Month: May 2025
Rev. Shawn Gray • Associate Pastor of Christian Education
May 15, 2025As student ministry evolves and changes, we strive to stay relevant while providing quality programming for our loved ones at church. There are many different groups that meet on Sundays and Tuesday throughout the year that are for all different age ranges and participate in music, recreation, faith discussions, and eat together. We have a 3rd through 5th grade fellowship group and a 6th through 12th grade fellowship group.
This year we have been piloting a new structure for our program to attempt to bridge the gap when students age out of one group and head to another. Each month we have a fellowship program that is specific for the age group so students who are at similar moments in life can share and relate to each other. We have faith discussions during this time so they can apply their life experience to them in the community. We also do team building and group formation activities so our students can learn to know and trust one another.
Once a month, we bring these groups together for an adventure. Adventures can look like snow tubing, miniature golf/escape room, going to a BBQ with lawn games and fishing. This allows the two groups to get to know each other in activities that would be appropriate for a larger age range. I have found that often there is some anxiety about leaving one group and going to another, this new structure makes the new group more familiar and allows for leadership opportunities from our older youth.
In all the programming that we offer, my hope is that we accomplish 5 goals:
- First and foremost, our students learn and experience that God loves them no matter what.
- The second goal is that they know that Christ loves them no matter what.
- The third is that the Church loves them.
- The fourth goal is that our students’ curiosity about faith and the divine is not satiated but rather their curiosity grows exponentially.
- Finally, I want our students to develop a positive relationship with the church.
My hope is that we can build bridges that connect community, love, self-worth, and divine value over any obstacles that may keep our students fearfully and wonderfully made.
Register by July 1 for Derry’s 2026 Civil Rights Tour
May 13, 2025Derry Church invites you to join an experiential and educational journey through the American South to explore the roots of the Civil Rights Movement. From March 7–14, 2026, we’ll travel by bus from Atlanta to Memphis, with meaningful stops in Montgomery, Birmingham, and Selma—places where the struggle for civil rights was lived, led, and often paid for with lives.
We hope to bring together an intergenerational group – families, youth, adults young and old — to walk where the Civil Rights movement happened and learn from those who were part of it. Join us on what promises to be an incredible journey of learning and discovery!
“A Long Walk to Water” Available in Derry’s Lending Library
May 13, 2025Water for South Sudan gave Derry Church copies of the book, A Long Walk to Water by Newbery medalist Linda Sue Park.
From the book jacket:
Nya goes to the pond to fetch water for her family. She walks eight hours every day.
Salva walks away from his war-torn village. He is a “lost boy” refugee, destined to cover Africa on foot, searching for his family and safety.
Two young people… two stories.
One country: Sudan.
This mesmerizing dual narrative follows two threads — one unfolding in 2008 and one in 1985 — with one hopeful message: that even in a troubled country, determined survivors may find find the future they are are hoping for.
Pick up a copy in our library, enjoy it, and share it.
Learn more: watch Rev. Nancy Joiner Reinert’s presentation on Water for South Sudan
Support Presbyterian Women’s Birthday Offering
May 13, 2025Since it started over a century ago, grants from the Presbyterian Women’s Birthday Offering have funded more than 200 major capital projects. By providing funds for hospitals, schools, homes for children and more givers to the PW Birthday Offering help carry the promise of God’s love, grace, and kindness to people in all parts of the world.
2025 RECIPIENTS
LELAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Windward Volunteer Housing Facility, Leland, Mississippi • $150,000
Much of the population around Leland Presbyterian Church — in the heart of the Mississippi Delta — struggles with barriers such as adequate housing, healthcare and food access. When disaster strikes, residents do not have adequate resources to recover. Volunteers who travel from outside the area to assist in home repairs and community improvements can be the determining factor in whether a family can fully recover. This Birthday Offering grant will help build a housing facility at the church that offers safe and comfortable accommodations, including showers, laundry equipment and a kitchen. Members of the community who need a temporary place to stay, and volunteer groups who come for disaster recovery, will find a warm welcome.
RED CLOUD RENEWABLE
Lakota Thiyuha Dome Home Project, Pine Ridge, South Dakota • $150,000.
