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HARC meetings

HARC Meeting: The Season for Nonviolence

Congregation B'nai Abraham 53 E. Baltimore St., Hagerstown, MD, United States

At HARC's December meeting, Rev. Sandy Boyer will introduce the international Season for Nonviolence and how we can implement specific practices into our lives and congregations.  The official Season for Nonviolence begins by marking the anniversary of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi on January 30 and ends on the April 4 anniversary of the assassination […]

HARC Annual Meeting: Cultivating Seeds

Otterbein United Methodist Church 108 East Franklin Street, Hagerstown, Maryland

All members and affiliates are encouraged to attend our annual meeting!  Yes, we'll conduct some business - voting on the 2023 budget and electing new board members and officers - but we'll also enjoy a special time of review and looking forward programmatically.  We will share how "seeds" sown in the last year are beginning […]

HARC Meeting: “Dialogue that Enlarges: Bridging ideological divides through a faith lens”

St. Mark's Lutheran Church 601 Washington Ave., Hagerstown, Maryland

What role does the faith community have in civic life? Can the faith community provide a good model for achieving constructive engagement across differences? As part of The Season For Nonviolence, HARC is offering this program -- which is based on the “Better Arguments Project” framework -- to encourage participants to think about the influence […]

HARC Meeting: Washington County Department of Social Services

John Wesley United Methodist Church 129 N. Potomac Street, Hagerstown, MD

At our March meeting, we welcome Tiffany Rexrode, Director of the Washington County Department of Social Services (WCDSS).  Ms. Rexrode will share an overview of what this important agency does and share ways the faith community can partner to strengthen families and support children. Join us for lunch and fellowship, sharing of our host's faith […]

HARC Meeting: Black-Owned Businesses in Washington County

Grace United Methodist Church 712 Church St., Hagerstown, MD, United States

The April HARC meeting will be led by the new Washington County Black Professionals Network and will feature a panel of local Black business owners.  These entrepreneurs will share their joys and challenges, what they have to offer the community, and how the faith community can help them succeed. Join us for lunch and fellowship, […]

HARC Meeting: The Rise in Antisemitism

Congregation B'nai Abraham 53 E. Baltimore St., Hagerstown, MD, United States

2021 set a new high for antisemitic incidents, with the coronavirus pandemic fueling a worldwide rise in antisemitism, according to a report of the U.S.-based Anti-Defamation League.  While these incidents decreased in 2022 in other countries, the ADL found that the number of antisemitic incidents in the U.S. increased by more than 35 percent in […]

HARC Meeting: Migration Then and Now in the Jewish and Islamic Faiths

Reach of Washington County 140 W. Franklin St., Suite 300, Hagerstown, MD, United States

Our June meeting will focus on migration, past and present. We welcome Basheer Azizi, President of the Islamic Center of Hagerstown, to talk about the history and present reality of migration among people of Islamic faith and Rabbi Mark Perman of Congregation B'Nai Abraham to share the history and present reality of migration among Jewish […]

HARC Meeting: Chief Kifer, Hagerstown Police Dept.

Highland View Church 21600 Academy Terrace, Hagerstown, MD

After summer hiatus, HARC meetings resume with a September kick-off.  We welcome Chief Paul Kifer of the Hagerstown Police Department to speak with us about new programs and updates, discuss challenges in the city of Hagerstown and answer questions.  We also look forward to learning about our host church and hearing a song from students […]

HARC Meeting: Mental health challenges, programs and resources in Washington County

Reach of Washington County 140 W. Franklin St., Suite 300, Hagerstown, MD, United States

At our October HARC meeting, we will address the issue of rising mental health challenges, what programs and resources are available in Washington County to help, and how the faith community can play a role.  Guest speakers will be Victoria Sterling, LCSW-C, Director of Behavioral Health Services for the Washington County Health Department and Carrie […]

Islamic Society Hosts Interfaith Panel Discussion (HARC meeting/program)

Islamic Society of Western Maryland 2036 Day Road, Hagerstown, Maryland

A panel of interfaith leaders will discuss the biggest challenges to religion in our society today. Please note this program is at a different day and time to allow for those who cannot normally make our Tuesday meetings to attend. Join us for dinner and fellowship.  Thanks to the Islamic Society of Western Maryland for […]

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

The HARC Interfaith Thanksgiving Service held on Sunday, November 24, was a beautiful event full of unity amid appreciation of our differences. The multi-colored leaves on the bulletin cover illustrated this harmony: "[they] are all alike, yet all different. And they fit perfectly together." You can view the recording on Facebook or it will soon be posted on Benevola UMC's YouTube page. Many thanks to the many participants who made this service amazing, and to Benevola United Methodist Church for hosting this year.

View service on YouTube