News

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.

Paid 6-week commitment from the end of June to the beginning of August ($500/wk). Responsible for leading approximately 8-10 campers each week with a co-counselor (or CIT). Must be an enthusiastic leader, active listener, positive role model, and nurturer to each camper. Must possess a mature and active faith in Christ with the ability to creatively lead Bible studies and devotions, and a passion for selflessly investing in children and youth. CPR and First Aid required (these trainings will be completed during staff training). Must be at least 18 years of age. Send resume and cover letter to info@shepherdsspring.org or apply here. Other positions available, including NURSES – learn more HERE.

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.