by Josiah L. Daniels

Sojourners

Brook Lane hosted and presented the program for HARC's April meeting in recognition of their 75th anniversary year. CEO Jeffery O'Neal shared a snapshot of the history of Brook Lane as well as new and expanded programs offered now. Founded by the Mennonite Church in 1949, Brook Lane is western Maryland’s largest, non-profit mental health system. The main campus in Hagerstown is home to the second largest freestanding psychiatric hospital in the state, serving children, adolescents, and adults.  Watch the recording

"I was in high school, visiting my grandparents’ church in Peru, Ind., and the theme for the Sunday school class was “money.” The teacher was quick to bring up a verse that has always sounded like it would be a better fit in Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanack than the Bible. “The love of money is the root of all evil,” the teacher said, summarizing and abbreviating 1 Timothy 6:10. “It’s not that money itself is evil. Objects, in and of themselves, cannot be evil,” he explained. “It’s a matter of the heart.” That logic sat weirdly with me and so I raised my hand to respond." Read more

Challenge Hike - Saturday, May 18

Appalachian Trail, meeting at Weverton

4K, 10k & half marathon Hikes - Saturday, June 8

Shepherd's Spring Outdoor Retreat Center and C&O Canal Towpath

Register now and spread the word for the 12th annual HARC Hike for Hunger & Hope! This family-friendly event benefits HARC and Micah's Backpack, and is a great opportunity to get outdoors and have fun. Choose a 4K, 10K or half marathon hike/walk/run on the C&O Canal Towpath or 1 20-mile Challenge Hike on the Appalachian Trail. TEAMS are encouraged. This year we have an exciting matching pledge from the God's Grace Fund. HARC Hike participants who raise funds beyond a $200 suggested fundraising goal will see any additional amounts raised matched 2-1 for triple the impact. Learn more and register. Flyer / Bulletin inserts / Sponsorship form / Manual registration form / How to set up a team

Maryland Food Bank is expanding more resources into Western MD, and is in need of a Program Coordinator for the Hagerstown office! This is a somewhat entry level position. Duties include site inspections, regional gathering planning, administrative tasks, and other food security projects, and will require a fair amount of driving around Western MD for site visits (reliable vehicle needed). Must be skilled in Microsoft Office Suite and generally very comfortable with computers and administrative work. Full time with benefits, pays $22-$24 per hour. See full job description on Indeed or on the MD Food Bank website.

Saturday, April 20, 1:00 - 4:00 pm

First Christian Church

1345 Potomac Avenue, Hagerstown

First Christian Church in Hagerstown is hosting the installation service for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Marcus Leathers, and would love for clergy and members of the faith community of Washington County to attend. The Rev. Dr. Robert W. Perry will deliver the Sermon at the Installation Service. Please RSVP HERE if you plan to attend. Flyer.

First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Hagerstown has an Associate Minister position available. The Associate Minister curates a community of youth and adults who have fun sharing church. The Associate Minister resources mission ministries of our congregation. Annually, the Associate Minister develops a ministry out of their passion for serving Jesus and the community. The Associate Minister will share worship, pastoral and teaching opportunities with the Senior Minister on a scheduled frequency. Disciples of Christ affiliation or ordination not necessary; this position is flexible for the right person. To Apply: Contact Rev. Dr. Marcus Leathers, Regional Minister of the Christian Church of the Capital Area RM@cccadisciples.org 202-823-0800 www.cccadisciples.org. Job Description.

Do you want to: Confidently meet new people and/or represent your Clergy? Know how to visit patients within a Healthcare or Nursing Home setting? Western Maryland Hospital Center presents a12-week program that provide trainees with a combination of 50 hours of classroom and in-practice educational learning in Person-Centered Hospitals and Nursing Homes visitation. The course presentation itself is FREE. Flyer / Brochure / Application. For more information, contact Chaplain, Richard W. Bower at 301-745-4285 or email at rich.bower@maryland.gov.

New Light Metropolitan Community Church (NLMCC) is deliberately striving to be the passionately authentic spiritual presence of Christ in the world excluding no one. Located in Hagerstown, Maryland NLMCC is a church in the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Church (UFMCC). We are seeking a part-time pastor to be the spiritual and administrative leader of the church and shall work in a spirit of cooperation with the Board of Directors and lay leaders. This position can begin as early as April of 2024. To apply, send a resume, cover letter, and sample sermon to newlightmcc@gmail.com with Pastor Search and your First and Last Name in the subject line. Please no phone calls. 

Our community is facing significant needs, with over 900 children currently experiencing homelessness in our county. Children In Need, Inc. is committed to supporting these children in accessing education by providing them with the essential items they need to attend school regularly. If you are interested in lending a helping hand and joining Children In Need in supporting our community, please reach out to Joan Balbuena at joan@childreninneedwc.org or call/text 240-347-2356. Flyer. Website. Facebook.

Chair Yoga - 6 Thursdays April 18-May 23, 11 am - noon

Beginning T'ai Chi - 6 Wednesdays April 24-May 29, 5-6 pm

Otterbein United Methodist Church

108 E. Franklin Street, Hagerstown

Each program costs $30. See flyers for more info: Chair Yoga flyer T'ai Chi flyer. Register on-line: https://otterumc.org/chairyoga / https://otterumc.org/taichi, or contact Kate in the church office: office@otterumc.org or call 301-739-9386.

