In this sacred season, HARC's Interfaith Team invites you to join faith communities across the region in deepening our commitment to caring for creation. We are excited to share a special resource created by Green Muslims. This Ramadan Calendar highlights the beautiful work Muslim communities are already doing to be khalifa (stewards) of our natural world and offers daily actions to help us live in harmony with the Earth, its creatures, and one another.

Lent is a time for reflection on our personal lives and on the world, so that we may repent (turn away from) unintentional or intentional behaviors that cause harm.

This year concern and grief for the environment may be heavy on the heart. The Creation Care Lent calendar offers a focus on personal and community resilience. Each Sunday includes a lectionary verse with a devotional question that can be explored in your quiet time or with others.

Consider printing these calendars for your home, sharing them with your congregation, or using them as bulletin inserts to inspire collective action. May this season of prayer, reflection, and action strengthen our shared responsibility to protect and restore the world we all call home.

A faith community member is hoping to find a home for several hundred new short religious pamphlets written by Norman Vincent Peale, available in English and Spanish, through Guidepost Publications. She also has available new and/or gently used Bibles in various versions that she would like to get out into the public and the hands of folks in the community, shut-ins, the incarcerated, etc. For more information: email melanie.clippinger@meritushealth.com or text/leave voice mail at 240-291-2617.

The Knights of Columbus has a Hammond organ that is in good shape, but hasn't been used for years, and they would like for it to go to a good home where it will be used. Free - you haul. Comes with a dolly. Feel free to stop by on a Tuesday night between 4-10 pm to check it out, or call Herm at 301-791-5841.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2025-2026 Equity in Education Scholarship. Multiple scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $7,000 are available annually with the goal of removing financial barriers, offering mentorship and career development, and increasing the percentage of racially diverse teachers in Washington County Public Schools. Scholarships are eligible for renewal until degree is obtained or maximum award is reached.  Learn more  Apply now Flyer to share  Donations are also needed to help fund the scholarships this year and in future years. Please consider donating here and share this Request for Funds Flyer with your congregation and/or friends.

You can now register for this year's Ed Poling Memorial HARC Hike for Hunger & Hope. Challenge Hike: Saturday, May 17 - 20 miles on the Appalachian Trail; 4K, 10K and Half Marathon Hikes: Saturday, May 31 - Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Retreat Center and C&O Canal Towpath. You'll find all the details and a registration link at www.harccoalition.org/hike. Please share info with your congregations: flyer bulletin inserts team registration info sponsor form fillable sponsor form

Exciting updates about Washington Goes Purple. They need your support more than ever to continue their efforts in raising awareness and fighting against substance use and mental health challenges in our community.

Check out their latest updates here!

Mondays, March 10 - April 28, 1:30 pm

Soul Haven Wellness & Recovery Center

119 E. Antietam Street, Hagerstown

"Breaking The Chains" . Groups: Introduction to TAMAR; Trauma and its Impact; The Effects; 7 Weeks; Reminders; Intro to Mindfulness; Certificates and Pizza Party. Limited Seating. RSVP 301-790-5054. Flyer.

Thursdays, March 13 - April 10, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Otterbein UMC

108 E. Franklin Street, Hagerstown

Chair Yoga continues: March 13 - April 10. The 5-week session is $25.00 Flyer.

Saturday, March 15, 7:00 - 11:00 am

Benevola UMC

19925 Benevola Church Road, Boonsboro, MD

Benevola UMC is planning a free community breakfast and would like to have any area services and resource material that could be made available to anyone who might be interested. The intent of this event is to promote an opportunity for folks in the community and community businesses to just get to know each other. Call 301-465-0319 if you have questions.

Thursday, March 20, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Soul Haven Wellness & Recovery Center

119-121 E. Antietam Street, Hagerstown

Office of Consumer Advocates. Re-entry Program. Maryland Legal Aid. Monthly Expungement Day. Flyer. Soul Haven March Calendar.

Saturday, March 22, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

St. John's Episcopal Church

101 S. Prospect Street, Hagerstown

Parking: Available at the corner of Antietam St. & Walnut St.

Enrich your Lenten journey this year by taking a few hours to enjoy quiet but guided reflection in our beautiful and historic Church. Our Quiet Day leader will be The Rev. Dina van Klaveren, of the Bishop’s Staff. We are fortunate to have her as our leader for this event, which is brought to us by St. John’s chapter of the Daughters of the King. There will be a series of meditations interspersed with times of quiet reflection. The day will include Noonday Prayers and lunch. You may register by marking the Sign-Up Sheet outside the Choir Room or by Emailing Fr. Allan at RevFAWeatherholt@aol.com. All are welcome to join us for this very meaningful Lenten experience. Church website.

Saturday, March 22, 4:00 pm

Trinity Lutheran Church

15 Randolph Avenue, Hagerstown

A Bach Festival is being held at Trinity Lutheran Church. Local artists will be performing works of Johann Sebastian Bach. All are welcome. Info: 301-733-2878.

Saturday, March 22, 7:00 pm

Congregation B'nai Abraham, Social Hall

53 E. Baltimore Street, Hagerstown

Congregation B'nai Abraham presents:“From Strength to Strength & Generation to Generation!” Who Do You Want to Be? Join them for a fun costume party, music and delicious dinner. COST: $25.00 for adults, $15.00 for ages 12 and under. RSVP: By Wednesday, March 19. Enjoy an authentic Medieval and Renaissance inspired menu researched and authenticated with recipes from popular YouTuber personality Max Miller’s Tasting History (A Cookbook). Wash it all down with nonalcoholic mead! PLUS take home a modernized, simplified, “kosherized” booklet of cooking instructions for the dishes served. Flyer with more info and link.

Monday, March 24, 7:00 pm

Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown

13245 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown

Storyteller Founding Director of Stories In The Round, Fanny Crawford opens Season 9 with more family history and stories on the theme “Apples Don’t Fall Far From The Tree”. $12 paid in advance no later than Monday at 9am, $15 at the door. Children 12 years & older welcome when accompanied by a parent or group leader. Contact: Fanny Crawford, 301-730-1638 or fanitsky@hotmail.com.

Wednesday, March 26, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

The Maryland Theatre

21 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown

Bester Community of Hope, an initiative of San Mar Family and Community Services, is pleased to announce their 10th Annual Community Training! "Building Bridges". Lessons on vision and grit for families and communities. Nationally recognized leaders come together to focus on innovative cross sector solutions to meet the needs of families and communities. Fee $39 per person. More info and reservations.

Saturday, April 5, 8:30 - 10:30 am

St. Andrews United Methodist Church

1020 Maryland Avenue, Hagerstown

The Society of Saint Andrew (SOSA), the Cumberland-Hagerstown District UM Men, and St Andrews UMC will provide 800 50-lb bags of fresh Maine potatoes to churches and food bank organizations that wish to help feed the hungry in their community. The United Methodist Men of St. Andrews United Methodist Church will be hosting this potato drop in the church parking lot. 50-pound bags of Maine Potatoes will be offered to organizations, and smaller bags to individuals in need. To reserve one or more bags, please go to the following website and complete the form. Additionally, they need volunteers to help unload the tractor-trailer. A free-will offering will be taken to help pay for the $4,500 transportation of the potatoes. Contact: John Davidson, davidjoh@myactv.net, (301) 730-7359.