Month: May 2021

Legendary 96-year-old American-born pianist Ruth Slenczynska began her piano studies in Europe at age four and took lessons with Arthur Schanabel, Egon Petri, Alfred Cortot, Joseph Hofmann, and even performed for Sergei Rachmaninoff. She performed her debut in Berlin at age six, and made her debut in Paris with a full orchestra at age 11. She became an instant musical sensation in Europe, heralded as the first child prodigy since Mozart. However, the strain of practice and the touring schedule imposed upon her by her father caused great emotional stress, and by the age of 15 she withdrew from performing.

In 1954 the artist resumed her concert career and established herself as a pianist of impeccable technique and considerable musical insight. In 1964 she accepted a full time position at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville as Artist- in-Residence, a title she retained until 1987.

For this recital, Ms. Slenczynska played lesser known works of Frédéric Chopin, including the Fantasie in F Minor, Op. 49 and the Poloniase in F Minor, Op. 71 No. 3: the exact program she will present at the Polish Embassy in Washington, D.C. later this year.

Look for the nametag displays near entrances to the Sanctuary. Nametag lost? Need a new one? Email Sue George or add your name to the nametag request pad on the table in the Narthex.

Join members of Lower Marsh Creek Presbyterian Church for a trip to Scotland, the home of John Knox, on October 7-18, 2021. The trip will include touring the churches of Scotland, visiting a working sheep farm, and attending a worship service on the Isle of Iona. For more information, contact Rev. Mark Englund-Krieger.

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 4/30/21

Notes from the treasurer:

• Contributions are in line with 2020.
• Per capita was paid in April, and committee spending is generally in line with the budget
• Cash flow is about $40K ahead of last year.

9 AM – 4 PM MONDAY-THURSDAY
CLOSED FRIDAY

Please continue to wear a mask when you enter the office suite

4:45-7:00 PM MONDAY, MAY 31 AT THE GRANTVILLE RACETRACK

End your Memorial Day weekend by serving others! Four volunteers are needed to serve picnic food buffet-style for the families and workers at the Grantville Racetrack (80-100 people). Gloves and masks are required.

Desserts are also needed, and can be brought to the church kitchen in advance. Contact Marilyn Koch to let her know how you can help.

The Board of Directors of Love INC of Greater Hershey is pleased to announce the appointment of Dale Forshey as the next Executive Director, starting Monday, May 17.

Dale has recently retired from The Hershey Company with over 30 years of experience in project management, financial management, business operations, process improvement, leadership, and team building. Dale and his wife, Stacey, attend Grace United Methodist Church in Hummelstown, and he is an active member of the praise band and bell choir. Dale also volunteers with the Central PA Food Bank and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program in Harrisburg.

Contact Dale at dforshey@loveincgreaterhershey.org or call 717-835-0101.

5 – 9 PM SATURDAY, JUNE 5 AT THE VINEYARD AT HERSHEY, 598 SCHOOLHOUSE RD, MIDDLETOWN

Bring friends, family & neighbors for fellowship on the covered porch and rolling hills, or in the climate controlled indoor venue. Enjoy an evening of fun, food, art & music! $20 per person through May 31, then $25 each: order tickets here. Proceeds benefit Love INC of Greater Hershey.

ATTENTION DERRY ARTISTS: Love INC is searching for artisans interested in displaying their work at this event. All pieces will be displayed indoors in a climate controlled environment and will be available for viewing by attendees of the Picnic at the Vineyard. Request more information.

It is time to collect items for the hygiene bags for the Domestic Violence Center in Harrisburg. These items can be left in the box marked for hygiene bags at the church office entrance:

• Washcloths
• Deodorants
• Large-tooth combs
• Toothbrushes and travel-sized toothpastes
• Disposable razor blades
• Tissue packets.  

