Center for Action and Contemplation

Adapted from Richard Rohr, The Art of Letting Go: Living the Wisdom of Saint Francis

"Father Richard names the tension created by gospel teachings on simplicity and cultural expectations of abundance:  Most of us have grown up with a capitalist worldview which makes a virtue and goal out of accumulation, consumption, and collecting. It has taught us to assume, quite falsely, that more is better. It’s hard for us to recognize this unsustainable and unhappy trap because it’s the only game in town. When parents perform multiple duties all day and into the night, that’s the story line their children surely absorb. “I produce therefore I am” and “I consume therefore I am” might be today’s answers to Descartes’ “I think therefore I am.” These identities are all terribly mistaken, but we can’t discover the truth until we remove the clutter." Read more.

Tuesday, May 14, 12:00 - 1:30 pm

Zion Baptist Church

61 Bethel Street, Hagerstown

Google map satellite view

HARC’s Racial Justice Team has planned our May HARC Meeting, with a few updates on the Team’s work and a special guest speaker from Washington County Public Schools (WCPS). Allison Smith, Supervisor of Equity and Excellence will share the work WCPS is doing to increase diversity and equity in our schools and to recruit and develop staff. Join us for lunch, fellowship, and program. RSVP requested by Friday, May 10 at noon so we can get a count for lunch. Parking is available in the large lot behind the church (entrance from Jonathan Street) or the small lot across the street from the front of the church (entrance from Bethel St.). Handicap parking is in the small lot on Bethel Street, so please leave spaces available for those who need them.

Sunday, May 19, 2:00 pm

Unity of Hagerstown (St. Mark's Episcopal)

18313 Lappans Road, Boonsboro, MD

The Interfaith team of the Hagerstown Area Religious Council (HARC) hosts a book club with NO REQUIRED READING! We gather for light refreshments and share a book that has inspired us individually. Prose or poetry, fiction or nonfiction, faith-based or secular, a book that has moved us 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! Please RSVP by May 17 to communicator07@yahoo.com or call 301-842-4272.

Saturday, June 8

Shepherd's Spring Outdoor Retreat Center

The HARC Hike for Hunger & Hope is approaching fast and we are in need of some volunteers. Most notably, we need a volunteer driver to drive a borrowed van/bus from Girls, Inc. and we need a photographer to take pictures of everyone having fun at this event. If you can help, please contact Kathy at 301-842-4272 or director@harccoalition.org.  Want to join in the fun of the hike?  Learn more here. And please spread the word via the Flyer and Bulletin inserts.

Looking for a mature Christian single woman to live in Hannah's Homestead, a residential Maternity/Recovery Home for women with Children, to oversee the day-to-day runnings of the program. They offer a private apartment including all utilities in exchange for 10 hours a week in managing the program. Live in house manager can work another part time job. Must have own vehicle and a clean background check. Contact Kathy Horst at 301-491-6956 or e-mail Khorst@cmhag.org

Election day is fast approaching! Check your voter registration, find your polling place, learn about candidates, and more through an unbiased source: Vote 411 - https://www.vote411.org/maryland. Each election, the League of Women Voters sends surveys to all candidates and publishes the Vote 411 voter's guide directly from the candidates' responses.

Learn more about the local League of Women Voters here.

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.

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. 

Meritus Medical Center has a patient in urgent need of beds and other furniture. A senior couple and their 12 year old grandson moved from a hotel to an apartment, but they have no furniture. The male and grandson are sleeping on blankets but the female is staying with her daughter until they can get furniture. She has some chronic illnesses which would make it hard to sleep on the floor and there is nowhere to sit. Most needed: beds for the senior couple and their grandson (the grandmother has requested a bed for him from SHP), a dining table and chairs, sofa and other living room furniture. Household supplies are likely also needed. If you can help, please contact Andrea, Meritus Care Manager, andrea.deane@meritushealth.com or 240-313-9860.

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, camps, and 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 example here.

