This is your weekly HARC e-newsletter, with news on faith community events and other useful information. Please forward it on to anyone else who might be interested. If you would like to get something into the News Flash, please email harcnewsflash@gmail.com by Tuesday at 10 am each week. For a full list of upcoming faith community events, visit http://harccoalition.org/events/. . FAQ sheet for submitting news for this newsletter.
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We stumble forward
What will be the road ahead today?
Holy Oneness, Your voice speaks in innumerable ways.
May we listen for it….. listening also to your presence which surrounds us..
Amen
Courtesy of Reverend Valerie T. Wills
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A weekly listing of upcoming events and commemorations from religions around the world by the Interfaith Coalition. Calendar for May 12 to 18.
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For Gen Z, Religious Pluralism Will Require Bridging the Religious-Secular Divide |
By Daniel Cox
Aspen Institute
"But despite feelings of disappointment that many young people feel about traditional religious practice, research shows again and again that involvement in a religious community boosts our personal wellbeing, civic engagement, and sociability. The good news is that even Americans who reject organized religion still express interest in spiritual pursuits, seeking social connectedness and participating in groups or activities that serve a common purpose." Read more.
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The Pure Land Is in the West |
By Jean-Paul Contreras deGuzman
Lion's Roar
"A few months before the United States entered the twentieth century, two Japanese Pure Land priests, Rev. Dr. Shuye Sonoda and Rev. Kakuryo Nishijima, set foot on American soil. They were responding to an impassioned plea by a lay collective of devout young followers of Jodo Shinshu (Shin) Buddhism, the largest branch of Pure Land Buddhism in Japan and the U.S. These young Buddhists had asked the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha organization in Japan to dispatch priests to America to minister to their spiritual needs." Read more.
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Walking 2 Wellness - TODAY! And every Wednesday |
Wednesdays, 12:00 pm
Fairgrounds Park "Pavilion A"
351 N. Cleveland Avenue, Hagerstown
Be part of the Walking to Wellness community….Meet new people, connect with longtime friends and develop a regular exercise regime that is good for you. Walking to Wellness will be held every Wednesday at noon at the Fairgrounds. Kathy Powderly will be leading today's walk on behalf of HARC. Flyer.
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Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 5:30 pm
Saint John's Episcopal Church
101 S. Prospect, Hagerstown
Saint John's Episcopal Church holds an Evening Prayer service at 5:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Enter through the open door in the breezeway. Everyone welcome.
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Summer VBS & Children's Activities Wanted! |
HARC is once again working with area congregations and children's organizations to compile VBS & Family Summer Activity Calendars. We want to include your program(s)! Please send information to Charlotte at harcnewsflash@gmail.com as soon as possible, especially if you're offering something in June. We plan to make the June calendar available next week, and will allow more time for July & August calendars. Here's the June 2021 calendar for an example of the format and what to include.
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John Wesley United Methodist Church, 129 N. Potomac Street, 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.
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Community Book Warehouse reopens, needs volunteers |
The Community Book Warehouse has new and gently used books for children ages birth – 8. Individuals may take up to five (5) books each month, and agencies/organizations working with vulnerable children and families may take as many books as needed to serve those families. Books are also available to refill Little Free Libraries. The CBW relies on volunteers in order to keep it open. It will be reopening in June and will expand hours of operation based on volunteer availability and community need. We would like to open one Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday each month. If you can help, please fill out a volunteer form and return to Terri at gwizzy2000@gmail.com or call the HARC office at 301-842-4272. Also spread the word in the community to families or organizations that may need books for their children. Volunteer form CBW flyer
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HARC Hike for Hunger & Hope - June 4; early bird deadline this Friday! |
Early bird discount deadline - May 13
Main Hike: Saturday, June 4
4K, 10K, half marathon hikes on C&O Towpath
Challenge Hike: Saturday, June 11
20-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail
This is HARC's largest FUNdraiser of the year, and an opportunity to get out and enjoy the beautiful outdoors, fellowship and fun, while raising funds for HARC and Micah's Backpack. Please consider participating, sponsoring, and/or sharing information in your congregation and circles. More info here
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Saturday, May 14, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Otterbein United Methodist Church
108 E. Franklin Street, Hagerstown
Kids' Closet. Lots of gently used and some new clothes for infants to teens. Most sell for 25 cents each. No limit on these clothes! New diapers, wipes, underwear, and socks at reduced rates. Please come and bring friends to Otterbein United Methodist Church on the corner of Franklin and Locust Streets in downtown Hagerstown. Flyer.
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Flagship Trivia Event - May 15 |
Sunday, May 15, 3:00 pm
Otterbein United Methodist Church
108 E. Franklin Street, Hagerstown
Join Otterbein UMC for an afternoon of TRIVIA. A benefit for Otterbein UMC’s Mission Trip to Panajachel, Guatemala. A Silent auction will also be held during the event. Items include a Guatemalan coffee basket, a handmade Guatemalan scarf, autographed items and more! $20 per person. $100 for teams of 6. Hosted by Flagship Trivia. Questions? Please contact office@otterumc.org. Guatemala Trivia Event Flyer
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Tuesday, May 17, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (note change in time)
Otterbein United Methodist Church parking lot
108 E. Franklin Street, Hagerstown
This is a one-time, food “drop” for the neighborhood. Please remain in your car if you drive in and a volunteer will come to you. You will receive a box of food when you arrive and sign in and be sent home, one box per family unit. Walk-ups allowed as long as social distancing is followed. Masks are recommended, highly suggested. Volunteers will be wearing masks and gloves. Follow direction of the volunteers. Recommended especially for low income (Example: Family of 4 with income less than $40,793) For more Info call Maryland Food Bank, 301-733-4002 OR Otterbein UMC, 301-739-9386
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Wednesday, May 18, 2:30 - 4:30 pm
St. Mark's Lutheran Church Parking Lot
601 Washington Avenue, Hagerstown
The Hagerstown Lions Club will hold a Pop-Up-Pantry on the parking lot at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Wednesday, May 18, 2:30 - 4:30 pm, or until all are distributed. These are drive-through events open to the public. Lions will be distributing 20 lb cartons of fresh fruit/vegetables to each vehicle as they come through.
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Shepherd's Spring Volunteer Workday - May 21 |
Saturday, May 21, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Shepherd's Spring Camp & Retreat Center
16869 Taylors Landing Road, Sharpsburg, MD
Shepherd's Spring is having a Volunteer Workday! Their 220-acre facility needs some spiffing up to do before the summer. All skill levels welcome. They have a variety of project needs including mulch around trees, clean up campground, repair fire circle benches, scrape & paint water tanks, clean up flower beds, garden prep/planting, and/or tile repair in Pool House. They could really use your help! Email Larry with questions: lcoren@shepherdsspring.org Flyer.
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We hope this News Flash is helpful to you. Please contact us if you know someone we should add to the email list or if you would like to be removed.
Blessings!
Kathy Powderly
Executive Director
David Brechbiel
News Flash Editor
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P.O. Box 1158
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 842 4272
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