Zion Reformed United Church of Christ welcomes the Rev. Dr. E. Scott Winnette. Eric Scott Winnette was raised in a suburb of Murfreesboro, TN.  Weekends were spent at the Winnette and Woodward farms helping some with chores but mostly playing in the farm fields. Prior to his work as a pastor, he was a computer programmer receiving a Bachelor of Business Arts degree in information systems from the Middle Tennessee State University.   It was a good fit but not the best fit, the Holy Spirit was nudging for a change.  Read more.

"Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) students exceeded the state’s overall proficiency rates on 13 of the 14 (93 percent) Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) assessments administered during the 2022-2023 school year. The achievement comes as the statewide results show notable improvements in both literacy and mathematics, with literacy results surpassing pre-pandemic performance." Read more.

Saturday, September 23, 5:00 - 9:00 pm

Unity of Hagerstown & Baha'is, Impact Ministries, and the Islamic Society of Western Maryland

In honor of the International Day of Peace, an Interfaith Progressive Dinner will be held at three different local houses of worship, with four faith traditions represented. Participants include: Unity of Hagerstown, the Baha'is of Washington County, Impact Ministries, and the Islamic Society of Western Maryland. One part of the meal will be served at each location as we progressively move as one group from place to place, learn about different faith traditions, and promote peace. Cost: $25 per person. Event is limited to a maximum of 100 people. Ticket deadline is Sept 20. Read more. Get tickets flyer to share

HARC has recently updated the Food, Clothing and Personal Care Resources list. Please replace your current list with this one for the most accurate information to give to people in need. Resources List. If you have any further updates, please send them to Kathy at director@harccoalition.org or call 301-842-4272.

Sunday, October 15, 3:00 - 5:00 pm

Unity of Hagerstown (at St. Mark’s Episcopal)

18313 Lappans Road, Boonsboro, MD

Bring your book recommendation. Is there a book you’ve read that’s inspired you? The Interfaith Team of the Hagerstown Area Religious Council (HARC) is offering “Print & Potluck,” a book club with NO REQUIRED READING! They’ll gather for light refreshments and share what book—prose or poetry, fiction or nonfiction, faith-based or secular—has inspired them individually. A book that has moved them to think, learn, feel, relax, or do. Come with or without the actual book (but with title and author), and with finger food to share. Inspire others to read your book and come away with a new list of books you might want to read! Flyer.

2nd Sunday every Month, 2:00 - 2:45 pm

Western Maryland Hospital Center

1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown

Do you have a service ministry in mind for your church? Would you like to offer leadership experience or help in developing church leaders? This is for you. A rare opportunity has arisen for a Sunday General Christian Worship Service to be held on the 2nd Sunday of every month from 2:00 to 2:45 p.m. It is a ministry for a church aiming to spread "The Good News" to residents and patients at Western Maryland Hospital Center in Hagerstown. Those who are interested, or have questions, please call 301-745-4285.

The Refugee Welcome Network (RWN), a collaboration of faith community partners, local nonprofits and individuals, is seeking funds for housing for two new refugee families in Hagerstown. One is a Haitian woman who has a one year old child and is pregnant; her husband is still stuck in Haiti. The other is a couple from Afghanistan with two young children. Both families need support with housing until they are able to stabilize and provide for themselves. if you can help support them with a financial gift, you can do so through the HARC website or send a check to HARC, P.O. Box 1158, Hagerstown, MD 21741-1158. (HARC is the financial agent for the RWN.) The RWN is also in need of more volunteers who are willing to work hands-on with families to identify their needs and coordinate with the RWN team as the team helps meet the needs. Please contact Kathy if you can help with this, director@harccoalition.org or 301-842-4272

Saturday, September 16, 2:00 - 4:00 pm 

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown

13245 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown

You are cordially invited to an Open House to learn about the Unitarian Universalist liberal religious education program for children. The event will include a tour of their religious education rooms, time to chat with teachers, and a look at their 2023-24 curriculum - Holidays and Holy Days, an updated world religions course about the many ways people worship and celebrate. Light refreshments provided. Questions, please contact Elise Weber at 240-469-4488 or by e-mail – RE@uuhagerstownmd.org

Sunday, September 17, 3:00 pm

Dunker Church

Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, MD

53rd Annual Dunker Church Service. Guest Speaker: Carol Scheppard, “Being the Church on a Battlefield“. Dr. Scheppard is on the faculty of Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, VA, in the Department of Philosophy and Religion. She also served as Moderator of the Church of the Brethren in 2016-2017. The service this year is on the actual date of the Battle of Antietam, September 17, 161 years ago. Flyer.

Sunday, September 17, 5:00 pm

Hebron Mennonite Church Parking Lot

13315 Highlane Street, Hagerstown

Paramount neighbors and friends - come for a free DayStar Vocal concert. Free Walking Tacos 5:00 pm. Free Concert 6:00 pm. Please bring a chair. Flyer.

