Our Mission and Vision

Our New Light Leadership Community had an opportunity to spend a full day together this week on a little leadership retreat. We shared morning prayer and worship together, had lunch together, and broke for prayer several times over the course of the morning and afternoon. In the midst of this prayerful setting, our primary task was to consider some larger-picture issues of leadership and vision as we continue to develop this exciting new faith community in Portland.

Here are some of the fruits of our prayer and discussion:

A new mission statement for New Light:

• The New Light community exists as a safe place to explore the way of Jesus and to express God’s love in our neighborhood and world.

A new vision statement for New Light:

• New Light envisions a world that embraces community, celebrates inclusivity, expresses creativity, seeks transformation, and practices simplicity.

And then further exploration of the core values identified in the vision statement:

• Community: Faith is a journey best traveled with others who share common values and a common commitment to life together. We strive to be formed as a community steeped in God’s love, expressed in loving relationships with one another, and engaged in the larger community in which we live.
  
• Inclusivity: No one is outside the bounds of God’s grace. We strive to practice generous hospitality, welcoming and embracing everyone with the same love we have received from God. We affirm the sacred worth of every human being – no exceptions.
  
• Creativity: At the foundation of our faith is the story of a God we call Creator – a God who is continually in the process of creating, who gifts us with creativity and invites us to create. We strive to incorporate music, drama, visual arts, dance, and other creative elements in all that we do.
  
• Transformation: As we journey inward, we strive for transformed lives that better reflect the love of Christ; as we journey outward, we strive for a transformed world that better reflects God’s vision of peace and justice.
  
• Simplicity: In a world preoccupied with materialism, consumption, and greed, we long for a simpler way. We strive to live simply, both individually and in our life together; to generously share our resources and practice faithful stewardship of God’s Creation.

What do you think? Do these faithfully represent your experience of the New Light community? Are they statements that express your vision for our community and for God's kingdom?

Wayside Soup Kitchen

New Light LIFE Groups will be serving dinner at the Wayside Soup Kitchen this month. Mark your calendars now for August 7th (Thursday group) and August 11th (Monday group). Meet at Wayside at 5pm to help with dinner preparations and stay to serve between 6 and 7pm. Directly following we will share dinner together, and have some time to reflect on our experiences.

This is a great time to invite your friends to come along, to meet other New Light people, and share time with us as we live out our commitment to serve those in need.

Today's Daily Reading

I really felt the depth of these words as I read today's daily reading. I have been reading from a version call The Voice. I really love the way things are stated. I think this passage has a lot to say to us about the kind of authentic, open, humble, hospitable community we are building.

What stands out in this passage to you?

Romans 12:9-13

Love others well, and don't hide behind a mask; love authentically. Despise evil; pursue what is good as if your life depends on it. Live in true devotion to one another, loving each other as sisters and brothers. Be first to honor others by putting them first. Do not slack in your faithfulness and hard work. Let your spirit be on fire, bubbling up and boiling over, as you serve the Lord. Do not forget to rejoice, for hope is always just around the corner. Hold up through the hard times that are coming, and devote yourselves to prayer. Share what you have with the saints, so they lack nothing; take every opportunity to open your life and home to others, even if they are outside your faith family.

(the italics are from this translation. I didn't add them.)

Give me your eyes

I've heard this song on the radio a few times. Everytime I hear it, it becomes my prayer. I want to see each person. I want to take no one for granted. I want to open myself to the lives of other even when they are messy and heartbroken. I pray that God would give me God's own eyes so that I can find the compassion has for everyone.



Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black tile
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
Are those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?

Chorus:
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the once forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide whats underneath
Theres a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
To ashamed to tell his wife
He’s out of work
He’s buying time
Are those people going somewhere?
Why have I never cared?

I’ve been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just moving past me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way you see the people all alone

Potluck Dinner & Worship Gathering - Sunday, July 20

Our Potluck Dinner & Worship Gathering for the month of July is coming up Sunday, July 20, and we hope you're planning to be with us!

