Month: February 2021

February 2021 Session Highlights

• Reviewed the annual Statistical Report prepared for PCUSA. 
• The Treasurer reported that contributions and expenses are currently in line with budget expectations.
• Received and discussed the COVID Task Force’s re-gathering proposal. After a lengthy discussion, the Session approved 3 phases for re-opening the church:  Phase 1A, Phase 1B, and Phase 2. Phase 1A will begin on March 7, 2021 with permitting 8:00 am worship in the Sanctuary (maximum of 30 people based on 10% comfortable pew seating capacity) and AA to meet in Room 10 with use of the patio entrance along Mansion Road. Opening dates for the other phases will be reviewed and discussed at the March 17, 2021 Session meeting.  
• Approved continuing the use of the Anderson Trust quarterly distributions (as originally approved in 2017) as follows:
  • To pay the debt service associated with the Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program loan taken to fund Derry’s HVAC project.
  • If funds remain, a distribution will be made, if necessary, to address any shortfall in the Church budget.
  • Any remaining funds will be distributed 50% to Derry’s Capital Facilities Fund and 50% to the Legacy Fund.
• Heard a proposal to purchase the property at 239 Derry Road which has been offered by the current owners to Derry for consideration. A task force comprised of members from various session committees toured the building and reviewed possible short and long-term recommendations for the property. The purchase of the property presents a unique opportunity for the church to acquire three contiguous properties along Derry Road. The Session discussed the need to develop a cohesive plan for use of the properties that Derry currently owns. If the property were to be purchased, the current plan would be to sell the property at 275 Mansion Road and develop a long-term strategy for the use of the three contiguous properties. After discussion, the Session authorized the Stewardship & Finance Committee to make an offer on 239 Derry Road at a price not to exceed $215,000 contingent upon a home inspection, appraisal, and congregational approval.  
• A called meeting to receive new members was scheduled for March 7, 2021 at 2 pm.
• Held the annual meeting of the Board of Trustees for The Derry Presbyterian Church, Inc. during which time Duncan Campbell was elected President and Connie Henry as Vice President.  Kathy Yingst, Clerk of Session and Stephen Guenther, Church Treasurer, were affirmed ex officio as Secretary and Treasurer of the Corporation, respectively. 

To my Derry Church friends, thank you so much for your concern and prayers during my recent surgery and recovery. I am so grateful for your support. In His love, Joanne Unverzagt

Thank you to all who sent cards and expressed their sympathies to me after my brother passed away just before Christmas. In these times of isolation and loneliness, your words have been especially comforting to me and to my family. To all who have lost and who have lived throughout the pandemic, we send our love, in anticipation of being together again very soon. Connie Henry

February 18, 2021

That’s enough to fund not only the ten students we’ve been supporting, but more than 20 ADDITIONAL students attending Presbyterian Education Board schools in Pakistan! Thank you, Derry Church, for your amazing generosity.

It’s not too late to participate in this fundraiser that closes at the end of February and a final tally will be reported in March. Read on for details…

Meet Youail, One of Derry Church’s PEB Scholarship Recipients 

Greeting from Sargodha. I am writing this note of thanks for the special care and support that you show in choosing me for the scholarship. I am trying my best to be a good student of my class. My school is the best, full of fun and care. I like coming to school. All teachers and my friends are very nice. Thank you again.

For ten years, Derry Church has maintained a partnership with the Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan. PEB operates 25 schools, primary through high school, including some boarding schools, that serve more than 5,900 students. Derry, through the Friends of Sargodha group, has a particular relationship with the schools in Sargodha. 

Our goal is to provide ten scholarships every year. You can help.

A full scholarship for a day student is $370 a year, about a dollar a day. We are dividing that amount into ten shares, $37 each, to offer you the opportunity to support a portion of a scholarship. 

You can purchase one or more shares by writing a check to Derry Church notated “Pakistan Scholarship” or giving online through the church website and selecting “Pakistan Scholarship.” 