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.

Saturday, May 4, 6:00 pm

Congregation B'Nai Abraham

35 E. Baltimore Street, Hagerstown

Congregation B'nai Abraham requests your presence at their annual Holocaust Remembrance Program. There will be Havdalah and a candle lighting ceremony in observance of Yom Hashoah followed by a reading of the play “Diary of Anne Frank” featuring talented CBA actors. Flyer. Contact info: 301-733-5039 or bnaiabraham1@gmail.com

Friday, May 17, 8:15 am - 4:00 pm

Washington County Public Safety Training Center

18350 Public Safety Pl., Hagerstown

Registration deadline for the Harm Reduction and Peer Recovery Conference is on Friday, May 10, 2024. This year's event, themed "Reduce, Rebuild, Recover," promises insightful discussions and invaluable networking opportunities. The keynote speakers for this year: Vinay Krishnan from the Center for Popular Democracy, presenting on "Storytelling and Power Building: Using our Narratives to Enact Progressive Policy."; Monica White, MS, CAC-AD, RPS, Chief Operating Officer at MISHA House, LLC, sharing insights on "The Power of Recovery." The conference will feature multiple breakout sessions designed to foster learning and engagement throughout the day. Conference Flyer / Agenda / Registration Link

Friday, May 10

Hagerstown Aviation Museum

18450 Showalter Rd., Building 8, Hagerstown

Habitat for Humanity will be holding its 4th Annual Project Playhouse event on Friday, May 10th at the Hagerstown Aviation Museum. This event brings the community together to build playhouses for children from low-income or disadvantaged families throughout Washington County. Project Playhouse also raises funds so that they continue to provide much-needed affordable housing. Join them this year and sponsor a playhouse! Habitat will match you with a local family and provide a list of family interests that will help you design a one-of-a-kind playhouse that will be given to the family at no cost. Sponsorship forms with more information. You can also check out their website:  Project Playhouse — Habitat for Humanity of Washington County (habitat-wc.org)

Saturday, May 11, 7:00 am - 2:00 pm

Saint John's Episcopal Church

101 S. Prospect Street, Hagerstown

RAIN OR SHINE. Most items will be indoors of the fellowship hall and a few outside by the elevator door. There will be a bake sale and food as well. Parking Lot, Antietam Street and Walnut Lane. Flyer Sign.

Saturday, May 11, 4:00 - 7:30 pm

First Christian Church

1345 Potomac Avenue, Hagerstown

Annual Youth Spaghetti Dinner. TREAT MOM TO DINNER! Adult Tickets (11 & Older) - $15; Children Tickets (2 to 10) - $10; Birth to 1 year old - Free; Desserts available by donation. Proceeds support youth mission trip to Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina June 2024. Call the church office for more information, or tickets 301-733-0144. Flyer.

Saturday, May 18, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Zion Baptist Church of Hagerstown

61 West Bethel Street Parking Lot, Hagerstown

Zion Baptist Church of Hagerstown is sponsoring its 2nd Annual Community Health Summit. The theme is "Hope in Healing ... Experiencing the Journey, Dealing with the Struggles of Addiction & Mental Health." 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. For more information, please call Zion Baptist Church at (301) 739-5616 and leave a message for Linda Brooks or send an email to jehovahonhigh@aol.com if you are interested in participating. (Invitation Letter)

Saturday, June 1, 3:00 - 7:00 pm

The Maryland Theatre

21 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown

Prepare for a dazzling night filled with glitz, glamour, and sheer enjoyment a the Adult Senior Prom! Two lucky seniors will be crowned King and Queen. Tickets $50. Go to Eventbrite Senior Prom. Food, Refreshments, Cash Bar, Purchase Raffle Tickets for Fabulous Prizes. Dress to Impress. Meet new and old friends. Good music. 50 & Older. Doors open 2:30 pm. Info: (843) 425-2852, Elder-group.org (9:00 am - 5:00 pm). Flyer.