saturday, September 19:1 Corinthians 4:1-7
Sunday, September 20: Acts 9:1-10
Monday, September 21: 1 Corinthians 4:8-21

Online Registration for 2009 Retreat - In|Out

Arts Sunday

Many Gifts, One Spirit: Creating in Community
Sunday, September 20 ~ 9:30-3:00
at Hope.Gate.Way.

Rev. Priscilla Dreyman of SPIRAL Arts will be leading a Sunday event offering multiple opportunities for spiritual exploration, creative expression, and deepening of relationships through art. Don't be intimidated: we're defining art broadly and coordinating accessible activities for beginners -- things like printmaking, origami, beginning drawing & watercolors, cooking, music, and more. The time will also include worship, sharing, and lunch, as well as opportunities to form and deepen relationships with Chestnut & New Light friends. We hope you'll participate in this exciting community-building event. If you have questions or suggestions, talk with Allen or Sara.

Supper Bowl Sunday Photos

Our first Supper Bowl Sunday event was a HUGE sucess. Check out the photos below and be sure to stay tunes as we plan another, similar event for mid-October!

First Friday Art Walk

Pattern & Path
A Printmaking Investigation by
Rachel E. Church

Friday, September 4th
5:00-8:00pm (during the First Friday Art Walk)

At Hope.Gate.Way.
185 High Street

Stop by to see Rachel's work, enjoy some snacks and help welcome guests who will be visiting Hope.Gate.Way.

The First Friday Art Walk is a free self-guided tour of local art galleries, art studios, museums, and alternative art venues of the first Friday of every month from 5-8pm. We will be hosting a different exhibit each month during the art walk! Come check it out!!

Picnic and Baptism at Pine Point

Despite the weather we had tons of fun at our beach worship on August 2. Fun on the beach, good food, worship, and Daren and Katrina's baptisms in the ocean!!

Fall Retreat

Hey! We'll be heading out on the second annual New Light community retreat over Columbus Day weekend at the beautiful Rockcraft retreat center on Sebago Lake.

The weekend will include good food, engaging conversation, uplifting music, meaningful worship, fun games, plenty of laughter, quiet space for reflection, and free time to relax and enjoy one another in the beauty of God’s Creation.

The details...

Fri-Sun, October 9-11, 2009
- begins with dinner on Friday (6 pm)
- ends following lunch on Sunday

Rockcraft Retreat Center - Sebago Lake

Retreat Leaders: Ben & Melissa Yosua-Davis
Ben and Melissa are co-pastors in Haverhill, MA at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, and also starting a new faith community called The Vine, which is similar in some ways to New Light. Check out what they are doing at their website.

$100 per person suggested contribution
- includes two nights’ accommodations and six meals
- Do not let financial concerns be a factor in whether to attend — assistance is available (seriously!)
- Reduced rates for children. Childcare provided.

If you want to see some highlights from last year's retreat check it out here!

Questions? Contact Allen or Sara.

Community Worship-September 13th

Sunday, September 13-Apple Picking and Worship

We will meet in the afternoon and go on an apple picking adventure. After apple picking we will return to Allen and Sara's to make apple crisp and have some delicious pizza's.

Following dinner we will share in worship together.

Stay tuned for more information about times and carpooling to the apple orchard, but plan on joining us and as always bring a friend!!

Linnea Good

Linnea Good in Concert

Wednesday, September 23 7:00 pm

at Hope.Gate.Way. - 185 High Street, Portland

Canadian singer, songwriter, and “musical animator” Linnea Good will present a concert of Christian music on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 7:00 pm, at Hope.Gate.Way., 185 High Street in Portland. Acclaimed as a prophetic and contemporary voice of faith, Linnea is a multi-award nominated artist for adults and children alike, known for her unique combination of song, humor and story. Says contemporary hymn-writer Brian Wren, “I appreciate the freshness and care of her lyrics, her theology, her musicality, and her voice. She has a remarkable constellation of gifts."

Check out her website here.

Vacation Bible Camp Photos

Our first attempt at Vacation Bible Camp was a great success with 18 kids coming from Parkside Neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods. Everyone had a great time, and many kids are already asking about next summer!!

Vacation Bible Camp Next Week!

