Charlotte

The Interfaith Roundtable is a radio show and podcast that explores various religious traditions and helps us all to understand both the differences and similarities between faiths. What is organized religion compared to spirituality? What do different religious traditions think about God? These questions and more are explored on The Interfaith Roundtable with various guests. Check out the first three episodes HERE, including interviews with Rev. Margaret Brack (Episcopal priest), Rev. Gene Gall (chaplain), Rabbi Niles Goldstein, Rev. Kyle Powderly, and Kathy Powderly. Listen to the radio show live  every Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK at 9 am.

To commemorate 9-11 and celebrate the International Day of Peace, the Hagerstown Area Religious Council (HARC) held an Interfaith Progressive Dinner on Sunday, September 11. With the theme “From Lament to Hope,” the dinner was held at four different houses of worship, with each providing a brief program.

One part of the meal — appetizers, soup/salad, entrée, desserts — was served at each location as participants traveled from place to place. Participants learned about different faith traditions, sampled spiritually and culturally relevant foods, and built a sense of community.  A vigil was held at the first stop in remembrance of 9-11-2001, and at the last stop hosts celebrated the hope in our interfaith relationships.

Houses of worship stops included: Zion Reformed United Church of Christ, where appetizers and punch were served; Congregation B’nai Abraham, for Matzah ball soup, challah bread, and salad; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which presented a large buffet of tasty Hispanic-themed entrées; and Islamic Society of Western Maryland, where participants topped off the evening with delicious desserts and fresh fruit.

Ninety-four tickets were sold, with a donation to cover costs, and approximately 80 people attended the event. Some participants said this was their first time visiting a synagogue or a mosque.

Anwar Quadri, President of the Islamic Society of Western Maryland, said, “Thanks to all for visiting our mosque. It was a great program. Everyone was so nice, humble, and appreciative.”

When asked on a post-event survey which part of the event was their favorite, several participants said: “How welcoming our hosts were at each house of worship. And of course, the terrific food!”

The Interfaith Team of HARC was formed shortly after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, as a way to bring representatives of different faiths together and provide a forum for interfaith dialogue in our community.

Download the press release here.

                                                      

Faith Step Ministries is a fast-growing Saturday morning breakfast ministry that helps us connect with over 150 community members on a weekly basis on the West End of Hagerstown. We are seeking volunteers from 7:30 – 10:30 AM at 451 Salem Avenue, Hagerstown to help prepare breakfast, serve the public, and clean up.  A minimum of 6 volunteers are needed each week, and we always welcome extra hands to help! Please use this Google sheet to sign up. There is always a lead volunteer from our church who is present to lead and help. Reach out to Marci Corea at hvcsda@gmail.com with any questions!

“Trauma comes in many forms and can have severe, long-lasting effects on individuals, families, and communities. Most people do not have affordable access to mental health resources that could help them understand the effects of trauma and cope in healthy ways. Triumph Over Trauma begins with a 7-week psychoeducational program that aids people on their journey to recovery. Volunteer facilitators are trained and equipped to lead a group in a creative, faith-affirming way.” FREE curriculum/kit and training provided. This is the program mentioned by David Washington at our May HARC meeting. Read more. Feel free to contact Kathy P with questions at 301-842-4272 / director@harccoalition.org. Kathy can also offer you an intro workshop on trauma & resilience, if desired, prior to offering this program.

Afghan refugees resettling in Hagerstown and Frederick and elsewhere in the U.S. need your help to encourage Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act.  Without the passage of this act, there is no pathway to permanent residency in the U.S.  Your congressional representatives need to know of your support for the act.  Please read the attached history and explanation of the act put together by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS). Then contact your representatives and senators to call for their support of the Afghan Adjustment Act. To find out how to contact your representatives, go to www.congress.gov/contact-us

Pastor Shane Wilt and West End Baptist Chapel are spearheading relief efforts for flood victims in Kentucky.  They are partnering with the Happy Church in Jackson, Kentucky to distribute items to flood victims.

Here’s how you can help:
Drop off items at West End Baptist Chapel, 59 Winter Street, Hagerstown on September 3 or 10 from 9:00-12:00 noon.  They will be loading the collected items on a tractor trailer for delivery to Kentucky.

Here are the items needed:
School supplies
Microwaves
Crock Pots
Fans
Dehumidifiers
Tents
Laundry Detergent
Dish Soap
Bleach
Mops
Brooms
Shovels
Rakes
Paper Towels
Moldex
Shampoo
Body Wash
Storage Totes

Feel free to pass this need along to your churches/ministries.  Any collected supplies can be delivered to West End on the dates and times listed above.

Hebron Mennonite Church in Hagerstown will be offering a program of group spiritual direction starting in October and invite your participation. Through monthly small groups (4-6 persons per group), participants will gather to pray and share with one another where they have sensed the presence of God in their lives. The small group serves as a spiritual director/companion in listening and helping each person discern their spiritual path. These groups become sacred listening circles as they pray for one another. Leadership for these sessions will be provided by Ed Poling, retired Church of the Brethren pastor and trained spiritual director, and Rebecca Rothenhoeffer, United Methodist layperson, personal coach and trained group spiritual direction facilitator. Sessions will be held at the Hebron church on the first Thursday evening of each month starting in October and concluding in May. The first and last sessions will be a six-hour retreat for orientation and evaluation. Each participant will be asked to read Julian of Norwich: Wisdom in a Time of Pandemic–and Beyond. There is no fee for the eight-month program. However, a love offering will be taken to help underwrite the costs of the use of the building. The church is located at 13315 Highlane Street, Hagerstown. For more information and a brochure, contact Ed Poling at 301-766-9005 or elpoling1@gmail.com The program will begin on Thursday, October 6.

