By K Scarry And Doug Powe

Lewis Center for Church Leadership

How can a passion for helping people flourish lead to social innovation? We speak with K Scarry about social innovation and the ways she is supporting local artists, helping create spaces where everyone can thrive, and more. Listen.

Saturday, June 8

$10 Early bird discount up through May 19 + guaranteed t-shirt (in your size)

Shepherd's Spring Outdoor Retreat Center

Enjoy the outdoors with a 4K, 10K or half marathon hike/walk/run on the beautiful C&O Canal Towpath, plus good food and fellowship, while supporting HARC, Micah's Backpack, the Refugee Welcome Network, and other programs of HARC. Learn and more here. And please spread the word via the Flyer and Bulletin inserts. We also still need a volunteer to to take pictures of participants hiking on the towpath. If you can help, please contact Kathy at 301-842-4272 or director@harccoalition.org.  

Tuesday, June 11, 12:00 - 1:30 pm

Congregation B'Nai Abrahm

53 E. Baltimore Street, Hagerstown

Tom Riford will speak with us at our June meeting about the Thomas Kennedy Center. The Thomas Kennedy Center is dedicated to celebrating Hagerstown-Washington County’s state legislator Thomas Kennedy’s tireless efforts of advancing religious liberty and inclusiveness in 19th Century Maryland; and teaching how his legacy applies today, regardless of differences that might exist among us in race, ethnicity. Lunch with a free-will offering basket. Parking is available on the street on in the Library parking lot. Handicap parking is available on the right side of the synagogue. Enter the fellowship room from the back right of the building. RSVP requested by Friday, June 7 at noon so we can get a count for lunch.

Summer is approaching and the Refugee Welcome Network (RWN) is seeking window air conditioners to place in apartments of refugees to keep them comfortable in the summer heat. RWN continues to grow as more refugees settle in our area, so we are also in need of volunteers for the following roles: Household & Furnishings Coordinator, Workforce Development, Family Allies, Legal Team (no legal experience required), and Fundraising. Learn more HERE about these roles and the RWN. If interested, please contact RWN at refugeewelcome@harccoalition.org.  

St. Mark's Lutheran Church has 43 kindergarten-sized chairs, 17 nursery-sized chairs, and 5 adult-sized chairs available to give away on a first-come basis. If you are interested, please contact the church office at 301-733-7550 and speak with Alison.

Thursday Evenings, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

St. John's Episcopal Church

101 S. Prospect Street, Hagerstown

Circles Cohort 2 began on May 2 when twelve new Circles Leaders (participants) began 6 weeks of training. Following this training, Allies, or intentional friends, will be matched with each Leader to assist them in achieving financial stability. Leaders and Allies will participate in approximately 18 months of interactive mentoring and relationship building. Professional childcare is provided.  Minimum Ally commitment is twice a month, but there is flexibility with schedules! Allies are needed, but there are a variety of opportunities available. Visit www.circlesusa.org for more information about the National program. Contact Elizabeth Howe at 301-606-0190 (cell) / ehowe@wccac.org to schedule a visit to Circles on a Thursday evening or to obtain more information.  

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.

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, May 18, 1:00 - 2:30 pm

Unity of Hagerstown meeting in the Fellowship Center at St. Mark's Episcopal Church

18313 Lappans Road, Boonsboro, MD

Join Unity in sacred space as they honor and tap into our creative power center – the womb. In this women-only workshop facilitated by SABRINA MADSEN, they will be guided to the womb's wisdom, connect in community, share, heal, and embody more of their own authentic selves. Different practices will be woven into their time together such as guided meditation, energy self-healing, discussion, journal writing, and more. $40. When women gather, magic happens! For more information unityhagerstown@gmail.com, 240-409-5940, www.unityhagerstown.org

Sunday, May 19, 3:00 pm

Trinity UCC

30 W. North Church Street, Waynesboro, PA

The Harrisburg Gay Men's Chorus is thrilled to announce their 2024 Spring Concert Series - "Won't You Be My Gaybor?" Join them Sunday, May 19th at Trinity United Church of Christ as they explore themes of love, community, and the importance of mental health. As always, their shows are free and open to viewers of all ages! Flyer.

Monday, May 20, 7:00 pm

Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown

13245 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown

Dovie Thomason is a much admired and internationally respected teller of traditional stories handed down from her grandmother and drawing from her Indigenous/Native and Scot Traveller descent, as well as personal and historical narratives that offer an often provocative curiosity and point of view. Ms. Thomason has shared her wisdom tales for decades with community organizations, festivals, schools, libraries, Head Start, University of Manitoba Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture, American Folklore Society, The Shakespeare Globe Theater, TED Talks, NASA, and many others - and now our own Stories In The Round for the third time. $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.

Tuesday, May 21, 10:00 am - 12:00 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.

Friday, May 14, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (or until supplies last)

Soul Haven

119 E. Antietam Street, Hagerstown

Fresh Produce Food Drop on Friday, May 24, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (until supplies last). Info: 301-790-5054. Flyer.

Wednesday, May 29, 3:30 - 4:30 pm

Division of Behavioral Health Services, Multipurpose Room

925 N. Burhans Blvd., Hagerstown

As part of ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and raise awareness about this critical issue, this workshop is organized to bring together stakeholders from various sectors to discuss strategies, share insights, and foster collaboration in our community. The workshop will feature an informative sessions led by an expert in the field, interactive discussions, and opportunities for networking. No need to RSVP. Doors open at 3:15 pm. For more information, reach out to David Washington at 240-313-3310. Flyer.

Friday, May 31, 5:00 - 8:00 pm

Unity of Hagerstown

9760 Beaver Creek Church Road, Hagerstown 

Join Unity for a special time of sharing stories and reflections about those we love who have passed away. They will gather by the creek to launch luminaries in remembrance as a quiet ritual. Please bring chair and a dish to share. Luminaries will be provided. / $10 Advanced registration required, Contact ANNE BAKER: 301-509-2734 to register www.unityhagerstown.org

Monday, June 10 & 24, 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Sunday, June 23, 1:30 pm

Foxville School House

14814 Foxville-Deerfield Road, Sabillasville, MD

Dream Group Meetings will be Monday, June 10, and Monday, June 24. Dreams are one of the ways God's Word is revealed in the Bible. What might your dreams reveal about your Soul's conversation with God. Learn more about dreams and how we can support one another in a community of dream work. Pastor Julie Brigham leads the group and has trained through the Haden Institute. A Journal-Making Workshop will be Sunday, June 23. If you wish, bring fabric for the journal cover. Free; call Pastor Julie Brigham at 240-405-2173 to register. For information, call 240-405-2173.