News

Rabbi Mark Perman was recently matched with a Little Brother in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ (BBBS) Community-Based Mentoring Program. Denise Binkley, member of St. Paul’s Reformed Church, was also recently matched with a Little Sister. Feeling inspired to get involved and make a difference?

Contact BBBS’ enrollment & matching coordinator, Maddy Hill, at 301.375.0939 or m.hill@bbbswcmd.org to learn more.

Dominion Ministries is a new church in the Hagerstown area. They were located in Frederick, Maryland. Having just moved, they are in need of church pews. If anyone would like to donate any pews, please contact Shirley Maynard at 227 239 3214. They would gladly come and pick them up. Thank you in advance.

by Linda Sappington

Sovereign Lord, we come before you in hope.  We hear the cries of our neighbors who are being detained by Immigration and Custom Enforcement officials.  In these instances, we don’t see people treasuring one another.  We don’t see connections of respect between people.  We are seeing brutality and violence, despair and weeping.

We have hearts and hands to place in Your service, particularly in regard to these detention activities.  We ask for Your guidance and wisdom for our actions and for the actions of elected officials.  Please use us all to stop this bullying, especially as it threatens to come to our homes via a purchased local warehouse that may become a detention center.

Open the eyes of local planners to see the true cost of this detention building and use strategy.  If dollars and cents are the only accepted measurement, raise up individuals who can monetize spiritual, environmental, social, and emotional harm so that these costs can enter into the decision makers’ equations.

Please help us to love everyone creatively:

• The individuals and families whose permission to live in the US has ended.They need alternative places to live, extended permission to live in the US, and/or changed attitudes toward their full people empowering participation in the community life of any country.
• The ICE officials who were hired by civic authorities to perform a job to the best of their ability.
• The community resource people – police, rescue workers, medical personnel whose jobs may expand to include the needs of those in the facility.
• Environmental support people – water, sewer, electric power support personnel whose responsibility to steward the land will expand in the face of facility needs.
• The people who live in the community where the detention facility resides.Their lives will be impacted by the expansion of their community.

We have lifetimes of walking with You.  We don’t want to accidentally leave You or walk ahead of You.  As you delivered the Israelites from Egypt, deliver everyone from this particular legalized horror.  Help officials find respectful alternatives to this detention policy.

In Jesus’ powerful name and invitation to speak with You, Amen.

Food Director position available at Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Ministry

Prepare retreats, summer camp, and school groups attending various programs buffet style meals. Hours fluctuate based on scheduled retreats and school groups. Email for more information: info@shepherdsspring.org

HARC is offering Candidate Forums for the 2026 election in partnership with the League of Women Voters and the Washington County Library. Share with your congregation! Forums are free and open to the public with non-partisan moderation, and all candidates will be invited.

Use this form to submit any questions you would like to be asked.

Thursday, May 7, 6-8 pm – Washington County Board of Education, primary election
Thursday, May 21, 6-8 pm – WC Board of County Commissioners, primary election
Thursday, October 1, 6-8 pm – WC Board of Education, general election
Thursday, October 15, 6-8 pm – WC Board of County Commissioners, general election
All: Washington County Free Library, Rooms 308-309
100 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown

In the last several months, the Refugee Welcome Network (RWN) has seen larger than expected expenses and nearly depleted our funds. This is largely due to newly imposed high legal fees for families, very high heating costs, and rental assistance needs. Any help replenishing funds is greatly appreciated.

RWN welcomes refugees and supports their transition into U.S. Culture as residents of Washington County, MD.  Learn more

“Thank you and your team for your kindness. You have always given us strength and you have always given us hope.” – A.D., former Afghan government worker

Amir O. tells his story:

 

HARC is offering Candidate Forums for the 2026 election in partnership with the League of Women Voters and the Washington County Library. Mark your calendars now and share with your congregation! Forums are free and open to the public with non-partisan moderation, and all candidates will be invited.

Thursday, May 7, 6-8 pm – Washington County Board of Education, primary election
Thursday, May 21, 6-8 pm – WC Board of County Commissioners, primary election
Thursday, October 1, 6-8 pm – WC Board of Education, general election
Thursday, October 15, 6-8 pm – WC Board of County Commissioners, general election
All: Washington County Free Library, Rooms 308-309
100 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown

HARC’s Lighthouse After-School Program is actively seeking Program Leaders to provide “clubs”, with a special focus on Bester Elementary’s younger students (grades K-2). Ideal programs include Games, Arts & Crafts, and anything active, but your ideas are also welcome. Program leads are paid, if desired. If interested, contact Angela Yamashita at angela@harc.datachievereview.xyz.

First Christian Church in Hagerstown is seeking to fill two part-time positions OR will combine the two roles for one full-time position. See job descriptions for full details.

Director of Children’s Ministry

Director of Youth Ministry