Last month, we put out a request for landscaping tools and equipment for one of our ENOUGH families who is starting their own business. Several individuals responded and donated fantastic supplies, including a lawnmower, leaf blower, string trimmer and much more. The family wants to say THANK YOU to everyone who contributed. The tools will help them have sustainable income to support their children. HARC thanks you as well.
Job opening: Director of Music/Organist
John Wesley United Methodist Church, 129 N Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD is seeking a part time Director of Music/Organist. Applicants must have relevant experience and references, and work well with people. To apply to work on our smoke and drug free campus, go to www.jw-umc.org/employment to view the full job description and the application form. The annual salary is $20,000 and entails an average of approximately 12 hours/week. Applications will be evaluated and screened as they are received for this position that comes open November 1, 2026.
HARC’s Interfaith Progressive Dinner brings Joy and Peace through Food
On Saturday evening, September 26, HARC’s annual Interfaith Progressive Dinner was held, featuring four faith traditions:
~ St. John’s Episcopal Church (Christian-Anglican)
~ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Christian-Mormon)
~ Church of the Wild Earth & Soul (Nature-based Spirituality), and
~ The Islamic Society of Western Maryland (Muslim).
About 100 people registered for the event, and the showery evening couldn’t dampen anyone’s spirits as guests were treated to a wide variety of appetizers at St. John’s, a delicious entrée buffet at the Mormon church, and a lavish dessert buffet at the mosque.
At each stop, guests listened as leaders of each faith tradition shared information about their faith and answered questions from guests. Rev. Dr. Rick Swanson spoke at St. John’s and a tour was given of the stunning historic sanctuary; After guests listened to children and youth sing songs of faith, Bishop Jonathan Harris and Heather Goodmansen spoke at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which also provided the setting for Leah Rampy to share the philosophies of the Church of the Wild Earth & Soul; and Imam Nazir Faruki spoke at the mosque about the imperative for Muslims to serve their community and show kindness to people of all faiths.
“It was such a fun night!” said one participant afterwards. “We really enjoyed great food and even better company.”
At the end of the event, another participant observed “Looking around, I see people from all different faiths and backgrounds coming together, respectfully talking and enjoying one another. It’s beautiful. If only we could do this ‘out there,’ we could have peace on earth.”
Thank you to all participating houses of worship for your generosity and wonderful hospitality!
See more photos from the dinner on our Facebook page
Sock-tober
IT’S OFFICIALLY SOCK-TOBER!
The challenge is ON!
For the entire month of October, we’re challenging our community to collect as many NEW socks as possible for the men, women, and children in our community.
And we want you to turn it into a SOCK DRIVE!
- Your workplace
- Your church
- Your family
- Your friends
- Your small group
Pick a group, grab a collection box, and see just how many pairs you can collect by October 31!
Use this image as a flyer. Bring the people together. And together, we’ll fill those shelves!
LET’S MAKE SOCK-TOBER COUNT!
Potomac Bank raises $120,000 to feed children
We are overwhelmed with gratitude and joy for Potomac Bank / BCT Cares Foundation’s incredible donation of $30,000 (wow!) to our Micah’s Backpack program from their annual Pack The Pack fundraiser. This equates to more than 15,000 meals for children in our community. Their donation is outstanding and their total fundraising of over $120,000 for FOUR backpack programs (3 in WV) boggles our minds. But what’s truly remarkable to us is how hard the entire Potomac Bank team worked to achieve this and how much each of them deeply cares about ensuring that no child goes hungry.
In addition to the $30,000 donation for food, Potomac Bank has committed another $1,000 to purchase microwaves for Micah’s families that need them.
THANK YOU, Potomac Bank!! 
HARC and the Micah’s Backpack Steering Team
