Richard Rohr's Daily Meditations

From the Center for Action and Contemplation

"In an interview for the Daily Meditations, Sikh activist and author Valarie Kaur places love at the center of our ability to bring about wholeness in a divided world:  

What does it mean to return to a kind of wholeness where the way that we love informs what we do in the world and what we do in the world deepens our love?.... What I want to remind us all is that as much as we must fight for our convictions and stand for what is just, remember that all those people who vote against you are not disappearing after Election Day or Inauguration Day. We have to find a way to live together still." Read more.

Tuesday, November 12, 12:00 - 1:30 pm

Zion Reformed UCC

201 N. Potomac Street, Hagerstown



This month's program is the HARC Lighthouse After-School Program, developed to serve a need for fun educational and enrichment opportunities for children after the school day ends. This program is a collaboration of several HARC member houses of worship (more are wanted!) and Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) that kicked off in September 2024. Meet our new Program Coordinator, hear from the WCPS Community Schools Coordinator, and learn ways that you and/or your congregation can help with this important program. Please RSVP by Friday, November 8 at noon. More info and parking

Position available for a Church Organist at Christ’s Reformed Church United Church of Christ in Hagerstown, MD. We are looking for someone who has experience in accompanying church music. Must be available for Sunday morning services and Christian holidays and able to work with a small, skilled choir. Compensation is negotiable. Please send resume and cover letter to reverend.norville@gmail.com no later than November 22, 2024 with a starting date of January 1, 2025. For questions, please call Rev. Norville at (301)733-4144. Learn more about CRCUCC

READY TO BEGIN A NEW LIFE? The Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women program has been helping women around the world since 1972. This program provides cash grants to women who are working to better their lives through additional schooling and skills training. The applicant must be a woman who has faced obstacles in her life, is enrolled in an educational / training program, and be the primary financial support for herself and her dependents (children, spouse, partner, siblings and/or parents). The Soroptimist Club of Hagerstown gives a $1000 award to the local winner and her application goes to the regional level where she could earn more cash awards. Info Flyer. Website.

Providing a meal at our Circles Washington County, MD Thursday night meetings is fun and rewarding! Please consider sharing and fellowshipping with us! We are currently working with a dozen participants (Circles Leaders) and their children to reach their self-sufficiency goals. To sign up, you can use this link, Circles Washington County, MD: Donate a meal! or see the flyer.

Sunday, November 24, 4:00 - 5:00 pm

Benevola United Methodist Church

19925 Benevola Church Road, Boonsboro, MD

This service is FREE and open to the public! Please join us for this uplifting service featuring Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Baha’i, and Native American faith traditions. The first half will have no music. The second half will be filled with music. This is to honor the preferences of our different faith traditions. This service will feature a ~ Community Choir ~ Would you like to participate? If so, please arrive at the church by 2:45 pm. You’re invited to stay for a reception following the service! A free-will offering will be taken at the door of non-perishable food, cleaning & paper supplies, personal hygiene products, and monetary donations for Katie’s Cupboard, Benevola UMC’s food pantry. Make checks payable to Benevola UMC or scan the QR code on the FLYER. Download bulletin inserts here. This event is offered by the Hagerstown Area Religious Council with thanks to Benevola United Methodist Church for hosting this year. For more information, contact HARC at 301-842-4272 or director@harccoalition.org.

Are you in need of someone to fill your pulpit while your Pastor or Spiritual Leader is away? As part of our commitment to our community churches, the Chaplain Staff at Brook Lane are open to pulpit supply (preaching or teaching) as available. Please contact Chaplain Ron Shank at (301) 733-0331 Ext. 1136 or email at ron.shank@brooklane.org if you would like to schedule a supply date.

Friday, November 8, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Soul Haven Wellness & Recovery Center

119 E. Antietam Street, Hagerstown

Office of Consumer Advocates and Maryland Legal Aid Expungement Day. Re-entry Program. Info: 301-790-5054. Flyer. Soul Haven November Calendar.

