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 a.m. 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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A Contemporary Christian Prayer (Author Niko Kazantzakis)
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Open Your doors to us, O Lord.
The day goes down; the sun falls, the sun disappears.
Eternal, we come to your doors.
We implore You: Pardon us. We implore You:
Have mercy upon us. Save us
Thank you to the Reverend Valerie Wills, Interfaith Coalition, for providing this prayer.
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Community collects 13,300 books for children's literacy
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From August 1 – September 9, 2021, a total of 48 houses of worship, businesses, and organizations throughout Washington County, Maryland collected or donated 13,300 children’s books for the ninth annual Community Book Drive. 22 of these were houses of worship. The books were sorted, stickered with reading tips, counted and boxed on the United Way's Day of Caring, September 16 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Learn more.
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"7 Influential Latinas Who Have Made Huge Contributions to Society"
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By Gabriella Canal
GlobalCitizen.org
" To be Latina is to be relentless; to be underestimated; to be proud and poderosa. Every year since 1968, Americans have observed National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of Latinos from all over. This Hispanic Heritage Month, Global Citizen is celebrating some of the most influential Latinas of our time — from civil rights activists to astronauts to journalists. Some have inspired corridos (ballads) and murals, others rally cries, and still others entire movements." Learn more.
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Legacy Award for Black Excellence - Application Now Open
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The application for the Legacy Award for Black Excellence is now open and accepting applications through October 31st, 2021. This award is intended to support educational costs & programming for African American, Washington County residents, who demonstrate leadership qualities. Click here for a link to the application.
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Literacy Council seeks students!
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The Literacy Council is looking for students!! If you know someone who would like some help with reading, writing, or speaking English, or math help (up to, and including, GED prep), please contact the Council at 301-739-4208 or office@literacyofwcmd.org. They can help. Their services are free of charge. Flyer.
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Meals wanted for Potomac Towers residents
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The Hagerstown Housing Authority is looking for help from 3 ministries/groups to provide meals for vulnerable residents of Potomac Towers once per month. Currently 7 churches/ministries serve monthly meals and two more help periodically. The gaps we hope to fill are the 2nd and 3rd Thursday and the 2nd Tuesday of every month. 40 meals are needed - grab-and-go bagged lunches are requested due to COVID and Community Room renovations. Once renovations are completed, groups can choose to serve the residents on site or to continue with dropping off bagged lunches, depending on comfort level. Meals can be dropped off 11-11:30 on your day. For more info, contact Deena at Dholder@hagerstownha.com or 301-733-6911 x 163
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Choirs sought for Community Christmas event
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Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation at 1253 Mount Aetna Road, Hagerstown have envisioned hosting a Community Christmas. They would use their building site by having a live Nativity on the front of the church lawn, a Creche display inside their very large gymnasium, and hot chocolate served while choirs from the local community sing Christmas songs outside. They are reaching out to local churches to see if any choirs are interested in donating their time. The dates are December 11th and 12th from 6-9 pm. Six to eight choirs are needed each night to perform for 10-20 minutes. If your choir would be interested, please contact with Michele Reichard at Micheleleereichard@gmail.com or 301-343-2444.
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Do you have meeting space for Justice & Recovery Advocates to meet?
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The organization Justice & Recovery Advocates, Inc., a non-profit that is part of the part of the Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC) community, would like to use a room in a house of worship for a weekly meeting. A downtown Hagerstown or other location easily accessed by public transportation is desirable. For more information, please contact Carrie Beck, Executive & Program Assistant for Justice & Recovery Advocates, Inc. at clbeck.jra@gmail.com or 301-992-2129.
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Blessing of the animals - September 25
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Saturday, September 25, 10 am - noon
St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church parking lot
next to Girls Inc., 626 Washington Avenue, Hagerstown
The Feast of Saint Francis is observed by Christians around the world every year on or about October 4 to commemorate the life of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. St. Mark’s will celebrate this Feast with a special service. Please bring your pets under restraint or in a pet carrier for a special blessing.
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Pet blessing - September 26
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Sunday, September 26, 11 am
Zion Reformed United Church of Christ parking lot
201 North Potomac Street, Hagerstown
Come join the congregation of Zion UCC as they bless all of their 2- and 4-legged animal friends, even the ones that swim and crawl. Flyer.