Tribal communities in the U.S. are experiencing a housing crisis. The Pine Ridge Reservation alone needs an estimated 1,000 – 5,000 homes. Responding to this challenge, Red Cloud Renewable, a native-led grassroots non-profit organization on the Pine Ridge Reservations, provided free training and workforce development opportunities designed to “teach our tribal relatives to fish.”
Thiyuha in Lakota roughly translates to “having a home, starting a family, settling down, and creating new life. The Lakota Thiyuha Project aims to increase housing availability through construction of innovative dome homes that are energy efficient, economical, simple in design and easily teachable. This Birthday Offering grant will construct three dome homes, providing housing as well as creating publicity for this affordable option. Construction apprentices will gain experience in this building technique that can rapidly and affordably increase housing availability for Lakota families in need.
Funds collected this year will support next year’s projects. Please give as generously as you are able. Gifts may be given online, or by using offering envelopes in the pew rack, or by check: place in the offering boxes or mail to the church office. Please notate checks “Birthday Offering.”
Claire Folts • Children’s Music Director
May 8, 2025
You may have noticed that the last two times the Celebration Singers have sung in church, it has been in languages other than English. So far, we have learned songs in Spanish, Urdu, Farsi, Portuguese, and French. We have also experimented with vocal techniques from different parts of the world—including slides, tone colors, and types of sounds. Additionally, we’ve taken the opportunity to learn a bit about each culture from which the song originates.
Some of the songs the kids have learned, you’ve heard in church: “Khudaya, rahem kar: Have mercy on us, Lord,” and “Somos uno en Cristo: We Are One in Christ Jesus.” Those songs, from Pakistan and Latin America respectively, while the languages and vocal styles are different from what we are used to, are about topics we are familiar with — the mercy of God and the unity we strive for among God’s people. Other songs we have learned, you have not heard in church. These songs have games that go with them. It has been exciting for the kids to learn that children from all cultures play! Not only do they play, but children from other countries play similar types of games to what our kids play! We have learned songs that go with a hide and seek game from Brazil, a dodgeball type game from Syria, and a hand clapping game from Israel.
In a time of great division, singing music from around the world reminds us and our children of two very important truths. First, that in many ways we are similar. We rely on the mercy of God, long to be united under God, and our children need to have fun. Second, we are reminded that our music, our way, our culture is not the only way. There are many languages, many vocal styles, and many cultures. There is so much we can learn from our siblings around the world.
Welcome Emma Burke: Derry’s Summer AV Intern!
May 7, 2025
Over the next ten weeks, Emma will be helping produce the Sunday morning livestream, creating a series of short promotional videos, producing content for Derry’s social media feed, and engaging with the congregation.
Emma found her interest in communications through Derry and working with Sue George. “Back in seventh grade, Sue graciously dedicated each Tuesday morning to teach me about her job,” Emma says. “I distinctly remember walking around the church grounds together, taking photos for social media and having conversations about technology. Although that may not seem like much, the experience Sue provided me with unlocked my passion for communications and led me to pursue a career that I feel truly passionate about.”
Emma recently completed her first year at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, majoring in public relations and minoring in psychology. She is thrilled to dedicate her time towards this role during the summer and work with people who have always supported her. She would like to thank Derry for providing her with the opportunity to work with Sue and further develop her skills within the communication industry.
Emma’s parents are Derry members Tracy and Nicola Burke.
Pakistan Scholarships: Sensational 2025 Final Report!
May 7, 2025The final tallies are in, and Derry Church, you are AMAZING! Because of your generosity, dozens of deserving students are attending Presbyterian Education Board (PEB) schools in Pakistan at no cost to their families:
- 39 student scholarships continue through the 2025 “Shares for Scholarships” program, which includes 30 day students, nine boarding students, and 15 general fund day students: $25,309
- Your Mission Madness donations raised enough to support 5 day students: $2,095
- Claudia Holtzman’s kitchen window greeting card sales (to date) have purchased a scholarship for 1 day student: $412
2025 GRAND TOTAL: $27,816
It’s never too late to participate in the scholarship program for students in Pakistan: click here for more information.
Thank you, Derry Church, for giving so generously to provide a better life for others.
