Rehoboth UMC in Williamsport is seeking a part-time Next Gen Ministry Coordinator who can focus their time developing the children, youth and family ministries of the church through teaching, leadership development and communication with the larger church. This is a part-time position with room to grow with the ministry. Theological training or experience leading in a Christian setting is required. Applications can be sent to jobs@rehobothumc.org, and more details can be found at https://rehobothumc.org/jobs
Care for Earth – Special Calendars from the Interfaith Team
In this sacred season, we invite you to join faith communities across the region in deepening our commitment to caring for creation.
We are excited to share a special resource created by Green Muslims. This Ramadan Calendar highlights the beautiful work Muslim communities are already doing to be khalifa (stewards) of our natural world and offers daily actions to help us live in harmony with the Earth, its creatures, and one another. Click Here
Lent is a time for reflection on our personal lives and on the world, so that we may repent (turn away from) unintentional or intentional behaviors that cause harm. This year concern and grief for the environment may be heavy on the heart. The Creation Care Lent calendar offers a focus on personal and community resilience. Each Sunday includes a lectionary verse with a devotional question that can be explored in your quiet time or with others. Click here.
Consider printing these calendars for your home, sharing them with your congregation, or using them as bulletin inserts to inspire collective action.
May this season of prayer, reflection, and action strengthen our shared responsibility to protect and restore the world we all call home.
The Interfaith Team of HARC
Discover Shepherd’s Spring – camps, retreats and Global Village
Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Retreat Center is a faith-based hidden gem in south Washington County. Nestled along the C&O Canal with access to the towpath, the space is beautiful and serene – yet there’s a lot going on that local ministries should be aware of. Check out the Summer Camps and start booking now! Take your youth group to experience the Global Village – an incredible opportunity to learn about other cultures. Or book a retreat with a comfortable lodge and cabins. Learn more on their website: https://www.shepherdsspring.org/.
Summer Camp Brochure
Global Village Brochure
Retreat Brochure
Good news! No waiting list for Micah’s Backpack!
Micah’s Backpack is now serving more than 1,300 children, with no waiting list. Praise God! We are thankful to ALL of the churches and organizations who made this happen, but will highlight two who helped eliminate the waiting list. Christ’s Reformed Church joined Micah’s Backpack in January, serving five children at Bester Elementary School. Their program is already going strong with an enthusiastic team. Thank you, CRC! First Christian Church was able to switch schools to Bester and took on the remaining 16 students there – quite a load while also serving two other schools. Thank you, FCC!
Interested in becoming a Micah’s Backpack sponsor? We need more help next school year to spread the load and help more children. If interested in joining this rewarding ministry, contact Kathy at director@harc.datachievereview.xyz or 301-842-4272.
National Immigration Law Center Factsheet: Rescission of Protected Areas Policies
On January 20, 2025, the Trump Administration rescinded a policy that protected certain areas—such as churches, schools, and hospitals—from immigration enforcement, replacing it with a directive that gives ICE agents unbridled power to take enforcement actions in any of these spaces. Protecting sensitive locations from immigration enforcement is essential to ensuring all our community members can access basic services and support without fear. This factsheet describes what the protected areas policy was, what laws apply to those areas now, and what steps advocates and communities can take to support immigrants in continuing to access critical community spaces and services.
The Equity in Education Scholarship application has opened!
Applications are now being accepted for the 2025-2026 Equity in Education Scholarship. Multiple scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $7,000 are available annually with the goal of removing financial barriers, offering mentorship and career development, and increasing the percentage of racially diverse teachers in Washington County Public Schools. Scholarships are eligible for renewal until degree is obtained or maximum award is reached. Learn more Apply now Flyer to share Donations are also needed to help fund the scholarships this year and in future years. Please consider donating here and share this Request for Funds Flyer with your congregation and/or friends.
Baltimore Work Camp Looking for Worksites
The Baltimore Work Camp is looking for local residents in need of home repairs. Worksites are needed so high school teens from across the Archdiocese of Baltimore can participate in a week-long service mission designed to help the young people put their faith into action. The work at each home will be completed by 3-5 teens supervised by adult leaders. All volunteer labor and materials are FREE to qualifying households.
Help with diapers and home supplies for refugee families
The Refugee Welcome Network is currently actively working with ten families and still offering some support for others who are struggling this month with reduced hours at Amazon and FedEx. Some of the families have babies and can’t afford diapers, formula, and other supplies. We’ve connected them to all community resources available, but it’s not quite enough. Donations of gift cards from Walmart, Target, or another source of baby supplies are wanted to help lighten the load of these new Americans as they work hard to build a life here. If you can give a gift card, please email director@harc.datachievereview.xyz. Monetary donations are also a blessing to help with various needs.
Support Reach with Coldest Night of the Year walk – February 22
Saturday, February 22 4-7 pm
Hagerstown Community College (HCC) ARCC Building
20175 Scholar Drive, Hagerstown
Got a big-hearted business, workplace, group, church, or community or just want to walk for a cause? Step up and join the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) challenge in support of Reach and to “walk a mile” in the shoes of someone who’s homeless. Reach’s mission is to support and strengthen the community by preventing and resolving homelessness in Washington County. They empower individuals and families to move toward independence and stability through compassion, education, advocacy and resources. Learn more and register.
Celebrate the Season for Non-Violence and Peace January 30 – April 4
As we enter a new year with divisions in our society, now is a good time to ground or re-ground ourselves and our community in a mindset and skills for non-violence and peacemaking. What better time than during the international celebration of the Season for Non-Violence, which begins by marking the anniversary of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi on January 30 and ends on the April 4 anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Between are 64 days of practice of the principles of Gandhi, King, and others to bring about peace and nonviolence in our world today. (Note: non-violence is about quelling verbal violence as well as physical violence.) HARC encourages you to participate in this season of practice, and offers a number of resources to do so on our website. If you have articles and/or additional resources, please share them with us! Send to Kathy at director@harc.datachievereview.xyz.
