Month: January 2023

Derry Church was established in the early 1700s by immigrants from Northern Ireland, and now you can travel with Derry friends to Scotland and Ireland as part of our 300th Anniversary Celebration! The trip is set for April 11-25, 2024.

Visit Edinburgh, the Isle of lona and Glasgow in Scotland, then ferry to Belfast, spend some time in our sister city of Derry, Northern Ireland, and complete the tour in Dublin. We’ll attend worship services at St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh and the First Derry Presbyterian Church in Derry, Northern Ireland.

Click here for more details and rate information. Questions? Ready to book? Contact Ann Geist.

• Elected Craig Kegerise as Treasurer and Kathy Yingst as Clerk of Session for a term of one year.
• The Treasurer reported that due to generous congregational giving and underspending by church committees, we finished 2022 with a positive change in net assets of $100,700.
• After learning that pledges totaling over $115,000 have been received, the Session approved the Capital Procurement Requisition from the Piano Committee to purchase the 2019 Steinway Grand piano Model D at a cost of approximately $150,000 and dedicate it in memory of Lee Ann Taylor. Thank you to the members of the Piano Committee for their work in securing this instrument which will be enjoyed by all for many years to come. Following the session meeting, additional pledges and donations have been contributed. It now appears that the entire $150,000 will be funded through donations.
• Approved the Capital Procurement Requisition from the Building & Grounds Committee to stabilize the Session House based on a proposal submitted by British Masonry and Restoration, Inc. Contractors in the amount of $19,000.
• At the request of the Stewardship & Finance Committee, the Session approved distribution of the $100,700 2022 budget overage as follows: $6,000 to purchase two additional AEDs, $4,000 to the Deacon emergency fund, $10,000 to the 300th anniversary budget, $4,500 to cash on hand, and the remainder split in thirds to the Legacy Fund, Capital Facilities Fund, and Mission Committee for use.
• Elected Tom Davis and Tim Mosher as Session representatives to the 2023 Nominating Committee.

The Derry Church family is invited to provide a meal for Keri that will provide support and comfort in this season of mourning. Click this link to sign up. 

7 PM WEDNESDAY, FEB 22 IN THE CHAPEL

This contemplative hour-long service led by Pastor Stephen will include a sermon and celebration of the Lord’s supper along with imposition of ashes made from last year’s palm branches. 

9:10-9:25 AM WEDNESDAY, FEB 22 IN THE SANCTUARY 

Our Discovery Days Preschool children will gather on Ash Wednesday for a chance to learn about Ash Wednesday and receive ashes, either on their hands or foreheads or on a sticker. Pastor Stephen will offer the short service and everyone from the Derry Church congregation is welcome to attend and receive ashes. 

12:10 PM WEDNESDAYS BEGINNING FEB 22 

The churches of the Hershey Ministerium invite you to noontime worship services followed by lunch provided by each host church for a $5 suggested donation. It’s a great way to add a weekly devotional time to your Lenten practice as we gather in community with our Christian neighbors. 

FEB 22: St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
MAR 1: Derry Church with Pastor Stephen preaching
MAR 8: First United Methodist Church
MAR 15: Hershey Free
MAR 22: All Saints Episcopal
MAR 29: Holy Trinity Lutheran at Derry Church

5:30 PM SATURDAY, FEB 25 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

Warm up a winter’s evening at Derry’s 22nd annual Chili Cook-Off & Square Dance! We begin with a chili 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, and best-dressed adult, boy and girl will be recognized.

Following the supper, participants will enjoy a variety of line and square dances, including kid-friendly options.

There is no charge to attend, and all ages are welcome.

Hello My Dear Friend. I am Anaya from class 4. I wish to become a doctor. My parents are not so rich to fulful all my school needs. God is great. He sent His angel in your face to support me. I love you too much. I wish to serve the poor people of my country. I request you to please support me always. We pray for you daily. May God bless you always. amen.

For 12 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. 

Friends of Sargodha’s goal is to continue to provide ten scholarships every year. You can help.

A full scholarship for a day student is $400 a year, about a dollar a day. We are dividing that amount into ten shares, $40 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 online through the church website.

Read Debbie Hough’s message inviting you to participate. This fundraiser continues through February 2023.

For 12 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. 

Friends of Sargodha’s goal is to provide ten scholarships every year. You can help.

A full scholarship for a day student is $400 a year, about a dollar a day. We are dividing that amount into ten shares, $40 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 Derry Church giving portal.

This fundraiser continues through February 2023.

DEPART FROM DERRY IN THE CHURCH VAN AT 9:45 AM • TOUR BEGINS 11 AM FRIDAY, FEB 17 AT THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE CAPITOL, HARRISBURG

Join the Derry Day Trippers for a tour of our state capitol, with lunch following at the Capitol Restaurant. For this free tour, 20 spots have been reserved. RSVP by Feb 1 to Richard Carty.

