Month: January 2022

I find myself quite reflective these days remembering how ministry and I have changed these last four decades. Now thinking back over my sermons, leadership priorities, pastoral care and ministry at Derry and my two previous congregations, I have a few regrets. I guess it’s time for confession.

I wish I had addressed environmental concerns as Christian issues. I grew up learning about environmental concerns and tried to always recycle, but I seldom connected and saw my consumer lifestyle as sin. All we need to do is look at bundles of plastic water bottles that we’ve been convinced are essential for us, as well as our indifference to the fossil fuels we use for our comfort and convenience. Each of those actions, big and small, make a difference. Being a Christian commands us to be good, responsible stewards. It’s part of loving our neighbors as ourselves. I wish I had preached and done more to address how our choices in living with comfort and ease affects others on this planet. I wish I had connected the dots more for all of us.

I wish I had been a more vocal advocate for the voices of those long silenced. I have tried to be a pastor of all those within the congregation, even when I disagreed with their conclusions and assumptions about those who are different. My decision was not to entirely disclose my personal opinions and values, for fear that I would be discounted as their pastor if they knew my personal stance. And for that, I regret not being a more vocal advocate for gays, lesbians, bisexual folks and transgender people. I have friends, family and clergy colleagues who identify as those who question and challenge the binary traditional understandings of sexual orientations. In these years, I’ve learned so much and expanded my own knowledge and understanding. I regret not having taken a public stand in support and calling us to be more inclusive in the Christian family.

I wish I had gone on more mission trips. My first trip outside the US was to Haiti in my first year of ministry. Nothing could have broadened my world view more and challenged my first world perspective. Each additional mission trip to Zambia, Kenya, and Honduras added another chapter and spiritual learning. I regret not going more often as I always seemed too busy, felt too unsafe, and talked myself out of it. What I did learn was that mission work — even for a day to muck out flooded homes in WV, Harrisburg, and central PA — showed me more about God’s love and abundance. Every time I volunteered at Downtown Daily Bread, Grantville Racetrack Ministry and various food pantries, I glimpsed a little more clearly God’s kingdom as I met people I would not otherwise have encountered. Those experiences have been profound for me and as I reflect now,  I regret not taking advantage of more opportunities.

Is it too late to address my regrets? We’ll see. But just in confessing my laments, I hope to open up more opportunities for conversations and actions.

I was baptized and raised as a Catholic. I attended parochial school and served as an altar boy at St Joan of Arc. At that young age I never thought much about God’s work in my life.

I first attended a Christmas Eve service at Derry Church in 2000 while visiting with my wife’s family. Cynthia had joined Derry in 1961 and my mother-in-law, Jo Baum, was the first female Elder at Derry Church. We were living in Minnesota but attended services whenever we were in town visiting family. On our first wedding anniversary, we renewed our vows at Derry Church. When we retired in 2012 we moved to Hershey and I became a member.

Since then, I feel God has instilled in me a will to help others. Prior to being installed as an Elder I volunteered as an usher and greeter. I also volunteered on the G.O.D. Squad, as a Meals on Wheels driver, and serve as treasurer for Derry’s golf league.

In the fall of 2018, I was asked to be an Elder. I attended officer training and was installed as a ruling Elder in January 2019. Serving as an Elder gave me insight into the importance the Session plays in planning and managing the church’s direction. During my three years on Session I served as a financial custodian, usher captain recruiting ushers for church services and serving communion. I was also involved in many important church decisions. I feel the most important of these was approving the COVID team’s recommendations to keep our members safe during the ongoing pandemic.

Other actions the Session took during my term included approving our new Vision and Mission statements, hiring an interim music director, approving the purchase and installation of the Aeolian-Skinner organ, approving the addition of accessible seating in the Chapel, installing tempered glass at the Session House, purchasing a new oven for the church kitchen and approving the restoration of the cemetery for our 300-year anniversary. 

During my term as Elder, I served on the Building and Grounds Committee. As a member of this committee I volunteered to be part of the Rental Property Subcommittee and the subcommittee to purchase a replacement church van. Even though my term as ruling elder has come to an end, I will continue to be part of the Building and Grounds Committee and the Rental Property and Van Purchase Subcommittees.

I enjoyed my time serving on Session. It was a great experience working with staff and other Elders on Session. 

Last year Derry Church offered the opportunity to buy shares to support a child’s education in Pakistan through the Presbyterian Education Board (PEB). A remarkable  $6,649 was raised for the PEB General Scholarship Fund in 2021.

