By Rachel Crowe

Interfaith America

"One of the most important skills of interfaith leadership is to be able to articulate your own religious or nonreligious identity in a way that both affirms your beliefs and builds pluralism." Read more

Tuesday, May 13, 12:00 - 1:30 pm

Otterbein United Methodist Church

108 E. Franklin Street, Hagerstown

At our May meeting, we are excited to welcome Emily Keller as a special speaker! Emily served as the first female Mayor of Hagerstown from 2020-2023 and was known for starting Washington Goes Purple, a collaborative effort to build awareness and prevention of the opioid epidemic in our county. In February, 2023, Emily was appointed by Governor Wes Moore to be the first Special Secretary of Overdose Response for the State of Maryland. She will share an update with us on the work of the Office of Overdose Response.Join us for lunch and fellowship along with the presentation. RSVP requested by Friday, May 9 at noon so we can get a count for lunch and seating. More info.

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

Main Hike: Saturday, May 31 - 4K, 10K and Half Marathon the C&O Canal towpath (meet at Shepherd's Spring) Early bird deadline is May 11 for $10 discount and guaranteed t-shirt

Challenge Hike: Saturday, May 17 - 20 miles on the Appalachian Trail. Registration deadline is May 9

A fun time outdoors to benefit programs of HARC, including Micah's Backpack and the Refugee Welcome Network. Includes a 2-1 fundraising match from the God's Grace Fund! 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

Like new Medline model MDR107003E including mattress. Only used for 3 weeks. Designed for convenience for both patients and caregivers, including 4 smooth-rolling casters (2 locking, 2 nonlocking) for easy transport and an advanced remote with large buttons for patients. Also available - walker and bedside commode.

Must be able to pick up in Hagerstown. Contact information for questions Andrea or William, 301-790-0765.

Paid 6-week commitment from the end of June to the beginning of August ($500/wk). Responsible for leading approximately 8-10 campers each week with a co-counselor (or CIT). Must be an enthusiastic leader, active listener, positive role model, and nurturer to each camper. Must possess a mature and active faith in Christ with the ability to creatively lead Bible studies and devotions, and a passion for selflessly investing in children and youth. CPR and First Aid required (these trainings will be completed during staff training). Must be 18 years of age. Send resume and cover letter to info@shepherdsspring.org or apply here. Other positions available, including NURSES, and a cook - learn more HERE.

Washington County Public Schools has finalized its 2025 summer meal sites for the Meal Machine program. The Meal Machine provides free lunch for anyone 18 and under at select locations. Please share the flyer with anyone you think would benefit from this program.

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.

Thursday, May 8, 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, please join Low Vision Support Group as they learn about available resources (guest speakers), learn from others who are dealing with vison loss, and share the journey with each other. Low Vison Support Group meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at Haven Lutheran Church at 10:00 am. Contact email: LowVisionWashCoMD@gmail.com. Flyer.

Volunteer Day: Saturday, May 10, 9-noon

Anniversary Celebration: Saturday, May 17, 10 am - 3 pm

Shepherd's Spring Retreats, Global Village & Summer Camp

16869 Taylors Landing Road, Sharpsburg, MD

Experience the beauty and joy of Shepherd's Spring for a FREE 35th Anniversary Celebration event. Food, ice cream, activities and games for kids, wagon rides, Global Village tour, fire pit with singalong and s'mores, and more! Registration at 10 am the day of the event. 

Volunteers are wanted to prepare for the event THIS Saturday. There are many varied tasks, so you and/or your team can have your choice. For more information, contact info@shepherdsspring.org or call (301) 223-8193.

Saturday, May 10, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Meritus Park

50 W. Baltimore Street, Hagerstown

Join Washington Goes Purple’s TRASH BASH at Meritus Park! Teams will compete to create one-of-a-kind art pieces using upcycled materials—all for a great cause. 2 hours to build. Trash & tools provided. Judged on creativity, structure, and visual impact. Proceeds support the Washington Goes Purple Scholarship Fund! This isn’t just about art—it’s about transformation, second chances, and reducing stigma around substance use disorder and recovery. REGISTER YOUR TEAM TODAY! Because discards have value—just like people. Benefit Auction, June 8, Hub City Brewing. Info: washingtongoespurple@gmail.com. Flyer.