Vacation Bible Camp starts on Monday at Hope.Gate.Way (185 High St. Portland)

Join us Monday, August 3-Friday August 7
9:00-11:45am

We'll have lots of fun with crafts, snacks, games, music, new friends and more!

Vacation Bible Camp is FREE and all kids are welcome. The program is geared towards children age 4-5th grade.

Invite your neighbors and friends for this week of fun!!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

New Light will be headed to the Portland Sea Dogs game on August 4th at 7:00pm at Hadlock Field.

We have 10 tickets that were exchanged from the last game (that got rained out).

but it might be a sellout based on all the canceled games this season. Let Sara know:

1. if you are planning to come

2. if you have your own ticket

3. if you are bringing friends we should get tickets for

It is going to be a great time. So if you can join us, please do. And bring a friend. This is a great event to bring some of your circles together...New Light and whatever other circles you move in day to day.

Worship on the Beach-August 2

Picnic and Fun starting at 4pm
Worship at 6pm

Join us on August 2nd for some awesome beach fun at Pine Point in Scarborough. Bring some picnic food to share (bring your own drink) and we'll have a wonderful feast.


Beginning at about 6pm we will transition into a very special worship celebration, on the beach, including the baptism of New Light's own Daren and Katrina!! Come to enjoy worship, and support them on their special day.

Stay tuned for more information about the day, including carpooling to Scarborough!

Supper Bowl Sunday

Our first Supper Bowl Sunday potluck block party next weekend-Sunday, July 26th from 5:00-7:30pm. This supper will take place on Sherman Street between State Street and Mellen Street.

Some fun we have planned-

• Not one but 2 LIVE BANDS (the Lomax, and The Common Senses)
• Tons of food (including some excellent pizza from Leonardo's)
• Face Painting!
• Lemonade
• A community art project sponsored by Spiral Arts
• Meeting new neighbors
• Dancing in the street!
  

We still need lots of help to make this event a success. We are hoping that most people from NewLight will be able to volunteer the day of the event, and also, bring a dish to share with our neighbors. If you have not yet signed up please do so by contacting Erica or calling 899-2435. Many different jobs are available, from photography, set up, greeters, trash, lemonade making and more!

Hope to see you all there!

Free Andrew Peterson Concert- THIS Saturday

Andrew Peterson is a great Christian musician (many New Lighters agree), who is playing many FREE shows in New England this summer to promote his newest album-Resurrection Letters Volume 2. Lucky for us, he has planned several shows in Portland, one scheduled for THIS SATURDAY. We'll plan to meet at First Baptist Church (360 Canco Road) at 6:15 to get seats to this awesome show!

Check out his Myspace page to hear several songs from this album, and plan to join us on Saturday.

New LIFE Groups Starting!

New LIFE groups are starting this week and next. Below is information about when and where each group is meeting. If you are not sure what group you are in, or would like to join us for one of these groups contact us at 899-2435 or by e-mail at erica@newlightportland.org

Sunday LIFE Group

• 5:30 pm at Hope.Gate.Way. (185 High Street)
• starts Sunday, June 21
• Focus: "Questions of Faith" - We will explore some of the big questions of faith, including the questions you're think about!
• led by Allen & Sara and Dean Richardson
• Childcare will be provided.

Tuesday LIFE Group

• 5:30 pm at Allen & Sara's house
  
• starts Tuesday, June 30 (note: this group starts a week later than the others)
• Focus: "Questions of Faith" - We will explore some of the big questions of faith, including the questions you're thinking about!
• led by Allen & Sara

Wednesday LIFE Group

• 6pm at Jaegil & Eunkyong's house
  
• starts Wednesday, June 24
• focus: spiritual practices, like contemplative prayer, lectio divina, and meditation, including some exploration of spiritual practices that originate with other religiouis traditions
• led by Jaegil Lee

Thursday LIFE Group

• 5:30pm at Erica Tobey's house
  
• starts Thursday, June 25
• focus: service - reflecting on what it means to be a servant, and especially practicing service in various ways throughout the city
• led by Erica Tobey

Neighbors Helping Neighbors-July

In the month of July New Light will be collecting blankets and bars of soap for our neighbors at Down East Maine Missions.