Read Rev. Nancy Reinert’s message inviting you to participate. This fundraiser continues through February 2021.

Week #4 of Pastor Stephen’s class, “Epistemology and the Search for Truth. This week we are talking about the extent of human knowledge; that is, how much do we, or can we, know? How can we use our reason, our senses, the testimony of others, and other resources to acquire knowledge? Are there limits to what we can know?

Lenten devotions written by Derry members and staff are available to pick up on the bench outside the office entrance or download a copy.

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 1/31/21

Notes from the treasurer:

• Contributions are a touch under 2020, but in line with expectations.
• Mission & Peace spending is ahead of budget. All other variances are in line with expectations.

Derry’s “Mission Madness” featuring actual March Madness college basketball games with commentary by the inimitable Pete Steelman returns this year! Once again, proceeds will support scholarships for students at Presbyterian Education Board schools in Pakistan. Stay tuned for details.

That’s enough to fund not only the ten students we’ve been supporting, but more than 20 ADDITIONAL students attending Presbyterian Education Board schools in Pakistan! Thank you, Derry Church, for your amazing generosity.

It’s not too late to participate in this fundraiser that closes at the end of February and a final tally will be reported in March. Read on for details…

Meet Aman, One of Derry Church’s PEB Scholarship Recipients 

I would like to thank you for your support and love. It will help me a lot in my education. I live in the city of Sargodha, which is know as city of eagles. An air base is also in Sargodha. Dear donor, I am a good student and always take good grades. I want to become a doctor. Thank you again for your generosity and thoughtfulness.

For ten years, Derry Church has maintained a partnership with the Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan. PEB operates 25 schools, primary through high school, including some boarding schools, that serve more than 5,900 students. Derry, through the Friends of Sargodha group, has a particular relationship with the schools in Sargodha. 

Our goal is to provide ten scholarships every year. You can help.

A full scholarship for a day student is $370 a year, about a dollar a day. We are dividing that amount into ten shares, $37 each, to offer you the opportunity to support a portion of a scholarship. 

You can purchase one or more shares by writing a check to Derry Church notated “Pakistan Scholarship” or giving online through the church website and selecting “Pakistan Scholarship.” 

Read Rev. Nancy Reinert’s message inviting you to participate. This fundraiser continues through February 2021.

We would like to thank the Derry congregation and staff for their cards, concerns, and prayers during Joe’s recovery.
Sandy & Joe Pushnik

Wear orange or an orange ribbon to support people revealing and countering the exploitation of females worldwide. Three sisters were arrested in Malaysia for trafficking 35 women for their day-cleaning business. 32 Indonesians and three Cambodians were locked in their home at night, denied phone use, and were not paid their monthly wages. Although overseas, this happens throughout the world. Wear Orange next Thursday.

Week #3 of Pastor Stephen’s class, “Epistemology and the Search for Truth.” This week you’ll learn about the “Nature of Justification.” Justification is a concept in epistemology used to describe beliefs that one has good reason for holding… in other words, you are justified for holding a belief whether it turns out to be a true belief or not. How do we determine if we are justified in believing a story, a report, a theory, or a belief?

While Penn State Health has not yet announced exact locations, there will be a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Hershey and volunteers are needed. The only requirements for volunteers are that you are able to work at least four hours at a time, and that you are able to stand and move freely. These roles are critical to the success of such a massive project, as they will assist members of the community to navigate the clinic, and will also assist clinicians in meeting the needs of those in the clinic. Hours of operation will be Monday-Saturday 7am-7pm.

As a logistics coordinator for this undertaking, and knowing how many of you would love to assist in efforts to curtail this awful virus, Derry’s own Julie Miller requests that anyone who might be interested in filling one of these roles contact her at jmiller25@pennstatehealth.psu.edu for more information.

Lent is all about spiritual renewal. It is a sacred time of preparation for Easter and a time to reflect on what God has done to redeem us and how we can live a whole and full life as a child of God.

