NEWS FLASH

July 3, 2024

Blessings to you,

This is your weekly HARC e-newsletter, with news on faith community events and other useful information. Please forward it on to anyone else who might be interested. If you would like to get something into the News Flash, please email harcnewsflash@gmail.com by Tuesday at 10:00 AM each week. For a full list of upcoming faith community events, visit http://harccoalition.org/events/.. FAQ sheet for submitting news for this newsletter.

Prayer for Gaza and Israel

Dear God,

We cry out to you on behalf of the people seriously affected by the conflict in Gaza and Israel. Our hearts break at the devastation and suffering that we see, and we know it breaks yours, too.

We ask that you would stretch out your mighty hand to bring an end to this war.

We cry out for people who have been injured or traumatised, who have lost loved ones or their homes. Please provide everything they need and be their comfort, their hope, their healer, and their safe refuge.

We pray for your peace to reign. We look to you as our Saviour and the hope of the world.

Amen.

- Tearfund

Podcast: “Doing Justice Together”

By Michael Adam Beck, Stephanie Moore Hand And Ann A. Michel

Lewis Center for Church Leadership

"How can a faith community organize itself to combat the sin of racism? Michael Adam Beck and Stephanie Moore Hand share with us a practical framework for doing justice together that re-imagines discipleship, leadership, and evangelism as tools for change." Listen.

Thank You from a Refugee and Current Needs

The Refugee Welcome Network (RWN) is excited to celebrate the success of several refugees lately that were helped by our team. Here is another note of thanks from a young woman in our community:

"I am very grateful for your kind words and your support throughout my journey as a refugee in the U.S. You have been a great help and a source of inspiration for me and my family. Thank you for everything you have done for me. …I will always remember your generosity and compassion. I am proud of what I have achieved so far, and I am hopeful for the future...." Read more

Updated and SPANISH Food, Clothing & Personal Care Resources List

We had more updates to the Food, Clothing & Personal Care Resources list the last couple of weeks, so here is an updated list. Also, thank you to Ruth Portillo who translated the list into Spanish for us! Here is the Spanish list. We'll do our best to keep it updated, too.

If you know of a change to either of these lists, please contact director@harccoalition.org

Average of 3-6 hours per week anticipated (more during larger events), Pay will commensurate with experience up to $20 per hour. Help coordinate and market events and communicate with membership. This is a great opportunity to help connect and elevate Black professionals in Washington County. See full job description here.

After School Programs Wanted!

HARC is planning a collaborative after school program to start in the fall at Eastern Elementary School with the goal of offering children between 1st-5th grades a fun, safe, educational opportunity after school and allow parents to work later. We're looking for houses of worship to commit to providing a program 1-2 days per week for at least one marking period (6-8 weeks). A stipend is available for program leaders, if desired. Several houses of worship and an outside club have committed to offer programs ranging from arts and music to astronomy and likely 4-H. We welcome your ideas and hope you or your congregation can help by offering a program. If interested or you want to learn more, contact Angela Yamashita, Program Coordinator, at voteyamashita@gmail.com or 801-520-4918.

Get the JULY Calendar of children's activities. August events wanted!

HARC is once again compiling summer (June-August) calendars of free and low-cost VBS, camps, and other activities for children and families. Here is the new JULY calendar, and you can find the latest version + start of August on our website. VBS coming up the week of July 8: Beaver Creek Community, New Life Christian Ministries, and Otterbein UMC Baking Camp (registration full, but contact the church office to be added to the wait list at 301-739-9386 or office@otterumc.org). Coming up the week of July 15: Valley Assembly of God, and Otterbein UMC "A Hero's Quest" (registration). If you have a program to include in the August calendar, please send info to Charlotte ASAP atharcnewsflash@gmail.com. Please include date(s), times, location, a brief description, ages served, and how to sign up.

Caribbean Carnival and Jerk N Vibes Fest - July 6

Carnival: Saturday, July 6, 12:00 - 8:00 pm

49 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown

A vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture featuring live music, food, and entertainment along South Potomac Street. FREE admission. Kids area. Poster.

Jerk N Vibes Fest: Saturday, July 6, 1:00 - 6:00 pm

University Plaza

50 W. Washington Street, Hagerstown

Building community through experience and expression, music and food. Strengthening the connection between Caribbean and its diaspora through the arts, community, and creativity. Poster.

Events sponsored by City of Hagerstown.

Storytime in the Plaza - July 10

Wednesday, July 10, 11:00 am

University Plaza

50 W. Washington Street, Hagerstown

Storytime in the Plaza. Authentic Community Theater will be performing their summer storytelling series at University Plaza! After storytime, enjoy jumbo Connect Four and other yard games. Event hosted by City of Hagerstown.

Creative Self-Expression and Authenticity: A Mindfulness Meditation Journey - July 10, 17, & 24

Wednesdays, July 10, 17, & 24, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Unity of Hagerstown

meeting at The Fellowship Hall at St. Mark's Episcopal

18313 Lappans Road, Boonsboro MD

Join Unity for a three-part series dedicated to connecting or reinvigorating your connection to what brings you happiness, joy, and soulful nourishment. Through a variety of mindfulness practices and coaching tools, you’ll be gently led to unite with your inner voice that informs, guides, and protects you, harmonizing with its infinite wisdom and integrity. Facilitated by Sally Galloway, mindset and confidence coach, singer, yoga teacher-in-training, and retired massage therapist. Sally has been a meditator for over 25 years and has a passion for assisting individuals in creating harmony between their awareness and their actions so they can live high-performance lives of unapologetic authenticity and joy. $15 per session or $35 for all three. Info: 240-409-5940 / unityhagerstown@gmail.com.

Christmas in July - July 13

Saturday, July 13, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Hagerstown City Park Bandshell

501 Virginia Avenue, Hagerstown

Visit with Santa at the Train Hub. Kids can expect rides on Tommy 202, face painting, and Christmas-themed model train displays. Event hosted by Hagerstown Parks & Rec.

Stories in the Round: Andy Offutt Irwin - July 15

Monday, July 15, 7:00 pm

Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown

13245 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown

ANDY’S BACK!!! Beloved locally and among story lovers round the world, Andy Offutt Irwin come to us from Compton Georgia – a singer songwriter, award winning symphonic whistler, master of sound effects and a diversity of voices, past writer-director-actor of SAK Improv Theater at Disney World, director of the Georgia Cracker Crumble (of the GA Press Association), regular at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesboro TN since 2005, whistler of Dvorak, Thelonius Monk, Duke Ellington, Romanian pan flute concertos and pop classics. This will be his 5th packed-house appearance with Stories In The Round – get your tickets early! $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.

Bob Sima Concert - July 19

Friday, July 19, 6:30 - 9:00 pm

Unity of Hagerstown

meeting at The Fellowship Hall at St. Mark's Episcopal

18313 Lappans Road, Boonsboro, MD

Bob Sima is an award-winning singer-songwriter, spiritual teacher, and musical mystic. With no musical training, he has creatively channeled award-winning albums and built a national following. The music that comes through him will vibrate with your spirit exactly where you are. He is a troubadour, a way-shower, a guide, an awakener, and a musical mystic through the medium of melody. Universal spirituality sure to uplift the heart and get toes tappin'! www.wherethelightgetsin.us For tickets visit-https://www.facebook.com/events/481218164386007. Tickets are $25 advance or $30 at the door. Info: 240-409-5940 / unityhagerstown@gmail.com.

CandyFest - July 26 & 27

Friday, July 26 & Saturday, July 27, 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

The Maryland Theatre

21 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown, MD

Step into a summertime sugar extravaganza at CandyFest, hosted by the Maryland Theatre! Design your very own delectable candy crafts, compete in an oversized Maryland-themed candy board game, challenge a friend to a candy-style lawn game or embark on a thrilling candy scavenger hunt. Don’t forget to snap some selfies at Insta-worthy photo ops throughout or explore the sweetest local artisan marketplace, where you can shop to your heart's content. With its vibrant atmosphere, delectable treats at every corner, and unexpected surprises awaiting, CandyFest promises to be an enchanting journey for candy enthusiasts of every age! Poster. Website. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit mdtheatre.org, email boxoffice@mdtheatre.org or call the local box office at 301-790-2000.

Records Expungement Workshop - July 30, August 27, & September 17

Tuesdays, July 30, Aug. 27, & Sept. 17

Western Maryland Consortium

33 W. Washington Street, Hagerstown, MD

Are barriers on your record preventing you from security a better job, managing debt, or progressing in life? Join this transformative workshop and make a change! Let's move forward, together. Call to reserve your spot today: 301-791-3076. Flyer.

Save the Date! Re-Entry Resource Day - August 9

Friday, August 9, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Office of Consumer Advocates & Soul Haven Wellness & Recovery Center

119-121 E. Antietam Street, Hagerstown

Housing, Employment, Expungement, Resource Event! Fun!! Walking Tacos!! Drinks!! Re-Entry Team: Stanley Ireson & Ryan Graham. Flyer. Info: 301-790-5054.

Save the Date and Sign Up Now: Community Builders Summer Day Camp - August 14-16

August 14-16, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Washington County Free Library Fletcher Branch

100 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown

Small Hands - Big Hearts: Community Builders Summer Day Camp for 1st thru 5th Graders. "Be A Builder - At Home, At School, And In My Community." Free of charge, Community Guests, Cooking, Music, Games, Service, Arts & Crafts & Library Adventures! Directed by Hagerstown Area Religious Council. Click Here to sign up and register by August 2. Poster . For questions- Ashlee at jon2ash@gmail.com