Friday, April 19, 7:00 pm

Christ Reformed UCC

117 W. Main Street, Sharpsburg, MD

Ernie Couch and Revival will be performing in a free and open to all show with refreshments to follow. EC&R is a Gospel group consisting of Ernie, Jason and Memphis Couch. This three generational group is based in Nashville and has been Grammy nominated. Read more.

Saturday, April 20, 8:30 - 10:30 am

St. Andrews UMC

1020 Maryland Avenue, Hagerstown

The United Methodist Men of St. Andrews United Methodist Church will host a potato drop in the church parking lot. They will be offering 50-pound bags of Maine Potatoes to organizations and smaller bags to individuals in need. To reserve one or more bags of potatoes, please contact John Davidson at 301-730-7359, write him at davidjoh@myactv.net or go to www.bwc.umm.org to order online. Flyer.

Sunday, April 21, 2:00 pm

Halfway African American Cemetery

11027 Clinton Avenue, Hagerstown

Thanks to a Maryland Heritage Areas Authority matching grant and generous supporters, Friends of Halfway African American Cemetery have completed the public access pathway into the Halfway African American Cemetery. A ribbon-cutting event to celebrate this new public access will be on Sunday, April 21. This is open to the public and they welcome all visitors. Street parking is available. For questions, please see their Facebook page (Friends of Halfway MD African American Cemetery) or contact Elizabeth Paul at eapaul@myactv.net or 301-991-1309.

Monday, April 22, 7:00 pm

Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown

13245 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown

Susan Gordon returns to Stories In The Round to continue the story of Liza and John Ingram, living in the West Virginia Alleghanies at the seep beginnings of Laurel Fork below Bayard Knob in the Cheat River watershed, who fight to keep their land from being lumbered out. Her novel-in-progress, set in the early 1900’s when these mountains were clear cut of every standing tree, includes the history of the land with the towns, hamlets and families who struggled to survive the disaster around them. Gordon is a prose writer of fiction and memoir, a poet, a storyteller, and was a narrative therapist until her retirement in 2023. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Children 12 & older welcome when accompanied by a parent or group leader. Contact: Fanny Crawford, 301-730-1638 or fanitsky@hotmail.com.

Friday, April 26, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (or until supplies last)

Soul Haven

119 E. Antietam Street, Hagerstown

Fresh Produce Food Drop on Friday, April 26, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (until supplies last). Info: 301-790-5054. Flyer.

April 27, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Otterbein United Methodist Church

108 E. Franklin Street, Hagerstown

Put your Old Bike or Sewing Machine to good use. Help someone get to work, school and health services. Donate at the 20th Annual Bike Collection. A $10 per bike donation is suggested to defray a share of the cost of shipping to overseas charity partners, which recondition the bicycles and distribute them to people who need them. Contact info: Cindy or Mike, cindybrownsr@gmail.com or mike@msjohnston.com. Flyer. Website.

Saturday, April 27, 4:00 pm

Trinity Lutheran Church

15 Randolph Avenue, Hagerstown

Join Hagerstown Choral Arts for their Spring Concert, “We Will Listen”, a concert about hope and the joy of listening. The concert is free but donations are appreciated. Flyer.

Washington Goes Purple T-Shirt Art Contest - April 1 - 30: Be part of something meaningful by participating in the Washington Goes Purple T-Shirt Art Contest. The winning design will become the official emblem for the WGP shirts of 2024. This is an incredible opportunity to leave a lasting impact and contribute to the Washington Goes Purple initiative's mission of preventing substance abuse. Info Flyer.

The Washington County Health Department is sponsoring an Art Contest for Tobacco Cessation - May 31. They're hosting an art contest aimed at promoting tobacco cessation. This contest invites participants to unleash their creativity and submit artwork that conveys the importance of quitting smoking. Selected pieces will be displayed at our prestigious World No Tobacco Day Red Carpet Event on May 31st. It's a chance to showcase talent while raising awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco. Info Flyer.

Thursday, May 2, 5:30 pm

Baker Park Bandshell, Frederick, MD

The 11th Annual Youth Prayer Rally, sponsored by the National Day of Prayer-Frederick, will be held in Baker Park, Frederick, Maryland. This is a local observance of the National Day of Prayer. Program starts at 6:00 pm with pre-event activities (food, fun, music, giveaways) starting at 5:30 pm. For youth, includes college and young adults (and their families), to gather and pray publicly for all levels of government and its leaders. This is also an evangelistic opportunity to reach the unsaved and the unchurched. For more information, visit: nationaldayofprayer-frederick.org/youth-rally. All ages welcome! Facebook.

Friday, May 17, 6:00 pm

Manor Church of the Brethren

18511 Manor Church Road, Boonsboro, MD

Church Women United of Washington County will celebrate May Friendship Day on Friday, May 17. Dinner Cost: $15.00 Please pay at the door. Menu: Pork BBQ sandwich, mac and cheese, cole slaw, dessert, and drinks. Reservations are due by Thursday, May 9. Contact Tammy Coyle tammy.coyle93@gmail.com or 240-409-2410. Program begins at 6:45. Speaker: Marty Blake. See flyer.