New minister announced

During our May 11 Sunday service, it was announced by Lay Leader Steve Hill that Gwyneth Arrison will be the full-time pastor of the newly formed Lighthouse Cooperative Parish, serving our church, the Thornton Heights UMC in South Portland, and Peoples UMC, also in South Portland. The appointment will tke […]

Celebration of Stephen Bither’s life

A memorial service and the celebration of the life of Stephen Bither filled our church on April 10 for, including the reception afterward, almost four hours. For all the memories that were thought of, but could not be shared, it could have gone on longer — much longer. More than […]

Proposal for Cooperative Parish

Many Waters District Superintendent Arlene Tully held a town hall-type meeting at our church on Wednesday, April 2, attended by 20 people in person and 16 more on Zoom. The purpose of the gathering was for the Rev. Tully to introduce a proposal to our church involving the possible establishment […]

CEUMC newest member

On Sunday, March 23, during a portion of the worship service, Carol Cary Malloy became the newest member of our church with prayers from Pastor Kathleen and the congregation. Carol came to the CEUMC about a year ago from the Topsham Baptist Church in Maine. During the ceremony, Pastor Kathleen […]

Pastor Kathleen is leaving

It is with sadness, but also with the belief in some ways it will be for the best, Kathleen Decker-Szakas will be leaving as our minister on June 30 of this year. After serving us since July 2021 as a co-part-time pastor with the Rev. Priscilla Dreyman, Pastor Kathleen will […]

Ash Wednesday 2025

Members of the Lighthouse Churches — Thornton Heights, Peoples, and the CEUMC — gathered at our church on Ash Wednesday for a meal, worship, prayers, and the imposition of ashes. The evening was led by the Rev. Kathleen Decker-Szakas, the Rev. Tom Frey of Peoples UMC, and the Rev. Gwyneth […]

Jazz Sunday Blessing

Since 2009, Jazz Sunday has been an annual celebration and worship every year at our church (except during COVID) on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. The tradition continued this year om March 2 under the direction of Choir Director Faith York, a talented group of […]

Dress a Girl blessing 2025

Congratulations to the women of our church and friends, once again, for spending a month-plus this year creating dresses for the international Dress a Girl Around the World mission. After spending Saturdays throughout February at the church (and countless hours at home) for yoiung girls living in poverty, they gathered […]

Jazz Sunday 2025

This Sunday, March 2, we will once again celebrate Jazz Sunday as preparation for Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. A group of musicians will perform Mardi Gras-style music throughout the service, followed by a pancake breakfast. Join us at 10 a.m.

CEUMC’s Dress-a-Girl 2025

Our Women in Faith and friends have been gathering at church on Saturdays since the beginning of February to create dresses for young girls living in poverty around the world as part of the international Dress a Girl Around the World mission. The Cape women have completed 2,883 dresses since […]