Autumn -- A Prayer of Acceptance

Eternal One who circles the seasons with ease, teach me about Earth’s natural cycle of turning from one season to another. Remind me often of how she opens herself to the dying and rising rotations, the coming and going of each of the four seasons. Open me today to the teachings of the season of autumn.

When I accept only the beautiful and reject the tattered, torn parts of who I am, when I treat things that are falling apart as my enemies,
walk me among the dying leaves; let them tell me about their power to energize Earth’s soil by their decomposition and their formation of enriching humus.


When I fear the loss of my youthfulness and refuse to accept the reality of aging,
turn my face to the brilliant colors of autumn trees; open my spirit to the mellow resonance of autumn sunsets and the beauty of the changing land.

When I refuse to wait with the mystery of the unknown; when I struggle to keep control rather than to let life evolve,
wrap me in the darkening days of autumn and encourage me to wait patiently for clarity and vision as I live with uncertainty and insecurity.

When I grow tired of using my own harvest of gifts to benefit others,
take me to the autumn fields where Earth shares the bounty of summer and allows her lands to surrender their abundance.

When I resist efforts to warm a relationship that has been damaged by my coldness,
let me feel the first hard freeze of autumn’s breath and see the death it brings to greening, growing things.

When I neglect to care for myself and become totally absorbed in life’s hurried pace,
give me courage to slow down as I see how Earth slows down and allows her soil to rest in silent, fallow space.

When I fight the changes of unwanted, unsought events and struggle to keep things just as they are instead of letting go,
place me on the wings of traveling birds flying south, willing to leave their nests of comfort as they journey to another destination.

When I fail to say “thank you” and see only what is not, instead of what is,
lead me to gather all the big and little aspects of my life that have blessed me with comfort, hope, love, inner healing, strength, and courage.

Maker of the Seasons, thank you for all that autumn teaches me. Change my focus so that I see not only what I am leaving behind, but also the harvest and the plenitude that my life holds. May my heart grow freer and my life more peaceful as I resonate with, and respond to, the many teachings this season offers to me.



The Circle of Life: The Heart’s Journey Through the Seasons
Joyce Rupp & Macrina Wiederkehr
Notre Dame, IN: Sorin Books, 2005

Apple Picking

September 19th at 2:30pm
Rocky Ridge Orchard, Bowdoin

Join us for a trip to Rocky Ridge Orchard for apple picking, cider drinking, donut eating and more!
We'll carpool from Portland, and when we are done we'll come back to make apple crisp and enjoy some dinner together.

This is one of our favorite fall traditions, and it is super fun! Hope you can join us, and bring along friends and neighbors!

Youth Gathering --September 12

Youth Gathering -- Sunday, September 12
1:30-3:00

All youth going into grades 6-12 are invited! We'll meet up at Peoples UMC (310 Broadway, South Portland) for crazy games and ice cream sundaes. Now that school's started up again, we'll be meeting regularly on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Throughout September we will be collecting toothbrushes for our neighbors at the Preble Street Resource Center. Toothbrush multi-packs are an affordable way to get toothbrushes to people who need them.

Insiders at the Resources Center report having cases of toothpaste, but no brushes. Let's help solve that problem!

Bring toothbrushes to LIFE group or worship anytime during the month!

Community Worship THIS Sunday

New Light Community Worship
@ Hope.Gate.Way. (185 High Street -- Portland, ME)

Coffee & snacks at 5:30 pm
Worship at 6:00 pm


Get Real. That's God's invitation - an invitation to approach God and others with authenticity. We don't have to hide our struggles, disappointments, questions, doubts, and fears, and we don't have to avoid them. So let's get real - with God and with each other so we can truly walk together along the journey of faith.

Join us for uplifting music, interactive prayer stations, opportunities to reflect on the ancient words of Scripture, and the celebration of Holy Communion.

Invite a friend!

Youth Gathering: Mini-Golf and Ice-Cream

Sunday, August 29th
3:00 - 5:00pm
at Martel's (757 Portland Rd., Saco.)

All youth entering grades 6-12 are invited for a fun afternoon of golf and ice-cream. Rumor has it we will be joined by Southern Maine's own professional mini-golfer, Steve Hill. Get some pointers and bring a long your friends for an afternoon that you won't want to miss!!

Questions about this event or our collaborative youth program, contact Erica or Allen.

Habitat for Humanity Service Day

Saturday, August 28th
9:00am-3:00pm

Join us for a fun-filled day with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland, helping to build a home for a family in the area. No experience is necessary, and there are jobs for all skill levels. Space is limited so sign up today or contact Erica as soon as possible to reserve your spot on the team.

Parkside Block Party!!

Parkside Neighborhood Block Party
Saturday, August 21st
11:30 - 2:00pm
on Grant St. outside the Parkside Neighborhood Center

Our last block party of the summer is right around the corner! Join us as we collaborate with other churches and organizations in our neighborhood, just to celebrate community and build relationships with our neighbors. Many volunteers are still needed to help out iwh activities like face painting, food preperation, staffing the bounce house, leading art projects, setting up tables and chairs, trash removal and more.

Please contact Erica ASAP to volunteer, we cannot do this without your help!!

Third Annual Beach Worship

Beach Worship
Sunday, August 15th -- starting at 4:00pm
Pine Point Beach in Scarborough

Bring a frisbee, kite, beach ball, pail and shovel, or other favorite beach toys, along with a main dish, side dish, salad or dessert to share, and join others for an afternoon of fun.