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 12/31/22

Notes from the treasurer:

• Contributions are about $74K ahead of 2021 and $50K ahead of budgeted contributions
• Building & Grounds is about $53K below budget, with $20,897 carried into 2023.
• We finished the year with a positive change in net assets of $100,700.

DEPART DERRY CHURCH AT 4:30 PM MONDAY, JAN 30

It’s the fifth Monday on Jan 30, so it’s Derry Church’s turn to bring dinner to the racetrack workers in Grantville. Our own Loretta Chubb is preparing the meal, and you can help by providing desserts and serving the meal. Questions? Ready to sign up? Contact Marilyn Koch.

The congregation had a chance to hear the Steinway grand piano recommended by the piano committee in Sunday morning worship and at an afternoon recital on Jan 8. The piano is on loan for several weeks as our congregation discerns whether or not to purchase it as a memorial to Lee Ann Taylor that will enhance our music program and be a legacy for future generations.

At this time only pledges are being accepted toward the piano: to pledge your financial support over one or two years, please contact Sandy Miceli or Pastor Stephen. The total amount pledged will indicate to the Session how much interest and support there is for purchasing this instrument. Session will then make a final decision at either its January or February meeting, when the elders have heard from all the church committees and evaluated progress of the pledge campaign. 

If you have any questions about the piano or process, please reach out to Dick Hann or Dan Dorty.

5 PM SATURDAY, FEB 11 IN THE SANCTUARY

Our “Story of Faith” series continues by exploring the story of love through the music of Elton John. We’ll sing, pray, and discuss the love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self. We’ll have some really familiar songs like Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, Your Song, Rocket Man, and Can You Feel The Love Tonight. We’ll also have some less familiar songs like Finish Line, Thank You For All Your Loving, and Dear God. Bring a friend and join us for this special worship opportunity.

The annual meeting of the congregation will be held following 10:30 am worship on Sunday, Feb 12. The meeting will be live streamed. Anyone who has questions or comments is encouraged to attend in person.

The annual report will be sent by email as a PDF attachment in early February, with paper copies available for pickup at church by Sunday, Feb 5.

There will be NO 8 am service on Sunday, Feb 12. Church school and the 10:30 am service will be held as usual, with the annual meeting following worship. 

Derry Church members seeking to enroll their children at Derry Discovery Days preschool for the 2023-24 school year may register for open spots Jan 21-26, before registration opens to the general public. Children in the Ladybug class must be one by Sept 1, 2023. To request registration information and/or a tour of the school, please contact Laura Cox, director. We would love to have your family join our DDD family!

On Saturday, May 6 the PW Ladies Banquet will be held in Fellowship Hall. Following the meal, a bridal fashion show will be presented. If you have your wedding dress and would like to  wear it, the organizers would love to have it in the show. If you choose not to model your dress, they will find someone who can wear it as long as the dress is available by April 15. All dresses will be returned that evening. For more information and to participate, please contact Jeanette Weaver by April 2.

