By Nick Betson

Special to The Herald-Mail

"Hundreds of people from the Four-State area came to the Hager Hall Conference & Event Center on Sunday morning, March 30, 2025, for the Islamic Society of Western Maryland's Eid al-Fitr services. The festival marks the end of Ramadan." Read more.

Friday, April 18, 1:00 - 2:30 pm

City Park, Hagerstown

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 and ends at the “grotto.” There will be 7 stops with scripture readings, dramatic dialogue, music, and call-and-response songs between the stops. This is an opportunity for Christians to come together in unity for this most holy time. For more info, contact Kathy at 301-842-4272 or director@harccoalition.org. Flyer - please post and share!

Please join us for this year's Ed Poling Memorial HARC Hike for Hunger & Hope!

Challenge Hike: Saturday, May 17 - 20 miles on the Appalachian Trail;

Main Hike: Saturday, May 31 - 4K, 10K and Half Marathon the C&O Canal towpath (meet at Shepherd's Spring)

A fun time outdoors to benefit programs of HARC, including Micah's Backpack and the Refugee Welcome Network. Fnd 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 pdf fillable sponsor form

HARC and numerous houses of worship work together to keep the following list of food pantries, soup kitchens, clothing banks and household supplies up to date. We've had several recent changes, so please use these new lists. If you know of a change to the list or if your church or organization is interested in joining our collaborative effort, please contact Kathy Powderly at director@harccoalition.org or 301-842-4272. English / Spanish.

How churches can partner with Habitat for Humanity: During the month of May, take a special offering to support the work of Habitat for Humanity Washington County. June 19 - Church build day with Habitat at McCleary Hill. If a church is willing to participate in either of these activities, they can contact Melanie Watts at melaniewatts@habitat-wc.org or Bill Wyand at pastor@broadfording.com. For the June 19 build day, churches can come for the whole day or part of the day. They are still working out the details for that day. Bulletin Insert. Website. Facebook.

HARC is once again working with area congregations and children's organizations to compile a summer (June-August) calendar of free and low-cost VBS & other activities for children and families. We want to include your program(s)! Please send information to Charlotte at harcnewsflash@gmail.com as soon as possible (especially for June). Please include date(s), times, location, a brief description, ages served, and how to sign up. See calendar examples here.

2nd Thursday of each month, 10:00 am

Haven Lutheran Church

1035 Haven Road, Hagerstown

Do you have difficulty reading? Recognizing faces? Experiencing vision loss? If the answer is yes, join the Low Vision Support Group as they learn about available resources, hear from guest speakers, learn from others dealing with vison loss, and share the journey with each other. Flyer.

Saturday, April 12, 10:00 am

Hagerstown Church of the Nazarene

141 N. Edgewood Drive, Hagerstown

A Free Kids Easter Celebration will be held with an Egg Hunt, Candy, Games, Crafts & More. Questions? Call the church 301-797-4524 or visit their website: hagnaz.com. Flyer.

Saturday, April 12, 2:00 - 3:30 pm

Rain date: April 19

Welty Church of the Brethren

13465 Greensburg Road, Smithsburg, MD

Easter Party & Egg Hunt for kids 12 & under. Story time, prizes, games, cupcakes easy craft. Info: 301-824-3941. Website.

Saturday, April 12, 3:00 pm

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church

141 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown

The Washington County Consort will be presenting their Spring concert "Palestrina's 500th Birthday Bash". This will feature music by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525 -1594) plus several other composers of that time period. Palestrina is considered "The Real King of Sacred Music and the Eternal Father of Italian Music."  All are welcome to attend. Flyer.

Tuesday, April 15, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Otterbein United Methodist Church Parking Lot

(Corner of E. Franklin and N. Locust)

108 E. Franklin Street, Hagerstown

This is a one-time, food “drop” for our neighborhood. Suggest you bring sturdy grocery type tote bags to carry your food/produce home. Recommended especially for those who fall within the WIC Income Guidelines - (Example: Family of 4 with income less than $40,793). For More Information Call Maryland Food Bank – Western Branch, 301-733-4002 OR Otterbein United Methodist Church, 301-739-9386. Flyer.

Wednesday, April 16, 7:00 pm

Bethel United Methodist Church Chewsville

21006 Twin Springs Drive, Smithsburg, MD

A Senior Piano Recital by Riley House. Also a solo piano featuring Sr. Joseph Yungen on the organ. Works composed by Brahms, Debussy, Mozart, and Rachmaninoff. Bethel has supported Riley thru his High School and College experience and is very proud to see him grow. He is now an accomplished pianist. A reception will follow. Info: Deb at Bethel - 301-733-8387. Website. Flyer.

