In this powerful episode of Searching for Common Ground, Rabbi Mark Perman and his wife Elizabeth are joined by Rabbi Ammos Chorny for a deeply thought-provoking discussion about conscience, moral clarity, and the urgent responsibility to speak out in the face of injustice. Drawing from his published statement with the Rabbinical Assembly, Rabbi Chorny reflects on the troubling parallels between historical persecution and today’s treatment of immigrants and minorities in the U.S. .
School Supply Collection Drives
Two locations, two different collection drives – help one or both collect school supplies for distribution in August.
Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints – collecting through August 10 – Contact Ashley 701-860-1301
Or at Otterbein UMC – collecting through August 17. Click on the image below for details.
United Way Day of Caring Sign Up
United Way of Washington County is once again preparing for their largest annual, single-day community service effort on September 18, 2025 – the Day of Caring. Do you have a project that needs to be done? United Way aims to improve the safety, mobility, access, organization, cleanliness, maintenance, and beautification of both residential AND non-profit properties (including houses of worship) through the Day of Caring event. Please consider both volunteering AND submitting a project for YOUR house of worship/organization!
The deadline for access to the project request form on our website is Friday, August 1, 2025. You may access it NOW by going to: https://www.unitedwaywashcounty.org/form/day-of-caring-nonprofit-project-
Interested in giving back to the community or another non-profit organization? Please consider volunteering! It’s a great team building activity! If your house of worship/organization is interested in volunteering as a team, please designate one individual as your team leader and have them submit an application here: https://www.unitedwaywashcounty.org/form/webform-540
If you are short on time and need assistance in submitting your project, please do not hesitate to reach out to Kelli Tencer for assistance, Kelli@uwwcmd.org or 301.739.8200 x 104
Looking for Project to Serve Local Children
In connection with project, “God’s Work, Our Hands” Haven Lutheran Church is in search of a needed project that will serve local children. Looking for some type of collection of supplies, supply bags for donation purposes. Project to be completed on Sept 7, 2025. Questions, please contact at poconn50@hotmail.com.
Recording of ENOUGH presentation at June 10 HARC Meeting
At our June 10 meeting, HARC highlighted the Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments and Households (ENOUGH) initiative. This unique Maryland state grant-funded initiative is a collaborative effort to alleviate poverty for children and families in the south end of Hagerstown, led by San Mar/Bester Community of Hope. This initiative aims to strategically address generational poverty and promote a legacy of economic mobility through critical support and resources in the following areas:
- Housing & Spaces
- Mental Health & Substance Abuse
- Poverty & Concrete Resources
- Childcare & Workforce Development
HARC is grateful to be a partner in this initiative alongside the Asian American Center of Frederick (AACF). Speakers included:
- Jen Younker, Director, Bester Community of Hope
- Elizabeth Chung, Executive Director, Asian American Center of Frederick (AACF)
- Kathy Powderly, Executive Director, HARC (not recorded)
- Jane Powell, Bilingual Community Worker, AACF/HARC
- Julien Patrick Tete Wabo, Bilingual Community Worker, AACF/HARC
Watch the recording of this program.
A Statement from HARC
Read below or click to download a copy of the letter
The Hagerstown Area Religious Council (HARC) is committed to providing a constructive and meaningful forum for interfaith cooperation and collaborative service throughout Washington County. While our focus is typically on programs and interfaith dialogue, from time to time we speak out when issues of injustice arise that concern our agreed upon values.
One of HARC’s core values is: “We believe that all people have equal value and are loved by God.” No exceptions. Most major religions teach that we are to “love our neighbor,” so we also strive to uphold that teaching. Whether you are on the “left,” on the “right,” “in the middle,” or avoid politics altogether, you are loved by God and we love you. Whether you are Native American, a U.S. citizen born from generations of U.S. Citizens, or an immigrant seeking refuge in this country, you are loved by God and we love you. The list goes on.
