We are delighted to welcome representatives from Reach and Community Action Council (CAC) for our November HARC meeting program. Jeannie Asbury, Executive Director of Reach, will share about current challenges and needs as they serve homeless and people in crisis in our community.  Reach is an affiliate member of HARC and many of our houses […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]