News

Sunday, March 6 the faith community and the community at large came together for a public event to pray for peace and safety in Ukraine and stand in solidarity with her people. This one hour program included words of support from faith leaders of different faiths and backgrounds, prayers, song, silence, personal stories, and call to action.

Thank you to our speakers, especially Rev. Volodymyr Grinchenko, who spoke from the heart about his family, who are still living in Ukraine, and the deep impact the invasion is having on his home country. If you watch nothing else of this video, please take time to listen to his words.

Speakers included:
Rev. Elizabeth Jackson, HARC President, Pastor of Otterbein United Methodist Church
Rabbi Mark Perman, Congregation B’Nai Abraham
Father Dennis Buck, St. Catherine Eastern Orthodox Church
Paula Myers, Baha’i
Rhoda Keener, Hebron Mennonite Church
Rev. Les McIntosh, Impact Ministries
Rev. Ed Poling, Church of the Brethren
Rev. Volodymyr Grinchenko, Clinical Chaplain for Hospice of Washington County
Rev. Valerie Wills, Unitarian Universalist, Interfaith Coordinator

Regrets came from Imam Momin Shahzad, who planned to be there but was unable to make it.

The vigil was organized by the Hagerstown Area Religious Council (HARC) and Congregation B’Nai Abraham.

Watch a video of the vigil

Read the Herald-Mail article

Ways to donate to the cause (document attached)

The Maryland Department of Health is seeking host sites for vaccine clinics in both the 21740 and 21742 zip codes, which have a large number of unvaccinated residents.  They are scheduling first doses as soon as possible and twenty days thereafter for the second dose, at no cost.  If interested in hosting a clinic, please fill out the online mobile request form then contact Katina Rojas Nazario-Joy as soon as you have submitted the request at 410-598-0985 or Katina.nazario-joy@maryland.gov.

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.  Contact the church office at admin@hebronhag.net or call Bob Keener at 717-658-8765.  

Salem Reformed Church recently purchased new pew Bibles for their sanctuary and would like to donate their old set (approx 150 Bibles – RSV) to any churches in the area that could use them. They do have something to the effect of “given to Salem Reformed Church” written in the inside. They have general wear on them from being 30-35 years old. If interested, please contact J.D. at 240-313-5516.

St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hagerstown, MD is seeking a part-time Organist/Music Director/20 hours/week). This person works with the Pastor to choose music appropriate for each Sunday worship, including accompanying choirs, soloists and congregational hymn singing and preparation of preludes and postludes. This person 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/music director. 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.

A local family wishes to donate a beautiful organ that still plays wonderfully to a small church or newly started church that will use the organ.

You can contact a family representative at Leigh1268ann@aol.com  or my cell # 240-382-0291