Charlotte

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.

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.

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!

Hello Dear RWN [Refugee Welcome Network]Team,

We would like to sincerely thank every member of your team from the bottom of our hearts for all the kindness, support, and help you gave us during one of the most difficult periods of our lives.

When our circumstances were very difficult, you stood by us and helped us in so many ways. You helped us find work, assisted us with rent, and even provided food for us. We will never forget your kindness, generosity, and support.

Your support and trust gave us hope and the strength to stand on our own feet again. We worked very hard, made many sacrifices, and did everything we could to build a better life. We also worked hard to meet the requirements and become eligible to purchase a home.

Today, we are very happy to share one of the greatest achievements of our lives with all of you: we have been able to purchase a home for our family. This home represents hope, hard work, perseverance, and the beginning of a better life.

Today, my wife and I are both working and doing our best to build a better life, be productive members of our community, and contribute to the people and the country we now call home.

Whenever we faced difficulties, we reached out to you, and you were always there for us with kindness and compassion. But this time, we did not want to contact you because of a problem. This time, we wanted to share a happy moment with you because we consider all of you more than just people who helped us—we consider you part of our family.

If we have reached this point today, a part of our success is because of your support, kindness, and encouragement. Your help during our difficult days gave us hope, energy, and motivation to keep working hard and moving forward.

Thank you to every member of the team for everything you have done for us. We will always remember your kindness and carry it in our hearts. We are truly happy to share this wonderful news with all of you.

With our deepest respect, gratitude, and appreciation,
Mohammad Aref Danish and Family

Want to help support other families like this one? Donations of funds and time are always needed. Donate HERE, choosing Refugee Welcome Network from the drop-down menu. If interested in volunteering, contact refugeewelcome@harc.datachievereview.xyz or 301-842-4272.

HARC’s Lighthouse After-School program is seeking Program Leaders who have a skill or hobby to offer and can commit to weekly sessions for at least one marking period (4-8 weeks). This role can be paid or volunteer. We try to match you with a school and day of your choosing, and you will have at least one classroom aid from the designated school and typically no more than 15 children. A training will be held Friday, October 9, 3-5 pm for new and seasoned Program Leaders. Classroom volunteers and Substitutes are also wanted. Contact Angela for more info: angela@harc.datachievereview.xyz or 801-520-4918.

FEMA has observed National Preparedness Month since 2004 to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies. The month is a great time to take small steps to make a big difference in being prepared including at your House of Worship.

HOWs
Use these questions to help determine if your house of worship is prepared for emergencies, disasters, and security-related incidents.

• Do you have an Emergency Operations Plan? This plan should explain how
  your house of worship will respond during an emergency.
• Do you know whether your house of worship may qualify for FEMA
  assistance after a disaster? Learn about FEMA’s Public Assistance Program
  and what types of assistance may be available.
• Do you know what Federal or state grants may be available? The 2026 FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program may provide $150,000 to $200,000 per site for eligible applicants.
• Have you completed a vulnerability risk assessment? A current vulnerability risk assessment is required to apply for some security grants. You can complete a self-assessment or work with local, state, or federal partners.
• Do you know your local or state emergency management officials? Building relationships with your Office of Emergency Management before an emergency can help improve coordination and response.
• Who are your community partners during a disaster? Consider joining your county or state Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) to build partnerships before a disaster occurs.

 

As we begin the school year and school personnel collect permission slips for Micah’s Backpack, we are getting reports that some families don’t have a microwave oven for children to heat the food received in the bags. If you have a gently used microwave to donate or can purchase a new one, please contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@harc.datachievereview.xyz. New microwaves can be purchased and delivered directly to our office from our Wish List.

HARC is in need of a locking file cabinet, either a 2-drawer or 4-drawer upright unit would work. Wider file cabinets won’t fit in our space. If you have one to donate, please contact Kathy at kathy@harc.datachievereview.xyz or 301-842-4272.

St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (Hagerstown, MD) seeks a qualified and dependable Organist/Choir Director to provide musical leadership on a part-time basis. The position covers the 1st, 3rd, and (when applicable) 5th Sundays of each month.

Key Responsibilities

• Service playing — Lead worship using the church’s Möller organ and grand piano.
• Music planning — Select hymns and service music in coordination with the Pastor.
• Seasonal services — Provide music for major liturgical holidays and special services.

Qualifications

• Organ performance proficiency in traditional liturgical settings.
• Experience leading hymns for congregational worship.
• Effective collaboration with clergy and staff.
• Professional reliability and respect for Lutheran worship traditions.

Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience.

For more information, please visit our website (stmarkslc.org) and click on the job description icon.

To Apply: Submit a résumé and cover letter to patakelley@aol.com. Links to audio or video samples of organ performance are welcome. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.