Month: January 2024

2 PM SUNDAY, MAR 3 IN THE JOHN ELDER CLASSROOM

All females 1-day to 100+ years are invited to the 2024 Winter Tea. All attendees are asked to bring a stuffed animal or memory of one to share with the group. It can be a favorite or one not so well loved for a reason.

It’s a great time to get to know fellow members and children better. Afterwards, everyone can enjoy the tea and treats. RSVP to Doris Feil by Mar 1.

When Derry Church hosts the mid-day Hershey Ministerium Lenten service and lunch next month, many hands are needed: volunteers to help set up, serve and clean up, as well as donations of Jello salads in 9″x 15″ pans and/or two dozen cupcakes.

Deliver food items to the kitchen any time on Tuesday, Mar 5 or by 9 am Wednesday, Mar 6. Contact Doris Feil and let her know how you can help.

• After taking the day off on Feb 5, the Monday morning group will begin a new study: Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancy. Join them at 11 am Mondays beginning Feb 12 in the Hammond Library. Questions? Contact Claudia Holtzman.
• The Monday night study group steps away from book discussions this month to consider the three questions presented with Pastor Stephen’s Jan 28 sermon, “Surrounded.” Join the group at 7 pm Monday, Feb 5 in Room 7B and on Zoom to discuss:
  • Have you ever had an overwhelming experience of God  communicating with you, similar to Paul’s conversion experience?
  • Have you ever struggled with knowing what God wanted you to do? How did you make a decision? 
  • How have you experienced God’s presence surrounding you?
• At 7 pm Monday, Mar 4, the Monday night group begins a study of The Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life by Tish Harrison Warren. This hybrid discussion will be held in Room 7B and on Zoom and will continue on April 1 and May 6. Questions? Contact Sue George.

6:30-8:30 PM MONDAY, MAR 11 ON ZOOM

All women are invited to participate in the PW Peace and Justice Committee’s Zoom book discussion. In March, the group is reading Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng, which both the Hershey Library and Middletown Library have in stock. All titles for the discussion series have been ordered for our church library. Click here to read more and register.

Hello Friend! How are you? I study in Class 4. My school is the best school in the whole city. I am grateful for your support towars me and my family. Because of you I can continue my studies at PEB EMS Girls Sargodha. My dad cannot fulfill the full fee of my school. I am thankful to you for holding my hand I request you to please support me throughout my studies. We pray for you daily. I promise you, I will work harder and will become a doctor in future. May God bless you and your family.

For 13 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.

Learn more:

• Read Eleanor Schneider’s message inviting you to participate
• Read about PEB Schools and all that’s been accomplished in the past 25 years

This fundraiser continues through February 2024

The next directory will be printed in late March, so now is a great time to have a new photo taken — especially those families whose children have grown up a lot since the last photo. Anyone who would like a new photo (or who never had a photo taken) is welcome to have one taken by Sue George on Sunday mornings following the worship services, or you can stop by during the week. To schedule a time, send Sue an email. Or look for Sue in the Narthex or Fellowship Hall on Sunday mornings.

• Re-elected Kathy Yingst as Clerk of Session and elected Michelle Curry, CPA of Achenbach & Curry, as Treasurer for terms of one year.
• Derry Church offers a Youth Servant Leadership Scholarship in honor of youth leaders in our congregation who have been committed to the Derry Church community. It is awarded to high school seniors and the award can be used for any legitimate higher education expense. This scholarship, approved by Session in 2019, contained a requirement that the individual(s) receiving the award be a member of Derry Church. Session discussed this requirement and approved a change which removed that requirement from the policy. The rationale is that we want our youth to discern when the Holy Spirit is calling them to become a member of Derry, not do so to qualify for a scholarship. The application stresses participation in Derry activities and requires written essays which reflect on the applicant’s personal beliefs and how their faith has influenced their work within Derry and in other community service activities.
• Greg Taylor of Stewardship & Finance reported that due to generous congregational giving and underspending by church committees, we finished 2023 with a positive change in net assets of $20,000. After discussion, the Session approved adding this overage to the members’ equity account to be available for use towards a potential deficit at the end of 2024.
• Two additional confirmands submitted information on their projects for the “Be a Blessing Challenge.” Emmie Achorn will be collecting donated items for the Harrisburg Humane Shelter and Anne Burke will be soliciting donations for baskets that she will be filling with items for cancer patients, named Ian’s Baskets in honor of her grandfather who battled cancer. The Session approved both projects.
• The Session reviewed Pastor Stephen’s 2024 Terms of Call, which have not changed from 2023. The Terms will be voted upon by the congregation at the Annual Meeting on February 11, and the Session recommends that they be approved. Pastor Stephen previously submitted a proposal that he receive no cash increase in compensation, but rather that additional travel for him in 2024 be funded from the Brong Scholarship Fund. Session previously approved this use of those funds.
• Tom Davis and Mike Leader will be Session’s representatives on the Nominating Committee. All active Elders were elected as Commissioners for the 2024 Presbytery meetings.
• Derry Discovery Days’ Pancakes & PJ event will be moved Saturday, January 27 considering the weather predictions for the original date of January 20. The preschool will be including an online silent auction of items donated by local businesses during this event. The session approved opening the silent auction to Derry’s congregation.
• Session approved the collection of items for Christian Churches United of the Tri-County area for their two walk-in overnight shelters. Derry’s Mission & Peace Committee will be collecting the items which consist of food, clothing, toiletries, and needed items for the shelters through Feb 15.

