News

Did you know that dementia in its many forms affects more than 3,000 people in Washington County, Maryland along with their caregivers? Learning more about prevention, diagnosis, and treatment can help, as well as having access to support. At our October 2024 HARC meeting, we heard from representatives of Dementia Friendly Washington County (DFWC) about their efforts to make Washington County a dementia-friendly place to thrive. We also heard from a couple about their Alzheimer’s journey. Watch the recorded program on our YouTube channel.

DFWC is a dedicated group of local individuals and organizations raising awareness, decreasing stigma, and increasing public understanding. DFWC offers educational trainings, access to resources, a Memory Café, and more! DFWC operates under Dementia Friendly America and the Alzheimer’s Association of Maryland. To learn more or to schedule a free training or presentation, contact dementiafriendlywashco@outlook.com.

This position has been filled.

St. Ann Church is seeking a part-time (5-10 hours/week, flexible schedule) Facilities Assistant for weekly classroom and multi-purpose room set-ups and maintenance for parish events and activities. For more information contact David Matera, Director of Operations at 301-733-0410 ext. 102 or dmatera@stannchurch.com. Candidates must be able to handle physical workload (lifting and moving tables, chairs, etc.) with some evening and weekend availability.

Christ Reformed UCC in Sharpsburg is searching for an organist/pianist for our regular Sunday worship services. They have a wonderful Moller organ. Their regular worship is at 9:00am and usually lasts 1-1/2 hours. Music during the service generally includes a prelude, 2-3 hymns, an offertory and doxology and a postlude. The prelude, offertory and postlude are selected by the organist. There are no choir rehearsals. Please contact the pastor, Rick Bishop at ricksharpsburgucc@gmail.com or 240-329-1223.

The Refugee Welcome Network (RWN) presented at our HARC meeting on Tuesday, September 10 at First Christian Church, sharing information about how and why the RWN was formed, what it entails, and who the network is helping. The large crowd of over 50 people enjoyed a delicious lunch catered by Sabera, a refugee who came here with her husband and children last year. Two other Afghan refugees, Jamal and Malalai, shared their moving personal stories of leaving their homeland, coming to the U.S., and working with the RWN and Trinity Lutheran Church. Go to HARC’s YouTube channel for a recording of Jamal and Malalai and a Q&A with members of the RWN, as well as 4 short videos about the RWN.

Hebron Mennonite Church in Hagerstown will be offering a program of group spiritual direction starting in October. Through monthly small groups (4-6 persons), participants will gather to pray and share with one another where they sense the presence of God in their lives. The small group serves as a spiritual director/companion in listening and helping each person discern their spiritual path. These groups become sacred listening circles as they pray for one another.

Leadership for these sessions will be provided by Ed Poling, retired Church of the Brethren pastor and trained spiritual director, and Rebecca Rothenhoeffer, United Methodist layperson, personal coach and trained group spiritual direction facilitator. Sessions will be held at Hebron Mennonite Church on the first Tuesday of each month starting on October 1 and concluding in May. An additional session will be held on the fourth Tuesday of October. The regular meeting time is 3 hours from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.  The first and last sessions will be six-hour retreats from 3:00-9:00 pm for orientation and evaluation. Each participant will be asked to read Howard Thurman’s book Deep is the Hunger: Meditations for Apostles of Sensitiveness.

There is no cost for the eight-month program. However, a love offering will be taken to help underwrite the cost of the use of the building. The church is located at 13315 Highlane Street, Hagerstown. For more information and a brochure, contact Ed Poling at 301-766-9005 or elpoling1@gmail.com.

The Refugee Welcome Network (RWN), DSS, Children In Need and CASA continue to work with a refugee family of 6 that is desperately in need of housing. CASA has paid for a hotel stay for them for two months, but that is up the end of August and RWN has been unsuccessful in finding them housing. If you have a place they can stay temporarily OR if you have or know of an affordable apartment or home (or parsonage) the RWN can rent for them, please contact Jane at 240-469-5084 or jane.powell365@gmail.com or Kathy at director@harc.datachievereview.xyz or 301-842-4272. Please pass this on to everyone you know!  We don’t want to see this family end up homeless.

HARC’s Lighthouse After School Program is in need of Volunteers and Program Leads starting this fall. Do you have a talent you can share (reading, art, music, gardening, STEM, etc.), willingness to support students, and a desire to be the change in your community? If so, we would love your help! Requirements: Commitment to regular sessions (flexible scheduling and short-term commitments available) and a passion for working with children. Interested in making a difference? Contact Angela at (240) 347-0780 or yamashitaangela6@gmail.com. Flyer – please share! And an announcement in bulletins would be appreciated.