We'll meet at the Ewing-Merrills' house (31 Sheffield Street, Portland) at 4:15 pm and carpool to Shelly's house in Gray. Shelly has a big room in her finished basement that will be a great gathering place for food and fellowship. Shelly's got hamburgers and hot dogs for the grill all under control. Bring an appetizer, salad, side dish, or dessert to share!

After dinner, if the weather cooperates, we'll plan to have a big ol' campfire in Shelly's backyard, complete with marshmallows for roasting. (Rumor has it there will even be some graham crackers and chocolate, too -- which is pretty much a recipe made in heaven!)

Our monthly Potluck & Worship Gatherings are always a wonderful time to get together with the full New Light community. Come for the fun, and bring a friend along!

And while you're at it, mark your calendar for the August gathering, too: Sunday, August 24. We're thinking about a community trip to Old Orchard Beach or another fun summer gathering spot, for a little fun, a little food, and worship in the beauty of God's Creation. Stay tuned for more details about that one...

For the Beauty of the Earth

I had the good fortune of spending time on Long Pond in Belgrade with my family over the Fourth of July. All together there were 14 of us in a small three bedroom cabin, for five days. While I love my family I found being constantly surrounded by that many other people who always wanted to be doing something a little taxing on my increasingly introverted self. I couldn't get through a shower without an interruption from a family member, and I quickly gave up hope on getting any devotional time in.

Sunday morning I decided to get up early, before the rest of my family and take the kayak out. It was an beautiful morning, the lake was calm and the air was just warming up. I paddled to the middle of the lake, and just sat there for a long long time. It was amazingly peaceful. After a while I sang whatever praise songs popped into my head, and I had a time of prayer thanking God for the incredible creation that was all around me.

It is my hope that among the busyness of our lives this summer we all take a moment to sit, and just be surrounded by the beauty of the earth, and to thank God for sharing it with us.

Celebrating the Fourth of July with a Global Perspective

This is my song, O God of all the nations,
a song of peace for lands afar and mine;
this is my home, the country where my heart is;
here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine:
but other hearts in other lands are beating
with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.

My country's skies are bluer than the ocean,
and sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine;
but other lands have sunlight too, and clover,
and skies are everywhere as blue as mine:
O hear my song, thou God of all the nations,
a song of peace for their land and for mine.

May truth and freedom come to every nation;
may peace abound where strife has raged so long;
that each may seek to love and build together,
a world united, righting every wrong;
a world united in its love for freedom,
proclaiming peace together in one song.

This is my prayer, O Lord of all earth's kingdoms,
thy kingdom come, on earth, thy will be done;
let Christ be lifted up 'til all shall serve him,
and hearts united, learn to live as one:
O hear my prayer, thou God of all the nations,
myself I give thee — let thy will be done.

— Lloyd Stone & Georgia Harkness

New Light Retreat

We are planning an awesome retreat for October 10-12 for our New Light Community. Everyone is welcome...those who have been a part of New Light since the begining and those who have just started to get connected with our community.
It will be a wonderful time of getting to know each other better in a place away from our usual day to day routines. A fun loving and deeply spiritual retreat leader will be joining us to lead us in reflecting about who God is calling us to be as a community and as individuals. We will focus on our core values and explore them together. Rockcraft Retreat Center has comfortable accomidations and good food which will make everything more enjoyable. Spaces are available for families and individuals.
There will be a cost but those of us who have a little more will pay a little more to help those who have a little less.
It is sure to be a rockin good time. So be sure to mark your calendar. You never know what crazy things will happen when we spend an extended amount of time together.
See you there!

Spirituality and Children

Tonight our LIFE Group Gathering ended up being just those who are parents, so we chose a topic we wouldn't cover with the whole group.

We had a wonderful discussion using this article.