LIVE 10 AM SATURDAY, JAN 27 THROUGH 12 PM MONDAY, FEB 5: SCAN THE QR CODE TO PARTICIPATE OR CLICK THIS LINK

Derry Discovery Days Preschool invites you to check out their  virtual Silent Auction held in conjunction with their Jan 27 Pancakes and Pajamas event. Scan the QR code or click the link to join the auction and place bids for a great assortment of items from vendors including Sweet Velvet Macarons, Where the Wild Things Play, Lake Tobias, Adventure Sports and more.

9:15 AM SUNDAYS, FEB 25 – MAR 17 IN THE JOHN ELDER CLASSROOM

The winter 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, Mar 17.

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

5:30 PM SATURDAY, FEB 24 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

Homemade chili and square dancing highlight Derry Church’s 23nd Annual Chili Cook-Off and Square Dance. There is no charge to attend, and all ages are welcome.

The evening begins with a chili supper. Those attending should bring a dish to pass: salad, dessert, cornbread, or a favorite chili recipe. Informal judging determines 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.

Dear Donor, Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am Ezran. I study in class 4-A. My school name is P.E.B. Boys’ high school Sargodha. Dear donor, thank you for supporting me in my studies. It will help me to continue my studies. I want to become an army officer. Thank you for your support.

For 13 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.

Learn more:

• Read Eleanor Schneider’s message inviting you to participate
• Read about PEB Schools and all that’s been accomplished in the past 25 years

This fundraiser continues through February 2024

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 12/31/23:

	ACTUAL	BUDGETED
Income YTD:	$1,239,072	$1,300,000
Expenses YTD:	$1,218,473	$1,370,882
Surplus/(Deficit) YTD:	$20,599	($70,882)

11:30 AM-1 PM SUNDAY, FEB 4 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL • $10 PER PERSON, FREE FOR CHILDREN IN KINDERGARTEN & YOUNGER

The Derry Church-sponsored Cub Scout Pack 200 and Troop 2200 invite you to a spaghetti lunch fundraiser following worship on Sunday, Feb 4. The meal includes spaghetti, sauce, salad, roll, drink, and dessert. Gluten free and meat-free sauce options available, as well as take-out. Proceeds will support scouting opportunities including summer camp and outdoor activities.

Cub Scout Pack 200 is for boys and girls grades K-5. The Pack meets on Mondays at Derry Church from 6:30-7:30 pm. Contact Cubmaster Willam Day for more information. Troop 2200 is for girls grades 6-12. The Troop meets on Mondays at the Derry Church Scout House from 5:45-6:45 pm. Contact Scoutmaster Jeff Hosenfeld for more information. Find them on Facebook.

Help the kitchen crew prepare enough for all: RSVP now.

9:15 AM WEDNESDAY, FEB 14 IN THE SANCTUARY
Join Derry Discovery Days preschool families for a brief conversation with Pastor Stephen and Shawn, and imposition of ashes.

7 PM WEDNESDAY, FEB 14 IN THE CHAPEL
A contemplative hour-long service led by Pastor Stephen and Shawn includes hymns, a sermon, and celebration of the Lord’s supper along with imposition of ashes.

