News

Link to the recording on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/o55zGotp6o8

In September Washington County “goes purple” to raise awareness of the opioid/addictions epidemic and foster action to support those in crisis and prevent others from this terrible disease. At our September 14 HARC meeting, we heard from:

Clarence Horst, Celebration Ministries and Celebrate Recovery

Laura Sheffield-Bishop, Social Work Supervisor, Washington County Health Department & Kelly Marquart, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Washington County Health Department

This program focused on how the faith community can support people who are in recovery or struggling with addiction. We also learned current Washington County data and some helpful tips for how to handle the challenges of those in or around our houses of worship who are struggling with addiction and homelessness.

Haven Lutheran Church in Hagerstown is offering an eight-month program of group spiritual direction. Under the leadership of Ed Poling and Rebecca Rothenhoefer, this is an opportunity for deepening prayer and personal sharing. Participants meet monthly for three-hours in small group circles to  prayerfully listen to God and to one another. The session will meet on the first Tuesday of each month from October 5 to May 3. The opening and closing sessions are a six-hour retreat format. Both leaders are trained by Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation.  For more information contact Ed Poling at elpoling1@gmail.com or 301-766-9005.

Download a brochure here.

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 apply to work on our smoke and drug free campus, go to www.jw-umc.org/employment to view the full job description and the application form.  Applications must be received by Friday, September 17, 2021.

Upcoming COVID-19 vaccination clinics to be conducted at the Christ Community Church in Williamsport on September 11(flyer) and at The Church of Christ of Latter-day Saints on Mt. Aetna Road on September 14 (flyer).  Please share as you wish.  We will also be conducting VAX clinics at the Washington County Free Library, 100 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown, on September 1 from Noon – 5pm and at the Elizabeth Hager Center, 14 North Potomac Street, Hagerstown, from 9am – 3:30pm on September 2.  Clinics are conducted on Mondays and Wednesdays throughout the month of September (excluding Labor Day) from 9am – 2:15pm at the Hagerstown Housing Authority, 13 West Lee Street, Hagerstown (drive-thru clinic) and walk-up vaccination clinics in coordination with COVID testing on Mondays at the Christ’s Reformed Church on West Franklin Street from 10am – 2pm and at the Hagerstown Fire Department/City Market Lot on Wednesdays from 10am – 2pm throughout September (excluding Labor Day).

The Hagerstown Area Religious Council (HARC) is excited to welcome three new board members in 2021:

Tania Anderson

Member, St. John’s Episcopal Church

Tania Anderson joined the HARC board in April 2021 and jumped in with both feet as co-leader of HARC’s new Racial Justice Team. “I have always been passionate about giving back to the community and having God guide my steps in that effort,” she shared. “I feel that HARC’s mission in doing that is what appeals to me the most. I look forward, as co-lead of the Racial Justice Team, to using my talents and gifts to bring about positive changes within the Washington County, Maryland community.” Tanya has her MBA and is a professional STEM and diversity advocate. Originally from New York and Baltimore, she and her family have lived in Washington County for almost nine years. Tania loves to travel, is a “foodie,” and loves learning about other cultures.

Rachel Nichols

Member, Congregation B’nai Abraham

Rachel Nichols has been an active member of Congregation B’nai Abraham since moving from the Washington, D.C., area in 1991. Her professional career has included work in development/grants, communications, and publishing, and she is eager to bring those skills to enhance HARC’s mission, especially in the area of fostering a community of equality and justice. Rachel currently serves as the Washington County Associate and Newcomer House Visitors Center Manager for the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area and works at Homewood in Williamsport as a problem solver, aka Community Receptionist. She has one son who lives in nearby Pennsylvania. She credits her “critters” for getting her through the pandemic and enjoys living in downtown Hagerstown with cats Marcel and Marceau and Mandy, the collie.

Rev. Christopher Serufusa

Pastor, St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church

Rev. Christopher Serufusa has been a pastor for 26 years in the United Methodist Church of the Baltimore/Washington Conference. He moved to Washington County three years ago with his wife, Elizabeth, and two sons, Mukisa age 16, and Mugabi age 14. Pastor Chris loves to listen to classic Christian hymns and songs. He joined the HARC board in July 2021. “I appreciate [HARC’s] mission of caring and helping the needy. My prayer is to be a bridge,” he said. “I want to close the gap of racism that separates people. We are one people in the Lord.”

HARC is grateful for the gifts and talents these three new members bring to our board of directors.  We look forward to working with them to foster the important work of our faith partners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hagerstown, MD is seeking a part-time organist (~20 hours/week). The organist works with the Pastor for Christian to lead worship from the organ/piano including accompanying choirs, soloists and congregational hymn singing and preparation of preludes and postludes. The organist will prepare for and accompany the regular weekly and any extra rehearsals for the Church Choir and other choirs, as needed, as well as additional services such as Christmas Eve, Lenten and Holy Week services and Worship Ministry concerts. Bachelor’s degree in music preferred, plus five years of serving on a church staff as organist/pianist. Salary based on education and experience. Please submit a letter of interest, resume/curriculum vitae, to Pat Kelley, St Mark’s Lutheran Church, 601 Washington Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21740 or email patakelley@aol.com. No phone calls please.

Hebron Mennonite Church is seeking applications for an administrative assistant – 9-12 hours per week (flexible scheduling).  Work tasks include weekly bulletin, church communications, and organization, intermediate office technology skills. Position requires strong attention to detail, ability to maintain confidentiality and communicate well with the congregation and the general public. For more information, contact the church office at 301-797-3697 or send an inquiry to admin@hebronhag.net.

More than half of children in Washington County Public Schools are living in poverty, and many of these children are food insecure.  We believe that no child should go hungry!  With this purpose, Micah’s Backpack serves more than 1,000 children each week of the school year through a partnership between more than 45 churches and organizations and 33 schools. The need is great, and expected to be even higher the coming school year, so we are in need of additional sponsoring churches or organizations to join the effort.  Please contact Kathy at director@harc.datachievereview.xyz or 301-842-4272 for more information.

Download a brochure

Reach is excited to be holding their 16th annual tasting event! Taste of the Town tickets are now on sale! 

Please join them and try delicious food from local restaurants. All proceeds go to Reach of Washington County’s programs.

Every ticket sold = 1 bednight in the cold weather shelter.

Get your tickets on the Taste of the Town website: www.tasteofthetownwc.com

Valor Ministries, a local non-profit organization that works with people in crisis, is launching their new online training school, ValorExcel. The self-paced courses are available online at www.thevalorcenter.org/digital-learning and are designed to help people THRIVE in both life and business. Read the full press release