text: HARC News Flash 10-13-2021
  A Unitarian Universalist Christian Prayer
  Calendar for October 14 - 20.
  "Support group formed for families and friends of addicts"
  "Living with or knowing someone who is addicted to drugs and alcohol can be lonely and powerless. A new support group — Save Our Children — has formed to help family and friends of people impacted by the disease of addiction. "The group Save Our Children is for anyone who has a loved one struggling with addiction," Lisa Rhodes, the founder and leader of the group said." Read more.
  "Native Americans lived in what's now Baltimore well before settlers established the city in the early 1700s. 'Indigenous people lived on the land that is now called Baltimore roughly 12,000 years prior to the arrival of John Smith, and well before most Maryland history books begin,' said Ashley Minner, an artist and assistant curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian." Play video.
  Clergy Bible Study has resumed!
  HARC's Clergy Bible Study has resumed, and is currently held on Mondays at 9 am at Jpmino Cafe on Dual Highway (inside the Baymont Hotel). This is an opportunity for a small group of clergy to dig into scripture with one another. Typically follows the Lectionary cycle, but you don't need to be preaching the Lectionary to join in. Drop in when you can, or contact Rev. Todd Young for more info: 541-659-8151 / rector@stjohnshagerstown.org.
  John Wesley United Methodist Church, 129 N. Potomac St., Hagerstown. MD is seeking a part-time Custodian/Caretaker to clean and handle basic repairs for all public-facing areas of the church. Working parts of Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays, and Sundays, the custodian/caretaker, working in coordination with church staff and volunteers, will open and close the building for scheduled and special activities. Applicants must have relevant experiences and references, and work well with people. To view the full job description and apply to work on our smoke and drug free campus, go to www.jw-umc.org/employment.
  Shiloh United Methodist Church, 19731 Shiloh Church Rd, Hagerstown, is seeking an organist for its 10:30 am Sunday services. The ideal candidate will have a love of music and a strong desire to share faith in Christ through music ministry. The job requires excellent organ skills - technical dexterity and accuracy; command of the instrument. A true church organist with service-playing experience; ability to play hymns with proficiency and sensitivity; a passion for music ministry is needed. For a full job description and contact information, please click here.
  Training opportunity - Regrounding Our Response begins today!
  The Washington County Health Department will be hosting various Regrounding Our Response trainings that focus on a variety of topics. The series will cover five core concepts, each crucial to addressing stigma around substance use and improving our response to Maryland's overdose crisis. Please see the attached flyer that has the link embedded for registration. The training will be provided over ZOOM and sign-up will be open until just before the session starts. If you have additional questions, please contact Laura Sheffield-Bishop at laura.sheffield@maryland.gov
  Washington Co. Food Bank Card discontinued; updated food & clothing list
  EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: Community Action Council is discontinuing the use of the Washington County Food Bank Card to receive food from CAC's food pantry. The process to apply and receive food from CAC will remain the same, minus receiving and presenting the card. Washington County residents who wish to apply to receive food from CAC's pantry on a monthly basis will still be required to apply annually and meet eligibility requirements, as well as providing their photo ID, which must match the name on their approved food pantry application. Other area food pantries will have their own requirements. Here is an updated Washington County Food & Clothing Resources List with this change and other updates. CAC Flyer.
  School Supply Drive - October 1-31
  United Way is collecting school supplies October 1-31 in partnership with M & T Bank. The collection is for Smithsburg High School's AVID students. AVID is a college prep program to better develop academic skills so that students can succeed in rigorous academic classes and prepare for acceptance into four-year college. See FLYER for a list of supplies needed and drop-off locations.
  Hats and gloves needed for Head Start students and the homeless
  New Light Metropolitan Community Church, 40 West Church Street, Hagerstown, 21740 is once again collecting hats and gloves for Head Start children. Hats and gloves must be Kindergarten children size. Also, New Light is collecting hats and gloves for our homeless friends in the community. Please bring your hats and gloves to the church on Sundays, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. Other times may be arranged with Pastor Deb at 717-682-1873. Monetary donations are welcomed also for the purchase of hats and gloves.
  October is CHARACTER COUNTS! month!!
  October 17-23 is CHARACTER COUNTS! week!! Ideas to help celebrate CHARACTER COUNTS! activities are attached. Also, plenty of free resources are available from the CHARACTER COUNTS! Library.
  Educational programs offered - Life in Focus
  The attached flyer contains information about ongoing weekly educational programs that can be attended in person, virtually, or Dr. Pastor Parson can come to any locations in the tri-state area. Please contact the Dr. Pastor Parson at 301-331-1262,
  Youth group book sale fundraiser - October 16
  64 Main Street, Boonsboro
  Youth at Trinity ELC are having a book sale with the money being collected for the church youth group. The books remain from a sale last spring - the same great authors reduced prices. Books as low as $.50. Stop by to browse in the Social Room of Trinity. All are welcome.