In addition, there were 10 Derry families who took the extra step and chose to purchase 10 shares and support a child’s education for the entire year. When asked why they made this commitment, we received the following responses:  

• There are lots of opportunities to support great causes, but few that have a direct impact on the life of one individual. Funding a scholarship offers that student the opportunity for a great education and hope for a brighter future. Sue and Jim George
  
• We chose to provide a scholarship for a Pakistani girl because as educators we believe in the transformative power of education. I do not know where else we could make such a difference in someone’s life for such a small contribution to fund a scholarship. Sue Whitaker and Al Reed
  
• In 2020 I chose to sponsor a child’s education through PEB in Pakistan. I do this to honor my own grandchildren, who have the luxury of living in a country with free public education – my wish is for all children to be blessed with knowledge through education. Kristy Elliott
  
• We are supporting this fund because we feel strongly about supporting the education of girls in a country where they may not otherwise have the same opportunities as they have here in the United States. James and Ellen Mosher
  
• Jay & I have chosen to support this program because it is a priority of our church and we believe in it. It is so important to help educate children, especially in places where there is great need. They are our future. Jay and Carol Carr
  
• We chose to support a child’s education through a scholarship because we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to learn in a safe and supportive environment. Education has the power to change a life, a community, and the world, so we are thankful to have the opportunity to help others receive the gift of education that will last a lifetime. Much of our own education was funded through scholarships, and we wanted to pass that gift along to someone else. 
  Courtney and Stephen McKinney-Whitaker
  
• We chose to provide support for the children/schools in Pakistan for several reasons. Education is the way out of poverty and to a better life. We believe in the partnership with PEB and the work they have done. We look forward to Veda’s updates and visits. We will continue to support this program as we are strong believers in its mission. Mike and Tracey Kinney

For 11 years, Derry Church has maintained a partnership with PEB. PEB operates 25 schools, primary through high school, including some boarding schools, that serve more than 5,900 students. Derry, through our 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 approximately $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.” 

Whether you are able to give one share, three, or 15, together we can fulfill the dreams of more students in 2022. PEB students will thank you for the precious gift of education that will help them contribute to positive changes in society as citizen-leaders in their communities, churches, their country and the world. Who knows? Your student may one day be the one to change the world.

It is estimated that more than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the United States will experience rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime (CDC).

A November 2021 report by UN Women found that since the start of the pandemic, violence against women has become more severe across the globe. The report finds that women have experienced more violence since the start of the pandemic and they feel less safe overall. While COVID-19 has taken a psychological toll on all of us, women who are also exposed to violence, particularly physical violence, experience increased stress and anxiety.

Since 1975, Derry Presbyterian Church has supported the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg. The YWCA’s Violence Intervention and Prevention programs provide free and confidential crisis and counseling services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, including a crisis hotline, safety planning, individual and group counseling, medical and court accompaniments, and referrals to local services. The YWCA also provides a shelter for women and their children who are experiencing domestic violence, as well as a legal clinic. To raise community awareness and to prevent domestic and sexual violence before it happens, the YWCA provides free, age-appropriate workshops for preschools, schools, colleges, youth groups, community groups and workplaces.

While domestic and sexual violence disproportionately affects women and girls, we all play a role in prevention and supporting survivors. In addition to supporting Missions at Derry, you can help by taking the following actions:

1. Educate yourself. Start by checking out the resources at Presbyterian Mission, Faith Trust Institute, RAINN and Love is Respect. Attend the January 23 Issues Class and learn from a YWCA prevention educator about domestic and sexual violence and how you can help.
   
2. Believe survivors. If you know someone experiencing domestic or sexual violence, believe them. Understand that it can be hard to seek help and to leave abusive relationships. Ask how you can support them and let them know about the services that the YWCA provides. The 24-hour crisis hotline is available at 1-800-654-1211.
   
3. Talk about this issue. Invite a prevention educator from the YWCA to speak at your workplace, school or community group. Talk to the children and teens in your life in an age-appropriate way about body safety, consent and healthy relationships.
   
4. Speak up! When you hear someone make a sexist, homophobic or racist joke or a comment that minimizes domestic or sexual violence, say something. These small, seemingly “minor” comments contribute to an overall culture that perpetuates domestic and sexual violence.

Through Derry’s support of the YWCA Greater Harrisburg and each of us taking the steps listed above, Derry members and friends contribute to a safer community for all.