HARC News Flash 3-15-23

NEWS FLASH

March 15, 2023

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.

Prayer from Zaire

O God, you have formed heaven and earth;

You have given me all the goods

That the earth bears

Here is your part, My God.

Take it.

Reverend Valerie T. Wills

This Lent I'm Fasting From Retail Therapy

By Ceire Kealty

Sojourners

"Lent invites us to relinquish certain comforts. Ideally, as we peel away the layers of comfort with which we surround ourselves — such as meat, alcohol, gossip, or television — we learn how to abide in Christ and gain insight from the stillness of Gethsemane, the sorrow of Golgotha, and the redemption of the cross.

For the past month, I struggled to decide what to “fast” from. Quiet contemplation bore rich insights for Christian monastics, so I turned to silence and tried to listen to God. But no sooner did I seek out a moment of quiet, than I heard the unmistakable ping of my inbox coaxing me to “Act now!” “Check out these deals!” “Hurry!” and “Buy, buy, buy, buy!” Regardless of the brand, these retail messages are constant, pervasive, and often persuasive." Read more.

Interfaith Roundtable: The Origins of New Thought and Unity with Reverend Sandy Boyer and Foundations of Judaism

In the first half of the show, Rabbi Mark is joined by Rev. Sandy Boyer, who unpacks the founding of the Unity of Hagerstown Church and how it finds its origins in the New Thought movement. Sandy shares her personal journey from a fundamental Christian household to the Unity Church, and concludes by speaking on The Season of Nonviolence. In the second half, Rabbi Mark outlines his personal Jewish belief with his wife Elizabeth. He covers the foundation of Judaism such as covenant, mitzvah (or good deeds), and loving your neighbor as yourself. Listen to the podcast. Listen to The Interfaith Roundtable every Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK, or the podcast version here.

Good Friday Unity Walk - April 7

Friday, April 7, 1:00 - 2:30 pm

Hagerstown City Park

Join us for HARC's annual ecumenical Good Friday Unity Walk in memory of Christ’s passion and death. Walk begins in the gazebo adjacent to the Museum parking lot. There will be 7 stops with scripture readings and meditations, and call-and-response songs between the stops. A stationary (no-walk) option will also be available at the gazebo. Please share this with your congregations! Flyer Questions? Contact Kathy at 301-842-4272 or director@harccoalition.org.

The Literacy Council Seeking Volunteers and Students

The Literacy Council of Washington County is looking for volunteer tutors and students (adults age 18 and over).TUTORS: You need no experience to tutor!! You DO need about 3 hours a week to commit to travel, lesson planning, and tutoring, a desire to help another reach their goals, organization, and consistency. You will receive free training via Zoom, consistent support, free materials to use with your student, and a feeling of gratification in being able to make a positive difference in the life of another. The next Tutor Training starts Tuesday, March 28, at 6:00 pm via Zoom. STUDENTS: adults, age 18 and over, who would like help to reach their basic educational goals: improving their reading, writing, and speaking English (this includes English as a Second Language), math, and GED prep. All services are free!! For more info and/or to join the next session, contact 301-739-4208 / office@literacyofwcmd.org

Volunteers Needed! Training begins March 23

Would you like to change someone's life with your support and friendship? Are you available 2 Thursdays per month from 6-8 pm? CIRCLES, Washington County, MD invites you to participate in a program to alleviate poverty in our community! Circle Leaders are waiting for you to help them reach their goals! In person volunteer training begins March 23. Call or email Elizabeth or Marci, circles@wccac.org, (240) 310-5704. Flyer

Equity in Education Scholarship - $8,050 still needed!

$8,050 is still needed to fund this year's Equity in Education Scholarship. This scholarship removes financial barriers for people of color (with preference to African Americans) to obtain their degree in the education field, while also offering mentoring and other support. These future educators will impact hundreds of children, and will begin doing so while they earn their degrees. Please help us make a positive impact on children and our community! Donate HERE (choose “Equity in Education Scholarship” from the pull-down menu). Learn more FLYER to share.

Dinner & Movie Night - March 17 / Spring Equinox Dance Workshop - March 25

Dinner & Movie Night - Friday, March 17, 7:00 pm

Dance Workshop - Saturday, March 25, 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Unity of Hagerstown

18313 Lappans Road, Boonsboro MD

Dinner & Movie Night: With A Celtic Pilgrimage, you have the opportunity to walk with Irish poet and philosopher John O'Donohue through the breathtaking landscape of western Ireland. Weaving ancient wisdom with personal history and stunning imagery, this documentary reveals the Ireland that gave rise to the spiritual wisdom of the Celts. Light, vegetarian supper included. RSVP unityhagerstown@live.com by 3/15. $20. Spring Equinox Dance Workshop: This workshop is an invitation to reconnect with the Spring energies of Mother Earth through the universal language of dance. It is a time to heal, dance, laugh, release, and reconnect in a safe, sacred stress-free space, include meditation, creative visualization, warm-up exercises, and step-by-step dance instruction. Everyone can have a good time, regardless of skill, talent, or experience. $20. Info at www.unityhagerstown.org.

