News

The Refugee Welcome Network is currently working with 12 families including a new family with 3 children who arrived just over a week ago from Afghanistan (really!!).  We are blessed to have many generous volunteers and donors, but we need more help!  Interacting with Network members is fun, and we enjoy meeting new refugee friends.  Please consider joining us!

Allies to work with families are especially needed – walking side-by-side with a new friend isn’t always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding, and we’ll train and walk beside you.  There is also a special Ally “light” role to fill when more established families only need light support.  We also need volunteers to transport furniture, and if you have a truck or trailer, that would be a huge help.

If you are interested in joining the RWN Team, please contact refugeewelcome@harccoalition.org or 301-842-4272.  A financial gift is a HUGE help as well, and you can donate here (select Refugee Welcome Network).

Elizabeth Howe has joined HARC as Executive Assistant, starting in this role in January. Born in Kentucky, Elizabeth  grew up in Los Angeles and moved north of San Francisco to Napa Valley in her early teens. She met her husband, Ted, in college in northern California. He’s originally from Maryland, so the couple eventually moved back to Maryland after they got married.

Elizabeth home-schooled their three children for 13 years, then graduated in 2005 with a Master of Library Science degree, with a specialization in Archives from the University of Maryland. She became a Certified Archivist.

After earning her masters, Elizabeth worked at the Washington County Free Library for 17 years as an adult reference librarian, and as an archivist/reference librarian in the Western Maryland Room. Three years ago, she began working at Washington County Community Action Council to help implement a poverty alleviation program called Circles Washington County, Md., a chapter of Circles USA.

In early 2025, Elizabeth was hired as Executive Assistant to HARC’s Executive Director, Kathy Powderly. “I enjoy the flexibility of my work schedule,” Elizabeth says, “and I’ve met many interesting and successful leaders from the local faith community. I love working for an organization whose mission and values I wholeheartedly support.”

Husband Ted is a geriatrician and wound care specialist, and was the Medical Director of Williamsport Retirement Village for 35 years. He currently works part-time as a staff and wound care physician at the Maryland Correctional Institution – Hagerstown (MCI-H). Ted and Elizabeth’s three kids – son, Evan; daughter, Ansley; and son, Alban – are grown and have careers of their own.

“Hiking and mountain climbing are my favorite outdoor activities,” Elizabeth says. “I’ve summited 47 of 50 state highpoints, as well as the highest point in South Korea, and a couple of highest points in the Canadian Maritimes. Ted and I have completed the HARC Challenge Hike each of the past five years and hope to succeed again this year on May 17. What’s not to love about an organization whose largest fundraiser each year is hiking?”

Welcome, Elizabeth, we’re glad to have you!

Friday, April 18 – Good Friday – was a beautiful day, with warm temperatures and a sense of oneness as approximately 140 people gathered in City Park to commemorate the passion and death of Jesus with the Good Friday Unity Walk.

The walk began at the gazebo by the lake and took a path through the park stopping at a total of 7 stations.  At each station, leaders and members of local churches read scripture and enacted a dialogue, featuring two “reporters” sharing the news of what was happening to Jesus. All participants then joined in unison for a response and a verse of a song. Between the stops, someone from the crowd came forward to carry a large cross to the next stop.  At the sixth stop, the Impact Ministries Choir sang “Ride On King Jesus” and at the seventh and final stop the program ended with a moving solo of “The Lord’s Prayer” by Julien Patrick Tete Wabo.

This annual event, planned and sponsored by HARC members and friends, is an annual tradition started by the late Rev. Ed Poling (we believe it began in 2011). The first verse of Ed’s song “We Follow Jesus,” which was written for this event, was sung at each stop this year. We are incredibly grateful to Rev. Anna Ressler, who wrote the program, and to the planning team for all their hard work making this a meaningful event.  Thanks also go to the readers and musicians for sharing their talents and good spirits.

This event was live streamed to the HARC Facebook page (thanks to Rev. Kyle Powderly), where you can still view the video along with additional photos. The video can also be viewed on our YouTube page.  Some great photos of the event were also published in the Herald-Mail.