Thursday, May 15, 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. / Calendar.

Friday, May 16, 6:00 pm

Zion Lutheran Church

35 W. Potomac Street, Williamsport, MD

Join Church Women United to celebrate May Friendship Day. The theme is Friends Love at All Times based on Colossians 3:12. Dinner costs $15.00 and will be served at 6:00 pm. Program begins at 6:45 pm. Reservations are needed by Wednesday, May 8. Please contact Tammy Coyle at tammy.coyle93@gmail.com or 240-409-2410. Flyer.

Saturday, May 17, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Zion Baptist Church of Hagerstown

61 W. Bechel Street, Hagerstown

The Health Summit is hosted by Zion Baptist Church Health and Fitness Ministry. Their theme for the event is "Hope in Healing ... Experiencing the Journey, Dealing with the Struggles of Addiction & Mental Health." This event will be held in the parking lot of Johnathan Street adjacent to the church. They are also inviting other health agencies, city and state officials, recovery houses, rehab centers, churches, and people with personal experiences. Job training and recruiting will also be offered by local businesses. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held on Saturday, May 31. Flyer. Press Release.

Saturday, May 17, 7:30 pm

Congregation B'nai Abraham Sanctuary

53 E. Baltimore Street, Hagerstown

Join CBA as they celebrate “From Strength to Strength & Generation to Generation!” Hits and Skits from Fiddler on the Roof. Suggested Donation: $20.00 (subsidies are available). RSVP by Wednesday, May 14. Take a trip back to yesteryear and enjoy stories and melodies from one of Broadway’s greatest hits. How will Tevye manage to marry off his daughters and keep his wife happy? Followed by an ELEGANT reception and refreshments! Take a chance or two on their silent auction. Flyer. Flash Announcement.

Friday, May 23, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Robinwood Professional Center Room 142

11110 Medical Campus Road, Hagerstown

With ‘Stop the Bleed’ training, you’ll learn how to take quick, decisive action to stop excessive bleeding, potentially saving someone’s life. Whether it’s a car accident, a workplace injury, or an unexpected disaster, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to be a true hero when it counts the most. Celebrate National Stop the Bleed Day with a free one-hour training presented by the Trauma Center at Meritus Health and the MD Committee on Trauma. Everyone who pre-registers will receive a free personal bleeding control kit! Website. Facebook. Flyer.

Monday, May 26, 7:00 pm

Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown

13245 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown

Antietam Storytellers Guild members Mark Brugh, Stas Ziolkowski, Jill Vanderweit & Larry Hayes compete for laurels and a cash prize while battling for the 2025 Best Liar title. Don’t miss your chance to vote for the winner! $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Children older than 12 are allowed if accompanied by an adult. For more information contact Fanny Crawford, fanitsky@hotmail.com or 301-730-1638.

Friday, May 30, 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. / Calendar.

Friday, June 6 , 7:30 pm

The Maryland Theatre 

21 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown

Ricky struck his first chords on a mandolin over 60 years ago, and he continues to do his part to lead the recent roots revival in music. Clearly his passion for it puts him in the position to bring his lively, distinctively American form of music out of isolation and into the ears and hearts of audiences across the country and around the world. In the past decade, he has been honored with inductions into the Gospel Music Association’s Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Musicians Hall of Fame. Ricky Skaggs is always forging ahead with cross-cultural, genre-bending musical ideas and inspirations. Facebook Event. Website.

Friday, June 13, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm

Washington County Public Safety Training Center

18350 Public Safety Place, Hagerstown

Why Attend? Different speaker sessions. Networking opportunities. Free resources & giveaways. Focus on real-world strategies for sexual health. Registration required. Lunch will be provided. Info: Washington County Health Department, 240-313-3381, TTY 800-552-7724. Website. Flyer.

Summer Camp - Overnight Camp Week June 29-July 2, Day Camp Harambee July 7-31. A camp where Christ, Culture and Community Unite. For ages 5-13. Overnight camp $300, Day Camp Harambee $50/wk per child. Website. See flyer for more info.