The Gathering: 2nd Sunday at 10:01 a.m. at 1001 N. Florida Ave. (starts weekly in Fall)
Gather to build relationships, have conversations about life and scripture, practice silence, and serve together. Our mission is to make God’s love real and to serve in ways that address equality, housing insecurity, and economic challenge. We have small groups that meet throughout the week.
In the fall, we plan to meet weekly and will have a monthly brunch where everyone brings food to share.
Coming this Fall: Monthly Community Meal at Tampa Homeless Shelter
COMMUNITY STATEMENT
Our church community is diverse. It includes people from different backgrounds and faith traditions. There are folks in recovery, those who might need recovery, other struggling with faith, new and long-time followers of Jesus, agnostics, skeptics, and people exploring the idea of a higher power. Many are seeking spiritual connection in a non-traditional setting, or have been dissatisfied with, or burned in the past by a church.
We agree not to make assumptions about others and challenge ourselves to be open and sensitive. We don't assume fluency in the Bible and do our best to explain churchy jargon and language.
We gather to build relationships in this Sunday gathering through conversation, contemplative practice, and authenticity. We gather in groups throughout the week and intentionally serve the city and world in ways that address equality, housing insecurity, and economic challenge.
We do all of this because we have come to find that the message of Jesus is not for Christianity, but for humanity. And as such, we strive together to Make God’s Love Real to others through Conversation, Connection, and Community Change.
The Rev. Justin LaRosa
Justin LaRosa is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, a licensed clinical social worker, a certified enneagram practitioner, author, and leader of change. Justin has been at Hyde Park United Methodist since 2005. He currently serves as the minister of downtown spiritual community and director of The Portico. He was sent with a small group to launch a cutting edge new ministry in the oldest church in downtown Tampa, which became The Portico. The includes a neighborhood cafe, a historic chapel, spaces to meet and work, an event space for the public that enhances the social, artistic, and spiritual fabric of Tampa.
The Portico Community is a non-conventional church whose mission is to make God’s Love Real through spiritual practices and to serve the city and world in ways that address equality, housing insecurity, and economic challenge. We are a community of Hyde Park United Methodist.
