| |
| |
"Is Church Attendance Turning Upward? And a Surprising Gender Gap"
By Daniel Copeland & David Kinnaman
Barna
"Tracking faith engagement in the U.S. continues to show unexpected trends. One of the most surprising is the gender gap in church attendance. In this article, we share an update about a significant shift in church attendance (men are outpacing women) as well as other critical mid-2025 trends we are watching."
|
|  |
Member Spotlight
HARC members, we want to shine the "spotlight" on YOU!
At least once per month, we would like to highlight a HARC member or faith-based affiliate on our website and in the News Flash. We need your help to do this well, so it's time to toot your own horn, share your latest news, and introduce yourself to the community.
| | |
Volunteers Needed at Salem Elementary
Salem Elementary School is seeking community volunteers to help provide fun and engaging activities for students on early dismissal days. These afternoons run from 2:00–3:30 p.m., with activities in 30–40 minute rotations for groups of about 10 students each. The goal is to keep the afternoons varied and engaging, while also giving students the chance to connect with different caring adults in the community.
| |
Volunteers Drivers Needed
Meritus Hematology Oncology has a patient who needs treatments 5 days/week for 6 weeks and needs rides each day from Martinsburg, WV to and from John Marsh Cancer Center. Some volunteers are already lined up to help with this, but more are needed for a rotation. The Cancer Center is finding there are more patients who need this kind of help who are living or have appointments outside of the radius of available services, so even if you can't help with this, you may be able to help with another need. If you have time to give to drive a patient, please contact Brandi Zeigler at 301-665-4710.
| | | | |
|
Interfaith Progressive Dinner | |
Saturday, Sept. 20 | 5:00 - 9:00 pm
3 local houses of worship
Ticket deadline is THIS Friday, September 12
Learn about different faiths and cultures through food and fun! We'll start at Hebron Mennonite Church for "breads and spreads" (including gluten free options) and learn about this peace church. Outside, we'll learn a little about Buddhism from Monk Temm Bikle while catching noodles for soup with his Japanese Noodle Slide. Then we'll all head to Congregation B'Nai Abraham for the next part of the meal and a sampling of Judaism. Finally, we head to the mosque of the Islamic Society of Western Maryland for dessert and a taste of Islam. By then end of the night, our bellies and our hearts will be full, with a small step toward peace in our world. $25 per person or $10 for students 13+.
|
| | |
|
Thursday, Sept. 11 | 10:00 am
Haven Lutheran Church
1035 Haven Road, Hagerstown
Low Vision Support Group - If you, or someone you know, are experiencing increased vision loss related to a disease or the aging process, join us the 2nd Thursday of each month at 10 am at Haven Lutheran Church. They will learn about available resources, learn from others who are dealing with vision loss, and share our journey with each other. For more information, email LowVisionWashCoMD@gmail.com or call 301-797-7865. Click pic for downloadble flyer.
|
| | |
T'ai Chi and Chair Yoga Classes | |
Tai Chi Tuesdays, Sept. 16 - Nov. 18 | 5:00 & 5:45 pm
Chair Yoga Thursdays, Sept. 18 - Oct. 16 | 11:00 am
Otterbein United Methodist Church Auditorium
201 N. Potomac Street, Hagerstown
T'ai Chi. Beginner (5:00 pm) & Intermediate (5:45 pm) sessions are offered to those who wish to learn a simplified version of this profound art form. T'ai Chi is taught as a holistic exercise that promotes health, improves balance, and enhances body-mind awareness. Flyer. Chair Yoga with Instructor Jane Baer. This chair yoga series is suitable for ALL levels and abilities. You will be guided through low-impact yoga postures from the comfort of your chair to increase flexibility, strength and balance. Flyer.
|
| | |
|
Sunday, Sept. 28 | 5:00 pm
Maryland Theatre
21 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown
Showcase the culinary talents of local chefs at this year's Taste of the Town, benefiting Reach of Washington County. All food is generously provided by local restaurants and caterers, so all ticket proceeds go directly to Reach’s programs. Purchase tickets at mdtheatre.org/taste-of-the-town or call the local Box Office at 301-790-2000.
|
| | |
Stories in the Round: National Association of Black Storytellers | |
Monday, Sept. 29 | 7:00 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church
13245 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown
Four storytellers from the National Association of Black Storytellers (NABS) will showcase their storytelling genres - from historic portrayals to African folktales as a fundraiser for the national association - with the goal of helping to replace the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grants, which were cancelled in 2025 due to new White House anti-diversity policies.
