Woodfords Church Welcomes You!
June Activities at Woodfords
Walk with us:
June 20
Portland Pride 2026
Calling all Woodfordians, friends,
neighbors and family!
Set out your walking shoes, find your rainbow socks, and rev up your spirit to join the celebration that is the annual Portland Pride Parade. The date is Saturday, June 20th with kick-off at an earlier time this year, 11:30 AM. As usual, the parade begins at Monument Square, goes down High Street, and ends at the Pride Portland Festival at Deering Oaks park. (NOTE: If you’re not sure you can walk the whole route, it’s OK to do only a portion. Just don’t let the festivities begin without you!) For years, WCC has been part of an ecumenical coalition of area faith communities marching together, and we’ll do that again. The point is to have fun while showing support for Portland’s LGBTQ+ community and the right of everyone to feel affirmed and celebrated for who they are.
For the parade lineup, we are in GROUP E. Look for us on Brown Street between Congress Street and Cumberland Avenue, facing Congress Street. Please plan to join us by 11:15am, so that you are present for the parade kick-off..
We will be marching behind our own Woodfords Church banner, but feel free to bring your own “bling” (beads, noise makers, small Pride flags, homemade signs, hats, painted T-shirts, etc.). Coordinating WCC’s participation again this year are Jenny Wriggins (jennywriggins@gmail.com) and Elaine Armstrong (revelar8@msn.com). This time, as always, let’s have a big turnout of Woodfords folks for this colorful, loud and PROUD event!
Woodfords Church
of the Future!
A Message from Our Church Moderator
Dear Members and Friends,
I am pleased to share the long-awaited news that we closed on the sale of the Parish House on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. This milestone officially marks the beginning of the "Woodfords Church of the future."
As we move forward, our focus shifts to implement our Building Mission Statement:
"Woodfords Congregational Church, a vital part of the greater Portland community since 1872, envisions its physical building and environs to be in covenant with its core mission of creating community, championing justice, and growing with God. We offer our building and property as a community resource that incubates and nurtures neighborhood organizations and programs that align with our core beliefs—love, peace, and inclusivity. We intend for our building to remain relevant and aligned with our values long into the future, even if it outlasts our faith community’s needs."
Additionally, CHOM will begin mobilizing its team and contractors to bring housing for 85 low-income seniors to our immediate community. Despite various funding and construction obstacles, they are currently on track to begin demolition and construction in early 2027.
We remain committed to our partnerships with organizations that are in our building and support our community: Wayside Soup Kitchen, Project Feed, A Company of Girls (ACOG), Stages, Maine Council of Churches, Verizon, The Bay Group, Munjoy Hill Group, Tuba Group, SSL Support, OA Support, Fresh Start, and Survivors of Suicide Loss Support. We look forward to adding to this list.
None of this could have been accomplished without you, members, friends, and our dedicated staff.
Thank you for everything you do!
John England, Moderator
ChoralArt Portland:
A sing-along performance of Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, conducted by Assistant Conductor, Jeff Mosher, with Collaborative Pianist, Kellie Moody. Whether you are a longtime choral singer or simply love to sing, this event offers the opportunity to experience one of the choral repertoire’s most moving masterworks alongside fellow music lovers from throughout Southern Maine.
ChoralArt will once again partner with Project FEED to support local food insecurity efforts.
Admission is $5 plus a nonperishable donation item for Project FEED.
Students are admitted free.
Any proceeds beyond event expenses will also be donated to Project FEED
Event Schedule
-
7:00 p.m. – Warm-up and rehearsal
-
7:30 p.m. – Refreshments and social time
-
8:00 p.m. – Performance of Fauré’s Requiem
Monday, June 22
7 to 9pm
Worship & Celebration, Ice Cream, Jazz, The Farnsworth, and More!
Eat Dessert First: An Ice Cream Social!
Woodfords Church
Sunday, June 28
11:15am to 12 noon
Entertainment by Bellamy Jazz Band
The greater community, families and friends are invited to an ice cream social and concert from 11:15 to noon June 28 at Woodfords Church. Bring your own chairs and blankets to 202 Woodford St. and enjoy some free ice cream and frozen treats while listening to the Bellamy Jazz Band on the front lawn. Parking is available in the church lot. The event will be held rain or shine.
Bellamy Jazz has delighted Maine and New England audiences with its engaging mix of traditional jazz. Playing music that ranges from Preservation Hall to Count Basie, Bellamy has been voted "Maine's most popular jazz band" for many years. A six-piece band, Bellamy offers instrumental virtuosity, vocals, light-hearted humor and nostalgic storytelling. It's all entertainment with the Bellamy Jazz Band.
The Jazz Band will also provide special music at the Sunday morning worship
in the sanctuary at 10am. All are welcome to attend!
Bellamy Jazz Ensemble
Summer of 2025
KINDNESS 2026
Woodfords' Creating Community team is embarking on a year-long program in conjunction with the United States Kindness initiative (https://www.usofkindness.org/), which is supported by the United Church of Christ. The plan is to engage Woodfords members and the broader community in completing 250 Acts of Kindness, large and small, in support of building a culture of compassion, connection and unity as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary.
Visit our
YouTube channel
for past events and worship services
To learn more about Woodfords and whether it might be a good fit for your spirit, click below to send a message to our pastor.
Many Thanks to Our Mission Partners for ...
(Click the logo for the organization's website)
Nourishing Bodies
Emergency Food Pantry
Physical Address: 640 Brighton Avenue, Portland
Mailing Address: 202 Woodford St., Portland ME 04103
FEED is operating out of its temporary home while Woodfords Church is being renovated.
We hope you will visit us on Brighton Ave.
For a list of other Portland food pantries, click here.
Community Meal in Memorial Hall
Enjoy a Free Lunch
Mondays
Noon (12pm)
All are welcome!
Serving Youth
At A Company of Girls+ (ACOG+) we work with youth to cultivate their self-confidence, build resiliency, and create a community of respect and acceptance where uniqueness is celebrated and creativity thrives!
The STAGES Youth Theater Mission:
To unlock self-discovery in young people through the transformative power of theater.
Creating Connections
Inspiring peace, justice
& compassion through
collaborative action