• Approved the use of the church building for the following functions:
  • Wedding of Alexandra de la Plante and Dallas Hamlin on June 19, 2021 at 1:00 pm, approximately 10 people attending.
  • Use of Fellowship Hall for a birthday celebration for Marion Weaver on Saturday, November 27, 2021 from 11 am to 5 pm using staggered time slots.
• Approved the serving of communion at a children’s sacrament class to be held on May 23, 2021.
• Reviewed the Treasurer’s report for the year to date. Contributions are in line with the budget and 2020 giving. Expenses are also in line with the budget.
• After receiving the home inspection that revealed significant issues, the Session discussed the possible purchase of the 239 E. Derry Road property in depth and concluded that it is not in the best interest of the church to purchase this property, especially when taking into account how the investment of time, energy, and money would affect Derry’s other ministries and needs. 
• The Session reviewed recommendations from the COVID Task Force and approved the following:
  • Maintain the 60-person limit for worship services
  • Move to Phase 2 in the regathering plan with in-person Sunday school returning in the fall
  • Derry Brass can practice and record videos for worship services following safety protocols
  • Hold outdoor worship services once a month in the summer starting at 7 pm on Tuesday, May 11.
• Approved hiring Laura Cox as the permanent director of Derry Discovery Days.  Laura has been the Interim DDD Director this year and will assume her new role on August 1, 2021.
• The Building & Grounds Committee submitted a Capital Procurement Requisition to perform lighting upgrades throughout the church building. The upgrades will include replacement of emergency lighting and exit signs, upgrading the light quality in Fellowship Hall with more efficient LED fixtures and bulbs, and conversion from fluorescent to LED lighting in the church office, basement corridors and narthex.  This proposal will be voted upon at the May stated meeting.

Derry Discovery Days has space in the following classes for the 2021-22 school year:

• Busy Bee 3’s morning class
• Butterfly 4’s afternoon class

There is a waiting list for the Turtle 2’s class. 

Derry Discovery Days plans to open the Ladybug 1’s classroom in mid-fall. Children must be one year old by September 1 and walking.

For more information, please contact Laura Cox, check us out online, or call 717-533-9667 ext. 201.

The Birthday Offering of Presbyterian Women celebrates our history of generous giving. Launched in 1922, the Birthday Offering has become an annual tradition.  It has funded over 200 major mission projects that continue to impact people in the United States and around the world. While projects and donation amounts have changed over the almost 100 years, Presbyterian Women’s commitment to improving the lives of women and children has not changed.

The third project funded in 2021 is Nkhoma Mission Hospital in Nkhoma, Malawi. This Mission Hospital offers affordable, accessible healthcare services for all in the area, inspired by the love of Jesus Christ.  The grant of $129,145 will build an obstetrics and gynecology-specific operating room next to the existing prenatal and maternity wards. This new theater will help decrease delays and reduce maternal deaths caused by having to move patients a significant distance across the hospital grounds. This theater expansion will aid in the hospital’s goals of becoming more self-sustainable by expanding surgical services that are offered and living into its vision of being a leader in quality Christian health care and training in Malawi.

Your continued support will allow PW to fund next year’s projects. You can give online, or mail checks to the church. You can give online or mail checks to the church. Together let us lovingly plant and tend seeds of promise so that programs and ministries can grow and flourish.

• Faithful Readers will meet on Zoom at 9:15 am Sunday, May 15 to discuss What My Mother Gave Me by Elizabeth Benedict. Contact the church office for login information.
• The Monday evening study group will meet on Zoom at 7 pm Monday, June 7 to discuss Nomadland by Jessica Bruder. The book (in various formats) is available from the Hershey Library. Contact the church office for login information.

6-8 PM THURSDAY, MAY 6 AT VETERANS PARK, ELMERTON AVENUE, HARRISBURG

Derry’s co-ed softball team won its first game on May 2! Men and women age 16 and older are welcome to play on Derry’s recreational softball team. Please call or text coach Keri Miller for more information

Upcoming Games:
5-7 pm Sunday, May 16
5-7 pm Sunday, May 23
5-7 pm Sunday, June 6
8-10 pm Thursday, June 10

Derry’s Communications & Technology Committee invites you to sign up for text message notifications to help you stay connected with Derry Church. Sign up below for the notifications you want to receive. You’ll be asked to fill out a simple form, then you’re all set: 

Click this link or text Derry to 717-820-9060 to sign up for general Derry Church reminders and updates. You can expect two or three texts per week.

Click this link or text Tech to 717-820-9060 to sign up for a weekly Tech Time reminder and occasional tech news of interest to the group.