|
| | |
Randolph Community Golf Tournament | |
Saturday, Oct. 18 | 11:30 am check-in
Beaver Creek Country Club
9535 Mapleville Road, Hagerstown
The inaugural Randolph Community Outreach (RCO) golf tournament at Beaver Creek Country Club. All proceeds support the food bank at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hagerstown. Four-person scramble, $125 per person. Package includes cart, greens fees, beer and soda, catered dinner afterward. Individual and team prizes! Registration 11:30 am, tee time 1 pm. RSVP Deadline: Oct. 1. Sign up online or contact Craig Fentress at birdease.com/RCOGolf or Trinity office, 301-733-2878 or office@tlchag.org
|
| | |
Save the date: Mosque Open House | |
Saturday, Oct. 18 | 12:00 - 2:30 pm
Islamic Society of Western Maryland
2036 Day Road, Hagerstown
Meet your Muslim neighbours. Mosque Open House. Open for all. Watch Live Prayer. Masjid Tour. Free Refreshments. Q and A and much more .... Click on pic for downloadable flyer.
|
| | | | |
|
|
Friday, Sept. 12 | 6:00 pm
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church
10813 Donelson Drive, Williamsport, MD
Church Women United of Washington County presents a Human Rights Celebration. Dinner cost: $15. Please pay at the door. Catered by St. Andrew Presbyterian Women. Reservations are due by Thurs., Sept. 5. Please call or text Tammy Coyle at 240-409-2410 or email (preferred) to tammy.coyle93@gmail.com. Program begins at 6:45 pm. Guest Speaker: Kathy Powderly will share about HARC’s ministry. Flyer.
|
| | |
Life-Changing Deliverance Service | |
Saturday, Sept. 13 | 10:00 am
Children’s Bread Deliverance Ministry
11341 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown
A life‑changing deliverance service at Children’s Bread Deliverance Ministry. Led by Pastor Miguel Bustillos, this event invites attendees to experience spiritual freedom through prayer, teaching, and personal ministry. All are welcome. Website.
|
| | |
|
Saturday, Sept. 13 | 7:30 pm
Foxville Schoolhouse
14814 Foxville-Deefield Road, Sabillasville, MD
Dancing Under the Stars featuring Williamsport Jazz Band at Foxville Schoolhouse. Hosted by Foxville-Greensburg Lutheran Parish. For information, call or text Pastor Julie Brigham at 240-405-2173. Facebook StPaulsGreenburgMD or MountMoriahFoxville
|
| | |
55th Annual Dunker Church Service | |
Sunday, Sept. 14 | 3:00 pm
Dunker Church
Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, MD
The afternoon will begin with a tribute to Reverand Edward Poling who passed away in January 2025. Rev. Poling pastored several Church of the Brethren churches in the area, was a board member for the Hagerstown Area Religious Council (HARC) and was a past chair of the Dunker Church Service Planning Committee. Read full press release.
|
| | |
|
Thursday, Sept. 18 | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Soul Haven and Recovery Center
119-121 E. Antietam Street, Hagerstown
Monthly Expungement Day. Maryland Legal Aid. Re-Entry Program. Click pic for downloadable flyer.
|
| | |
|
Thursday, Sept. 25 | 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Washington County Health Dept. / Behavioral Health Services
925 N. Burhans Blvd., Hagerstown
"It's My Story" event will focus on workplace trauma and recovery, highlighting personal stories and insights from a diverse group of speakers representing a wide variety of employment settings. Lite refreshments will be served. Virtual presentation link.
|
| | |
|
Saturday, Sept. 27 | 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Christ Reformed UCC
22514 Cavetown Church Road, Cavetown, MD
Annual yard/craft sale. Spaces are available for vendors. The cost is $10.00 for a 15′ x 15′ space in the church’s parking lot. For more information or to reserve a space, call Carolyn Smith at 301-988-8971.
|
| | |
Living Well with Diabetes | |
Fridays, Oct. 3 - Nov. 7 | 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Senior Center
535 E. Franklin Street, Hagerstown
Are you a Diabetic and looking for ways to better manage it? Consider the Living Well with Diabetes Program. This 6 week program is led by trained facilitators who will discussions in the following topics and more. Click pic for downloadable flyer.
|
| | |
Save the date: Rummage Sale | |
Friday, Oct. 10 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday, Oct. 11 | 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Foxville Schoolhouse
14814 Foxville-Deerfield Road, Sabillasville, MD
Foxville-Greensburg Lutheran Parish will host a rummage sale. For information, call or text Pastor Julie Brigham at 240-405-2173. Facebook: StPaulsGreenburgMD or MountMoriahFoxville
|
| | | | |
| |
We hope this News Flash is helpful to you. Please contact us if you know someone we should add to the email list or if you would like to be removed.
Blessings!
| | |
Kathy Powderly
Executive Director
| | |
David Brechbiel
News Flash Editor
| | | | |
| |