  Walk For Freedom - October 16
  Every step we take locally leaves footprints globally. Every dollar fundraised, every poster seen, every person made aware of the issue of human trafficking, add up to one Global impact - a world where everyone is free. On Saturday, October 16, join thousands of abolitionists in hundreds of cities across the globe with the awareness of human trafficking and how to end it. Join the Walk For Freedom right here in Hagerstown, Maryland. Sign up in advance to walk. In addition, for anyone doing a specific message on human trafficking there are resources at www.forourcity.com/freedom-washington.
  Food Drop - October 19
  Tuesday, October 19, 9 am to 1pm
  This is a one-time, food "drop" for the neighborhood. Please remain in your car. Walk-ups allowed as long as social distancing is followed. Masks are recommended, highly suggested. Volunteers will be wearing masks and gloves. Recommended especially for those who fall within the WIC Income Guidelines - (Example: family of 4 with income less than $40,793). For more info call MD Food Bank, 301-733-4002 or Otterbein United Methodist Church, 301-739-9386. Flyer.
  COVID-19 Vaccine Community Clinic - October 19
  Tuesday, October 19, 9 am to 12 noon
  Washington County businesses and organizations are partnering to offer FREE COVID-19 vaccines to all community members to help END COVID. Vaccines are free of charge and walk-in appointments are welcome! Do your part to #EndCOVID Now!
  It's Trunk or Treat time! - October 24
  Sunday, October 24, 6 - 8 pm
  141 North Edgewood Drive, Hagerstown
  Trunk or Treat is a safe space for children in our community to trick-or-treat to themed trunks throughout the parking lot. This event will be held rain or shine. Contact the church with any questions: 301-797-4524 or office@hagerstownnaz.org
  Rededication of Pleasant Hill AME Church & Cemetery at Red Hill - October 23
  West of 5628 Red Hill Road, Keedysville
  The Pleasant Hill African Methodist Episcopal Church dates to the 1870's, but the congregation, among a once flourishing (mostly free) African American population centered on Red Hill, predates the church by decades. Join historians, members of the clergy, and state government to remember and rededicate these important historical sites. Flyer.
  You Will Always Have the Poor ……Virtual Workshop - October 27
  Wednesday, October 27, 7 – 8:30 pm
  Join the Poor People's Campaign for this workshop hosted by three Pastors from their statewide campaign on the often quoted Matthew 26 - where Jesus says that, "...You will always have the Poor..." We will do several readings of this story together and deepen our understanding of its meaning and the distorted moral narrative that has continued to place the blame for poverty on the poor themselves rather than on the structures that are producing and perpetuating poverty. RSVP Here
  Caring for the Caregiver Resource Fair and Facebook Live Events - October 30
  Saturday, October 30, 10 am - 2 pm
  In recognition of National Family Caregiver Month, Brook Lane and Potomac Case Management Services are hosting a free Caring for the Caregiver Resource Fair on October 30 and a series of virtual programs via Facebook Live throughout the month of November. The Fair will feature exhibitors from local organizations who specialize in helping individuals provide care to loved ones due to physical or mental illness and two informative keynote speakers. The event is FREE. Click here for more information.
  Tickets now available for the Potter's Bowl - November 7
  Sunday, November 7, 2 - 5 pm
  Tickets are now available for the 2021 Potter's Bowl! This year the event will be a walk-through style event. Select your bowl, pick your soup, then enjoy at home! Simply select and purchase your ticket for you desired time of entrance. Each ticket will good for one (1) hand crafted artisan soup bowl, two (2) quarts of soup of your choice, one (1) quart of cole slaw, and a dessert. Sanitation stations will be set up for the event, face masks are encouraged. Proceeds benefit the Community Free Clinic. Tickets are $50 each and must be purchased before October 29. For more information, contact Tyler or Nicole, Community Free Clinic, 301 733 9234, email info@mycommunityfreeclinic.org
  Habitat's 28th Annual Dinner Auction to be in person - November 13
  Saturday, November 13, 5 - 9 pm
  Cortland Mansion 1
  9411 Cortland Drive. Hagerstown
  The Annual Dinner Auction is Habitat for Humanity's premier event that hosts supporters and business partners from across Washington County. The 2021 Dinner Auction is back in person. All proceeds from the Dinner Auction help Habitat build, renovate, and repair homes in Washington County. Click here for tickets or to make a donation.
  Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award application period ends November 15
  This award is given to a woman who is the main provider for her family and is enrolled in a program to improve her life through education or training. The Hagerstown Soroptimist Club gives the winner an award of $1000 and her application goes on to the regional level of competition where there are more cash awards for the winners. Please carefully complete the financial section and also take time to explain your story. Select references carefully - teachers, counselors, and employers are some suggestions. The local winner last year came in second place at the regional level earning an additional $3000. The deadline for applying is November 15, 2021. The link is also available on the Soroptimist of Hagerstown FaceBook page and by searching "Live Your Dream Award".