 The unlocked lockers above are the new Blessings Box on Saint John’s Episcopal Church porch, located at 101 South Prospect Street. It is a “give what you can for those who have a need” blessings box. These lockers are a continuation of serving the community but on a self-serve model.
A list of suggested food, toiletries, paper products, and cleaning supplies will be posted on the boxes. What you can spare will be a gift to another. There are no guarantees of what will be in these lockers, but with each change in season the box might have more school supplies in the late summer and perhaps gloves before the winter. In the middle of winter, we may see more paper products and non-freezing toiletries. The ideas are endless. Many thanks to Saint John’s Senior Warden for making a dream come true by spiffing up the lockers donated by Kelly Moore Sheds and Marketplace. For more information contact deacon.stjohns@myactv.net |
NLMCC Online Auction Fundraiser
New Light Metropolitan Church, 40 West Church Street, Hagerstown, is holding Facebook online auctions of Pride items beginning February 21 thru March 6. This is a fundraiser to support the church needs. Details are with each item. All items must be picked up at the church. For more information, click here for their Facebook page.
Free Tutoring for Adults
Do you or does someone you know want to learn English? Or improve their reading and writing skills as a native English speaker? We’re here to help! We tutor adults of all languages and levels for FREE. For more information visit www.literacyofwcmd.org, contact office@literacyofwcmd.org or call 301-739-4208.
Church Office Administrator Needed
Do you have a passion for people and digital communications along with organizational and bookkeeping skills? Otterbein United Methodist Church, 108 East Franklin Street, Hagerstown, MD is searching for a Church Office Administrator. A typical day includes multiple tasks such as welcoming callers/guests, coordinating maintenance, updating the church website, creating vibrant Facebook postings, recording financial transactions and preparing monthly reports. For more information, click here.
HARC Hike raises $14,500 for HARC & Micah’s Backpack
Saturday, June 8 was a gorgeous day, partly sunny and a pleasant in the mid-70’s for a perfect day at the C&O Canal towpath and Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Retreat Center. The historic tree-lined path provided cool cover as well as amazing river views and diverse nature. Shepherd’s Spring provided a serene setting for check-in and our picnic at a pavilion nested in the woods.
“Who ordered up the perfect weather?” asked several volunteers and participants. “That was a blessing from God” we replied. The whole day felt like a blessing as participants showed up in good numbers (140 people), everyone was in good humor, many volunteers set up food, checked people in, and provided transportation and hospitality. And approximately $14,500 was raised in the process for HARC and Micah’s Backpack, with about $6,000 going directly to purchase food for Micah’s Backpack.
After a lovely day walking on the towpath, participants enjoyed a picnic lunch with music at the celebration pavilion. Photos taken during the event were displayed on a TV screen while hikers/runners enjoyed fellowship and a meal.
While most people walked the 4K, 10K or half marathon distances, there were several runners who enjoyed the chance to stretch their legs on a great section of the towpath. “The hospitality stations were perfectly timed” said Chelsey Martin, who ran the half marathon. “I drank a bunch of Gatorade at Dam Number 4. And the fruit was great.”
There are many people and organizations to thank for making this event happen:
- The HARC Hike planning team and “boots on the ground” coordinating: Rev. Ed Poling, Bill Pike, Carla Charles, Beth Johnston, Butch Eigenbrode, Ed Maloy, Kyle Powderly, and Kathy Powderly.
- George Rae for managing the HARC Hike Facebook page and taking pictures before and during the event.
- Radio communications and sweepers provided by Antietam Radio Association (ARA)
- Hospitality teams from: Hebron Mennonite Church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and Church of the Holy Trinity UCC.
- Transportation provided by: Christ’s Reformed Church (Art Burgan), Celebration Ministries (driven by Joe Craig), Hagerstown Church of the Nazarene (Allen Yoder), St. John’s Episcopal Church (Bob Rauth), and Sword Charter Service.
- Registration, lunch/celebration, handlers, “aid” walkers, and parking volunteers: Charlotte Trout, Loyal Vanderveer, Frank Ducey, Missy Dehaven, Shelby Dehaven, Mike & Carol Brashears, and Noel & Shari Williams.
- Numerous congregations that promoted the hike, Lou Scally and WJEJ, and WDVM
- If we missed anyone, we are sorry and we are grateful for your help!!
Immense gratitude goes out to our sponsors:
Platinum
Holcim and JLG
Gold
Ewing Oil, Harman Funeral Home, Rotary Club of Hagerstown, and Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown
Silver
Antietam Radio Association, Brethren Mutual Insurance Company, Giant/Martin’s, Hub Labels, MS Johnston Company, St. Andrews UMC, and Trinity Lutheran Church
Bronze
Allegany Dental Care, Bitner-Henry Insurance Agency Group, Shepherd’s Spring Outdoor Retreat Center, and Washington County Hunger Group