4:00 pm -- Beach Fun!
5:00 pm -- Potluck Picnic, bring food to share, we'll bring plates, cups and silverware
6:00 pm -- Informal worship, including music, time to reflect on Scripture, and the celebration of Communion.

Join us for our 3rd annual beach worship, a favorite among New Lighters young and old! Bring a friend, family member or neighbor along for the fun!

Community Worship Gathering -- June 13th

New Light Community Worship Sunday, June 13th @ Hope.Gate.Way. Coffee and Snacks at 5:30 pm -- Worship at 6:00pm

During community worship this month we will celebrate Pentecost, a day often called "the Birthday of the church." You'll notice lots of red in our worship space, reminding us of the fire and passion of Pentecost.

If you can bring a red food to share...strawberries, watermelon, red velvet cake, apples, tomatoes, chips and salsa, or whatever else you can think of.

As always feel free to bring a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or relative along with you, for this exciting celebration.



Note: Ordinarily the New Light community worships on at Hope.Gate.Way. on the Second Sunday of each month. This will change for the summer, when we will be worshiping as a community on July 18th, and August 15th. We plan to resume our regular schedule in September, but mark your calendars for summer worship now!

Vacation Bible Camp Planning Meeting

VBC Planning Meeting --May 26th @ 6:00pm
at Hope.Gate.Way.

Last year we had our first Vacation Bible Camp here at Hope.Gate.Way. it was an awesome time for neighborhood kids and volunteers alike. This year we are planning on another week of fun, scheduled for July 26th-30th, and we need lots of volunteers to make it a sucess.

We have jobs large and small -- front-and-center or behind-the-scenes -- before, during or after the week. Some jobs might include, leading games, making snacks, leading music, teaching Bible Stories, helping decorate Hope.Gate.Way, and more. If you're interested in helping we will find a job that suits you!

Let Allen, Sara, or Erica know if you are interested, and we hope to see you all at the planning meeting.

Parkside Block Party!!

Parkside Neighborhood Block Party
Saturday, June 5th -- 11:30am-2:00pm

on Sherman Street, near Sacred Heart -- St. Dominic Catholic Church

Friends from New Light will be teaming up with other local churches and organizations again this summer for 2 exciting block parties in the Parkside Neighborhood. Festivities are to include food, live music, games, children's activities, a summer clothing give-away, and a bounce house.

We need everyone's help to make this block party a huge success. Volunteer jobs are big and small, and include; set up, staffing the bounce house, helping with food, helping with an art project, face painting, taking pictures, and more. Contact Erica to sign up to volunteer.

Also, if you have summer clothes that are in decent shape that you are no longer using, please donate them to our neighbors who need them.

Vacation Station- Earth Day Fun for Kids

Thursday, April 22

9:30am-12:00pm
at Hope.Gate.Way. (185 High Street, Portland)

Kids age 3 through 5th grade are invited for an Earth Day "Vacation Station" children's activity day. Join us for crafts, stories, music, games, and snacks, all focused on caring for the earth.

We are looking for volunteers to make this day a success. Contact Sara at sara@newlightportland.org

Community Meals Coming to Hope.Gate.Way.

Beginning next week working in collaboration with the Wayside Soup Kitchen we will begin serving community meals at Hope.Gate.Way. twice a week.

We will be offering dinner every Thursday at 5:30pm and lunch every Tuesday at 12:00pm.

It is our hope that these meals will attract people from our neighborhood who need companionship as much as they need a hot meal.

Interested in helping out? Contact Erica for more information.

Rethink Easter

new light, new life, new love

Sunday, April 4th
at Hope.Gate.Way. (185 High Street, Portland)

9:30am -- Easter Worship Celebration

5:30pm -- Community Potluck and Worship Celebration

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.

Good Friday at Hope.Gate.Way.

Friday, April 2

On Good Friday, we remember Jesus' suffering and death on the cross. It's a day for prayer and reflection -- in preparation for a joyful celebration of resurrection and new life on Easter.

Good Friday Prayer Stations - Friday from 8am-6pm
Stop by Hope.Gate.Way. (185 High Street, Portland) sometime during the day to experience the events of Jesus' final days. Be still. Read words from scripture. Light a candle. Reflect on a piece of art. Open your heard and mind to the story.

Good Friday worship gathering -- Friday at 6:30pm at Hope.Gate.Way.
Music, Prayer, the story of Jesus' crucifixion, and the extinguishing of candles.

Looking for a child care provider

We are still looking for a child care provider to replace our wonderful Jenni Ricci. The job is every Sunday morning and one Sunday evening a month, plus the possibility of Friday morning hours. You can check out the job description here. Contact sara@newlightportland.org if you are interested.

Parkside Neighborhood Give-Away Day

Volunteer opportunity: Parkside Neighborhood Give-Away Day
Saturday, March 6 - 9 am - 1 pm
at Sacred Heart/ St. Dominic Parish (corner of Sherman and Mellen Streets)

There will be a Give-Away day in the Parkside Neighborhood on March 6. This is basically a free yard sale for anyone in the neighborhood with needs. The past events have been so big and successful that the Neighborhood Center is too small to accommodate all the people and items to be given away!

Volunteers are needed on:
Thursday, March 4 -- 8:45-11:15am and 3:45-6:15pm
Friday, March 5 -- 8:45-11:15am and 3:45-6:15pm
Saturday, March 6 8:45-11am and 11am-1:15pm

Also, clean out your closets, your attic, or your cupboards... Donations of clothing, kitchen and household goods, baby items, children's books and toys, and diapers would be greatly appreciated. If you have questions or are willing to sign up to volunteer, please be in touch with Erica at erica@newlightportland.org