We are grateful for all those who make this event possible:

Author of the Meditations
Anna Ressler (Hebron Mennonite Church)

Participating Readers
Station 1: First Christian Church
Station 2: Ministero Latino Kadosh
Station 3: Presbyterian Church of Hagerstown
Station 4: Asbury United Methodist Church
Station 5: Robinwood Church
Station 6: Otterbein United Methodist Church
Station 7: Zion United Church of Christ

Actors
Main Reporter: Rev. Anna Ressler
Reporter 2: Zofia Lane
Disciple: Paul Norville
Voice of Women: Shalom Black Lane
Servant 1: Cindy Brown
Servant 2: Zofia Lane
Soldier: Richard Willson

Musicians
Phyllis Dodd & Rusty Curling (We Follow Jesus, written by Rev. Ed Poling)
Impact Ministries Choir (Ride on King Jesus – Stop 6)
Julien Patrick Tete Wabo (The Lord’s Prayer – Stop 7)
Troy Grandy & Rev. Les McIntosh (Call and response songs between stops)

Unity Walk Planning Team Members
Rev. Anna Ressler, Rev. Mary Norville, Rev. Gabe Dodd, Troy Gandy, Howard Wittington, Ashlee Harris, Kathy Powderly

For the month of May 2025 , Habitat for Humanity Washington County is asking churches to take a special offering to support their work.  In addition, June 19, 2025 will be a Church build day with Habitat at McCleary Hill

• Flyer attached to use as a bulletin insert (or as desired)
• If a church is willing to participate in either of these activities, they can contact Melanie Watts at melaniewatts@habitat-wc.org or they can contact Bill Wyand at pastor@broadfording.com.
• For the June 19 build day, churches can come for the whole day or part of the day. They are still working out the details for that day.

The Salvation Army needs help covering their soup kitchen lunch a couple weeks during the summer. Their lunch time is from 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM.
They need coverage the week of May 5 through May 9 and July 7 through July 11. If anyone is interested in helping prepare and serve a meal during that time, please reach out to Nichole Griffin at 301-733-2440 extension 3. Thank you!

Rehoboth UMC in Williamsport is seeking a part-time Next Gen Ministry Coordinator who can focus their time developing the children, youth and family ministries of the church through teaching, leadership development and communication with the larger church. This is a part-time position with room to grow with the ministry. Theological training or experience leading in a Christian setting is required. Applications can be sent to jobs@rehobothumc.org, and more details can be found at https://rehobothumc.org/jobs

In this sacred season, we invite you to join faith communities across the region in deepening our commitment to caring for creation.

We are excited to share a special resource created by Green Muslims. This Ramadan Calendar highlights the beautiful work Muslim communities are already doing to be khalifa (stewards) of our natural world and offers daily actions to help us live in harmony with the Earth, its creatures, and one another. Click Here

Lent is a time for reflection on our personal lives and on the world, so that we may repent (turn away from) unintentional or intentional behaviors that cause harm. This year concern and grief for the environment may be heavy on the heart. The Creation Care Lent calendar offers a focus on personal and community resilience. Each Sunday includes a lectionary verse with a devotional question that can be explored in your quiet time or with others. Click here.

Consider printing these calendars for your home, sharing them with your congregation, or using them as bulletin inserts to inspire collective action.

May this season of prayer, reflection, and action strengthen our shared responsibility to protect and restore the world we all call home.

The Interfaith Team of HARC

Hello everyone,

These are difficult times. Many are feeling the effects on multiple levels of what is taking place right now in Washington D.C. Certainly, we as religious leaders and others who are committed to the well being of our community, are concerned about what lies ahead that will inevitably hurt people, many of whom are vulnerable legally, economically, professionally, and yes, emotionally.

But HARC is a strong organization with caring members that is directed, staffed, and supported by people who will be doing whatever we can to protect those whom we serve and to make sure that religious, ethical, and compassionate values prevail over greed, selfishness, and mean spiritedness.

In the words of the prophet Micah: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”.

If there are ways you think that HARC can be more supportive of those who are struggling right now in our community in the midst of what is happening, feel free to reach out to me and I will direct your request accordingly.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Mark Perman
HARC President

UPDATE 3/7/25 – email from the office of Delegate Todd B. Morgan:

The bill was supposed to be voted on Wednesday by committee but was not. It has been put on hold until next week.

The bill is a Department of Housing and Community Development bill. I recommend emailing and calling Secretary Jake Day’s office to let him know your concerns for the bill. The department can scale this back or make changes, but as of now they have been resistant. Delegate Todd Morgan has been trying to get it amended or stopped, but so far has not been successful.

Secretary Day –  jake.day@maryland.gov
301-429-7452

Please share the email and phone number to others who are opposed to the bill.

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The Homeless Coalition of Washington County and Reach have asked for the community’s help in stopping a Maryland state bill (cross-filed in House and Senate, so actually 2 bills).  The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has cross filed legislation to create a Homeless Shelter Licensing Program, using Maryland Law dictating shelter rules and policies. Our community needs your help to advocate to the Delegates and Senate to stop this legislation that would literally close 50-80 shelter beds in Washington County, and over 1,000+ shelter beds across the state! 