Because of this core value, we are anguished when we see policies and actions that de-value people. Right here in our community, we have seen the effects of division and the effects of policies and practices that hurt the most vulnerable of God’s children among us. When ICE arrests, detains, and seeks to deport a woman who is legally here, who committed a crime 19 years ago, but paid her debt and did her time, and now is a business owner contributing to the community… that is not love or even justice; we cry for her and her family, and our community is wounded. This is not an isolated incident in Washington County, but is only the most public example of the acts of dehumanization that are happening.
We are also grieved when our local leaders are treated with disrespectful vitriol regularly as they try to do their jobs and serve our community. When people of different political parties disparage one another instead of seeking common ground.
We envision a better community, nation and world where:
- Diversity of body, background and thought is seen as beautiful,
- Everyone is made to feel welcome and loved,
- Everyone has an opportunity to thrive spiritually and economically,
- And we work together, regardless of our differences, to seek truth, fairness, kindness, and caring actions that benefit everyone.
Through our work, our collaboration of faith communities are striving to live out this vision. HARC is welcoming new neighbors through the Refugee Welcome Network, working side-by-side with our schools to feed and enrich children, loving and promoting diversity through our racial justice efforts, and partnering with other organizations to end child poverty in the south end of Hagerstown. We strive to protect, support and LOVE the most vulnerable people and each other.
We have seen signs of this all around our community as well! Many people have rallied to stand up for Mong Tuyen Thi Tran (“Melissa”), protesting her arrest and writing letters to leaders attesting to her character, her humanity, and her very real contributions to the local economy and community. We have seen many individuals and organizations doing their part to love their neighbors with their words and actions, serving those most in need.
We ask that everyone, no matter your religious affiliation or lack thereof, join with us to live out the vision of love and kindness, to build a world where the rights of every human being are cherished and all are allowed to live with the dignity and respect they deserve. We ask that everyone speak out when you see acts of injustice, of hate, of division.
In this pivotal time, we cannot remain silent or still. Within the context of your belief system, we ask you to find a value-aligned action, no matter how small you think it may be, that speaks to you. Whether it is simply being kind and listening to someone across the political aisle, writing to leaders, attending protests to stand up for someone or something that matters, or challenging your friends in a loving way to see the humanity in everyone, all actions matter.
Rabbi Mark Perman, HARC President
Rev. Les McIntosh, HARC Vice President
Kathy Powderly, Executive Director
“Searching for Common Ground” with Tekesha Martinez
In the latest episode of the podcast, “Searching for Common Ground”, Rabbi Mark Perman speaks with the first Black mayor of Hagerstown, MD, Tekesha Martinez, about bridging the divide between people from different racial, ethnic, or political backgrounds and how we can help bring healing to a troubled world. Listen here
Part-time Office Administrator Position
St. John’s United Church of Christ in Clear Spring is looking for a part-time Office Administrator to work 10–15 hours a week on general office tasks like preparing bulletins, sending emails, and other administrative duties. The position offers a very flexible schedule and could be a great fit for a college student, stay-at-home parent, or anyone looking for part-time work with flexibility. If you’re interested, email Pastor Bethany at PastorBethanyA@gmail.com.
Tribute to Ed Poling from Shepherd’s Spring
Page 3 of the Shepherd’s Spring June Update contains a nice tribute to Ed Poling as well as a short history of the HARC Hike. Be sure to look over the whole issue for information about programs and needs as the center.
14 Finish the Ed Poling Memorial HARC 20-Mile Challenge Hike
Saturday, May 17 was a beautiful day for a hike! That day, 14 people got out and hiked 20 miles on the Appalachian Trail to support programs of HARC, including Micah’s Backpack and the Refugee Welcome Network. The hike took 9 to 10 hours, with participants hiking at different speeds, and included breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks at “hospitality stops” along the way.
This hardy group hiked from Caledonia State Park in Pennsylvania south to Pen Mar Park. Parts of the trail were flooded from the rain earlier in the week, but all were grateful for an overall nice day. More than $9,000 was raised with this part of the hike; with a match from the God’s Grace Fund, the total will be approximately $24,000! We think Ed Poling would be proud, and was smiling from above.
Check out the pictures in Dropbox or on Facebook, and see who hiked on our Wall of Fame.