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 [email protected] 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 20 Second Prayer During Handwashing |
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As I take up my hands
to wash them and
reassure my heart,
I pray for healing and wholeness
for the whole world.
I remember that every life
is unique and of infinite value:
from those living
on the most remote part of the globe
to those in our cities
to our neighbors and family members.
Let me use my hands for good
to help bring love
and compassion to others.
“Let us lift up
our hearts and hands
to the Eternal.” (Lam 3:41)
Rabbi Joseph Meszler
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Only Genuine Compassion Will Do |
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By The Dalai Lama
Lion's Roar
"Before we can generate compassion and love, it is important to have a clear understanding of what we understand compassion and love to be. In simple terms, compassion and love can be defined as positive thoughts and feelings that give rise to such essential things in life as hope, courage, determination, and inner strength. In the Buddhist tradition, compassion and love are seen as two aspects of the same thing: Compassion is the wish for another being to be free from suffering; love is wanting them to have happiness." Read more.
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HARC Community Thanksgiving Service to be broadcast November 22 |
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The annual HARC Thanksgiving service will be a pre-recorded event originating from Saint John's Episcopal Church. The service can be viewed at 5 pm on Sunday, November 22, and the link to the service is
https://vimeo.com/479032634/6a934216d5. This link is LIVE now, so anyone clicking on it can immediately view it. St. John's is set to drop the video of the service on their Facebook page at 5 p.m., Nov. 22. You can view the service at that time; or you can copy and paste the vimeo link into your own Facebook and/or website so people can view it on websites they may already be familiar with.
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November Brunch & Learn - Register TODAY |
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Thursday, November 19, 8:30 - 10 am
Meritus Medical Center
via ZOOM
Matthew Wagner, MD will speak on the topic Emotional and Psychiatric Trauma during COVID-19. Meritus Medical Center’s Spiritual Care Department hosts monthly educational sessions for faith leaders, health care providers and members of the wider community. During this COVID-19 era, the sessions have transitioned to a strictly virtual meeting, which will be held on the third Thursday of the month, from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. Topics, and speakers will vary, suggestions are welcome. There is no cost for the meeting; however, an RSVP is required in order to receive the ZOOM meeting code and password. RSVP to 301-790-8296 or [email protected] by 3 pm today, November 18 to receive your meeting code and password.
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Increased visitor restrictions in effect at Meritus Medical Center |
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Meritus Health Visitor Policy for COVID-19: Updated Nov. 12, 2020
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses several changes to liberalized family presence, including potential spread to patients and staff by those with asymptomatic or mild infection and increased use of personal protective equipment (PPE), which is in limited supply. Consistent with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Meritus Health is instituting an Enhanced Patient Safety Policy regarding visitation by family and friends to all its properties. All Adult Inpatients
No visitors are allowed unless there is the following exception:
One visitor is allowed:
· For patients with a disability who require bedside care from a caregiver due to the specifics of their disability.
· For patients undergoing emergency surgery related to a traumatic event.
· If the patient’s care team requests the visitor to be a part of scheduled family training for patients with rehabilitation or for help with cognitive needs.
· For discharge education for patient when in-person bedside education is required.
· End-of-life care: Two visitors are allowed at a time. Other family members will have to remain outside the facility to rotate in special circumstances.
At the request of a patient/family for a visit from a clergy of any religious affiliation, the clergy can offer prayer via phone, zoom or outside the patient’s room. Meritus can provide this service. Please contact Spiritual Care. 301-790-8479
This decision aligns us with other hospitals in Maryland and is consistent with approaches taken by other leading health care institutions nationwide. This serves to both better protect the community and as well the health of our providers and staff.
Remember to Wear a mask, Wash your hands frequently, and Maintain social distancing.
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Trinity Lutheran Evangelical Church, Boonsboro to welcome new pastor. |
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Trinity Evangelical Lutheran in Boonsboro announced that their congregation has a new pastor, Rev. Karl Muhlbach. Pastor Karl graduated with a Master in Divinity from United Lutheran Seminary (formerly Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg) and served as an adult mentor for a Lutheran youth programs in recent years, helping start a synod-wide young adult ministry. Learn more
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Interfaith Calendar for November 19 - 26 |
One of the initiatives of the Interfaith Coalition is a weekly Interfaith calendar - a listing of upcoming events and commemorations from religions around the world. The listing is for the week ahead -- Thursday to the following Wednesday -. to raise awareness of what's going on with practices of the various faiths. For suggestions or additional input, contact Ed Poling at [email protected]. Calendar
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Holiday Cheer Grants available |
Main Street Hagerstown is soliciting grant applications from for-profit and non-profit businesses in the Main Street District (a district map is attached to this application for your reference) until November 25 at 12 p.m. The grants will be used by businesses in the Main Street District to increase foot traffic, community engagement, economic development, and of course holiday cheer. This grant will also be used to support local events such as the Downtown City Center Tree Lighting on November 23rd, 2020 and an ongoing Holiday Lights Driving/Walking Tour from November 25 to December 31, 2020. Learn more/apply.
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Loan of an FM transmitter needed for Saturday, December 12th |
Due to the pandemic, Mt Hope Prison Ministry, 25 Summit Avenue, Hagerstown, has moved its annual Tree of Hope Christmas Party outside. They will share the gospel message and provide gifts and groceries to families of inmates at WCDC (our local jail). The chapel service will be held from the loading dock and families will remain in their cars. The ministry has have the use of a portable sound system, but would love to borrow an FM transmitter for the party. If any church is willing to loan them an FM transmitter for Saturday, December 12th, they would be grateful. If you can help meet this need, please contact Mt. Hope at [email protected].
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Valor Ministries Class Schedules for November and December |
Valor Crisis and Training Center, 324 East Antietam Street, Hagerstown, offers a diversified curriculum of life development courses structured to teach critical life management skills. Classes are free and open to the public ages 16 and above. View and download class schedule.
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Hats and gloves needed for Head Start |
New Light Metropolitan Community Church, 40 West Church St., Hagerstown is collecting "small size" hats and gloves for Head Start. If you would like to donate hats and gloves, or money to buy them, drop your donation off during their Resting Place hours Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10AM to 2PM or call Pastor Deb to arrange drop off at (717) 682-1873. New Light will be taking the collection to Head Start the first week of December.
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Free Farmer's Market returns - Nov 21 |
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Saturday, November 21, 10 am - 1 pm (volunteers are needed at 8 am to help offload the truck)
Gateway Ministries
11017 Kemps Mill Road, Williamsport
Food will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis to those in need in our community. There are no income restrictions on the food giveaway. This event is made possible through the USDA's Farmers to Family Food Box Program and plans are to repeat the giveaway on December 5 and 12. Every family receives 15 lbs of produce, 5 lbs of meat, 5 lbs of dairy and 1 gallon of milk. Anyone from your church or ministry interested in volunteering or with questions should contact Patty Mays at 304-279-5181. 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!
Wendi Perry
Executive Director
Hagerstown Area Religious Council
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P.O. Box 1158
Hagerstown, MD 21740
(301) 842 4272
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