Recently, Chestnut UMC has agreed to be a mission partner to this wonderful organization, and this will be our first official act of support in this partnership. Down East Maine Missions serves many people each year in one of the poorest counties in all of New England. During the summer months they take particular care of the immigrant blueberry pickers who come to harvest the berries.

Blankets are distributed to keep the pickers warm at their camps at night, and bar soap is needed to help get pesticides off their skin at the end of the day.

Betty spoke at Chestnut UMC yesterday, and it was clear that she considered all people neighbors, and a part of her family. Let's join this global neighborhood, and help our family stay clean and warm during their stay in Maine.

Peace Through Music: Playing for Change

I hope by now you have all caught some of these videos, that are all over the internet. This project, playing for change started about 4 years ago, with the idea that we all need to inspire each other to come together as a human race, and that music is the best way to do it. The creator states "we can do more for this world together than we ever can apart." This video, and many others, were created by street performers from literally all over the world, who have never even met each other, but have created this beautiful music together. Watch this video "One Love" and some of the others posted on the website or YouTube.

New Light on Twitter

Are you on twitter? New Light is!! Just another way for you to get important updates, and reminders about events, LIFE groups, worship and more!!

Sign on and follow New Light our username is "newlightnews"

Cinco de Mayo Fun

Cinco de Mayo 2009

Hope.Gate.Way. Consecration

Sunday, June 14th-6pm
at Hope.Gate.Way

On this special night Chestnut UMC and New Light will meet together for a special worship celebration to officially consecrate-bless and dedicate- our new launching pad for ministry. Rev. Mike Davis, our District Superintendent will join us for this event, as well as other guests who would like to join us for this exciting occasion.

Refreshments will be served both before and after the worship celebration; we'll need everyone's help in preparing them.

The Thinking Heart

June 12 at 7pm
at Hope.Gate.Way. (185 High Street, Portland)

The Thinking Heart, an ensemble performance work in two voices, with cello, is based on the writings of a Dutchwoman, Etty Hillesum, who died in the Holocaust.

Poets Martin Steingesser and Judy Tierney will share poems based on the writings of Hillesum, while Robin Jellis (a member of the New Light community) improvises on the cello.

Join us for this powerful preformance at Hope.Gate.Way.

Layette Kit Collection

For the month of June, we are going to be collecting items for newborns who don't have the basics.  These kits will be distributed through the United Methodist Committee on Relief.   What could be more fun than shopping for a newborn?!

Here are the things we need for one kit:

Layette Kit Items  Value: 

• 6 cloth diapers
• 2 shirts or 2 one-piece body suits
• 2 baby washcloths
• 2 gowns or sleepers
• 2 diaper pins
• 1 sweater open in the front
• 2 receiving blankets

Important Kit Assembly Information

• All items included in kits must be NEW items. 
• All emergency kits are carefully planned to make them usable in the greatest number of situations.

We are hoping to put together 5 or 6 kits.  We'll also have cards with individual items to pick up at LIFE Groups this week and next.

When you are out shopping pick up something for a child in need around the world.  We need to recieve all items before June 17th so that we can take then to The New England Annual Conference.  They will make their way from their to the distribution center to be ready for travel around the world or wherever they might be needed.

Kick Off to Summer-Visioning Party!

Tuesday, May 26 at 6pm
at Hope.Gate.Way

All LIFE groups will meet on Tuesday this week for an evening of summer fun and visioning. We will meet at 6pm at Hope.Gate.Way. for a potluck dinner-bring your favorite summer food, lemonade and watermelon will be provided.

Following dinner we will play some fun summer games and spend some time visioning as a community. This is an important time in the life of New Light, as we think together about what our hopes and dreams for our community are. Every one's voice will be heard, and we hope to leave with some goals for the next 12 months. Do you have some cool idea's for New Light? Bring them along...if not, we'll have some prompts to help you think about what you want your community to look like!

Everyone is encouraged to attend, rather you're a new comer or an old timer or you haven't come in months.

Preschooler Play Group

Preschooler Play Group(1 - 5 years old)
Wednesdays 9:30 am to 11:00 am
Starting May 27
at Hope.Gate.Way. (185 High Street-Portland)

Large space for play with a large variety of toys geared to the needs, interests and safety of small children. Enjoy a room where your children can roam free. You and your child will have a relaxing morning socializing with other parents and children. Enjoy a cup of coffee while your child snacks and has juice. Younger siblings are welcome.

