Month: June 2023

9:15 AM SUNDAYS, AUG 6-13-20 & 27 IN THE JOHN ELDER CLASSROOM

The summer series of New Member Discovery Classes gives you the opportunity to learn more about the mission and ministry of Derry Church, and discover how you’d like to share your talents in the life of the church. You’ll also meet staff and leaders over the course of four weeks and tour the church. Those who decide to join will be received on Sunday, Aug 27.

Registration is appreciated by not required: sign up online or call the church office (717-533-9667).

In July, travel across America through the pages of our books. Follow John Lewis’s fight for justice across Alabama and Tennessee. Try Caleb’s Crossing, a story set in Martha’s Vineyard where Puritans intermingled with native Wampanoag people and both yearned for higher education. Or have a laugh in Swivel, Wisconsin where the Jackson farm turns theme park after a miracle calf is born bearing the image of Jesus Christ.

Browse books all summer in our online catalog or stop in to see the new shelf displays (the library is just inside Entrance #1). While you’re there, visit the Staff shelf to find out who can’t take a roadtrip without Cheez-its and who recommends a fabulous museum in Louisiana. Find out what Nat King Cole and the Bible have in common. Then, head to the graffiti wall and add to the congregation’s I Love America playlist.

1 PM MONDAY, JULY 31 ON ZOOM: CLICK TO JOIN

Scammers and fraudsters target Pennsylvanians every day in an effort to gain access to our money or personal information. They target our emotions in hopes that we will let our guard down and believe the scams they are perpetrating. From robocalls to social media messages, texts to emails, Pennsylvanians must be on the lookout for these “too good to be true” hoaxes. This presentation will break down the top 10 scams currently being used in Pennsylvania.  

This special Tech Time presentation on Zoom will be given by Jerry Mitchell, an Outreach Specialist with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Jerry has been working in state government for 18 years, specializing in computer application development, cyber-crimes, and fraud. Bring your questions!

Attention all families participating in the fall retreat at Krislund Camp: payment is due by July 1 and you can leave checks in the church mailbox in the Krislund folder. Checks can be made out to Derry Presbyterian Church notated “Krislund family retreat.” 

The next meeting is Sunday Sept 10 at 9 am, location TBD. We are excited for the Krislund family weekend. Have a great summer!

Three cheers to Derry’s mission team that traveled to the Dominican Republic last week: along with a group of workers from Morgan Stanley NYC, they built two homes for families in need. The Derry crew included Mark Dear, Doris Feil, Claudia Holtzman, David Whitenack and Pete Feil.

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 5/31/23:

	ACTUAL	BUDGETED
Income YTD:	$555,889	$541,667
Expenses YTD:	554,169	571,201
Surplus/(Deficit) YTD:	1,720	(29,534)

9 AM SUNDAY, JULY 9 IN THE SANCTUARY

Everyone who loves to sing is invited to the choir loft to rehearse an easy anthem that we’ll sing for the 10:30 am service. 

After Cheryl Galan’s recent retirement, Carlisle Presbytery has entered liminal space in leadership. The wisdom of the Presbytery Transition Team is to seek a part-time Bridge Presbytery Leader.

The position is 30 hours per week. Click here for the job description. Interested Teaching Elders or Ruling Elders are invited to send a cover letter and resume to the Chair of the Administration Committee, Norma Mateer, by June 30. Compensation is negotiable and commensurate with experience.

Orange Day is the day Presbyterian Women recognize exploitation of females worldwide and work to overcome this injustice. Being able to identify abuse in others may help someone to escape domestic violence. Common warning signs of someone being in an abusive situation:

• Partner putting person down before others
• Constant worry over making partner angry
• Making excuses for partner’s behavior
• Partner being extremely jealous or possessive
• Unexplained marks or injuries
• No longer spending time with friends and family
• Depressed of or anxious
• Change in personality

You can listen to the “victim” and support her. Help her feel empowered but leave decision making to her. Wear orange or an orange ribbon on June 25 to show your support and awareness of these situations.

