News

The Refugee Welcome Network (RWN) presented at our HARC meeting on Tuesday, September 10 at First Christian Church, sharing information about how and why the RWN was formed, what it entails, and who the network is helping. The large crowd of over 50 people enjoyed a delicious lunch catered by Sabera, a refugee who came here with her husband and children last year. Two other Afghan refugees, Jamal and Malalai, shared their moving personal stories of leaving their homeland, coming to the U.S., and working with the RWN and Trinity Lutheran Church. Go to HARC’s YouTube channel for a recording of Jamal and Malalai and a Q&A with members of the RWN, as well as 4 short videos about the RWN.

Hebron Mennonite Church in Hagerstown will be offering a program of group spiritual direction starting in October. Through monthly small groups (4-6 persons), participants will gather to pray and share with one another where they sense the presence of God in their lives. The small group serves as a spiritual director/companion in listening and helping each person discern their spiritual path. These groups become sacred listening circles as they pray for one another.

Leadership for these sessions will be provided by Ed Poling, retired Church of the Brethren pastor and trained spiritual director, and Rebecca Rothenhoeffer, United Methodist layperson, personal coach and trained group spiritual direction facilitator. Sessions will be held at Hebron Mennonite Church on the first Tuesday of each month starting on October 1 and concluding in May. An additional session will be held on the fourth Tuesday of October. The regular meeting time is 3 hours from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.  The first and last sessions will be six-hour retreats from 3:00-9:00 pm for orientation and evaluation. Each participant will be asked to read Howard Thurman’s book Deep is the Hunger: Meditations for Apostles of Sensitiveness.

There is no cost for the eight-month program. However, a love offering will be taken to help underwrite the cost of the use of the building. The church is located at 13315 Highlane Street, Hagerstown. For more information and a brochure, contact Ed Poling at 301-766-9005 or elpoling1@gmail.com.

Haven Lutheran Church (Hagerstown, MD) is seeking a part time Church Secretary to work M-F, 9 am–1 pm with some flexibility, for a 15–20-hour week. The best candidate will have a Professional demeanor, necessary as the first point of contact with all visiting the church office. Be self-motivated, attentive to details, organized, and flexible. Having computer skills a must. Being responsible for the daily running of the Church office to include answering the phone, taking messages, routing them, preparation of Sunday morning worship bulletins, monthly newsletter, and any additional correspondence needs for the church office. Weekly tasks include computer system management, maintaining the church website and Facebook page. Knowledge of Microsoft Office required. Experience with Power Church (member data), Ignite (digital sign) a plus but not an immediate requirement. Starting salary $15 per hour, negotiable-based on skill level / experience. Position could start as early as September 16th. For more information contact church office at (301-733-1056, if wanting to apply for this position, forward a Cover letter and your resume by email to havenoffice@havenlc.org), or it may be sent as a fax to (301-733-8725) NLT September 30th attention Personnel Committee.

Hebron Mennonite Church (Hagerstown, MD) is looking for an administrative assistant to work 10-12 hours a week. Responsibilities include designing weekly bulletins, sending church emails, and taking minutes at select meetings. Position could start as early as September 9. For more information, or to apply for the position, email pastor@hebronhag.net or call the church office (301-797-3697).

Download a job description here.

The Refugee Welcome Network (RWN), DSS, Children In Need and CASA continue to work with a refugee family of 6 that is desperately in need of housing. CASA has paid for a hotel stay for them for two months, but that is up the end of August and RWN has been unsuccessful in finding them housing. If you have a place they can stay temporarily OR if you have or know of an affordable apartment or home (or parsonage) the RWN can rent for them, please contact Jane at 240-469-5084 or jane.powell365@gmail.com or Kathy at director@harccoalition.org or 301-842-4272. Please pass this on to everyone you know!  We don’t want to see this family end up homeless.