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NEWS FLASH

November 15, 2023



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Blessings to you,

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.

Interfaith Prayer


Spirit of Life, the flooding streams and the dark rivers are with us always,

Stay by our side as we step through them.

May we listen with compassion, stand together as we face forward

…and hold each other in our hearts in days of both sorrow and joy. Amen.


Rev. Valerie Wills, Unitarian Universalist Minister

Regugee Welcome Network plans for growth

Over the past year, the Refugee Welcome Network (RWN) has worked with 12 families and individuals, most of whom are from Afghanistan – our allies who fled for their lives when the Taliban took over. New families continue to seek the RWN’s help, our funding supply is low, and some of our volunteers were feeling overwhelmed. It was time to regroup and plan for growth and the sustainability of this important work, so the team held a full-day planning retreat on November 7 to plan for future growth and sustainability. Read more

Want to fix America’s woes? Start by getting to know your neighbors, researcher says

By Bob Smietana

Religion News Service


"Author and researcher Seth Kaplan has some advice for Americans on how to address the country’s most vexing problems. Get to know your neighbors. Then get to work making the community you live in better for everyone. “Stop thinking that the best use of your time is to advocate for something in politics, or advocate for something far away,” said Kaplan, author of a new book, “Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society, One ZIP Code at a Time,” in a recent interview. “Look for something close to home that you can do. You have to think of real people and real places and how you contribute to them.”" Read more.

Adopt ENVY Basketball Teams and Game Schedule

ENVY (Ending Needless Violence with our Youth) is asking that religious entities/groups adopt teams for their new Basketball League. By adopting a team, your entity is promising that you will have volunteers at each game your team plays to serve as hall monitors and to do some sort of activity/craft with the younger siblings to allow parents to focus attention on those older youth who are playing. Contact Danielle Staley of the Hagerstown Police Department if you are willing to help with this important program: (Office) 301-791-2638 (ext 251), (Cell) 240-500-4765. Game Schedule.

HARC Interfaith Thanksgiving Service - THIS Sunday, November 19

Sunday, November 19, 3:00 pm

Trinity Lutheran Church

15 Randolph Avenue (at Potomac St.), Hagerstown


Please join us for this unique and uplifting interfaith service. We invite all members of the community to come together in giving thanks! You are invited to stay for a reception following the service. Faith Leaders: Please arrive at 2:30 pm dressed in your traditional liturgical attire, if applicable, to prepare for the service. Community Choir: Anyone who would like to participate in a community choir for this service, please arrive at 2:00 for a rehearsal prior to the service. Community Choir Music PDF. A free will offering will be taken of shelf-stable food for Trinity's food pantry, or monetary donations (checks made payable to HARC) will go to the Islamic Center of Hagerstown's food pantry. Please publicize in your congregation/bulletins/newsletters! Flyer (updated!) Bulletin inserts (updated!)

Self-Care Solace: Nurturing Wellness and Combating Loneliness - November 16

Thursday, November 16, 2:30 - 3:30 pm

Washington County Commission on Aging

535 E. Franklin Street, Hagerstown


This FREE community program is co-sponsored by Brook Lane and the Washington County Commission on Aging. Learn practical self-care techniques to help enhance your overall well-being, including combating feelings of loneliness. It is critical to remember self-care, especially if you are dedicating much of your time to caring for someone else. Many people tend to isolate themselves, more so when stressed or feeling overwhelmed. Developing a social network and making time to connect with others is a path toward renewal. Join Michael Gipson, LMSW, as he shares valuable information on how to be more aware of your own needs and actions you can take to improve your well-being. Website. Info: 301-733-0331 x1228; Email: curt.miller@brooklane.org

Invitation to Join Men of Unity - November 16

Thursday, November 16, 6:00 pm

St. Mark's Fellowship Center

18313 Lappans Road, Boonsboro MD


Unity of Hagerstown's Monthly Men's Group is a newly formed group of men who attend Unity of Hagerstown. However, all men are welcome. Join them for this casual and relaxed monthly gathering. They enjoy drum circle and meditation practice for the purpose of building community, sharing ideas, and having fun! 3rd Thursday every month, at 6:00 pm. For information call Rev. Sandy, 240-409-5940 or send email to: UnityHagerstown@gmail.com 

Turkey Give Away - November 17

Friday, November 17, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (or until supply last)

Soul Haven

121 E. Antietam Street, Hagerstown


OCA and Soul Haven's 250 Turkey Give Away. One per household. FIrst Come, First Serve. Info: (301) 790-5054. Flyer.

Dinner and a Movie Night - November 17

Friday, November 17, 5:30 pm

Unity Church, St. Mark's Fellowship Center

18313 Lappans Road, Boonsboro MD


Enjoy a home-cooked vegetarian meal (with good company!) followed by the movie Gratitude Revealed from acclaimed filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg, the director of the cult hit Fantastic FungiGratitude Revealed takes us on a transformational cinematic experience of how to live a more meaningful life full of gratitude through intimate conversations with everyday people, thought leaders, and personalities – revealing how gratitude is a proven pathway back from the disconnection from ourselves, our planet, and each other. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: Call Rev. Sandy, 240-409-5940 or send email to: UnityHagerstown@gmail.com. Suggested donation-$20

2023 Potter's Bowl - November 19

Sunday, November 19, 5:00 - 8:00 pm

The Elks Club

11063 Robinwood Drive Hagerstown


Be part of this Unique Experience! MC for the Evening-Tom Riford. Benefiting the Community Free Clinic. $50 Per Ticket. Choose (and keep) your own Hand Crafted Artisan Soup Bowl Assorted Soups, Breads, Vegetable's. Assorted Fruit, Desserts, and Drinks. Raffles, Live Auction. Cash Bar Available. For Tickets & Information Call Community Free Clinic (301) 733-9234 or EventBrite. More info@mycommunityfreeclinlc.org / Flyer.

"Thanksgiving: A Special Community Service" Invitation - November 19

Sunday, November 19, 6:00 pm

Mount Moriah Baptist Church

19436 Garretts Mill Road, Knoxville, MD


Mount Moriah Baptist Church, Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, and Fellowship Baptist Church invite you to "Thanksgiving: A special community service" featuring the Tree of Life Singers. Everyone is invited to the Fellowship Hall immediately after service for fellowship and refreshments. Information: Call Pastor Christopher Jackson, 240-397-9681. Flyer.

Community Thanksgiving Meal - November 24

Friday, November 24, 6:30 pm

Emmanuel United Methodist Church

802 Summit Avenue, Hagerstown


The community is invited to a Thanksgiving meal. All are welcome! Contact the church for more information: (301) 733-4720

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
P.O. Box 1158
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 842 4272
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