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Church by the Waters

We are Christians who want to worship outside. We take “place” seriously.

All are welcome, including children!

During church we wander, practice stillness, sing, listen to and interpret scripture, and share communion.

We are guided by Anabaptist values, meaning that we appreciate simplicity, caring for the world and one another, humility. We value theologies of peace and the words and works of Jesus. We care about being neighborly.

We gather on the second Sunday of every month at 4pm, in various locations in the Greater Portland Area in Maine. We gather in all weather (unless it isn't safe) and will make adjustments as needed to stay warm! See upcoming locations below.

Upcoming:

Our next gathering is on Nov. 9 at 3:30pm (note the earlier time!!). We will gather at Mayor Baxter Woods, at the entrance just off of Stevens ave.

Since it is getting cooler, we will gather for an opening, prayer, and song, before having a reflective walk together and then a closing. We will be moving our bodies more to keep warm and won't need to bring chairs. Please dress warmly! Instead of a potluck afterwards we will bring a warm beverage to share, so bring a travel mug.

Just a reminder that children are always welcome and please invite others who may like to join us! Please call or text Christie if you need help finding the group- 559-908-0468.

SAVE THE DATE: December 14 for a Advent gathering

hope to see you by the waters
to join the email list reach out at: wildchurchmaine@gmail.com

What is Wild Church?

In this time of ecological collapse and mass extinction we feel called to create beloved community re-connected with the soil, water, plants, and all creatures of our watershed here in Casco Bay.

We are connected to the Wild Church Network of congregations seeking to encounter God in the wilderness, a place of spiritual transformation and new vision. We are inspired by the Watershed Discipleship movement of church communities learning to love their place, as defined by their watershed.
We are rooted in the Anabaptist tradition of following Jesus in daily life, with connections to Mennonite Church USA. We are open to all who are looking for a deeper relationship with God, community, and creation from any faith tradition or no faith tradition, or full of questions and doubt.
We are committed to the internal and external work of undoing racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of violence that harm our bodies and grieve the Spirit.
We believe that ancient faith practices like Sabbath rest, Eucharist, Scripture reflection and prayer, offering healing and renewal for our weary bodies and world.
We usually meet outdoors monthly on the second Sunday of each month at 4pm with a picnic potluck afterwards. In the winter months we will get creative and may meet indoors when needed.
Kids are welcome! We don't have childcare, but invite their participation and play throughout our time together. During our time of wandering we have an activity and storytime for children.
We are an evolving experiment in being church in a renewed way, and invite your ideas, creativity, and contributions!

About Us

We are sisters who have long dreamt of starting a Mennonite Wild Church together and now find ourselves both in Maine with an opportunity to do so!

Christie Dahlin is an ordained Mennonite Pastor (through Mennonite Church USA). She graduated from Seattle University School of Theology of Ministry with a Masters of Divinity. Christie was the pastor at Hyde Park Mennonite in Boise, Idaho for two years before moving to Portland, Maine to be close to family. Christie has two young children who you will see running around at Church by the Waters. Christie is grateful for her partner Samuel who joins in on the challenges and joys of raising small humans in our world today.

Julia Baker announced to her family some years ago, “I am a poet!” They all told her that they had known this her whole life. Her poems usually form on walks in the woods, along the sea, and salt-marsh rimming her home. Most are written with her kitten Fern in her lap. She has an MA in Theopoetics and Writing from Bethany Theological Seminary. When not outdoors or at her desk, Julia works as a hospital chaplain.

We also collaborate on a Substack - The Pastor and The Poet. We would love to see you there also!

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The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake rests
in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

- Wendell Berry

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Church by the Waters

hope to see you by the waters to join the email list reach out at: wildchurchmaine@gmail.com

hope to see you by the waters
to join the email list reach out at: wildchurchmaine@gmail.com