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.
Sacred Listening Circles (Group Spiritual Direction)
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.
Volunteers Needed for 100-Bed Build
Saturday, September 14, 8 am to 1 pm
Lowes
12809 Shank Farm Way
Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP)-Hagerstown is doing a bed build as part of Bunks Across America. You are invited to participate, bring your friends, and spread the word. This is their biggest build ever – 100 beds, so 150 volunteers are needed. Any and all helping hands aged 12 and up are welcome, and this could count as student community service hours. Lowes is sponsoring all the lumber, providing lots of help, the parking lot, and lunch! Please sign up HERE.
Urgent housing/shelter needed for refugee family
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.
Ten Thousand Villages Hagerstown has Opening for a General Manager
Ten Thousand Villages in Hagerstown has an opening for a general manager beginning in September. Interested applicants should email the store at Hagerstown@tenthousandvillages.com
or stop by the store at 13625 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown during regular business hours.
The store is open Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm and Saturday, 10am-4pm.
Make a difference in the lives of impoverished artisans throughout the world through the fair trade marketing of their products.
Oversee a team of volunteers helping run the store, who have a passion for making a difference through the gerenrous giving of their time and talents.
(301) 797-3020
www.tenthousandvillages.com/hagerstown
or stop by the store at 13625 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown during regular business hours.
The store is open Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm and Saturday, 10am-4pm.
Make a difference in the lives of impoverished artisans throughout the world through the fair trade marketing of their products.
Oversee a team of volunteers helping run the store, who have a passion for making a difference through the gerenrous giving of their time and talents.
(301) 797-3020
www.tenthousandvillages.com/hagerstown
HARC Lighthouse After School Program Needs Program Leads, Volunteers
HARC’s Lighthouse After School Program is in need of Volunteers and Program Leads starting this fall. Do you have a talent you can share (reading, art, music, gardening, STEM, etc.), willingness to support students, and a desire to be the change in your community? If so, we would love your help! Requirements: Commitment to regular sessions (flexible scheduling and short-term commitments available) and a passion for working with children. Interested in making a difference? Contact Angela at (240) 347-0780 or yamashitaangela6@gmail.com. Flyer – please share! And an announcement in bulletins would be appreciated.