Through the discsussion we all expressed how grateful we are to have our children in a community where they experience the moments of group prayer, where they hear the stories of love and compassion from the Bible, and where they learn to be concerned about others. We look forward to seeing them develop further in these ways as they grow in years.

Better World Shopper

A few weeks ago after our staff meeting at a local coffee shop, Allen, Erica and I went into Longfellow Books in Monument Square. I saw a book in the window that I was looking for in the store. I knew it was a shopping guide for a better world. Eventually I found it in the "Green" Section: The Better World Shopping Guide: Every Dollar makes a difference.

I went back and forth about whether or not to buy it then and there and whether it was a good use of my money even though I knew it would help me to use my money better. It is even printed on 100% recycled paper with soy ink. That was pretty convincing though in the end I decided not to get it...that day.

I came home and looked it up online. I found that you can even download a version to your ipod and avoid the paper all together.

It is increasingly clear to me that where and how I use my money influences the rest of the world, either by supporting good practices or supporting bad practices. Companies are influencing the world, the environment, and all world citizens through their actions. We need to be aware of our complicity in this system. We don't have to support companies and practices that oppress others and destroy our environment.

In the graphic, you can see the different changes you can make in your own habits that can really make a difference. Their website says:
The above list includes the 10 things that you can change in your life which will make the most difference for people and the planet. If you're having trouble knowing where to begin making changes, start here!

Some of them you might think of and some would not be necessarily on the top of my head. I downloaded the free version to check out the ipod compatibility, but I am planning on getting my hands on the whole thing soon. That probably means another trip to Longfellow Books, but I better walk or take the bus as I begin to take more seriously my life on this planet I call home. I believe that's what God wants from me...how about you?

Charlie at Hannaford

Those of you who shop at Hannaford may remember the guy who sat on the bench in the front of the store. Whenever I saw him there, I thought how wonderful it was that the store management let him claim that space for his own. The people there were more wonderful than I ever imagined.

I was really thankful when Alison mentioned during our prayer time that Charlie had died. It is a sacred act to remember those who are no longer with us, particularly those who maybe don't have a family or a community to remember them.

Erica sent this wonderful article about Charlie that made me cry. People are truly beautiful.

It makes me think, who can I get to know as a friend. There are so many people I don't think I would have anything in common with. There are so many people that I can't imagine being friends with. Maybe these are the people who have the most to teach me if I would just open my life to them.

Tree by Leaf Concert July 9th

Join New Light on Wednesday, July 9th at 8pm for the Tree by Leaf concert.

Portland will kick off it's Sunset Folk Series at the Western Prom Park with this folk quartet self described as "honest to God local music."

Check out the Tree by Leaf website to read some great reviews, and to hear some of their music to prepare yourself for this awesome show!

Bring your friends and enjoy the summer night in Portland with this free outdoor experience!!

We can change the world

This week in our LIFE Groups we are watching: Amazing Grace, The Movie
It is an inspiring film about how we can use our faith to change the world.



If a group of people could influence a country to end the slave trade, what could we as followers of Jesus do today to change the world? End the war? End poverty? Find homes for all the orphans? End HIV/AIDS and Malaria? All of the above?

We watched this video recently at our LIFE Group Gatherings. We reflected on our use of money and imagined how we can live generously both individually and as a community.

I found this video very challenging and moving. How can we change the world so that everyone has enough? What does it mean for your life?

Memorial Day Barbecue

Join us Monday, May 26th at 4pm at Fort Williams for a fabulous Memorial Day Barbecue. We will have great food, and fun together.

If you are interested in bringing food to share, or if you have any questions contact Erica at etobey01@maine.edu. This is going to be casual and fun, feel free to bring friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, etc. along.

Old Port Festival

Kick off the summer with New Light at the Old Port Festival, Sunday June 1st.

A day of fun will include- bands, kids rides and activities, exotic petting zoo, rock climbing, Maine artists and crafts people, good food, and more!!