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

2024 Schedule:
12 pm Ash Wednesday, Feb 14: St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
Led by Rev. Ursula Schreffler of Zion Lutheran Church, Union Deposit, and John Triscik of St. Joan of Arc

12 pm Wednesday, Mar 6: Derry Church Sanctuary with lunch in Fellowship Hall
Led by Rev. Cindy Brommer from Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Rev. Jim Smith from Country Meadows

12 pm Good Friday, Mar 29: First United Methodist Church
Led by Rev. Adam Ulm from Spring Creek Church of the Brethren and Rev. Stephen McKinney-Whitaker

Derry Discovery Days preschool registration for new Derry Church families for the 2024-25 school year begins Saturday, Jan 20 and runs through Tuesday, Jan 23. Children ages 1-5 can be registered for any of our four age group classes. To receive registration information, email Laura Cox, Director. Tours can be scheduled.

Hello my dear friends, I am Anaya from Class 4. I wish to become a doctor. My parents are not so rich to fulfill 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 13 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 Eleanor Schneider’s message inviting you to participate. This fundraiser continues through February 2024.

• In the PW basket in the mission closet, you’ll find kits to sew hygiene bags. Precut fabric and ribbons and instructions are included. Sign your name if you take one, and return by April. Doris Feil can answer your questions.
• PW designates the 25th of each month as Orange Day to recognize the exploitation of females and work to end it throughout the world. January is also National Human Trafficking Month. Trafficking victims are 80% female. Of those, 80% are sexual trafficking and 20% are labor trafficking. Recently some police departments are arresting and publishing names of those who are paying for services rather than the victims’ names. Publicity has reduced incidents in some locations. Most traffickers and their victims are of same race. Wear orange or an orange ribbon on Thursday, Jan 25 to show support for efforts to eliminate these exploitations.

9-11 AM SATURDAY, JAN 27 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL 

Derry Discovery Days Preschool invites Derry Church families for a fun-filled morning featuring a pancake bar, hot cocoa bar, cookie decorating, crafts and games. Cost is $25 per family. RSVP to Laura Cox by Jan 24.

• Examined and approved the ordination and installation on January 14, 2024 of newly elected ruling elders and deacons.
• Approved a baptism request for Reese MacFarlane, daughter of Erica & Brendan MacFarlane, who will be a part of the upcoming new member class.
• Approved a building use request to hold a Japanese Swordmanship Seminar on Friday and Saturday, Jan 26-27 in Fellowship Hall.
• Approved Derry’s 2024 budget as follows: $1,322,800 income, $1,415,711 expenses leaving a projected deficit of $92,911. Historically, expenses are less than budget projections and with the addition of a portion of the income from the Anderson Trust, any shortfall, if it occurs, can be minimized.
• Stewardship & Finance reported that with the end-of-year giving and underspending of budgets by the committees, we may end 2023 with a budget surplus. If there is a surplus, the Session will address how to use it at the January 2024 meeting when final figures are available.
• To increase opportunities for giving, the QR code included in the bulletin will be added to the livestream projection during the “Thanksgiving for Gifts Received” portion of the worship service. In addition, Stewardship & Finance will look for ways to increase the visual prominence of our collection boxes for depositing financial gifts.
• Approved the Presbyterian Women 2024 collections: Blanket + Fund, Birthday and Thank offerings. The Cookie Walk Jumbles Shop event will be held Saturday, Dec 7.
• As part of this year’s confirmation class, Pastor Stephen has issued a “Be a Blessing Challenge” in which each confirmand will be given $100 to bless an organization or cause. The purpose goes beyond giving money with each person encouraged to think how she can use the money to engage and invest in her cause. Session approved a request submitted by Alex Patton to solicit the congregation for books for a mini library, which she is proposing for her project. More information on specific books needed will be forthcoming.
• The term of active service will end in January for elders: Duncan Campbell, Jessica Delo, Pete Feil, Claudia Holtzman, Gregg Robertson, and Laura Williams. Thank you to these elders for their leadership over the past three years, which included the challenges of the pandemic, helping Derry to continue to meet its commitment to proclaim God’s Word, share God’s love, and practice God’s justice.
• This being ME Steelman’s final session meeting as a staff member, the Session acknowledged and thanked her for her commitment and dedication to Derry’s children and Christian Education program.

6:30-7:30 PM THURSDAY, JAN 25 IN THE YOUTH ROOM

Derry dads are gathering this month for conversation, snacks and games. Pastor Stephen may even bring some of his venison bologna, but you’ll need to show up to find out.

1 PM WEDNESDAY, JAN 17 IN THE LOUNGE

“A Person with Leprosy Encounters Jesus” is this month’s lesson for the Presbyterian Women’s circle. All women are invited to attend. The scripture — Luke 17:11-21 — looks at how Jesus heals a leper and how he can heal fixed ideas that limit life.