• Met with incoming officers to hear their faith statements. Called a Congregational meeting for January 1, 2023 to elect Jennifer Toth to the office of Deacon to fill the position vacated by Bill McGregor. Ordination/installation of newly elected church officers will occur on Sunday, January 8, 2023.
• Approved hiring David Brittain as a part-time church Custodian, Krista Holtzman as a Nursery Childcare Worker, and Elizabeth Pinelli as a long-term DDD teacher while Morgan Smink is on maternity leave. 
• The Treasurer reported that as 2022 contributions continue to be ahead of last year and expenses are below budget projections, we will end the year with an increase in net assets. The 2023 operating budget was reviewed and approved in the amount of $1,312,000 projected revenue and $1,360,882 projected expenses. The approximate shortfall of $49,000 may be partially offset by projected personnel expense savings and committee spending.
• Approved entering into a new lease agreement with the current tenant of the Mansion Road property for a period of one year beginning January 1.
• Authorized the Presbyterian Women to conduct 2023 collections for the Blanket + Fund, Birthday, and Thank Offerings. The Cookie Walk/Jumbles Shop event will be held Saturday, December 2, 2023.
• Approved a request from the Christian Education Committee to contribute $1,500 from the Futures Fund to ELhaus, a ministry program run by Derry members Luke & Elizabeth Gawron. The vision of ELhaus is to bring people of all ages and walks of life together to nurture one another and inspire community care and connection.
• Approved a Capital Procurement Requisition submitted by the Communication & Technology Committee to improve the sound quality in the sanctuary through the addition of microphones and choir speakers. The $11,500 cost of the project was generously contributed by a Derry member. Approval of the CPR was expedited as the full amount was donated and time was of the essence to utilize the contractor’s services for the installation.
• Received a report and Capital Procurement Requisition from the Piano Committee regarding the purchase of a 2019 Steinway Grand piano Model D at a cost of approximately $150,000. Jacob’s Music in Philadelphia has offered to bring the piano to Derry prior to purchasing it so that we would have the opportunity to evaluate it. The committee is finalizing details of its fundraising program, which to date has commitments of $50,000. After discussion, the Session voted to allow this project to move forward with the delivery of the piano for evaluation on January 8. The committee is also authorized to present its fundraising program to the congregation to determine the level of support for the purchase. The Session vote on approving or denying the purchase will occur at a future meeting.
• The Building & Grounds Committee reported that the Session House is in dire need of repair as the building is leaning precariously and is in danger of collapse. It is unstable due to several issues, the most crucial of which is a rotted support log on the left side. A Capital Procurement Requisition was submitted in the amount of $19,000 for the preservation work, which was based on a proposal obtain from British Masonry and Restoration, Inc. Contractors to work on a building of this age are difficult to locate, and Damon Taylor, owner of the company comes highly recommended by Jim Facinelli who worked on the Session House previously. (Jim is no longer in business.) Damon has an opening in his schedule to perform the work in February but has requested a 25% deposit to hold the spot. The Session voted to approve payment of the deposit and has requested references from Damon. A vote on the full project will be taken at the January Session meeting.
• The Personnel Committee has been meeting and discussing Derry’s staffing needs. To that end, two new position descriptions were submitted for consideration. The first, “Director of Church Life and Connection” would help committees, staff, and members provide for faithful fellowship within Derry and cultivate connections between church members of all ages. The second, the “Associate Pastor for Faith Formation,” will provide leadership in Christian education, ongoing faith formation throughout the congregation, and oversee education and spiritual development ministries for all ages. After review and discussion, both position descriptions were approved.
• The Personnel Committee recommended transitioning M.E. Steelman from her current part-time position as Children’s Ministry Coordinator to fill the position of Director of Church Life and Connection. This recommendation was approved.
• The term of active service will be ending in January for elders: Greg Harris, Connie Henry, Ann Kroh, Bruce McKinney, and Karen Potter. Thank you to these leaders for their dedication over the past three years including helping us navigate the challenges of the pandemic.

9:00-10:00 AM IN ROOM 7

On Jan 8, Tim Mosher will present “Health Literacy: Reducing the Risk from Diagnostic Errors.” It’s been our practice to live stream these classes, but a recent WiFi upgrade at the church has resulted in a few unexpected glitches. The problem is being addressed, but the unstable connection prevents us from streaming the class on Sunday. The class will be recorded and posted later on Derry’s YouTube and Facebook channels, but we hope you’ll attend in person at 9 am. 

The class on Jan 15 led by Susan Krehbiel, Associate for Migration Accompaniment Ministries, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Church (USA), will be presented on Zoom. You can participate in the Zoom presentation in Room 7 or join from home by clicking this link. This class will also be available to watch later on YouTube and Facebook.

On Jan 15, Derry Church welcomes guest preacher Rev. Kristal Smith, the new Presbytery Leader for Governance and Congregational Leadership. Rev. Smith will preach at 8 & 10:30 am on the story of Mary and Martha from Luke 10:38-42 and share the story of spiritual integration (how faith is integrated into all parts of our life).

Pastor Stephen will be worshipping with the Wesley Union A.M.E Zion congregation in Harrisburg. If you’d like to meet Pastor Stephen there at 10 am, please let him know. On the Martin Luther King weekend, this service will include preaching by a Jewish Rabbi.

Star gifts — star-shaped pieces of brightly colored paper with a word for you to ponder in 2022 — were distributed in worship on Epiphany Sunday, Jan 1. If you did not receive a star gift, more are available in a box at the lower level office entrance. We can’t guarantee you’ll receive one as fitting as Nancy’s, but we hope that whatever word you select will challenge, delight, uplift and nudge you as you live out your days in the year ahead.

As part of Derry’s 300th anniversary celebration, plans are under way for a group tour to Scotland and Ireland April 11-25, 2024. Mark your calendars now: trip details coming soon.

Over the next four Sundays, Sue George will be available to take photos of families and individuals who would like to have a new photo for the church’s pictorial directory that will publish in February.

All photos are taken outside the main courtyard entrance — the lighting there makes everyone look beautiful. Two families or individuals can sign up in each time slot: click here to pick the time that works for you.

You can also submit a head shot: send it by email to Sue George or stop by the church office and we’ll scan and return the photo to you.

The conversation you overheard if you watched the 2022 staff Christmas video references 31 holiday songs, and as far as we know, only two Derry friends found all of them. Congratulations to Mike Klucker and Pam Whitenack for listening close enough to detect all of the references. We are in awe of your knowledge of Christmas music!