Plan to meet us at 10:45 in front of O'Naturals restaurant on 83 Exchange Street (across from Starbucks) in time for the parade, and festival kick off at 11.

World Fair Trade Day - May 10

World Fair Trade Day is May 10. Endorsed by the International Fair Trade Association, a global association consisting of over 300 fair trade organizations, World Fair Trade Day calls on all of us to participate by purchasing fair trade products and encouraging conventional companies to sell more fair trade goods.

We visited in England this year during their "Fair Trade Fortnight." We were struck by how many fairtrade products existed even in the mainstream retail market. The US is way behind on this one.

I just came across this challenge from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). They have a dream that during the next year--from this year's World Fair Trade Day until next year's day--we can make a difference in the market for Fair Trade Products which in turn makes a big difference for all people who produce products that we consume. See the 100-Ton Fair Trade Challenge. (there are other fair trade coffees besides Equal Exchange-including some of Coffee By Design coffees)

Here are some details and facts about what Fair Trade means for global relations and economic justice.

This is a significant way that we can impact the world--through the things we purchase.

Any ideas about how New Light might support Fair Trade?

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

Our Core Values

Our Leadership Community has been drafting on some defining statements for the New Light Community. After a dialogue session in which we narrowed down the list of values shared by our community and thought through how best to articulate them, here is what we came up with...

Our Core Values:

• Community: Faith is a journey best traveled with others who share common values and a common commitment to life together. We strive to be formed as a community steeped in God’s love, expressed in loving relationships with one another, and engaged in the larger community in which we live.
  
  
• Inclusivity: No one is outside the bounds of God’s grace. We strive to practice generous hospitality, welcoming and embracing everyone with the same love we have received from God. We affirm the sacred worth of every human being – no exceptions.
  
  
• Creativity: At the foundation of our faith is the story of a God we call Creator – a God who is continually in the process of creating, who gifts us with creativity and invites us to create. We strive to incorporate music, drama, visual arts, dance, and other creative elements in all that we do.
  
  
• Transformation: As we journey inward, we strive for transformed lives, so that our lives better reflect the love of Christ; as we journey outward, we strive for a transformed world that better reflects God’s vision of peace and justice.
  
  
• Simplicity: In a world preoccupied with materialism, consumption, and greed, we long for a simpler way. We strive to live simply, both individually and in our life together; to generously share our resources and practice faithful stewardship of God’s Creation.

A Potato Planting Party!

The New Light community is gathering for a fun outing and a day of service. Want to come along?!

Join Cultivating Community for a day of pancakes, potatoes, and play!

What: Seventh Annual Potato Planting Party

When: Saturday, May 3, 8am-2pm.

Where: Turkey Hill Farm, 120 Old Ocean House Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME

What to bring: A dish to share for a midday potluck. Work gloves and hand pruners if you have them.

Cost: $5 for the pancake breakfast. Everything else is free and open to the public.

We'll meet up in Portland at 8:30 am and carpool to the farm, or you can meet up with the rest of the group there.

Here's the schedule for the day:

• 8-9:30 Pancake breakfast--all local except for fair trade coffee. Just $5 -- add $2 for Farmer Bob's sausage.
• 9-11:30 Potato planting, pea trellising, and other farm chores
• 11:30-12:30 Potluck lunch. Bring a dish to share. Entertainment by jazz pop quartet TOAST
• 12-2 Kids activities, workshops, and farm exploration presented by Cultivating Community and our friends from Farm Camp, the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust, Cape Farm Alliance and Kitchen Gardeners International.

Learn more about Cultivating Community -- a wonderful organization that describes its mission this way:

Cultivating Community is growing sustainable communities. Based in Portland, Maine, we use organic, sustainable practices to grow food in our community and school gardens and at partnering farms. That food feeds those among us who are most vulnerable. And we use our community food work as an engine for high-impact youth and community development programs that reconnect people to the natural and social systems that sustain us all.

Give us a shout if you have questions!