Month: October 2021

Derry Church is delighted to welcome Eric Riley as Artist-in-Residence in Choral Arts. Eric will work with the choir and provide mentorship for Grant Wareham.

When Grant was hired last year, we said we would provide an opportunity for Grant to study under an established director who could serve as a teacher and mentor as Grant grows into the role of Director of Music Ministry. It wasn’t possible to offer that opportunity during the pandemic. Dan Stokes has ended his time working at Derry and we are incredibly grateful for Dan’s service, leadership, music, and friendship as he moves into retirement and other opportunities.

We look forward to having Eric share his gifts and passions for choral music with the choir and congregation at Derry Church.

Eric Riley was appointed Artistic Director of the Wheatland Chorale (Lancaster) in 2012. He recently retired as Artist in Residence at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church in York, and before that, he served nine years as the organist and director of music at Harrisburg’s Market Square Presbyterian Church.

Eric graduated from Syracuse University School of Music with a degree in organ performance, and later earned his Master’s in Music from the Scarritt Graduate School of Vanderbilt University. Eric is an accomplished conductor and organist who has led programs across the country and in Europe.

Eric lives in Hummelstown with his wife Christine, who sings alto in the Wheatland Chorale. He begins work at Derry Church on Nov 1 and will be present in worship on Sunday, Nov 7.

M.E. Steelman has served as our transitional children’s coordinator since 2018, and last week the Session voted to make her a permanent member of the church staff. We are delighted to introduce M.E. as Derry Church’s Children’s Ministry Coordinator! 

In this role, M.E. provides leadership for our children’s ministry programs through fifth grade, including faith-based education, fellowship, worship, and mission — all with the goal of supporting their daily lives and equipping children and their families as they grow in faith and discipleship.

FOLLOWING THE POSTLUDE FOR THE 10:30 AM SERVICE ON SUNDAY, OCT 31

You’ve heard the Aeolian-Skinner organ play … now find out how it works! In this brief demo you’ll learn the four basic kinds of pipes, how wind pressure is regulated, and how the organist puts everything together, as well as why wooden louvers are so crucial to the organ sounding the way it does. You’ll also learn about the basics of designing an organ, and the practical reasons why this organ sounds more rich and full compared with our previous Reuter organ. Bring your questions!

You can participate in Derry’s 2022 “Growing in Grace and Gratitude” stewardship campaign by returning the Estimate of Giving card you received in the mail, or you can complete the card online. Go to derrypres.org/give and your 2022 estimate will be securely delivered to Sandy Miceli, our financial/office manager.

If you use online giving and the information you enter represents a change from 2021, please be sure to make adjustments on Derry Church’s online giving site. 

Stewardship Sunday is Nov 14 and giving estimates can also be submitted during both worship services that day.

DEPARTS DERRY CHURCH 12:45 PM WEDNESDAY, DEC 8 FOR 3 PM GARDENS ENTRY

This trip to Longwood Gardens begins in the daylight, then enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights as it gets dark. Cost is $23 per person. Please RSVP to Sue Whitaker, then send or take your check to the church payable to Darry Church and notated Longwood Gardens. Since we have to pay for the tickets in advance, once you sign up you are committed to attend. Payment is due by Nov 7. We hope to see you there!

Derry Church participants and supporters have raised $5,060 for the 2021 CROP Walk! All gifts are appreciated and 25% of the total benefits our local food banks in Hershey & Hummelstown. Thank you!

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 9/30/21

Notes from the treasurer:

• Contributions are about $30k behind 2020 and budget.
• Committee spending generally in line with or under budget. 
• Cash flow at 9/30 is about $50k lower than last year.

Family Promise of Harrisburg Capitol Region works to transform the lives of families experiencing homelessness. It’s Derry Church’s turn to provide meals for these families staying at 56 Erford Road in Camp Hill during the week of Nov 7-13. 

Click here to sign up or contact Jane Robertson.

3-6 PM FRIDAY, NOV 12 • 8 AM-12 PM SATURDAY, NOV 13

Many hands needed to prepare the church grounds for the winter. Bring rakes, wheel barrows and leaf blowers. At least one pick up trip is also needed each day. 

Do you have any Christmas or winter-themed home & garden magazines to spare? They’re needed for a youth art project that will depict homes and families during the winter months, especially the Christmas season. Drop magazines in the designated basket between the doors at the Mansion Road/office entrance.