Parking is available in the Gateway Parking Garage (181 High Street), for $2/hour. Metered and Hourly street parking is available on High Street, Cumberland Avenue, or Forest Avenue.

Middle School Youth Event

May 31st-1:00-2:30pm
at Hope.Gate.Way (185 High Street-Portland)

This event is for all youth finishing 5th-8th grade, and is a collaboration with other area churches.

Make your own pizza
Play crazy games
Make new friends from other churches
Have loads of fun!!

Middle School youth are encouraged to bring friends along for this afternoon of fun!

Walking In Their Shoes Exhibit

Opening Reception
Friday, May 15 3:00 - 7:00 pm
at Hope.Gate.Way.
185 High Street Portland, ME

An art exhibit to honor May as Domestic Violence Awareness Month-Local High School students created art from shoes to raise awareness of domestic violence.

This project is collaboration among JMG, Family Crisis Services, and SPIRAL Arts

The exhibit will be at Hope.Gate.Way for a few weeks, and will be open during the first Friday Art Walk on June 5th. Swing by when you have a chance and check it out!

Neighbors Helping Neighbors- May

For the month of May we are collecting toilet paper for our neighbors at the Sacred Heart Food Pantry. Pick up a roll or two while you're out shopping, and we'll be sure it gets to the people who need it!!

Last Month the communities of Chestnut UMC and New Light collected 54 sticks of deodorant for our neighbors at the Preble Street Resource Center. Thank you to all who helped out, for making our first official "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" project a sucess.

Rethink Church

Open House at Hope.Gate.Way.

Thursday, May 7th from 3:00-7:00pm

Now that we have a great home base for ministry at 185 High Street, it's time to welcome our neighbors in to build relationships and think about ways to be in partnership with others in the neighborhood.

We are hosting a Neighborhood Open House at Hope.Gate.Way. and specifically inviting our neighbors in Parkside, and leaders of organizations in the neighborhood, but everyone is welcome!

We need your help! We are asking members of Chestnut and New Light to bring tasty treats to share with our guests, and to be present the day of the open house to welcome our neighbors!

Justice, Power, and the Kingdom

We have been spending some time in LIFE groups reading and watching bits from Brian McLaren in preparation for his visit here in Portland. Recently groups had some excellent reflection on this clip. McLaren says "Worldly systems are unified by their love of power. The Kingdom of God is about the Power of Love." How can we, as Christians, show our unity in the power of love? When is this easy? When is it more difficult?

Brian McLaren comes to Portland!

This Sunday, we will join with our neighbors of Immanuel Baptist Church (156 High Street) for a combined worship service at 10:30 am, featuring widely acclaimed author Brian McLaren, one of the leading voices in the conversation about church in a changing culture. Here is the schedule for the day's events, to which we are invited:

9:15 am Adult Forum with Brian McLaren: "Everything Must Change"

10:30 am Worship with Brian McLaren preaching: "Spiritual Formation and Social Action"

12:00 noon Lunch (please let Allen or Sara know ASAP if you plan to attend)
1:00 pm Forum with Brian McLaren: "Faith & the Biblical Narrative"

New Light worship will be a little different this week, as we anticipate many people will join Brian McLaren in worship at IBC. However, the New Light community will still meet at 6pm at Hope.Gate.Way. to enjoy some Leonardo's pizza, and some excellent music together.

Vacation Bible Camp Informational Meeting

New Light will be hosting a week of Vacation Bible Camp this summer (August 3-7) for the kids in our neighborhood.

This project will be in collaboration with our friends at Thornton Heights United Methodist Church in South Portland, who have agreed to share their expertise, their materials, and some of their people to help make our event a success!

But we need YOUR help! Many volunteers will be needed the week of the Camp doing many different things including music, games, crafts, theatre, snacks, and much more!!

Interested in helping out with this exciting kids ministry? Come to the informational meeting Monday, May 4th, at 7pm at Hope.Gate.Way. Some people from Thornton Heights will join us to answer any questions, and show us some cool things that are being planned! Coming to the meeting is not necessarily committing to the project, just finding out what is involved, though we think you'll be so excited it'll be hard to say no!

2nd Annual Cinco de Mayo Party

Did you miss this scene from last years Cinco de Mayo party? Don't be sad, we are giving everyone a chance for a little Mexican inspired fun!