Free Annual Youth Prayer Rally Fundraiser - March 18

Saturday, March 18, 4:00 pm

Trinity United Methodist Church

703 W. Patrick Street, Frederick, MD

National Day of Prayer Frederick is celebrating 10 years of hosting an Annual Youth Prayer Rally in Frederick. To kickoff the celebrations, the Faith Striders are helping to launch a $10 for 10 Years fundraising campaign by presenting Unity in Music Benefit Concert to support the 10th Annual Youth Prayer Rally. Contact Carolyn Jackson for more information. Facebook Event. Website. Flyer.

Virtual training for parents & caregivers on children’s mental health - March 22

Wednesday, March 22, 6:00 - 7:15 pm

Zoom Webinar – please register HERE

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would like to invite you to attend a virtual training for parents and caregivers on children’s mental health. The training aims to provide parents and caregivers with the information and resources to recognize, manage, and support their children’s mental health needs. We know that parents and caregivers play a vital role and want to provide you all with the tools and skills needed to support your children.

Day of Access Care - March 31

Friday, March 31, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Washington County Free Library

100 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown

Washington County Recovers and the Washington County Free Library will be holding a day to access care for individuals in Washington County. They will have space for providers to join them and set up a table to promote their services. Please let them know if you would like to set up a table. You will have to provide your own table and chairs. They also need volunteers to help with logistics and work with individuals to access services to meet their needs. Please let them know if you or your staff are interested in volunteering. Please also let them know if you would like marketing/promotional materials. Contact Victoria Sterling, MDH, victoria.sterling@maryland.gov for more info. Flyer.

Pancake Fundraiser Breakfast with Easter Bunny and Egg Hunt - April 1

Saturday, April 1, 9:00 am - 1:30 pm

Grace United Methodist Church

712 W. Church Street, Hagerstown

Join Grace UMC for a Pancake Fundraiser Breakfast to support the T.H.R.I.V.E. Food Pantry. Bring the kiddos out and let them enjoy eating breakfast with the Easter Bunny! Breakfast is from 9-11am and the cost is $6 for ages 10 and up, $4 for ages 3-9 and children 2 and under eat free! Activities to follow the breakfast that include an Easter Egg Hunt! 11:30am-1:30pm. Activities and Egg Hunt are FREE for all the kiddos to enjoy! Make sure to bring your camera to take photos with the Easter Bunny! ALL CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT!! See Flyer.

TAMAR training "Breaking the Chains" - April 5 - May 17

Wednesdays, April 5 - May 17, 1:00 - 2:00 pm

Soul Haven Wellness & Recovery Center

119 E. Antietam Street, Hagerstown

Soul Haven Wellness & Recovery Center, a program of Office of Consumer Advocates presents TAMAR training "Breaking the Chains." It is a 7-week facilitated group helping individuals understand the impact of trauma on their lives, families, and communities and practice healthy response behaviors. See flyer for details. Limited seating available, Please RSVP, (301) 790-5054.

HACKATHON (Paid Participation) - April 11 - 13

Tuesday, April 11 to Thursday, April 13, 9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Washington County Health Department

1302 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown

This event is a collaboration between the Maryland Department of Health and the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs as part of the Black and Latinx Outreach Campaign to Reduce Overdose Disparities Project. A hackathon brings together people of different backgrounds to learn, build, and create solutions. Please see flyer for details and registration. Participants will receive a $200 incentive for completing all 3 days. Please email BLOC.CAMPAIGN@gmail.com or text William Miller at (443) 481-2933. Or visit bit.ly/BLOCCampaign.

Save the date! Interfaith Book Club: "Love is the Way" - May 4

"Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times" by Bishop Michael Curry

Thursday, May 4, 7-9 pm (one session only)

Zoom (email director@harccoalition.org for the link)

As a descendant of slaves and the son of a civil rights activist, Bishop Michael Curry’s life illustrates massive changes in our times. Through the prism of his faith, ancestry, and personal journey, Love Is the Way shows us that the way of love is essential for addressing the seemingly insurmountable challenges facing the world today: poverty, racism, selfishness, deep ideological divisions, competing claims to speak for God. This book will lead readers to discover the gifts they need in order to live the way of love. Flyer