Lend A Hand is taking a work crew to New Bern, NC from Nov 14-20 to help repair flood-damaged homes through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Cost of the trip is $175 per person, which covers transportation, food at the site, and lodging. Proof of COVID vaccination is required and masks must be worn for all inside work. Applications available online. Questions? Contact Pete Feil (717-566-8250).

• Presbyterian Women observe Orange Day on the 25th of each month to highlight the exploitation of females around the world. This month is focused on Afghanistan and those working to provide escape routes for females and families wanting to leave. “Islamic Rule” gives evidences of hunger, fear, disrespect, non-permission to work, a ban on women in public places, an education ban and dismantling of co-educational institutes, no participation of women in the formation of interim Taliban cabinet, and many more rights violations. These are some of the examples that will make Afghan women suffer more under Taliban rule. On Monday, wear orange or an orange ribbon to show support for the females of Afghanistan and people who are trying to improve the lives of females there.
• Fifty hygiene bags were delivered to the Domestic Violence Center in September. Thanks to everyone who contributed items to fill the bags.
• The Synod PW Mission Project for this year is the prison ministry of Rev. Stanley in Malawi. He serves eight prisons by carrying the work of God, bringing supplies of food, water, soap, and treasured aspirin as well as supplies for infants incarcerated with their mothers. He has also bought coffins and paid for funerals. He needs a truck to haul supplies and prisoners released or in need of medical attention. PW in Derry has sent $700 towards this purchase.

This colorful 11 x 17″ page has been printed and is being shared with local animal shelters, vet centers, zoo/nature reserves, and those who dedicate their service to animals. The painted animals were created by the children attending Sunday school: they prayed for these people who care for creation as they learned more about the story of Noah’s Ark.

Taken after the organ recital on Sunday, Oct 10, 2021, this photo shows those instrumental in bringing the Aeolian-Skinner Op. 1132 to Derry Church. Left to right: Nicholas Thompson-Allen, President, A. Thompson-Allen and Co., Grant Wareham, Geoff Johnson, head of Church of the Redeemer organ search committee and husband Damian, and Dan Stokes. 

This year’s Advent sermon series imagines how each Gospel writer celebrates Christmas in his own home. We’ll also explore how we celebrate the birth of Jesus in our own lives and homes through music, online discussion groups, and our Advent devotional.

For the 2021 Advent devotional, you’re invited to share a story about a meaningful or faithful tradition, event, or memory about celebrating the Christmas season in your house as a child, youth, or adult. These stories will invite our church family into our homes as we each reflect on how we celebrate the birth of the Savior and what it means for our lives.

Please send your story of 500 words or less to Pastor Stephen by Monday, Nov 15. Include a photo if you have one.

The 2021 Advent Devotional will be available for pickup at our Holiday Drive Thru on Sunday afternoon, Dec 5. 

10 AM SATURDAY, OCT 30 IN THE BACK PARKING LOT

Derry Church is hosting its first Trunk or Treat event for families of the church and the Discovery Days Preschool. Children can come dressed in costumes and trick or treat at various cars and tables set up in the back parking lot. Derry friends, you’re invited to decorate the trunk of your car (or a table) and hand out candy: click here to sign up. If you can’t come that day, you can support the event by providing donations of candy: bring bags to the church office.

5:45 – 7:15 PM TUESDAYS IN ROOM 7

Kids In Christ (K.I.C.) Club welcomes Derry Church children on Tuesday evenings to participate in creative ministries… fellowship groups, music ensembles (vocal and instrumental) and creation time. This program has a Vacation Bible School vibe where children rotate between classrooms and participate in all three areas of ministry.

K.I.C. Club is open to all children age 4 – 5th grade. Children must be signed in each week in Room 7, and have completed information and medical forms on file with the church. Once children are registered, their adult is free to hang out in the church, attend Tuesday night worship at 6:15 pm, or run a quick errand or two. Children will be dismissed at 7:15 pm from Room 7. MORE

Hope Within provides primary health care, counseling and dental care to the uninsured low-income residents of Lancaster, Dauphin and Lebanon Counties. Through the grace and goodness of God, Hope Within is excited to share His love by offering excellent and free primary medical care, cost sliding scale counseling and donation-based dental care via the hands of more than 30 volunteer medical and dental providers, therapists and nurses.