Tuesday, May 5th- 5:30pm at Hope.Gate.Way. (185 High St. Portland)

All LIFE groups will meet on Tuesday next week for a full community gathering including, music, games, great food, and of course, FUN!!

Bring your favorite Mexican dish to share! This is sure to be a great time, so invite all of your friends and relatives to come along!

Earth Day Happenings

This week offers many great ways to celebrate Earth Day!

On Sunday, during our regular worship time (6:00pm) we will share in the Festival of God's Creation. We invite you to bring along a symbol of God's Creation, or a symbol of a means of caring for the earth. For example: a bowl of water, a stone, a leaf, a plant,a piece of fruit, a recycling bin...whatever you can think of! We will be using these items to create our worship space on Sunday!

Vacation Station:
Tuesday, April 21 from 9:30am-12:00 @Hope.Gate.Way.(185 High St.)

We will host a children's activity day, for children in kindergarten through 5th grade. There will be crafts, snacks, games, and music all with an Earth Day theme. Talk to Sara, or post a message here if you are interested in volunteering, or if you know some kids who might enjoy this!

Earth Day Community Potluck & Movie:
Wednesday. April 22 @ 5:30pm @Hope.Gate.Way. (185 High St.)

Bring a main dish, side dish, salad or dessert to share. After we eat, we'll watch the movie "Flow" an award winning documentary about the world water crisis.This is going to be a great community event, so be sure to invite your friends, neighbors, co-workers, grocers, dentists, etc. to come along with you!!

Easter Potluck and Worship Pictures

A Prayer for Easter Day

We thank you, God, for this amazing day
when our hearts dance like the shining sun,
when all the world leaps with life
and the great, infinite wonders of the earth shout their "yes!" to you.

We who have seen death,
who have heard the story of the cross and sorrow deep at the sharp agony of the world's pain,
We have come to life again
in the life of your Son.

With Christ we have been lifted from the nothing of death into your new and unimagined life,
where tasting, touching, hearing, seeing and breathing
are more sweet than we had known before
and where you are in beauty and in truth.

How could we ever doubt you,
when today your spirit makes us dance and shout, in the praise of the Risen One,
the one who has defeated death and all evil powers?
How could we doubt you,
now that our ears are awake and our eyes are opened?

We thank you, God, for this amazing day,
when the evil in us lies down dead
and the good in us is born again.
This is the birth day of life and love and goodness.
This is the amazing day
when our savior rose...
when the earth released him...
when the heavens echoed the praise of the earth,
on this great day.

Alleluia to our leaping, rising, lively, infinite God.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

During the month of April, we will collect men's and women's deodorant for our neighbors who utilize the Preble Street Resource Center. This is one of the most requested items at Preble Street, though the center rarely has any to give out.

Drop off your donations in the box and Hope.Gate.Way or bring them along to your LIFE group in the next few weeks.

Good Friday Reflection

I have a hard time getting my mind around the meaning of Good Friday and Jesus' death on the cross.  I am rarely satisfied with the idea that Jesus died for me so I can get to heaven.  I believe, it has to be more than that.

So on this day to remember how Jesus died, I found something written by one of my favorite authors Madeleine L'Engle that seems to make better sense of the meaning of today than most:

For Jesus, at-one-ment was not being at-one only with the glory of the stars, or the first daffodil in spring, or a baby’s laugh. He was also at-one with all the pain and suffering that ever was, is, or will be.  On the cross Jesus was at-one with the young boy with cancer, the young mother hemoraging, the raped girl.  And perhaps the most terrible anguish came from being with the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, the death chamber at Belsen, the horrors of radiation in the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  It came from being at-one with the meglomania of the terrorist, the coldness of heart of "good people", or even the callous arrogance of the two men in criminal court.

We can withdraw, even in our prayers, from the intensity of suffering.  Jesus, on the cross, experienced it all.  When I touch the small cross I wear, that, then, is the meaning of the symbol

Today is a day for remembering the suffering in the world and knowing that God understands and has even experienced it.  The seems like redemption to me.