6:30-7:30 PM TUESDAYS ON ZOOM, JAN 16-MAR 19

God loves everyone. We know prejudice based on race is wrong. Yet, as issues around race have been politicized, many of our congregations are reflecting on how to discuss race and loving our neighbors in our 21st century highly anxious American society. Carlisle Presbytery is sponsoring a Bible study led by various pastors to engage scriptures related to race and spiritual practices. View and download the schedule.

11 AM TUESDAY, JAN 23 ON ZOOM 

Join our Faith Community Nurse, Beckie Freiberg, RN, on Zoom for a Health Time session filled with tips and best practices for staying healthy as you travel.

Note that Health Time has moved to a new day and time: it’s now being presented on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 11 am.

We’ve recently installed a new hearing assist system in the Sanctuary that offers a standard headphone option or a loop that connects with many hearing aids so sound is heard through the user’s hearing aids. If you have questions about how to use the new system, see deacon Dave Hibshman on Sunday. Big thanks to Dave for working to seamlessly incorporate the new devices into our sound system.

If you prefer to use the previous hearing assist system, it is still available and operational.

During the cold winter season, Christian Churches United of the Tri-County Area offers two walk-in overnight shelters so that everyone who needs a place can have a warm space to sleep. To support their efforts, our Mission & Peace Committee is holding a drive from Jan 15-Feb 15 to collect food, clothing, toiletries, and needed items for the shelters. Click to view and download the list. Drop items in the designated basket in the mission closet in the Ruth Codington Library.

In this winter season, plans can change quickly. When snowy, icy weather is forecast, here’s where you can find church schedule changes:

• At the top of the church website in the black ALERTS bar
• Posted on Derry’s social media channels (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram)
• Text messages to everyone signed up to receive alerts from Derry Church: sign up here to get on that list

It’s our practice NOT to send email notifications for every closing and schedule change as these can be frequent and not everyone subscribed to our email list needs the same information.

12:45 PM MONDAY, JAN 8 IN ROOM 7A

This week Prime Timers offers an opportunity to learn more about traveling to Iceland. Join Pastor Stephen and others who’ve been there to hear their stories and advice, see pictures, and learn more about the country and its history, customs, and traditions — like a giant Christmas cat! If you’ve traveled to Iceland, bring along your pictures, souvenirs, and stories to share.

This winter, warm up with a good book in the Ruth Codington Library. Come find a new-to-you character who shares your inspirational word of 2024. Will you be Brave like octogenarians Ch’idzigyaak and Sa’ in Velma Wallis’s icy Alaskan legend? Determined like Phillis Wheatley who stood trial in front of our Founding Fathers to defend her poetry? Or maybe you’d like to reread warm and fuzzy favorites as you strive to be Kind like Summer in Wonder, or Loyal like wizard sidekick, Ron Weasley (there are more than 15 Harry Potter related titles in our library!)

Look for books any time in our online catalog. Or, stop in to browse the shelves (the library is just inside lower Entrance #1) and add your input on the graffiti wall.

3:30 PM SUNDAY, JAN 28 AT CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 421 DEERFIELD RD, CAMP HILL

The Presbytery of Carlisle invites you to celebrate the Ordination of Kevin Long to the Ministry of Word & Sacrament and his Commissioning as Organizing Pastor of the Intertwined worshiping community in Harrisburg.

In recent months, Kevin has presented two Issues Classes at Derry Church: one on Intertwined and the Need for More Worshiping Communities and one on Eco-Justice. 

7 PM MONDAY, JAN 15 IN ROOM 7B AND ON ZOOM

The first opportunity for you to discuss Derry’s church-wide anniversary book selection happens this month. Join in person or on Zoom as Claudia Holtzman leads a discussion of David Latimer’s memoir of how he and Martin McGuinness worked together for peace in Northern Ireland. Rev. Latimer was pastor of First Derry Presbyterian Church, Londonderry, and will be our featured guest speaker in September. Copies are available in the church library.

The following items are urgently needed and can be dropped off in the designated basket in Derry Church’s mission closet in the lower level atrium:  

• Regular feminine pads
• Super Tampons
• Household Cleaners
• Baby Wipes
• Baby Wash
• Baby Shampoo

Love INC’s Personal Care Closet Ministry is a place where neighbors in need who use one of our partner food banks can receive personal care, household, and baby items like toothpaste, laundry detergent, and diapers—items not covered by food stamps.