Saturday, November 9, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Robinwood Professional Center

Atrium & Suite 142 (Blue Entrance Parking)

11110 Medical Campus Road, Hagerstown

Meritus Health FALL INTO BETTER HEALTH SENIOR EXPO! Light refreshments, Raffles & giveaways, Vendor presentations with a variety of information for seniors, Cooking demo and samples, Workshops: 9:30 - 10:00 am - Advanced Directives; 10:15 - 10:45 am - Caring for the caregiver; 11:00 - 11:30 am - How to Age Boldly. Questions? Call 301-790-8964. Flyer.

Saturday, November 9, 11 am - 2 pm (or until food runs out)

Aspiring to Serve Building

140 W. Franklin Street, Hagerstown

You are invited to join Christ’s Reformed Church for soup, a sandwich and dessert as part of their 170th Anniversary celebration weekend. In addition to good food, you will have a chance to add to your Christmas decorations as the church shares some extra decorations they don’t need. Come early for the best selection. This event is open to the community. Free will donations of non-perishable foods for Micah’s backpack or money will be accepted. Come celebrate with CRC as they mark 170 years in Hagerstown.

Saturday, November 9, 12:00 - 6:00 pm

Rehoboth United Methodist Church

16829 Lappans Road, Williamsport, MD

Join Rehobeth UMC for an afternoon of great food, fellowship, and a fundraiser to help raise money for their building fund! Menu Items – All You Can Eat – Served Buffet Style - Turkey, Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Green Beans, Sauerkraut, Dessert, and Beverage. Ticket Pricing - Adults: $19.00; Children (5-11): $9.00; Children 4 and under: Free. All orders can be placed on November 9th at the church and there will be no pre-orders for this event. Carryout orders are available for the adult dinner price only. Questions? Please call the church office at (301) 223-9554. Flyer.

Saturday, November 9, 5:30 - 7:30 pm

John Wesley UMC

129 N. Potomac Street, Hagerstown

John Wesley UMC's Youth Group, assisted by their Service Team, will serve a free Chili Dinner in their Social Hall to Veterans from our community to celebrate and honor their service to our country. If you are a Veteran, please plan to join them. Call the church office to RSVP by November 4 so that we have enough food and space. 301-733-0391. Flyer.

Sunday, November 10, 2:00 - 5:00 pm

Trinity Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall

15 Randolph Avenue, Hagerstown

Help fight hunger by taking part in the Pack Away Hunger event at Trinity Lutheran Church. Volunteers will pack dry food meals to share with their food ministry and others throughout Washington County. Their goal is to pack 12,000 to 20,000 meals! There are two ways to help: Donate by check (note Pack Away Hunger) or go to https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z9CJ/campaign/C-156GW?access=tile_direct. Come and help pack – all ages and abilities welcome. Please email or call the church office if you can help: office@tlchag.org or 301-733-2878. Flyer.

THANKSGIVING PIES AND CHEESECAKE ORDERS are currently being taken at St. John's Episcopal Church, 101 S. Prospect St. You may choose apple, pumpkin, cherry, apple-walnut-cranberry, fruits of the forest for $20 and lemony cheesecake and pumpkin cheesecake for $30. Pies may be ordered baked or frozen for baking later. Orders will be available for pickup on Tuesday, November 26 and Wednesday, November 27. These are premium quality pies!!! Deadline to order is Sunday, November 17. You may order after the 10:15 service or by calling Bruce Massey at 240-675-4498 or by emailing Bruce at lbmassey@verizon.net. You may also order and pay on St. John's website (Online Giving Page Menu Tab). All proceeds will go to the Service and Outreach Commission for their many projects. If you have questions, you may reach Bruce Massey at 240-675-4498 or Betty Markle at 240-457-2370.

Monday, November 18, Dec. 16 & 30, 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Foxville School House

Foxville-Deerfield Road, Sabillasville, MD

Dream Group Meetings will be held November 18, December 16 and 30. Dreams are one of the ways God's Word is revealed in the Bible. What might your dreams reveal about your Soul's conversation with God. Learn more about dreams and how we can support one another in a community of dream work. Pastor Julie Brigham leads the group and has trained through the Haden Institute. For information, call 240-405-2173.

Tuesday, December 10, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Morgan State University

1700 E. Coldspring Lane, Baltimore, MD

Join the Maryland Department of Health Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities at their annual conference: Making Progress, More to Do Health Equity Conference: Celebrating 20 Years. Register here. Flyer