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Sunday, September 26, 3 - 5 pm
St Mark's Episcopal Church Parking Lot,
18313 Lappans Road, Boonsboro
The Interfaith Coalition invites all to join a tailgate party and friendly competition, letting your creativity shine! Plans include the competion, music and reflection. Food will be available for purchase. This event is free. Love offerings happily accepted. For more info contact Paula Myers 301-471-0590, paulamm999@gmail.com. Flyer.
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Sacred Listening Circles begin October 5
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Haven Lutheran Church, 1035 Haven Road, 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 download the brochure and contact Ed Poling at elpoling1@gmail.com or 301-766-9005. Brochure.
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FREE COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic - October 2
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Saturday, October 2, 10 am - 2 pm
Lowe's Emergency Preparedness Event
1500 Wesel Boulevard, Hagerstown
1st dose Pfizer and Moderna and single dose J&J are offered, Second doses of the Pfizer and Moderna will be scheduled. Walk-ins are welcome or you can schedule your appointment for 1st and second doses by clicking here or call 240-313-3456.
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Woman2Woman fellowship event - October 2
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Saturday, October 2, 9 am - 3 pm (doors open/continental breakfast at 8:30)
13153 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown
Tri-State Fellowship is excited to host a Tri-State regional women’s outreach event open to ALL women, ALL denominations and ALL churches. The conference is called Woman2Woman and focuses on women mentoring, building relationships and leaving a legacy. Bring a friend and even help advertise it to other friends and churches. It is going to be a very special day for women coming together from all churches in our community. It is also very affordable ($10 Early Bird registration, $15 after September 18)! Register. More information. Video.
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Believers Unity Walk - October 2
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Saturday, October2, 9:15 am
Wheaton Park
449 Sumans Avenue, Hagerstown
All are invited to walk, sing, set up displays at this community event. More information is available from Troy Gandy, 301-800-1790. Flyer.
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Tickets still available for "Breaking the cycle" - October 7
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Thursday, October 7, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
The Maryland Theater
27 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown
Rescheduled from 4/19/20 and 4/1/21. All past tickets honored. Individual tickets $39, group rates are available when registering 10 or more individuals. Contact Samantha Barrett at 240-513-6370 or sbarrett@sanmarhope.org. See Flyer for information on speakers .
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Onward - Free outdoor movie night - October 9
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Saturday, October 9, 8 pm (concessions open at 7 pm)
Zion Reformed United Church of Christ
201 North Potomac Street, Hagerstown
A family-friendly event with FREE refreshments. Bring your lawn chair or blanket. Enjoy Onward, a Disney/Pixar production. Flyer.
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COVID vaccine clinic - October 12
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Tuesday, October 12, 9 am - 3 - pm and 4:30 - 7 pm
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
1253 Mount Aetna Road, Hagerstown
Second shots of Pfizer and Moderna and 1st shots of J&J are offered. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can call 240-313-3456 for an appointment.
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End COVID - It starts with YOU! Tuesdays thru October 19
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Every Tuesday from September 21 - October 19, 9 am - 12 pm
Otterbein United Methodist Church
108 East Franklin Street, Hagerstown
Otterbein UMC is partnering with other Washington County businesses and organizations to offer FREE COVID-19 vaccines to all community members to help END COVID. Get your shot and do your part to end COVID now! Vaccines are free of charge and walk-in appointments are welcome! Flyer.
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Mummer's Parade tickets on sale
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Zion Reformed UCC, 201 North Potomac Street, Hagerstown will be selling tickets for the Mummers Parade starting October 1st. Prices are $6.00 for sidewalk seating and 5.00 for upper seating. Their food concession will be open.
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Vaccination Clinics and COVID testing available for all!
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Walk-in COVID-19 testing and J&J vaccination clinics:
Mondays 10 am - 2 pm in City Park (behind the softball fields), 501 Virginia Ave., Hagerstown.
Wednesdays 10 am - 2 pm, Hagerstown Fire Dept., 25 Church St., Hagerstown
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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
Hagerstown Area Religious Council
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P.O. Box 1158
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 842 4272
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