Discovery Days Open House
9-11 am Friday, February 3 | Church Nursery
Children and their parents are invited to drop in to meet the staff and find out more about our enrichment program for ages 1-5. Morning and afternoon classes are offered Monday-Thursday, September through May. Registration forms for 2012-13 are available online and will also be available at the open house.


Soup Sale Pickup
11 am - 1 pm Saturday, February 4 | Fellowship Hall
Pick up your pre-ordered pints and quarts of Bacon-Beer Cheddar, Chicken Corn Noodle or Hearty Vegetable with Beef. All proceeds will benefit Mission Week 2012. Pay in advance by check made out to Derry Presbyterian Church, earmarked "soup sale" or pay when you pick up your order. Order forms also available at the insert rack in the Narthex.


Soup & Salad Lunch following the Annual Meeting
12 pm Sunday, February 5 | Fellowship Hall
Stay for lunch served by the Communications & Technology Committee and enjoy assorted deli sandwiches, tossed salad, chips, and your choice of chicken corn noodle soup or Wally Patton's famous chili. Beverage and home baked desserts will also be served. Save with advance reservations: $7 per person or $20 family maximum when you RSVP by Monday, January 30. At the door: $10 per person or $25 family maximum. RSVP online or use forms available at the insert rack in the Narthex and in the January Derry Press.


Cub Scout Spaghetti Dinner
12 pm Sunday, February 12 | Fellowship Hall
Support Derry's Pack 200 by enjoying a delicious meal including salad, bread, spaghetti, beverage & dessert for $7 per person. RSVP online or by returning forms available at the insert rack: deadline is Sunday, February 5.


Ash Wednesday Worship Services
12:10 pm and 7 pm Wednesday, February 22
Two Ash Wednesday services will be held at Derry Church: the Hershey Ministerium community Lenten service at 12:10 pm in the Sanctuary (followed by a light lunch in Fellowship Hall, $3/person) and an hour-long service with communion and imposition of ashes at 7 pm in the Chapel.


13th Annual Chili Cookoff & Square Dance
6:30 pm Friday, February 24 | Fellowship Hall
Warm up a winter night with homemade chili and square dancing! The evening will begin with a chili and cornbread supper. Those attending should bring a dish to pass:  salad, dessert, or a favorite chili recipe. Informal judging will determine cook-off winners in the chili and dessert categories. Following the supper, caller Ken Gordon will lead dancers of all ages in a variety of line and square dances. No admission will be charged.


Into the Night with Gershwin
7 pm Saturday, February 25 | Sanctuary
The acclaimed pianist Thomas Pandolfi, a leading interpreter of the works of George Gershwin, will perform "Rhapsody in Blue" and improvisations on six Gershwin favorites in addition to the Concerto in F (solo version) when he opens the Arts Alive season in 2012. Free will offering. Read more.


DivorceCare Support Group Begins
6-8 pm Thursday, March 1 | Rooms 1 & 2
DivorceCare is a 13-week support group designed to help adults recover from the pain and separation of divorce. A DivorceCare4Kids program will be offered concurrently for children of participants, ages 5 to 12. This special group is designed to help children in their recovery from the hurt of divorce. There is no cost to attend either program, but advance registration is requested; class size is limited. For information or to register, contact the church office. Child care for younger children will be available on request.


2012 Women's Retreat: "Sacred Stories, Our Stories: Finding Ourselves in Biblical Narratives"
5 pm Friday, March 2- 12 pm Sunday, March 4 | Camp Kenbrook
At this year's retreat, participants will compare their responses to two stories: the book of Ruth and the film Fried Green Tomatoes. Through the process of journaling, small group conversation, and creative writing, we’ll play in the intersection of sacred stories with our own. What can we learn about ourselves and each other from what we unconsciously add to a story? This year's retreat will be led by Julia M. O’Brien, Professor of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and Anabel C. Proffitt, Associate Professor of Educational Ministries, both at Lancaster Theological Seminary. Also attending will be friends from Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, NJ. Cost (including six meals and two nights' accommodation) is $165 per person for three to a room (two double beds) or $190 per person sharing a double. Download a brochure with reservation form. Payment to Debbie Hough will confirm your reservation. New this year: a commuter rate ($75) will be offered after rooms have been filled. Registration deadline: Sunday, February 12.


Book Discussion: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption
7 pm Monday, March 5 | Chapel
The women's Monday night Bible study invites everyone to read Laura Hillenbrand’s national best-seller and join the discussion in early March. (Snow date: Monday, March 19). The discussion will be led by Byron Borger, owner of Hearts & Minds bookstore in Dallastown. Ms. Hillenbrand, author of Seabiscuit: An American Legend, tells the epic true story of Louie Zamperini: a juvenile delinquent-turned-Olympic runner-turned-Army hero. During a routine search mission over the Pacific in 1943, Louie’s plane crashed into the ocean, and what happened to him over the next three years is a story of superhuman tenacity that will keep you glued to the pages. Copies of the book are available in the church library. Can't attend in March? The Faithful Reader's book group will also discuss "Unbroken" during the church school hour on Sunday, June 10.