The Salvation Army is looking for a cook for their soup kitchen. The Christmas season is approaching and they want to continue to be able to run their soup kitchen as well. Please use this link to apply for the position. Please contact Nichole with any questions at 301-733-2440 extension 2.
Expanding need for funds and furnishings for refugee families
Recently, there has been an influx of refugee families in Washington County and no one to help them outside of the Refugee Welcome Network (RWN). We need funds, furnishings and food for all of them to stabilize them while we work with them toward self-sufficiency.
Just in the last two weeks, the RWN settled two new families into housing with a third currently waiting for housing and help. At the same time, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) just became available to our Afghan families who are undocumented; this is a chance to become documented and an opportunity to receive work permits much faster than through the asylum process, as well as a path to citizenship! However, TPS costs $1,190 per family x 3 families = $3,570.
The community has been incredibly generous in helping our refugee friends become settled and self-sufficient. Several families are nearly ready to “graduate” from this support network, so we know the system works and has been a blessing. Thanks to all who have been a part of that through your contributions of time, treasure and talents! However, RWN funds are super low and we need your help to cover monthly rent payments and TPS applications, not to mention other urgent needs that arise for food, medical and more. We estimate needing at least $20,00o over the next 5 months just to bring the current families to self-sufficiency and obtain TPS for three families. If you can help with even a small gift, please donate via the HARC website and designate “refugees.”
We also need many furnishings to set up housing for our newest families. Here’s what we currently need below. If you can help with anything, please contact Jane Powell at jane.powell365@gmail.com or 240-469-5084. Keep in mind that the families are in small apartments with limited space and narrow staircases, so large pieces of furniture don’t work well.
Living Room
Sofa (not sectional)
Coffee table
TVs & tables for TV
curtains
area rug (carpet)
wall clock
Kitchen
kitchen table with 4 chairs (small to medium size, not dining table)
silverware
cookware
bake ware
mixing bowls
fruit bowl
kitchen towels
curtains
electric kettle
rug (carpet)
Bedroom
queen mattress & frame
bedding (blankets, sheets, pillows)
dresser (tall style, not long)
curtains
area rug (carpet) prefer 6 x 8 or bigger
mirror
Baby
high chair
changing table
toddler sippy cups
toys and books
Misc
trash cans
hangers
coat trees
bathroom rug
table with a chair to use for study/work and make-up
something to put shoes on
bread box
bath towels
Grocery gift cards or Visa gift cards
13,036 Books Collected with Community Book Drive!
After a month and a half of collecting books for the Community Book Drive, the effort culminated with the Day of Caring book sorting. A group of 40+ volunteers sorted, counted, and boxed 13,036 books! Around 3,000 in the birth-5 age range received stickers with reading tips. These books will be distributed to children ages birth-5 at the Community Book Warehouse, and all the other books went to the United Way’s Books United program to distribute throughout the community as needed, with a focus on vulnerable youths and adults.
This is the 10th year of the book drive with more than 126,000 books collected over the years. Most have gone to vulnerable children to help with literacy and school readiness.
The Community Book Drive is a partnership of HARC, the United Way of Washington County, the Judy Center and the Early Childhood Advisory Council. Special thanks to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for hosting the Day of Caring book sorting with awesome volunteers and a great gym.
Thanks to all the houses of worship (21 in total), businesses, organizations and individuals who collected books! (See the full list of collection sites here.) Thanks to our pick up volunteers who drove around and picked them up, hauling them to the LDS church, and to Weiss Brothers for hauling 5 pallets of books to the United Way’s warehouse after the sorting.
Thank you also to all of the volunteers who helped with the mass sorting project in record time! Groups from the Judy Center, Reach, the Library, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Hagerstown Rotary Club, Hagerstown Healthcare, and individuals from churches and the United Way made this huge project fast and FUN.
Finally, a shout out to our amazing planning team: Terri Gwizdala (co-leader), Kelli Tencer (United Way), Kim Halsey, Kathy Kerns, Elaine Rose, Jocelyn Hauer, Kendal Neel, and Kathy Powderly (co-leader).
The Community Book Drive is truly a community effort and example of Living United in Washington County, and the power of faith communities (and community members) working together.
The Origins of Judaism and Discussing the Islamic Faith in Hagerstown with Basheer Azizi
Podcast hosted by Rabbi Mark Perman
The Interfaith Roundtable
The first half of the today’s episode Rabbi Mark shares the origins of his faith and how he found his spirituality in Judaism. The second half Mark is joined by the president of the Islamic Center of Hagerstown, Basheer Azizi. Their focus is at the Center is on connecting the local community and to give people a place to practice the faith. Azizi speaks on what it looks like to serve as a Muslim in Hagerstown and how that has changed over the decades. Mark and Basheer break stereotypes within Islam and Judaism as well as speaking on the extremists in both of their groups. Listen to the podcast. Listen to the show live every other Saturday morning on 98.9 FM/ AM 1490 WARK at 9 am.
Seeking a part-time Office and Communications Support Associate
Christ’s Reformed Church United Church of Christ, a historic Church in downtown Hagerstown, Maryland, is seeking an Office and Communications Support Associate (15-20 hours per week). The Office and Communications Support Associate will be responsible for the daily running of the Church office to include preparation for Sunday mornings and additional functions of the church. The best candidate will be self-motivated, attentive to details, organized, and flexible while having computer and audio-visual skills. Weekly tasks include computer system management, worship bulletins, newsletters, maintaining the church website and Facebook page and coordinating with the treasurer team. Knowledge of Microsoft Office required. Experience with Canva and Zoom a plus but not required. Starting salary $18-$20 per hour based on experience. For any questions or to apply with Cover letter and resume, contact Rev. Norville at reverend.norville@gmail.com by October 7th.
WMHC seeking Church to provide services Second Sunday of each month
Do you have a service ministry in mind for your church? Would you like to offer leadership experience or help in developing church leaders? This is for you.
A rare opportunity has arisen for a Sunday General Christian Worship Service to be held on the 2nd Sunday of every month from 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. It is a ministry for a church aiming to spread “The Good News” to residents and patients at Western Maryland Hospital Center in Hagerstown.
Those who are interested, or have questions, please call 301-745-4285