Many of us see Lent as a season of penitence, fasting, service and contemplation — but at the top of our list should be a prayer for the acquisition of peace. In our devotional this year, we invite you to reflect upon the gift of shalom, the Hebrew word with a host of meanings: peace, security, well-being, health, completeness. Our spiritual goal: exploring how can we receive this gift of shalom and, in turn, bestow it upon the world.

Now, more than ever, we deeply crave shalom. Our world is in desperate need of peace. The United States has just come out of a contentious election, a struggle with a global pandemic, and painful racial violence. Poverty, misery and despair fill many corners of the world. Yes, we desire peace. We need peace.

Every week from Ash Wednesday (Feb 17) through Easter (April 4), this year’s devotional from Presbyterians Today Magazine focuses on shalom and what it can mean in our lives and how we can bring it to the world. Explore themes of justice, peace, healing, hope, repairing and reconciliation. Find Scripture readings along with beautiful meditations and prayers.

The Way to Shalom is free for download or print. You’re invited to use it, share it, excerpt from it and make it your spiritual companion this Lent.

I am studying in 1 class. Thank you so much for granting me the scholarship. I am studying with great interest because I want to become a doctor in the future. Thank you.

For ten years, Derry Church has maintained a partnership with the Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan. PEB operates 25 schools, primary through high school, including some boarding schools, that serve more than 5,900 students. Derry, through the Friends of Sargodha group, has a particular relationship with the schools in Sargodha. 

Our goal is to provide ten scholarships every year. You can help.

A full scholarship for a day student is $370 a year, about a dollar a day. We are dividing that amount into ten shares, $37 each, to offer you the opportunity to support a portion of a scholarship. 

You can purchase one or more shares by writing a check to Derry Church notated “Pakistan Scholarship” or giving online through the church website and selecting “Pakistan Scholarship.” 

Read Rev. Nancy Reinert’s message inviting you to participate. This fundraiser continues through February 2021.

Thank you, Derry Church, Pastor Stephen and Pastor Marie for phone calls and prayers in the death of our son-in-law, Jimmy Uhrich. Thanks for keeping our daughter in your prayers.
Simon and Pat Yingst and Karen

Just a short note of thanks for the prayers, cards and phone calls I received after my recent surgery. They are greatly appreciated.
Loretta Chubb

Thank you, members of Derry Church, for your sincere thoughtfulness in sending food, flowers, phone calls, cards and shawls to support our family following the death of Ronald Walker. You are true friends. Michele, Debbie and I, as well as our families, were pleased many of you shared how Ron touched your lives. For some of you, it was many years ago and for some it was recently. We cannot thank you enough for thinking of all of us in so many thoughtful ways.
Martha Walker, Michele Smith, Debbie Duszak, and our families

9 AM-12 PM SATURDAY, FEB 27 ON ZOOM

Join the Presbytery of Carlisle as it prepares for post-pandemic life. Included in this Zoom gathering will be several break-out rooms for pastors, elders, and deacons to engage in learning for their roles as church officers. There are choices for those who are new to the role and want the basics, as well as options for those who are ready for a deeper dive.

We welcome pastors and elder commissioners along with any Ruling Elders and Deacons who wish to attend. The line-up of workshops is below. Click this link to pre-register so Zoom break-out rooms can be assigned. Once registered you will be redirected to a webpage providing the Zoom link. Read more, including details on the breakout meetings offered that day.

Pastor Stephen leads a 25-minute mid-week worship service on the theme, “The Work is Ours.” Scripture: Nehemiah 2:17—3:5; 3:28-30.

Derry Discovery Days Preschool is now registering children of Derry Church members for the 2021-22 school year. Ages two years through pre-K are invited to learn and play at our fantastic preschool. Email Interim Director Laura Cox before registration opens to the community later this month or call 717–533-9667 x 201.

Pastor Pam Meilands, M.E. Steelman and Grant Wareham lead a family-centered worship service on the theme of salt and light.