Isabelle Holley, a member of Troop 2200 (the sister organization to Boy Scout Troop 200 at Derry Church), has brought forward her plan for an Eagle Scout project: cataloging and organizing the silk flowers and arrangements stored in the church attic. Over the last several weeks, Isabelle has been working with Pastor Stephen and Loretta Chubb on details for the project.

Isabelle will present her plan to the congregation on Sunday, June 18 and will be on hand after worship to receive donations from those who would like to financially support her project. 

Read more about this Eagle Scout project.

Participate in Derry’s Summer Reading Challenge for a chance to title one of Pastor Stephen’s upcoming sermons! 

1. Check out a book from the Codington Library or the mobile cart.
2. Take it somewhere (anywhere! your back yard, the playground, on a road trip, in your carry-on luggage to Zimbabwe).
3. Take a photo or selfie of you with the book.
4. Email the photo to Pastor Stephen or Sue George and it will be posted on the church’s Facebook page and Instagram account.

Each new book photo counts as an entry in a random drawing. The prize? You get to title one of Pastor Stephen’s upcoming sermons. That’s right: you pick the title and Pastor Stephen will preach on that topic!

• Last day to enter: Aug 13 
• Winner announced Aug 20

Good luck and happy reading!

• Many thanks to all who contributed to the Birthday Offering: a total of $3,769 has been received. Thank you!
• The quarterly collection of Change 4 Children happens on Sunday, June 18. This year the Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE) began their 25th year of ministry in Zambia. During the previous 24 years, more than 10,000 vulnerable children received an otherwise unavailable K-12 education in one of their eight schools, 7,685 at-risk children and families have been secured and kept together through the family preservation and empowerment program, 362 orphaned babies and children are home with secure families through foster to adopt program, and 663 of the most urgently vulnerable infants and toddlers have been rescued, rehabilitated, and reunited with assessed, secured, loving families. Baskets will be available to collect your change as you enter and exit the Sanctuary. Place coins in zip-closed bags and make sure bags are free of items such as paper clips, pins. batteries, buttons, etc. Foreign coins must be bagged separately. Thanks for your generosity. Learn more: ask Beckie Freiburg about her visit to the ACE House of Moses.

AUG 19 & 20 AT KRISLUND CAMP, MADISONBURG 

You’re invited to celebrate  60 years of camping at Krislund (1963 to 2023)!

Saturday includes open activities for the community, a silent auction, time for fellowship, and, of course, delicious food and fantastic music. Come enjoy a hay ride, the adventure course, swimming and more — all for FREE! 

The celebration is open to the public until 3 pm. Activities after 3 pm are intended specifically for alumni, volunteers, and donors. If you love Krislund or want to learn more about Christ’s little valley, join us for the 60th Anniversary. For more information and to register, click this link.

5-7 PM MONDAYS BEGINNING JULY 17 IN ROOM 7AB • 13-WEEK SERIES

GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who walk alongside people through one of life’s most difficult experiences, offering support to those who are dealing with the loss of a loved ones from death.

Each GriefShare session is organized in two parts. During the first 30-40 minutes of the meeting, the group views a video seminar featuring top experts on grief and recovery subjects. These videos are produced in an interesting-to-watch television magazine format featuring expert interviews, real-life case studies, dramatic reenactments and on-location video. Following the video, participants spend time discussing what was presented on that week’s video seminar and what is going on in each other’s lives.

Those interested may begin attending the GriefShare group at any time. Each session is self-contained, and any missed weeks can be joined when the next 13-week cycle is offered.

Register by contacting the church office (717-533-9667). No cost to attend. Child care is not available.

In June, check out Derry’s collection of books about local places and history:

• Learn more about how Hershey Medical Center started
• Hear Kitty Hershey’s great ideas
• Step into the life of colonial Presbyterians
• Experience the fate of the Conestoga tribe
• Bake a yummy chocolate treat

Take a look at the staff shelf to get new ideas about where to visit, what to eat, and what to do all around Pennsylvania (and find out which staff member you might find riding the Trailblazer rollercoaster at Hersheypark).

