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20 hours per week, $13.50 to $16.50 per hour, 3 weeks’ vacation.

1. Be a presence in the church Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Flexible times possible.
2. Answer phones, collect mail, monitor/forward email, post items to Facebook, post items to the webpage. send announcements via email.
3. Use PowerPoint, Word, Publisher, and Paint to assemble weekly worship documents and a monthly newsletter.
4. Record weekly giving and membership changes to Shepherd’s Staff.  Generate yearly giving statements for member tax documentation.
5. Create vendor payment checks, prepare a monthly payroll, and generate financial reports using QuickBooks.
6. Use Excel to consolidate yearly financial information into proposed budget reports.
7. Record/forward requested information on secure websites for tax purposes, government data collection, and church synod auditing.

Send a resume with work references to: CELC 216 N. Cleveland Avenue Hagerstown, MD 21740.  Phone: 301-733-3482.   Email: christlutheran@gmail.com.

The 2023 Oscar results inspired me to watch the movies, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and Guillermo de Toro’s “Pinocchio”.  I found them to be a bit slow in parts, but I watched on to the end.  My heart found a similar God-at work message in each of these two extremely different creations:

• Choose life with its myriad, unexpected challenges.
• Embrace community in all of its complex diversity.
• Respond always with exuberant love and kindness.
• Be open to experience connection, peace, hope, and joy in each new day.

The movies gave us the symbol of a woman wearing a google eye on her forehead and a wooden boy.  I chose the lap robes, that I make for folks, as a symbol to remind me of these God empowering insights.  These blankets represent kindness, utility, and an energizing riot of color to me.  What symbol of God-at-work will you see and choose today?

Linda Sappington

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is looking for a Director of Children Ministry to teach their children about God and the Bible.

For a full job description contact Dianna in the Church Office – diannaplotner@fcchagerstown.org or 301.733.0144

The Refugee Welcome Network (RWN) is currently working with six Afghan refugee families, most of which are seeking asylum due to fear for their lives in their home country.  Most were professionals in Afghanistan – medical professionals, seamstresses, a journalist – and one was involved in security with the national army.  They all faced many hardships coming to the United States, and had almost nothing left when they arrived.  Most are now in legal limbo, unable to support themselves or their children until they reach a certain point in their asylum case.

God has brought many people in the faith community and various organizations together to form a network to help.  Thank you to so many of you who have already donated goods and services, giving of your time, treasure and expertise!  The families still have many needs, but some current highlights are:

• Volunteers to provide transportation – contact Susan Strobl, 301-730-9654
• 4 car seats – contact Pam Bradford, pfbradford@myactv.net
• Financial assistance for housing, electric, water – donate through HARC and designate for refugees, or ask about needs for specific families
• Grocery gift cards
• Jobs – nothing is too small!

For more information, contact HARC at director@harc.datachievereview.xyz or 301-842-4272.

Sleep In Heavenly Peace is in urgent need from the community for bedding donations as their supply is running low.

Website: https://shpbeds.org/chapter/md-hagerstown/

Be a part of the 2nd Annual Bridge to Hope Affair on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Cortland Mansion in Hagerstown, MD, to raise funds and awareness of the importance of mental health care in a thriving community. This business attire/black tie optional dinner includes a welcome reception/cocktail hour, dessert and craft coffee bar, music, and silent auction. Sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets are available! Contact Chris Boryan, Director of Development, with any questions at 301-733-0331 x1721 or chris.boryan@brooklane.org.

Tickets and sponsorships and additional information here

ZION Reformed United Church of Christ is seeking a person to set up and operate the streaming of our worship service each Sunday morning.  The time commitment would be 10 am to 12:30 pm up to a maximum of 3 hours each Sunday.  Previous knowledge of our streaming system is not required.  Training will be provided as needed.  If interested, please submit your resume, including any technology training and skills you may have, and references to the Church Office, Attention: The Personnel Committee, ZION Reformed United Church of Christ, 201 N. Potomac St., Hagerstown, MD 21740.   A successful applicant will be required to submit to a background check and to agree to the policies of ZION’s Personnel Manual and the UCC Safe Conduct Guidelines

Registration or donation link: https://tinyurl.com/23pe6cnx or use the QR code

Questions: contact Amy or Jeff 240-625-8722 or 301-991-2851

You can walk or run!  Bring a stroller, push a wheelchair, walk your dog, take a walk with a friend or run for fun for a great cause!

Why Water?

Nearly 1,000 children under age 5, in underdeveloped countries, die every day from diarrhea caused by contaminated water, poor sanitation, and improper hygiene. But we believe the global water and sanitation crisis can be solved within our lifetime.

Why is this event a 6K instead of a 5K?

Six kilometers (or 3.7 miles) is the average round trip distance a person in the developing world must walk to find water that is often unsafe to drink. By participating in this event, you are walking/running that distance so they won’t have to.

How much does it cost to participate?

Through World Vision’s water projects, every $50 provides life-changing clean water to one person. So your adult registration fee of $50 provides clean water to one person for life! Youth (18 and under) registration is $25.

Read more at https://harc.datachievereview.xyz/event/global-6k-for-water/

HARC, Islamic Center Hagerstown, Sheppard Pratt and other area organizations and houses of worship have started a Refugee Welcome Network (RWN) to better assist refugee families in our area with the many challenges and needs facing our struggling neighbors.  God has blessed us with many resources!  The RWN currently still has the following needs for the seven families we are currently serving (updated February 14).

• immigration lawyers nd people willing to fill out applications under the guidance of an immigration lawyer.
• Used cars (old beaters that still run are fine)
• bicycles, bus vouchers (including for Bayrunner rides to Baltimore)
• double or queen beds with mattresses
• Volunteers to become English tutors or teach a class
• sewing machines
• Jobs! For documented and undocumented adults, limited English skills.
• apartments/homes (one family specifically needs an apartment on the north end of Hagerstown for $1,200/mo or less)
• Financial assistance – for legal process, rent, utilities, etc. (donations can be made through HARC)
• Grocery gift cards
• Furniture and household supplies are also needed, but we’re waiting to see what we already have vs. need.

For more info or to help, contact Kathy at director@harc.datachievereview.xyz or 301-842-4272, for tutoring contact Jane at office@literacyofwcmd.org, and for housing contact Basheer at bazizi@nocsmart.com