Hope Within is seeking a part time (20 hours per week) Director of Development to enhance its efforts in serving the community. With this position, Hope Within desires to strengthen its relations with current donors and broaden its fundraising efforts, including new major donor cultivation, foundations, grants, special events and capital campaigns. The Director of Development will be responsible for establishing, implementing, and leading a comprehensive development program for Hope Within under the direction of the Executive Director.

Cover letters and resumes should be sent to David F. Sheppard, Jr., CAE (Ret), 924 Palmer Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17112 or by email to david.f.sheppard@gmail.com.

10:30 AM ON THE THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT THE HOME OF JOAN THEAL

“What My Grandmothers Taught Me: Learning from the Women in Matthew’s Genealogy of Jesus” is the theme for the 2021-22 Presbyterian Women’s Bible study. Face masks may be required.

If you’d like to lead a study group at a different time and place, please contact Doris Feil.

One wall of the atrium library received a fresh coat of paint last week as part of a makeover for this well-used, welcoming space

The communion table and organ console have been repositioned in preparation for the organ dedication and recital on Sunday, Oct 10. Please note the live stream will launch at 10:15 am and the prelude will begin at 10:20 am as Kathy Yingst, Dan Stokes and Grant Wareham take turns playing our new Aeolian-Skinner. At the end of the service, a congregational meeting will follow the postlude, with voting by Derry members attending in person. The meeting will be live streamed. 8 am worship and Pastor Stephen’s 11-Minute Lessons will return on Sunday, Oct 17.

The peace cranes have also returned to their roost. Thanks to Charlie and Joanne Koch and Josh Pearson for helping the cranes settle back into the rafters. They’ll be in flight until Advent begins.

A congregational meeting will follow 10:30 am worship on Oct 10 for the purpose of electing one elder for the class of 2022, six elders and five deacons for the class of 2024, and four church members to serve on the 2022 nominating committee.

These Derry members have accepted nominations: 

Elder, class of 2022: Tim Mosher

Elders, class of 2024: Becca Farbaniec, Cindy DeMuth, Tom Kitzmiller, Julie Yutesler, Pam Whitenack and Ryan Bartz

Deacons, class of 2024: Michelle Califf, Dave Hibshman, David Kuntch, Ellen O’Keefe and Susan Hubbell Whyte  

2022 Nominating Committee: Lauren Talhelm, Mike Leader, Lee Webber and Jane Robertson

• Approved baptism of Nikolai Minnich, son of Derry members, Sean and Valerie Minnich.
• Stephen Guenther has indicated that he will be stepping down as church Treasurer over the next year. Craig Kegerise has volunteered to accept this position. The Session thanks Craig for his willingness to offer his assistance and Steven for his leadership and financial expertise. The Session unanimously elected Craig as Vice Treasurer. He will be working with Steven and becoming familiar with the church finances as he prepares to take on this role.
• Reviewed the preliminary 2022 church budget and Stewardship Sunday plans.
• Approved revised “Guidelines for Burial of Cremated Remains in DPC Cemetery.” The revisions include increasing the cost of a plot to $1,000 and adding an administrative fee of 25% to the cost of the ground level marker.

BEGINS 10 AM OCT 20 AND CONTINUES THROUGH OCT 24 • PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE MINISTRIES OF LOVE INC OF GREATER HERSHEY • MORE

Featuring local artisans, neighborhood businesses, gift baskets, gift cards, home decor, electronics, services around the house, and homemade delicacies (pies and more!)

PERISHABLE Items may be picked up from the donor or delivered to the following locations: Hummelstown (17036), Hershey (17033), Middletown (17057), Palmyra (17078), Elizabethtown (17022). 

NON-PERISHABLE Items may be picked up curbside at the Love INC office during the week of Oct 25.

The Monday evening study group will Zoom at 7 pm to discuss the following books:

NOV 1: “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI” by David Grann
DEC 6: “Suzanne and Gertrude: A Novel” by Jeb Loy Nichols
JAN 6: “Stolen: The Astonishing Odyssey of Five Boys Along the Reverse Underground Railroad” by Richard Bell

Faithful Readers will Zoom at 2 pm on Sunday afternoons to discuss these books:

OCT 17: “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” by Grace Lin 
NOV 14: “Cranford” by Elizabeth Gaskell
DEC 12: “Christmas: A Candid History” by Bruce David Forbes
JAN 9: “Two Old Women” by Velma Wallis

Contact the church office for Zoom login information.