After its first two months of existence, the Lighthouse Cooperative Parish gathered on August 31 for its first Sunday Service together — in a unique setting.

Seventy-five members of the Thornton Heights, Peoples, and Cape Elizabeth United Methodist churches prayed, sang, listened to scripture and praised God on a magnificent morning in Cape Elizabeth’s Outdoor Chapel.

As Pastor Gwyneth Arrison said, “It was just amazing”.

Organized and led by CEUMC Lay Leader Steve Hill, the 70-minute service was an opportunity for members of the three churches to sit side by side in the hickory and oak forest and embrace the natural wonders of God’s creation — up close and personal.

The past two months have been a significant transition for the three churches with Pastor Gwyneth leading Sunday services at all three. There has been some uncertainty as to how well the new parish system has been working and about what changes might take place moving into the fall.

Sunday’s service with all three churches participating in a completely new, relaxed environment, the transition seemed to turn the corner toward one of greater acceptance.

In large part, it was Steve Hill’s messages throughout the service for all to embrace and accept change, hopefully heading us on a path to an all-encompassing unity.

“All things change, he told the gathering. “All things are connected. Even in the midst of deadly volcanic ash and a rotting dead log life can spring forth. We might ask what does all this mean for all of us gathered here today. I would add that I have no idea, but I think there are a few questions we could start to consider together.”

Among those questions, Steve asked, “Considering the interconnectedness of living things, what is it that connects all of us and what is it worth doing to preserve those connections?

The fellowship of those sitting beneath the towering trees on Sunday and bathing in the late-summer warmth of the comforting sun, the bond between the three churches, previously apart and distinct in their own ways, likely gained strength to establishing a better connection for the Lighthouse Parish.

Steve added, “Can we imagine growth and new life coming from institutions that are not exactly thriving? What does that growth and new life look like and what does it take to make it happen?

Sunday’s Chapel Woods service was a good start!

Toward the end of the service, Steve quoted a passage in the book, “Bread for the Journey” by Catholic Priest Henri Nouwen:

“The marvelous vision of the peaceable Kingdom in which all violence has been overcome and all men, women, and children live in loving unity with nature calls for its realization in our day-to-day lives. Instead of an escapist dream, it challenges us to anticipate what it promises. Every time we forgive our neighbor, every time we make a child smile, every time we show compassion to a suffering person, every time we arrange a bouquet of flowers, offer care to tame or wild animals, prevent pollution, create beauty in our homes and gardens, and work for peace and justice among peoples and nations, we are making the vision come true.”

In his own words, Steve added, “We must remind one another of the vision. Whenever it comes alive in us, we will find new energy to live it out, right where we are”.

Right in the interconnectedness of the Lighthouse Cooperative Parish.

For the overall success of Sunday’s service, thank you to Mark Braun and Pastor Gwyneth for making it possible for a Zoom connection in the woods — the service was even viewed by someone in Florida!

And also thank you to Paul Hansen, Kate Hansen, and Ida Santos from Thornton Heights for providing the music, to David Rogers for setting up a sound system, to women from Thornton Heights for serving ice cream afterward, and to all the volunteers who made this special event a reality.

May it continue!

Other images from the Lighthouse Cooperative Parish Outdoor Service: