By Rollie Olson

Interfaith America

"In the summer of 2008, as Barack Obama stood on the brink of making history as the first Black candidate nominated by a major party, the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Denver buzzed with the energy of a nation on the cusp of change.  

Amid this historic moment, Joel Hunter, a prominent evangelical pastor from Central Florida, received an unexpected invitation to deliver the closing prayer at the convention—a decision that would reshape the role of prayer in the most political of settings." Read more.

Tuesday, September 10, 12:00 - 1:30 pm

First Christian Church

1345 Potomac Avenue, Hagerstown

We invite you to join us to learn about the Refugee Welcome Network. RWN seeks to connect refugees newly arrived in the U.S. and Washington County to community resources, including housing, household goods, English lessons, jobs, food and clothing, and more, and support them with friendship and community as they settle in their new home. The RWN operates under the auspices of HARC and is almost all volunteer-led. Join us for lunch, fellowship, and this unique program, including hearing from a refugee about their experience. First Christian Church will host our meeting and provide the lunch with a free-will offering basket. Ample parking is available and the building is accessible. RSVP requested by Friday, September 6 at noon so we can get a count for lunch.

After 10 successful years of the Community Book Drive, HARC is happy to share that there is now a year-round effort at the United Way of Washington County called Books United taking its place. Books United is an effort to collect and distribute books year-round. Because of this, we do not need to do the annual Community Book Drive. However, your books are still wanted! If you would like to do a collection any time of the year or donate new or gently used books, contact Stacey Abeles, Books United Coordinator, at stacey@uwwcmd.org or (301) 739-8200.  THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed books to the Community Book Drive over the years.  Together, we collected and distributed more than 126,000 books to improve literacy rates and educational outcomes for children.

A 12-week program that provides trainees with a combination of 50 of classroom and in-practice educational learning in Person-Centered Hospitals and Nursing Homes visitation. Flyer. For more information, contact: Chaplain Richard W. Bower at 301-745-4285, or email at rich.bower@maryland.gov.

GOCI, Faith & Blue, and HAPCOA are sharing a program that provides free medical equipment to residents of Maryland who are facing financial constraints. The available equipment includes wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers, crutches, canes, lift chairs, and toilet seats. Flyers: Spanish and English. No Cost to Recipients. Simple Application Process. Information: alex4prevent@verizon.Net / 240-372-5433. hapcoa.org

The Refugee Welcome Network (RWN), Children In Need and CASA continue to work with a refugee family of 6 that is desperately in need of housing. CASA paid for a hotel stay for them for two months, but the hotel stay ends THIS WEEK. If you have a place they can stay temporarily OR if you have or know of an affordable apartment or home (or parsonage) the RWN can rent for them, please contact Jane at 240-469-5084 / jane.powell365@gmail.com or Kathy at director@harccoalition.org or 301-842-4272. Please pass this on to everyone you know! 

RWN is also requesting grocery gift cars from any local grocery store for refugee families to purchase the food they need that cannot be obtained at shelters. Preferred cards in include Lidl, Aldi and Weis, but any grocery gift card is helpful.

Wednesday, September 4, 12:00 - 1:00 pm

Christ's Reformed Church

130 W. Franklin Street, Hagerstown

Come learn more about the new Lighthouse After-School Program and consider if you may want to volunteer, lead a program, or become a partner congregation. Interested in making a difference? Contact Angela to RSVP at (240) 347-0780 or yamashitaangela6@gmail.com. Flyer. Interested, but can't make this time frame? Contact Angela for another option.

Wednesday, August 29, 7:00 pm

Hagerstown City Park Bandshell

501 Virginia Avenue, Hagerstown

Free Christian music series featuring the group WEST END BAPTIST CHURCH. Hosted by Valor Ministries. Flyer.

Friday, August 30, 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!! Snow Cones!! Door Prizes!! Games!! Re-Entry Team: Stanley Ireson & Ryan Graham. Flyer. Info: 301-790-5054.

Saturday, August 31, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Hagerstown City Park Bandshell

501 Virginia Avenue, Hagerstown

Kick off Washington Goes Purple month at the bandshell at City Park. Ryan Smetzer will be hosting and Meghann Perry will be the keynote speaker for the evening. Guests are encouraged to wear purple in support of this initiative.

Yoga Mondays, Sept. 9 - Oct. 7, 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Chair Yoga Tuesdays, Sept. 10 - Oct. 8, 2:30 - 3:30 pm

Unity of Hagerstown, Meeting at the Fellowship Hall

St. Mark’s Episcopal

18313 Lappans Road, Boonsboro, MD

Traditional Yoga: De-stress, revitalize and create feelings of well-being. Learn Sun Salutations and basic poses with modifications, breathing techniques, relaxation and chanting. Bring a yoga mat and water. Chair Yoga: Get your energy moving gently as we isolate, rotate and stretch to a full range of motion. Seated in a chair and standing while holding the chair for short periods, we’ll incorporate deep abdominal breathing, pre-yoga exercises, modified yoga poses, balancing, and a final meditative relaxation. Both classes facilitated by Jann Richards. For more info 240-409-5940, unityhagerstown@gmail.com or wwwunityhagerstown.org

Tai Chi Introduction -

Tuesday, September 10, 5:00 pm

Chair Yoga - Starts Thursday, September 12, 11:00 am

Tai Chi - Starts, Tuesday, September 17, Beginning: 5:00 pm; Intermediate: 5:45 pm

Otterbein United Methodist Church

108 E. Franklin Street, Hagerstown



Tai Chi Introduction (Flyer) - OUMC is hosting a free discussion/introduction to Tai Chi on Sept. 10 at 5:00 pm. This is an opportunity to share what Tai Chi is, how it's practiced, and the benefits of incorporating this practice into one's lifestyle. Instructor: Paul Cote. Register on-line (for both Tai Chi events): https://otterumc.org/taichi, or contact Kate in the church office: office@otterumc.org or call 301-739-9386.

Tai Chi classes (Flyer) resume on Sept. 17 (8 weeks) with two levels offered: Beginning at 5:00 pm and an Intermediate at 5:45 pm. Instructor: Paul Cote.

Chair Yoga classes (Flyer) resume on Sept. 12 (6 weeks) at 11:00 am. Instructor: Jane Baer. Register on-line: https://otterumc.org/chairyoga, or e-mail Kate in the church office: office@otterumc.org or call 301-739-9386.

Tuesday, September 10, 2:00 - 5:00 pm

Zion Reformed United Church of Christ

201 N. Potomac Street, Hagerstown

Zion UCC's 2nd Annual Community Resource Fair. Non-profit agencies which offer services and resources to those in need are invited to register as a participating agency. Please contact Carroll Sager at  carroll.sager@gmail.com for registration and set up information.

Thursday, September 12, 3:00 - 5:00 pm

University Plaza

50 W. Washington Street, Hagerstown

Washington County Department of Social Services and The Washington County Health Department, Division of Behavioral Health Services in partnership with Washington Goes Purple are excited to announce their 1st START community event! The goal of this event is to inform the community about the changes they are implementing within child welfare to reduce the stigma surrounding services offered to families struggling with substance use disorder while actively parenting. They aim to provide education, community resources, and promote a collaborative approach. Poster.

Saturday, September 14, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Lowes

12809 Shank Farm Way, Hagerstown

Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP)-Hagerstown is doing a bed build as part of Bunks Across America. You are invited to participate, bring your friends, and spread the word. This is their biggest build ever - 100 beds, so 150 volunteers are needed. Any and all helping hands aged 12 and up are welcome, and this could count as student community service hours. Lowes is sponsoring all the lumber, providing lots of help, the parking lot, and lunch! Please sign up HERE.

Sunday, September 29, 4:00 pm

St. Mark's Lutheran Church

601 Washington Avenue, Hagerstown

The Appalachian Wind Quintet will be presenting an "Around the World" program of music from cultures across the globe, with guest pianist...David Erickson. Winners of the 1992 Baltimore Chamber Music Competition, the quintet has been recognized as one of the Mid-Atlantic region's finest woodwind chamber ensembles. A Free Will offering will be received. Flyer.