Community News
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
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.
Upcoming Events
Community Picture Albums
July 10
"Hot Fiddle"
Featuring the Liberty-Strange Family
June 28
Community Ice Cream Social and Concert
with Bellamy Jazz
June 20
Portland Pride Parade
June 14
Super Senior Sunday
June 13
Concert: The Wesley Ringers
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