Zion Reformed UCC is currently hiring new team members to fill the positions of Administrative Assistant and Multimedia Specialist. Zion Reformed UCC is an equal opportunity employer that believes all people are created in the image of God and does not discriminate against employees on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or any other of the beautiful differences that exist between us. If interested please respond by noon on September 7^th by dropping off your resume and references to the office or by emailing to pastorkt143@gmail.com. Complete job descriptions are available at www.zionreformed.church/jobs.

HARC is excited to announce that four awards were given for the firsts annual Equity in Education Scholarship, totaling $16,500 in awards.  $7,500 in funds were provided by Rise Up Hagerstown and generous individuals donated an additional $9,000 so we could fully fund all four recipients.  (Download the article here )

Three of the 2022 winners are in the Maryland Accelerates Program with Frostburg University at USMH and, if successful, will earn a Master of Arts in Teaching degree in just one year. Meet these three incredible women:

Chanda has served as a substitute teacher in Washington County Public Schools for the last seven years and is seeking a degree in Elementary Education.  Outside of teaching, she has volunteered with children at Elgin Station and Bester Elementary School (via Bester Community of Hope), and she is a Zumba instructor.  “I want to demonstrate to all young learners regardless of ethnicity, background or environmental upbringing, the abilities of learning are limitless and greatness can be achieved by all,” said Chanda.

Lyvon has been working in the banking industry for many years, but has always wanted to be a teacher.  She loves teaching youth and adults in her church, and is excited to now finally pursue a degree in Elementary Education. As an adoptive parent, she enjoys teaching her children about different cultures, taking them on a “virtual tour” of countries around the world.  And in her spare time, she runs a small nonprofit to support adoptive and foster parents.  “I have always wanted to teach,” says Lyvon. “Now it’s time for me to step up and help children build the tools they need to grow.”

Delphine (Del) is fairly new to Washington County and worked this past year as a paraprofessional teacher at Western Heights Middle School.  She is now pursuing a degree in Secondary Education, her decision reinforced by her experience working with students at Western Heights with behavioral issues.  “As a student who did not discover her value as a good writer until it was pointed out to her, I strive to point out every talent I see,” Del shared.  “I strive to consciously teach in a manner that focuses on affirming my students instead of teaching from a place of deficit.”

Our fourth winner is just beginning her college education in pursuit of becoming a teacher, and will begin classes this fall at Hagerstown Community College.  Meet this amazing woman:

Gabrielle (Gabby) Much of Gabby’s life has revolved around children and her love of learning.  She was a community tutor throughout middle and high school, then got a job working in a daycare center, which first inspired her to pursue teaching.  Instead, she worked as a Residential Manager for a group home of developmentally disabled individuals.  Her dream remained and last year she began working as a paraprofessional in a fourth-grade classroom at Jonathan Hager Elementary School.  Gabby loves working with students and says “I have the desire to create a classroom where individuals with special needs are self-reliant, a setting that allows them to develop comfortably and also promote their confidence to be part of society.”

We congratulate these four future educators, who “wowed” the scholarship team with their commitment and passion to serve children in Washington County!

The Equity in Education scholarship fund was established through a partnership between The Hagerstown Area Religious Council (HARC), Washington County Public Schools (WCPS), The Education Foundation of WCPS, and Rise Up Hagerstown. Multiple scholarships are awarded annually ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 to racially minoritized students (with preference to African American students) who reside in Washington County, Maryland, and are pursuing a degree in education or a related field.  Each scholarship recipient will be mentored by our team, supported and given encouragement in their endeavor.  Scholarships are eligible for renewal until a degree is obtained.

Why have a scholarship based on racial equity?  As of 2022, approximately 40% of students in Washington County Public Schools are non-white, while less than 5% of teachers and administrative staff are non-white.  We want to help overcome any financial barriers for people of color to become educators in our county.  Additionally, we know that ALL students benefit by having teachers and administrators of varying backgrounds and ethnicities, especially children who may have never had a teacher who looks like them.  We hope that tomorrow’s diverse teachers will inspire a new generation of children to live to their full potential – and perhaps even become teachers themselves.

The Equity in Education Scholarship will recur annually, and we are already seeking donations for next year!  If you can contribute to this effort, please make a donation here and be sure to designate it for “scholarship.”

All clergy members, including retired members, are encouraged to consider volunteering your time to help our community at Meritus Medical Center. Our goal for the Spiritual Care Department at Meritus is to transition to community-based volunteer chaplains.  We believe all people deserve love and attention. Our hope is to work closely with community clergy to better serve the spiritual care of our patients.  If you are interested in learning more about volunteering as an on-call chaplain we will work with your schedule, no sacrifice is too small. Please contact Angela Palle – Supervisor of Spiritual Care Services – 240-291-0383; Angela.Palle@meritushealth.com or Katie Kelly, Dept. Assistant – 301-790-8716; Kathleen.kelly@meritushealth.com.

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