Friday, April 18, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Washington County Public Safety Training Center

18350 Public Safety Way, Hagerstown

This year's Washington County Public Health Conference will feature: Workshops on Harm Reduction, Nursing, Environmental Health, and Disease Prevention; Networking Opportunities with public health experts and stakeholders. Keynote Speaker: Tony Hillery, Founder & CEO of Harlem Grown. This is a free event, and a light breakfast will be provided. Flyer. Register Here

Tai Chi: Tuesdays, April 22 - May 27

Beginners: 5:00 - 5:45 pm; Intermediate: 5:45 - 6:30 pm

Chair Yoga: Thursdays, April 24 - May 29, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Otterbein UMC

108 E. Franklin Street, Hagerstown

Tai Chi: April 22 - May 27 (6 weeks). Cost for each class is $30.00. $50.00 for both Beginners & Intermediate. For more information, visit the website or download a flyer. Chair Yoga: April 24 - May 29. The 6-week session is $30.00. Download a flyer. Website link.

Wednesday, April 23, 4:30 - 6:00 pm

Grace Methodist Church

712 W. Church Street, Hagerstown

Please join Washington County Black Professionals Network for an opportunity to network with other black professionals and business owners in our community and surrounding counties. Please feel free to share with those in your friends circle, network and community who would be interested in attending and connecting with them. Lite refreshments will be provided the first half hour of the program. Please click RSVP or email tanderson@harccoalition.org.

Cleanup: Thursday, April 24, 4:00 - 7:00 pm, several locations

Earth Day projects: Thursday, April 26, City Park

Join the Downtown Hagerstown Main Street program for a Neighborhood Clean Up on April 24. (Flyer) Your time and efforts in making downtown a cleaner and greener space to enjoy are appreciated! Sign up. An Earth Day project is also planned for City Park on April 26. (Flyer)

Friday, April 25, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Soul Haven

119 E. Antietam Street, Hagerstown

Office of Consumer Affairs. Fresh Produce Food Drop. 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, or until supplies last. Info: 301-790-5054. Flyer. April Calendar.

Saturday, April 26, 5:00 pm

Zion Reformed UCC

201 N. Potomac Street, Hagerstown

A woman is MURDERED and her GHOST now roams the halls of her estate.'Who killed her' is the question of the night. Did the butler do it? The maid? A friend? Or, maybe, it was the husband! Add an eccentric Psychic to the mix... And maybe, just maybe... THE DEAD WILL SPEAK! Experience a GHOST STORY like none you have ever seen before! Everyone is in mourning and EVERYONE is a suspect, because: MOLLY HOWARD IS NO MORE! $15 per person, $25 per couple. Questions: zionrucc@myactv.net

Saturday, April 26, 6:00 pm

Otterbein United Methodist Church Auditorium

108 E. Franklin Street, Hagerstown

Join Otterbein UMC at this fun event to raise money for their Mission Guatemala Trip. A silent auction will also be held during the event. Items include a Guatemalan coffee basket, handmade Guatemalan items, gift cards, & more! $20 per person / $120 per teams of 8. Information about Mission Guatemala. Website Sign up. Facebook. AllEvents Hagerstown.

Thursday, May 1, 5:30 pm

Baker Park Bandshell

21 N. Bentz Street, Frederick, MD

Every year, young people (K through College) from area churches and youth organizations gather at Baker Park with their friends and families to participate in the Youth Prayer Rally, which observes the National Day of Prayer on the first Thursday in May. The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance inviting people to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by Congress, and its purpose is to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America and its elected officials. The Youth Prayer Rally consists of Prayer, Praise & Worship, Testimonies, Live Music, Liturgical Dance, Fellowship, Food, and Giveaways! The Youth Prayer Rally is also an evangelistic opportunity to reach the unsaved and the unchurched. All ages welcome! Info: cj@nationaldayofprayer-frederick.org. Website. Facebook. Flyer.

Saturday, May 10, 5:30 pm

Hager 5, LLC

29-37 W. Antietam Street, Hagerstown

At Washington Goes Purple's Trash Bash, they believe that everything—and everyone—has value. Just as discarded materials can be transformed into something beautiful, people, no matter their past or struggles, have worth and potential. This unique fundraiser brings the community together to create art from "trash"—upcycled and repurposed materials. Teams will craft one-of-a-kind pieces that will be auctioned off, with proceeds supporting the Washington Goes Purple Scholarship Fund. Through this new event, they aim to reduce stigma surrounding substance use disorder and recovery. Much like the materials used in the artwork, people deserve a second chance, a fresh start, and the opportunity to be seen for their strengths—not just their past. Join them in celebrating creativity, resilience, and the power of transformation. Because discards have value—just like people. Benefit Auction, June 8, Hub City Brewing. Info: washingtongoespurple@gmail.com. Flyer.