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Hagerstown Area Religious Council

The Hagerstown Area Religious Council (HARC) is a coalition of churches and houses of faith in the Hagerstown area of Washington County.

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Inter-Church Ministry Opportunity!

When we do God’s work, we are never alone! Many of us are working hard to meet the significant need in the communities of Washington County, and First Christian Church in Hagerstown invites you to partner with us in that sacred work. We are currently expanding two of our ministries: Good Roots, which provides furniture so “no child sleeps or eats on the floor,” and our Diaper Ministry, which currently provides diapers for 60 children each month. To grow these ministries, we welcome all forms of support. Do you have time to sort diapers? A spare room in the church to store furniture? A vehicle to transport bulky items?

If you or your congregation would like to get involved, please contact Rev. Victoria Wick at victoria@fcchagerstown.org.
http://www.fcchagerstown.com/
https://www.facebook.com/fcchagerstown

St. John’s Blessings Box

The unlocked lockers above are the new Blessings Box on Saint John’s Episcopal Church porch, located at 101 South Prospect Street. It is a “give what you can for those who have a need” blessings box. These lockers are a continuation of serving the community but on a self-serve model.

A list of suggested food, toiletries, paper products, and cleaning supplies will be posted on the boxes. What you can spare will be a gift to another. There are no guarantees of what will be in these lockers, but with each change in season the box might have more school supplies in the late summer and perhaps gloves before the winter. In the middle of winter, we may see more paper products and non-freezing toiletries. The ideas are endless.
Saint John’s gives to Micah’s Backpack; we give to Families Helping Families; we give to Bester Elementary School. These are gifts to our community. Today, there is one more opportunity to reach out and share the gifts God has given.

Many thanks to Saint John’s Senior Warden for making a dream come true by spiffing up the lockers donated by Kelly Moore Sheds and Marketplace. For more information contact deacon.stjohns@myactv.net

NLMCC Online Auction Fundraiser

New Light Metropolitan Church, 40 West Church Street, Hagerstown, is holding Facebook online auctions of Pride items beginning February 21 thru March 6. This is a fundraiser to support the church needs. Details are with each item. All items must be picked up at the church. For more information, click here for their Facebook page.

Church Office Administrator Needed

Do you have a passion for people and digital communications along with organizational and bookkeeping skills? Otterbein United Methodist Church, 108 East Franklin Street, Hagerstown, MD is searching for a Church Office Administrator. A typical day includes multiple tasks such as welcoming callers/guests, coordinating maintenance, updating the church website, creating vibrant Facebook postings, recording financial transactions and preparing monthly reports. For more information, click here.

HARC Hike raises $14,500 for HARC & Micah’s Backpack

Saturday, June 8 was a gorgeous day, partly sunny and a pleasant in the mid-70’s for a perfect day at the C&O Canal towpath and Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Retreat Center.  The historic tree-lined path provided cool cover as well as amazing river views and diverse nature.  Shepherd’s Spring provided a serene setting for check-in and our picnic at a pavilion nested in the woods.

“Who ordered up the perfect weather?” asked several volunteers and participants. “That was a blessing from God” we replied.  The whole day felt like a blessing as participants showed up in good numbers (140 people), everyone was in good humor, many volunteers set up food, checked people in, and provided transportation and hospitality.  And approximately $14,500 was raised in the process for HARC and Micah’s Backpack, with about $6,000 going directly to purchase food for Micah’s Backpack.

After a lovely day walking on the towpath, participants enjoyed a picnic lunch with music at the celebration pavilion. Photos taken during the event were displayed on a TV screen while hikers/runners enjoyed fellowship and a meal.

While most people walked the 4K, 10K or half marathon distances, there were several runners who enjoyed the chance to stretch their legs on a great section of the towpath.  “The hospitality stations were perfectly timed” said Chelsey Martin, who ran the half marathon.  “I drank a bunch of Gatorade at Dam Number 4.  And the fruit was great.”

There are many people and organizations to thank for making this event happen:

  • The HARC Hike planning team and “boots on the ground” coordinating:  Rev. Ed Poling, Bill Pike, Carla Charles, Beth Johnston, Butch Eigenbrode, Ed Maloy, Kyle Powderly, and Kathy Powderly.
  • George Rae for managing the HARC Hike Facebook page and taking pictures before and during the event.
  • Radio communications and sweepers provided by Antietam Radio Association (ARA)
  • Hospitality teams from:  Hebron Mennonite Church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and Church of the Holy Trinity UCC.
  • Transportation provided by:  Christ’s Reformed Church (Art Burgan), Celebration Ministries (driven by Joe Craig), Hagerstown Church of the Nazarene (Allen Yoder), St. John’s Episcopal Church (Bob Rauth), and Sword Charter Service.
  • Registration, lunch/celebration, handlers, “aid” walkers, and parking volunteers:  Charlotte Trout, Loyal Vanderveer, Frank Ducey, Missy Dehaven, Shelby Dehaven, Mike & Carol Brashears, and Noel & Shari Williams.
  • Numerous congregations that promoted the hike, Lou Scally and WJEJ, and WDVM
  • If we missed anyone, we are sorry and we are grateful for your help!!

Immense gratitude goes out to our sponsors:

Platinum
Holcim and JLG

Gold
Ewing Oil, Harman Funeral Home, Rotary Club of Hagerstown, and Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown

Silver
Antietam Radio Association, Brethren Mutual Insurance Company, Giant/Martin’s, Hub Labels, MS Johnston Company, St. Andrews UMC, and Trinity Lutheran Church

Bronze
Allegany Dental Care, Bitner-Henry Insurance Agency Group, Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Retreat Center, and Washington County Hunger Group

4K hikers at the start (Dam Number 4)
10K hikers at the start (McMahon’s Mill)
Half marathon hikers at the start (Potomac Fish & Game Club)
St. Mark’s Episcopal hospitality stop at Dam Number 4

Save the Date!

November 22 at 4:00 pm. Join us for this uplifting service featuring Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Baha’i, and Buddhist traditions.

Details