News

A Baha’i Faith Journey
Remarks by Paula Myers
HARC Meeting May 10, 2022

“The Baha’i Faith came to me while reading The Thief in the Night by WM SEARS. It explains the connection of The Bible’s scriptures and the BF writings as God sends another messenger. In the middle of reading that book, I knew I was a Baha’i. Years later, I had the privilege of meeting Wm Sears.

I felt the unity of all, was in my heart. Prejudice was not in my vocabulary. I understood how important it was. A few years later a Bahai friend lent me 2 books. I read those books over and over.

When I asked her where to sign the card, she needed to find out. how I was to declare. This was 1976… I was one of the first few Baha’is in Westminster MD.

The fact that we have no clergy and that women and men are equal, and women are very important, that struck a chord. We are to live the life, and teach the faith in our actions.
When it comes up, we tell our friends and acquaintances about the Faith.”

Read all of her remarks here….

PDF version of her presentation.

Broadfording Christian Academy is looking for individuals and families to join our host family program. Since 2010, this ministry has welcomed international students, grades 6-12, from over 20 countries around the world. A host family is someone willing to share their food, family, and faith with an international student. Hosting options range from school year, semester, summer, or respite. Monthly stipend available. Application, home visit, and background check required for placement. Submit inquiries by email: internationaldepartment@broadfording.com or by phone: 301-797-8886. Let’s reach the world together!

First Christisn Church located in Boonsboro is seeking an interim pastor starting for approximately 6 months and could lead into a permanent part-time position.  The responsibilities include preaching, pastoral care, and assisting the congregation.   First Christian Church  is open to clergy from denominations not affiliated with the Disciples of Christ for the interim position. If interested, contact Richard Riddle, Chairperson at  410-227-7374 or call Tammy Walker, Church Secretary at 240-625-1886.

Saint John’s Episcopal Church, 101 S. Prospect, holds an Evening Prayer service at 5:30 pm on Monday Tuesday, and Thursday.  Enter through the open door in the breezeway.  Everyone welcome.

John Wesley United Methodist Church, 129 N. Potomac St., Hagerstown. MD is seeking a part-time Custodian/Caretaker to clean and handle basic repairs for all public-facing areas of the church. Working parts of Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays, and Sundays, the custodian/caretaker, working in coordination with church staff and volunteers, will open and close the building for scheduled and special activities. Applicants must have relevant experiences and references, and work well with people. To view the full job description and apply to work on our smoke and drug free campus, go to www.jw-umc.org/employment.

Hebron Mennonite Church located in Hagerstown is seeking an interim pastor for approximately 1 year. Position is 60-75% FTE and includes preaching, pastoral care, and assisting the congregation in processing next steps.  Sunday pulpit supply is also wanted while the church is in the search process.  Hebron is open to clergy from denominations not affiliated with the Mennonite Church USA for both pulpit supply and the interim position.  Contact the church office at admin@hebronhag.net or call Bob Keener at 717-658-8765.

St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hagerstown, MD is currently seeking a part time keyboard player who possesses a passion for contemporary / traditional church music. Potential candidate will work cohesively and collaboratively with the praise team vocalists to lead and create an uplifting worship for Sunday worship, including accompanying Praise Team soloists and congregational  hymn singing and preparation of preludes and postludes.  He or she will have the ability to lead and teach songs during rehearsals and accompany during services that occur on a bi-weekly schedule, as well as additional services such as Christmas Eve, Lenten and Holy Week services.  Salary based on education and experience.  Please send letter of interest, resume / curriculum vitae to Pat Kelley, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 601 Washington Ave., Hagerstown, MD, 21740 or email patakelley@aol.com. No phone calls please

With the final worship service of Church of the Holy Trinity, UCC scheduled for Sunday, April 24, and the dissolution of CHT, UCC being June 30, 2022, they have been sorting through and coming up with some items needing a new home including:

• Paraments, Altar Cloths:  white, green, red, purple, blueA
• Candle Lighters
• Altar Candles (oil) and Advent Candles (oil) (1” diameter)
• Royal Blue Choir Robes with Blue and White Stoles
• File Cabinet of Choral Music
• Four-tray Aluminum Communion Set
• Boehm Nativity Set:  “Spirit of Bethlehem”, 16 all-porcelain pieces, with the boxes, and a lighted stable.  Price negotiable.

This is just a short list of what’s been identified so far.  Between April 24 and June 30, they will be going through the remaining items more thoroughly.

Please get in touch with Consistory President Barb Ware if your church is interested in any of the above.  She can be reached at barbware44@myactv.net or 301-331-2605.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Lappans, debuts ‘St. Mark’s Blessings Food & Clothes Closet’ on Friday, April 22. Hours of operation will be Fridays and Saturdays, 1-4 PM inside our Parish Hall.  Items will be available by donations.  As clientele increases, hours will be on a daily basis.

St. Mark’s also offers Blessings Boxes, installed several years ago to include canned, boxed, and dry goods, as well as cleaning and toiletry supplies which are supplied by the parish.  They originally closed over the winter months due to freezing weather but now remain open 24/7/365.  They are found on the front porch of our Parish Hall.  No vouchers are needed for proof of need.

St. Mark’s is located on the right at 18313 Lappans Road (considered Boonsboro), just a quarter mile east off of Sharpsburg Pike