A Sacred Night

Last night Allen and I had an amazing experience.  We were invited to Portland High School along with other spiritual leaders to talk with the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network from the Portland Area High Schools.  Bishop Gene Robinson was there sharing his own story and encouraging works.  He told some hilarious stories of his recent experiences at the Obama Inauguration, including an appearance on the Daily Show.

After the Bishop spoke over 20 Faith Community Leaders (including us) got up and spoke about their traditions and perspectives of acceptance and inclusion.  I believe it was a powerful witness to a community of people that questions their acceptance and inclusion by communities of faith in general and by God in particular.  It was truly a sacred experience to be a part of.

It left me thinking about how New Light can be a continual witness of love and acceptance to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Questioning Persons.  What can we do to live a bold message of love and acceptance as a community and as individuals?

Easter Potluck and Worship

Easter Potluck Dinner & Worship Celebration

Sunday, April 12

5:30 pm at Hope.Gate.Way.

Grab your friends and neighbors and your favorite food item, and join us for a rockin' good time on Easter evening! We'll get together at Hope.Gate.Way. at 5:30, share food and laughter around the tables, and then head right into worship, with good music and a great message of life and hope and love. Rumor has it we may repeat last year's popular feature: The Great Easter Egg Challenge!

This year's Easter Potluck Dinner & Worship Celebration is not to be missed!

Open Space for Prayer and Meditation

Monday, April 6 - Thursday, April 9 - 11am-1pm
Friday, April 10 - 11am-6pm
at Hope.Gate.Way. - 185 High St

Are you searching for a space for quiet and reflection? Do you want to make your experience of Holy Week a meaningful one? Drop in and check out prayer stations and meditative space that will be set up all around our Gathering Room. There will be pillows on the floor, paper and colored pencils for drawing and writing, a visual telling of Jesus' last days through words and images, and much more.

Good Friday Worship Gathering

Friday, April 10th at 7pm
Hope. Gate. Way. -185 High St. Portland

Join us as we encounter the story of Jesus' last hours. We will reflect on the biblical story, sing songs, and meditate together on its meaning for our lives.

Holy Thursday - Potluck Soup & Bread and Movie

Thursday April 9th @ 5:30pm
at Hope.Gate.Way. -- 185 High St. Portland

We will meet on Holy Thursday with our friends from Chestnut UMC. Bring a pot of soup, a loaf of bread to share, or just yourself to enjoy dinner and a movie.

After dinner we'll watch the movie The Gospel of John -- an opportunity to experience the life of Christ by seeing the entire Gospel of John dramatized.

Empty Bowl Supper

Let's get a group together and help support this great cause.

When? This Saturday, April 4th at 5pm

Where? Sacred Heart-St. Dominic's Parish (on the corner of Mellen and Sherman St.'s)

What? Empty Bowl Supper -- $10 for soup, bread, and a bowl to take home as a reminder of hunger and those who cannot fill there bowl.

Why? Fundraiser for Haiti -- help pay teachers' salaries, feed school children, and provide materials for a sewing coop in Haiti.

Hope to see you there!

I will offer up my life - song

A beautiful song about life and faith.

Unlikely Conversion to Faith

I was just reading this amazing story of a guard at Guantanamo, Terry Holdbrooks.  He came from a background of drugs and alcohol and joined the military to try to find a different path than his parent's had taken.  While he was there he witnessed the faith and devotion of the prisoners in very difficult conditions.  He said "A lot of Americans have abandoned God, but even in this place, [the detainees] were determined to pray."  One night in the middle of the night during a conversation with an English speaking (British) prisoner, Holdbrooks prayed the prayer that signifies a conversion to Islam.

This story makes me think about what is a compelling witness of faith, and how do we fail at it all the time.  Is it only in extreme circumstances of struggle and pain that faith can be convincing to others?  In what ways do we make our practice of faith irrelevant to those who don't share the same faith?  How can the faith I have be shared or witnessed to?

I guess I just have to live with the questions for a little while, at least.

This is one of my new favorite songs.  We are going to sing it tomorrow night at worship.  Check it out!

Children's Book Shower

It is an exciting time!  We are moving into Hope.Gate.Way.  Now the details stuff comes.  

The kid's rooms need a collection of books so we are having a Children's Book Shower.  I've put together a list of books on my Amazon account.  So click the button below pick out a book and send it to yourself or to Hope.Gate.Way.  185 High Street.  Portland ME 04101