Come back in July as we take a trip across the USA, then travel around the world with us in August. Browse books all summer in our online catalog and stop in to see the book displays. Derry’s lending library is just inside Entrance #1.

Keep your eyes open for our mobile book cart! Courtney McKinney-Whitaker introduced the cart at the picnic last Sunday (pictured), and it will be in the Narthex this summer, fully stocked with a rotating selection of titles for all ages. 

TAKE THE SUMMER READING CHALLENGE FOR A CHANCE TO TITLE ONE OF PASTOR STEPHEN’S UPCOMING SERMONS!

1. Check out a book from the Codington Library or the mobile cart.
2. Take it somewhere (anywhere! your back yard, the playground, on a road trip, in your carry-on luggage to Zimbabwe).
3. Take a photo or selfie of you with the book.
4. Email the photo to Pastor Stephen or Sue George and it will be posted on the church’s Facebook page and Instagram account.

Each new book photo counts as an entry in a random drawing. The prize? You get to title one of Pastor Stephen’s upcoming sermons. That’s right: you pick the title and Pastor Stephen will preach on that topic!

• Last day to enter: Aug 13 
• Winner announced Aug 20

Good luck and happy reading!

NOW THROUGH WEDNESDAY, AUG 2

Now in its 10th year, Love INC’s network of 21 area churches — alongside caring members of our community — are coming together to offer school-aged students in need a brand-new pair of name-brand sneakers.

New, name brand athletic sneakers may be dropped off at Derry Church: look for the “Lace Up with Love INC” Sneaker bin near the mission closet in the lower level atrium. Or drop off donated sneakers directly to the Love INC office across the street from Derry Church between 9 am and 2 pm on Monday-Thursday. 

Love INC will need more than 300 pairs of new sneakers to outfit girls and boys in sizes ranging from Youth 11 to Adult 17. Click here for a shopping list of needed sizes.

Students will be fitted for their new sneakers Thursday, Aug 3 – Saturday, Aug 5 by appointment only. Click here for more information about volunteering with the distribution.

On Monday, June 5, the groundbreaking was held for Veterans Outreach of PA’s village of 15 tiny homes that will surround a community center for homeless Veterans on the Susquehanna River in South Harrisburg. Photos show the inside and the outside of a sample tiny home.

Click here to watch John Hickey’s June 4 Issues Class presentation explaining the project. A $50,000 fundraising campaign is under way now for the Tiny Home Derry Church is sponsoring.

To donate to this project, place checks in offering boxes notated “VOP Tiny Homes” or mail checks to the church office (248 E. Derry Road, Hershey PA 17033) or give online.

Watch for information on how you can help to build Derry’s Tiny Home next year.

11:30 AM THURSDAY, AUG 24 AT DUTCH APPLE DINNER THEATRE, 510 CENTERVILLE ROAD, LANCASTER

Join the Derry Daytrippers for a buffet lunch followed by the performance of Guys and Dolls. Lunch is served at 11:30 am and the show begins at 1 pm. Cost per ticket: $69. RSVP to Patti Jo Hibshman.

To carpool, contact Patti Jo or Sue Whitaker. Otherwise, meet Patti Jo in the theater lobby at 11:15 am on Aug 24 to pick up your tickets.

7 PM TUESDAYS, JUNE 20 & JULY 18

This summer worship with communion – and music by the Derry Brass – returns to the front lawn! Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and find a comfortable spot under the shady oaks as we gather to sing, pray, and worship together.

JUNE 9-25 AT THEATRE HARRISBURG, KREVSKY CENTER

Derry member Joseph Chubb is performing as William Barfee this month in Theatre Harrisburg’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Click for more information and tickets.

3 PM SUNDAY, JUNE 11 AT FAITH IMMANUEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1801 COLONIAL ROAD, HARRISBURG

This concert in memory of Faith Immanuel’s music director, Caleb Flick, features some of Caleb’s favorite works for Piano Four Hands by Ravel, Faure and Rachmaninoff performed by Stuart Malina and Ya-Ting Chang. MORE