Security Workshop Recap
May 7, 2025On Saturday, May 3, 40 Derry members and staff gathered for a presentation on security, safety, and emergency procedures led by former state police detective Bubba Fatula. Bubba emphasized the importance of having well-developed emergency plans, communicating them effectively, and reviewing them regularly.
Bubba commended us on the many things we are already doing well and offered valuable suggestions for further improvement. In response, the Safety and Security Committee will be implementing several of these recommendations in the coming months. These include offering “Stop the Bleed” training (and adding “stop the bleed” kits to our first aid arsenal), conducting clearly communicated drills—such as a Sunday morning fire drill—and providing brief quarterly updates and reviews of our Emergency Plan after worship services.
Thanks to everyone who attended, contributing to the success of this seminar. If you have questions or concerns about Derry’s safety and security procedures, contact Pastor Stephen or committee chair Charlie Koch.
Next Up in Timely Topics: Mimetic Theory & Scapegoating
May 7, 20258:45 & 11:45 AM SUNDAY, MAY 18 IN THE CHAPEL
Pastor Stephen’s next Timely Topics explores Mimetic Theory and the Scapegoat Mechanism, based on the work of René Girard.
Mimetic Theory is the idea that human desire is imitative: we learn what to want by watching others. This shared desire can lead to rivalry, conflict, and eventually violence. To restore peace, societies often unconsciously unite against a scapegoat, blaming and expelling one individual to relieve communal tension. Girard argued that the Bible uniquely reveals and challenges this pattern.
Join us to learn and reflect on how ancient patterns still shape our world, and how the Gospel offers a radical alternative.
Jane Robertson • Mission & Peace Committee Member
May 1, 2025Editor’s Note: On the first Thursday of each month, the eNews feature article highlights the mission focus for the month. In May we’re lifting up the Pentecost Offering of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Children are the focus of this year’s Pentecost Offering. The aim is to encourage and develop young people’s faith, provide resources for their spiritual formation, and support youth ministry efforts. Sixty percent of this offering goes to PC(USA) initiatives designed to support and nurture young adult volunteers, youth ministries, and at-risk kids. The remaining 40% stays in our local area. The Mission and Peace Committee has selected Joshua Group’s Summer Learning Camp to be the recipient of this year’s offering.
The mission of the Joshua Group is to provide hope and support to low income, at-risk youth through educational and vocational opportunities. The organization offers an after-school program, a preschool program, a kindergarten program, and a tuition scholarship program and a Summer Learning Camp in Harrisburg’s Allison Hill neighborhood. Derry has been a supporter of the Joshua Group for over 20 years.
Research demonstrates that students from low-income families suffer significantly greater learning losses over the course of the summer as compared to students from more affluent families. Sustained summer losses can have a cumulative negative effect on student achievement due to widening educational gaps. These gaps may, in turn, lead to higher dropout rates. To stem that loss of learning, the Joshua Group offers a Summer Learning Camp. Children entering grades 1-9 will be participating in the seven-week camp, free of charge.
Qualified staff and volunteers serve as teachers. Older high school students who have participated in the Joshua Group’s After-School program are hired to serve as mentors and role models. Many of these high school students include this meaningful work experience on the resumes and college applications.
Kids learn best when routines and procedures are clearly established. Activities are carefully planned to ensure that learning is effective, fun, and meet the learning needs of each camper. On Monday through Thursday, the focus is on academic activities such as reading, writing, and math. Fun Friday includes field trips and other special events. Many activities are led by partnering organizations such as Dauphin County Library System, the Central PA Food Bank, Girl Scouts, Recycle Bicycle, and others. Cooking classes, nutrition education, music education, art education, and yoga are just a few of the enrichment classes offered.
Adults often ask kids how they plan to spend their summer. This summer there are 145 kids living in Allison Hill who are excited to be attending Summer Learning Camp.
To give online to the Pentecost Offering, click here. You can also write checks to Derry Church notated “Pentecost Offering” or use the designated envelopes available in pew racks through June 8. Place checks and envelopes in one of the offering boxes or bring them to the church office.
Thanks, Derry, for giving to the Pentecost Offering.