News

As a result of Derry Church’s recent efforts to help a refugee family resettle in Hershey, mission committee members have realized the critical need for immigrants/refugees to learn English as a Second Language (ESL). To date six people are participating, but we need at least four to six more in order to offer an ESL program to the community.

The tentative plan is to offer three levels of English at Derry in sessions of about an hour long, from mid-October to the end of April, on Monday evenings. Each level would be led by a team of three people.

Professional training will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Sept 20 (6-9:30pm) and Sept 21 (8:45 am-5:30 pm with a 4:30 pm stop for those attending Derry’s 300th anniversary celebration dinner). You must attend on both days. Cost is $50 for training materials.

Online (Zoom) training is also available in four segments of three to four hours each over the Sept 27-30 weekend. Course materials for the classes will be furnished by the Mission & Peace Committee. Applications are due Sept 13. For more information, contact Sue Whitaker or Marion Alexander.

As many of you know, I’ve been thinking a lot about retiring at some point in the very near future. With that in mind, I’ve decided that the end of this September would be a good time for me to return to just being a church member.   

This date follows the church’s 300th anniversary and several commitments that I’ve made regarding this upcoming celebration.  

I’ve held the position of Coordinator of Hospitality Ministries for the past 16 years and have enjoyed working with lots of people. During that time the position has grown in numerous ways. In fact, I’ve witnessed a number of changes and have been involved in numerous things including, but not limited to: changes with church ministers, staff changes, new and old session members, welcoming new members, mourning the loss of lots of members, making it through COVID, with the help of Sue made over 80 videos of various cooking presentations, was responsible for planning, coordinating, preparing, and serving Terrific Tuesday meals along with many other food related functions, coordinating lots of receptions, assisting with post worship fellowship, along with lots of other activities.  

Since Gary retired (sort of) five years ago, we’ve been wanting to do a bit more travel, spend time with family and simply enjoy life while we still can. I feel that the time has finally come for me to enter the next phase of my life.   

So, what does this mean? I’m not going away and I’ll still be around to help on various things but not to the extent I’ve been doing for what seems like forever. Yes, this will mean some changes in the way things have been from the hospitality perspective. Church leadership is pursing some ideas, a possible replacement, and I have agreed to help in the transition.

So to all of you who have helped out with many, many, hospitality efforts, I say thank you for all that you do, and hope you continue to do, for the church.  

Thank you, 
Loretta D. Chubb    

5:30 PM SUNDAY, AUG 25: MEET AT 1248 EAST CHOCOLATE AVE

Meet in Palmdale (across the street from Cherry Blossom Creamery, at the former car dealership). A short pre-ride orientation gives riders background on the evening’s bike tour routes:

• An 8-mile casual paced residential ride around the rolling hills of the Milton Hershey School campus 
• A 17-mile rolling rural out and back for experienced “road riders”

No prior group bicycle ride experience is necessary. No one will be left behind. No special attire is necessary, however bicycle helmets will be required. Youth must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Planning to ride? Call or text David Whitenack at 717-881-0757.

10 AM – 12 PM TUESDAYS, OCT 8 – DEC 3 IN ROOM 7 • RSVP TO BECKIE FREIBERG BY SEPT 3 • FREE! 

Many older adults have concerns about falling and restrict their activities. A MATTER OF BALANCE is an award-winning eight-week program designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. Sessions will be presented by Amy Bollinger, BSN RN TCRN.

This program emphasizes practical strategies to manage falls. Participants will learn to:

• View falls as controllable
• Set goals for increasing activity
• Make changes to reduce fall risks at home
• Exercise to increase strength and balance

Who should attend?

• Anyone concerned about falls
• Anyone interested in improving balance, flexibility and strength
• Anyone who has fallen in the past
• Anyone who has restricted activities because of falling concerns

Priority registration for Derry members continues through Sept 3, when the class will be advertised to the community. Class is limited to 20 participants.

ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING 12 PM SUNDAY, AUG 18 IN ROOM 7B AND ON ZOOM

Plans are under way for Derry members and friends to travel internationally in 2026. Come and hear about the plans that are under consideration. Pastor Stephen and Ann will present three exciting options, and the great news is that if we decide the location by Sept 1, we can save $750-$1,000 per person!

After the meeting, an email summary with the trip information will be sent, along with a poll for travelers to vote on their first, second, and third choices. If you’re not already on it, contact Pastor Stephen to be added to that distribution list.

11 AM – 12 PM MONDAYS BEGINNING SEPT 9 IN THE HAMMOND LIBRARY

The group will begin a study of the book of Romans, and new participants are welcome to join. Contact Claudia Holtzman for more information, or just come to the gathering on Sept 9.

11 AM THURSDAY, SEPT 26 AT THE SIGHT & SOUND THEATER • $85 PER PERSON DUE BY AUG 24

To sign up, RSVP to Sue Whitaker (864-494-7414) and return payment to the church office no later than Saturday, Aug 24. Tickets cost $85 when there are at least 15 people in the group. Make checks payable to Derry Church, notated “Sight and Sound Theater.” 

To ride the in the van, meet 9:30 am at Derry Church. If you will meet the group at the theater, contact Sue Whitaker (864-494-7414). After the performance, the group will go to Miller’s Smorgasbord for lunch.  

The trip is open to anyone who wants to attend, so come along! Those who have attended these shows in the past have loved them.

5:30-7 PM TUESDAY, AUG 13 IN ROOM 6 FOR GIRLS AGES 8-12

For the final Tween Time of the summer, girls will complete a mission project begun at VBS: painting placemats for Meals on Wheels and building “Find-It” jars for patients at Penn State Health. It’s a great opportunity to spend time together and help others! This drop-off event is hosted by Claudia Holtzman and Courtney McKinney-Whitaker. A meal is not included, so have dinner before or after.

MONDAY, OCT 21: 9:30 AM BREAKFAST AT SHADY MAPLE, 1 PM WHEATLAND TOUR

The Derry Day Trippers head to Lancaster in October! The day begins with a sumptuous breakfast smorgasbord at Shady Maple, followed by time to explore the Amish market and shops. Cost is approximately $15, due that morning.

Before noon, the Day Trippers will travel into Lancaster city for a 1 pm private tour of Wheatland, the home of James Buchanan — the only U.S. president to be born and raised in Pennsylvania. The visitor center has displays and a gift shop to explore before or after the tour. Cost is $13 (senior).

The group reservation has space for 20. To claim a spot, make checks payable to Derry Church notated “Wheatland Tour,” and place in the white mailbox outside the church office by Sunday, Sept 29. Questions? Contact Richard Carty.

Here’s a quick look at upcoming Derry Church events you can add to your calendar:

7 pm Thursday, Aug 22 | Room 7
Choir Rehearsals Begin

10:30 am Sunday, Aug 25 | Sanctuary
Blessing of the Backpacks 

Sunday, Sept 8
Sunday School Kickoff

12:45 pm Monday, Sept 9 | Room 7
Prime Timers Kickoff: Bible Study with Pastor Stephen

5 pm Tuesday, Sept 10
Terrific Tuesday Dinner & Fall Kickoff 

Friday-Sunday, Sept 27-29 | Krislund Camp
Krislund Family Weekend 

4 pm Sunday, Oct 6 | Sanctuary
Arts Alive Presents Thomas Pandolfi, Concert Pianist 

Thanks to your generous donations, we have not only reached but exceeded our goal of $50,000 for the classroom construction at Logos Academy. Should you wish to contribute further as part of our 300th Anniversary celebration, donations will be received until Aug 1, either online or by checks made payable to Derry Church.

Derry Church has a connection to Valarie Allman, a gold medal winner for the women’s discus throw at the Tokyo summer Olympics (2021) who hopes to repeat the feat this year. Read more in this Denver Post story. Look for her to compete in the qualifying round on Aug 2, and in the finals on Aug 5.

If you were around in the early 2000s, you might remember Valarie, parents David and Lisa, and brother Kevin. This family photo is from the 2004 church directory. The Allmans moved to Colorado after they left Hershey.