Here’s an updated request from Jeannie Asbury, Reach & Homeless Coalition, March 3, 2025:

• Chair Senator Brian Feldman brian.feldman@senate.state.md.us

• Vice-Chair Senator Cheryl Kagan Cheryl.Kagan@senate.state.md.us
• Senator Malcom Augustine: malcolm.augustine@senate.state.md.us
• Senator Dalya Attar: dalya.attar@senate.state.md.us
• Senator Benjamin Brooks: benjamin.brooks@senate.state.md.us
• Senator Mary Beth Carozza: marybeth.carozza@senate.state.md.us
• Senator Jason Gallion: jason.gallion@senate.state.md.us
• Senator Katie Fry Hester: katiefry.hester@senate.state.md.us
• Senator Bryan Simonaire: bryan.simonaire@senate.state.md.us
• Senator Mary Washington: mary.washington@senate.state.md.us
• Senator Ron Watson: ron.watson@senate.state.md.us

• Chair Delegate Marc Korman Marc.Korman@house.state.md.us
• Vice Chair Delegate Regina T. Boyce regina.boyce@house.state.md.us

• Delegate Jackie Addison: jackie.addison@house.state.md.us
• Delegate Nick Allen: nick.allen@house.state.md.us
• Delegate Terry Baker: terry.baker@house.state.md.us
• Delegate Dylan Behler: dylan.behler@house.state.md.us
• Delegate Barrie Ciliberti: barrie.ciliberti@house.state.md.us
• Delegate Debra Davis: debra.davis@house.state.md.us
• Delegate Linda Foley: linda.foley@house.state.md.us
• Delegate Michele Guyton: michele.guyton@house.state.md.us
• Delegate Anne Healey: anne.healey@house.state.md.us
• Delegate Marvin E. Holmes, Jr.: marvin.holmes@house.state.md.us
• Delegate Jay Jacobs jay.jacobs@house.state.md.us
• Delegate Mary Lehman: mary.lehman@house.state.md.us
• Delegate Jeffrie E. Long, Jr.: jeffrie.long@house.state.md.us
• Delegate Todd B. Morgan: todd.morgan@house.state.md.us
• Delegate Charles J. Otto: charles.otto@house.state.md.us
• Delegate Sheila S. Ruth:  sheila.ruth@house.state.md.us
• Delegate Vaughn M. Stewart III: vaughn.stewart@house.state.md.us
• Delegate Jennifer R. Terrasa: jen.terrasa@house.state.md.us

• If this is about safely, why are they attempting to eliminate shelter practices in place to protect these vulnerable individuals? Why are they attempting to force family shelters to allow individuals with active criminal charges (except those with sex offense, what about domestic violence, B&E drug dealing, etc.), actively using drugs or alcohol, or forcing men and women to share bathroom facilities? These bills would not allow them to operate with these crucial safety precautions in place that truly protect the vulnerable they serve.
• The Salvation Army requires identification due to the fact they serve women and children. This is to protect the children in case they are not with their legal guardians.
• St. Johns does a background to ensure that they are not placing anyone with an active or recent criminal charge. This is for the protection of the children, and other shelter residents as their shelter units are individual apartment units, without paid staff.
• The Salvation Army is for women and children only. This is due to the shared bathroom and shared room facilities of their shelter. It would not be appropriate or safe to have men in that facility. This bill states they cannot determine family status or composition.
• None of our shelters allow shelter residents to use drugs in the shelter. Would this bill force all of us to allow that behavior?
• The Rescue Mission/Hope Center believes they bring hope to people with a 7-minute service prior to meals and shelter. They feel any other services are secondary. They do not force joining their faith but provide 7-minute sermon. If this bill passes and they cannot do that part, they will not continue the shelter and instead focus on their faith-based services. All Rescue Missions across the state feel the same way.
• If this bill passes, The Salvation Army, St. Johns Family Shelter and the Mission will close. Those are the 50-80 shelter beds in Washington County alone, over a 1,000 across the state.
• The threat of a $10,000 fine will be concerning enough to deter the volunteer led, and faith-based shelters across the state. Again, if this is about safety, why not work directly with the municipalities of those concerning shelters?
• Accessibility- What about shelters that are not accessible due to age or layout of the buildings?
• Terminations- Phase 1 would force Reach and all shelters to continue to serve individuals who violate safety rules, which includes violence, threating behavior, using drugs in the shelter, etc. after 30 days? If this was the policy, we would lose MOST of our staff and volunteers. We cannot operate without either.

Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Retreat Center is a faith-based hidden gem in south Washington County. Nestled along the C&O Canal with access to the towpath, the space is beautiful and serene – yet there’s a lot going on that local ministries should be aware of. Check out the Summer Camps and start booking now! Take your youth group to experience the Global Village – an incredible opportunity to learn about other cultures. Or book a retreat with a comfortable lodge and cabins. Learn more on their website: https://www.shepherdsspring.org/.

Summer Camp Brochure
Global Village Brochure
Retreat Brochure