Charlotte

This year, we’ve learned that a number of families whose children are enrolled in Micah’s Backpack do not have microwave ovens to heat up even basic food. Neither schools nor partner churches are able to purchase them. If you have a gently used microwave oven you can donate or are willing to purchase one (or more), please contact Kathy at HARC, 301-842-4272 or director@harc.datachievereview.xyz

Shepherd’s Spring Camp & Retreat Center is still seeking a full-time, year round chef/cook to join their team as the Food Director. Cook for large groups (40-120) and summer camp, buffet style. Weekends and evenings required; hours fluctuate based on scheduled retreats and school groups. Must pass a background check. If interested, please send your resume to info@shepherdsspring.org.

Iglesia (Church) de Dios Pentecostal in Hagerstown, MD is seeking a new place to worship. They need space to meet on Wednesday nights from 6-9:30 pm, Fridays 6-10 pm , Sundays 10 am-6 pm, and some Saturdays. The church has approximately 75 active members, and up to 125 people worshipping in total. If you may have space to accommodate them, please contact Pastor Carlos Gonzalez, Iglesiadehagerstown@gmail.com.

Click on image at left to open a larger image.

Call to make an offer: 301-791-6682 and ask for Gabe

Children & Youth Coordinator
Mt. Nebo Church & Christian Learning Center
Boonsboro, MD 21713
Location: Mt. Nebo United Methodist Church | 12–15 hrs/week | 3 days/week (including Sundays)

Do you love working with children and youth?
Join others in guiding the next generation in faith through fun, creativity, and connection with God!

What You’ll Do:

• Teach and mentor kids from Pre-K to High School
• Lead Sunday children’s ministry & youth programs
• Create lesson plans and organize engaging activities
• Plan events and Vacation Bible School
• Work closely with the Pastor & Learning Center Director

Requirements: ✔ Passion for youth ministry ✔ Creativity and strong leadership ✔ Background check & fingerprinting (paid by employer) ✔ Complete Safe Gatherings training ✔ Experience in a church setting is a plus
Schedule Includes: · 2 flexible weekdays · Sundays (required) · Some telework allowed for lesson prep Ready to Apply?
Email your resume & short cover letter to: debbie.lee@myactv.net OR mt.nebo@myactv.net Questions? Call: 301-432-8741
Learn more: http://mtneboumc.com

Download a flyer here

We are pleased to welcome Rev. Rick Swanson to St. John’s Episcopal Church in Hagerstown and to HARC. Father Rick was called to St. John’s in September, moving to Hagerstown from Stowe, Vermont. There will be a Celebration of New Ministry at St. John’s on Thursday, October 30, at 7:00pm. Area faith leaders are invited to attend to join in the celebration and welcome our new brother in faith.

Download a flyer invitation.  Note: an RSVP is only needed for those attending the preservice meal.

Read Fr. Rick’s profile

Charles Town, WV, September 25, 2025 /PR Newswire/ – The BCTCares Foundation, a nonprofit founded and operated by employees of BCT-Bank of Charles Town (OTCID:PTBS), also known as The Community’s Bank, announced Wednesday, September 24, 2025, that it surpassed its lofty goal of $100,000 by raising a record $104,000 through its 2025 Pack the ‘Pack program. Since its inception, the BCTCares Foundation has donated $509,000 to fight local food-insecurity, especially in children.

The program’s mission is to support four in-market backpack food nonprofits focused on providing nourishing food to food-insecure children, individuals, and families.  The donation equaled $26,000 for each of the partner nonprofits and will provide crucial funding in times of rising food costs  for food purchases, resulting in over 11,000 backpacks being filled with enough food for two days (weekend) per child.  The fundraising effort was from July 1, 2025, through August 31, 2025.  Contributions were solicited and received from the bank’s clients, vendors, employees, and Board of Directors, along with citizens from the communities surrounding BCT’s branches and offices in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

BCTCares Foundation raises a total of $104,000 to support four local backback program nonprofits to fight food-insecurity for local children. Each program received $26,000.

“Wow!  Just wow!” exclaimed Alice P. Frazier, President and CEO of BCT.  “How do I adequately convey how proud I am in the efforts by everyone involved with this year’s campaign?  We set a goal that, candidly, I was skeptical we could reach.  Our team took the challenge and not only met the goal but exceeded it!  And our employees, clients, vendors, and communities were fully engaged throughout the campaign.  Thanks to everyone who contributed financially or with your time and talent.  You have helped more and more children in our local neighborhoods overcome food-insecurity.”
For the Pack the ‘Pack campaign, BCTCares partners with local backpack program nonprofits who purchase and distribute food using the funds donated.  The local backpack program partners are:

• Berkeley County Backpack Program  (Berkeley County, WV) – http://feedbcwvkids.org/
• Community Combined Ministries – Kidz Power Pacs  (Berkeley & Jefferson Counties, WV) – https://communitycombined.org/
• HARC/Micah’s Backpack  (Washington County, MD) – https://harc.datachievereview.xyz/programs/micahs-backpack/ 
• Fueled (formerly known as Loudoun Backpack Coalition)  (Loudoun  County, VA) – https://www.loudouneducationfoundation.org/fueled 

Please be advised that The Salvation Army Shelter will be temporarily closing for renovations starting October 1st. They were approved for a Lowes Hometowns Grant that is allowing them to do some renovations to their shelter. Therefore, they are not accepting any new clients until renovations are complete. They anticipate reopening the shelter in Mid-November.

Salem Elementary School is seeking community volunteers to help provide fun and engaging activities for students on early dismissal days. These afternoons run from 2:00–3:30 p.m., with activities in 30–40 minute rotations for groups of about 10 students each. The goal is to keep the afternoons varied and engaging, while also giving students the chance to connect with different caring adults in the community.
Volunteers DO NOT need to commit to every early dismissal day – any date will help. Since they rotate through 2-3 different activities, even one activity contribution is very helpful! The school will get any materials needed and have school staff there to support.

Early dismissal days are: September 24, October 30, December 5, December 23, January 16, February 13, March 13, April 1, and May 1.

If interested, please contact Angela Yamashita, HARC Lighthouse After School Program Coordinator, as soon as possible at yamashitaangela6@gmail.com or (240) 347-0780.

As a valued supporter of Hagerstown Area Religious Council (HARC), we’re reaching out to share an exciting opportunity to help us raise funds for our cause through the Planet Green Recycle fundraising program.

Two simple ways you can help:

1. Recycle your used ink cartridges: Gather 4 or more used ink cartridges you have at home or in your office and request a FREE shipping label at www.planetgreenrecycle.com using our Program ID number 32812. This ensures that your recycling efforts directly benefit our organization.

2. Purchase printer cartridges at Planet Green Recycle: Add our Program ID 32812 next to your first name when checking out, Planet Green Recycle will contribute 10% of your total purchase to our fundraiser. Planet Green Recycle has the largest selection of U.S. remanufactured and name brand OEM surplus ink and toners on the market.

Spread the Word. If you don’t need to purchase or recycle today, someone you know might. Most households and businesses own a printer. Please share this email with friends, family, and colleagues, encouraging them to help our fundraiser by recycling and buying replacement printer cartridges using our Program ID 32812.

Our goal is to create a local chain reaction to help our fundraiser. By working together, we can have people across Washington County (and beyond) help us raise vital funds for HARC’s programs while keeping printer cartridges out of landfills.

Thank you for your help and support!

Washington County Council of Churches dba Hagerstown Area Religious Council (HARC)