Monday, September 18, 7:00 pm

Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown

13245 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown

Five members of the Antietam Storytellers Guild compete for laurels and a cash prize while battling for the 2023 Best Liar title. Come to cheer them on! $12 in advance, $15 at the door, cash or check accepted. Payment in advance must be received before Monday, September 18. Please make check payable to Fanny Crawford. If mailing, send to 20011 Cherry Hill Circle, Hagerstown, MD 21742. Questions? Email: fanitsky@hotmail.com, or call 301-730-1638.

Mondays, September 18 thru December 11, 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Hagerstown Church of the Brethren

15 South Mulberry Street, Hagerstown

GriefShare is a worldwide ministry for those who have experienced the loss of a spouse, child, family member or friend. The grief journey after losing a loved one is painful, difficult, and lonely. Since everyone grieves in his or her own way and time, unfortunately, there is no magical timeline that points to the end of the grieving process. However, GriefShare provides helpful tools to assist in journeying through grief towards healing even if the loss is not recent. HCOB will be facilitating a series of 13 weekly sessions. There is no cost to attend. However, if you participate, they ask you to consider giving a $10 donation to offset the cost of a workbook. If you have suffered the loss of a loved one and would like to participate in their GriefShare session, please register at griefshare.org.

Tuesday, September 19, 11:00 am - 1:00 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.

Wednesdays, September 20 thru October 25, 5:00 - 6:00 pm

Otterbein United Methodist Church

108 E. Franklin Street, Hagerstown

This beginning Tai Chi course is designed especially for the novice, of any age, who wishes to learn a simplified version of this profound art form. Suggested Donation: $30 ($5 per session). Register on-line: https://otterumc.org/taichi, or contact Kate in the church office: office@otterumc.org or call 301-739-9386. Flyer.

Saturday, September 23, 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Unity of Hagerstown, Fellowship Center of St. Mark's Episcopal Church

18313 Lappans Road, Hagerstown

Come enjoy a day of dance and meditation with Candice Tritch, founder & CEO of Dance Alchemy, all in a safe, sacred, stress-free space. This dance workshop is an invitation to reconnect with the Fall Harvest energy of Mother Earth through the universal language of dance. The day will include meditation, creative visualization, warm-up exercises, and step-by-step dance instruction. There’s something for everyone to enjoy! IF YOU CAN MOVE, YOU CAN DANCE $20. For more info www.unityhagerstown.org or contact unityhagerstown@gmail.com 240-409-5940.

Saturday, September 23, 5:00 - 8:30 pm

St. Mark's Lutheran Church

601 Washington Avenue, Hagerstown

Fundraiser. Join St. Mark's Lutheran Church in a time of fellowship with special guest, Kevin Booth - Elvis Gospel Tribute. Liturgical Dancing, Silent Auction and Raffles. Tickets $10 per adult; Children 12 and under free. Food sold separately. Please RSVP to a Credo sister by September 18, or contact Cindy Woodyard at 240-527-8061, or Lisa Briscoe at 304-350-7886. Flyer.

Wednesday, September 27, 6:00 - 7:30 pm

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

1345 Potomac Avenue, Hagerstown

Presentation in the Sanctuary by Dr. James and Amy Brooks - "Spirituality on the Camino de Santiago." There is a "pilgrim meal" prior in the Fellowship Hall (6:00 - 6:30 pm) - Spanish tortilla (egg and potato and onion pie made with olive oil.) RSVP to their office so they can host well. They are also live streaming the event, https://www.facebook.com/fcchagerstown. RSVP to diannaplotner@fcchagerstown.org or (301) 733-0144.

Friday, September 29, 6:00 pm

St. Mark's Lutheran Church

601 Washington Avenue, Hagerstown

Have a fun night out creating fall art! St. Mark's is hosting a Fall Sign Painting Workshop with Muddy Paws Design. All materials and instructions are provided for $40-$45, depending on the project selected. Please RSVP by September 18 by choosing your project at https://muddypawsdesignco.com/collections/fall-sign-workshop-designs. There are 23 projects to choose from. Call Patrick at 301-800-3463 for more information. Flyer.

Thursday, October 12, 5:30 - 8:00 pm

Cortland Mansion

19411 Cortland Drive, Hagerstown

Please join Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County for their Third Annual Starry Night for Kids’ Sake, where they will celebrate their mission of DEFENDING the POTENTIAL of kids in our community. This gala-style, elegant evening is an opportunity to enjoy the company of friends and colleagues while partaking of a fine dining experience and entertainment. Individual Tickets: $75 - General Public; $50 - Volunteers; Table of 8: $550. Purchase tickets. Sponsor. Donate. Website. If you would like to join other HARC members in purchasing a table, contact Kathy at director@harccoalition.org.

Friday, October 27, Check-in: 8:30 am; Program: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Robinwood Professional Center, Suite 142

11110 Medical Campus Road, Hagerstown

Washington County has the highest rate of sudden/unexpected infant death in the state of Maryland. Community partners will be hosting a symposium regarding Safe Sleep. Featuring: National experts on SENS & Safe Sleep as well as local providers who will discuss trends, best practices, and next steps for children and families in Washington County. Registration deadline: October 13. For questions email Amanda.Bishop@maryland.gov. Flyer.