News

For the next four weeks we will celebrate the Birthday Offering of Presbyterian Women.  This offering started in 1922 when women were challenged to give a penny for each year of their life. This was to be a “birthday gift” to a girls’ school in Japan. Through the years the projects and dollar amounts have changed, but Presbyterian Women’s caring for others in the US and around the world has not changed.

Birthday Offering grants focus on capital improvements. The money collected last year will fund two projects. The first is Bethel Hills Project in Marthasville, Missouri. They plan to renovate a villa into four apartments housing eight individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

The second project is Café Gingko in Louisville, Kentucky. Prior to the pandemic they served an average of 30 meals each Monday in an economically disadvantaged area. After shutting down for Covid, they need to renovate the kitchen to reopen with expanded capacity.

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.”

9:30 AM – 3 PM SATURDAY, MAY 4 DEPARTING FROM DERRY CHURCH 

Join us to learn about the history and legacy of Native American Peoples in our region. Darvin L. Martin will lead us on a driving tour throughout Dauphin, Lancaster and York counties so we can learn about the interactions between Native Peoples and European colonists. The group will make several stops so participants can walk on sites where this history played out, which involves some brief walking with an optional longer hike. This tour is geared toward youth in middle and high school and adults.

Darvin L Martin spoke to the Issues Class in January. He has written and lectured extensively on the historical local context of Native Americans and colonialism. His interest is spurred by his own family history, seeking to understand how his ancestors, as immigrants, interacted with the original peoples of this region. He has served as a history advisor for the Lancaster Longhouse (part of the 1719 Museum) since the construction of the Longhouse in 2011.

Participants will travel in the church’s 15-seat passenger van, as well as private vehicles if needed due to group size. Bring your own lunch, or sign up to purchase a bag lunch from the church for a $5 donation. Church lunches will include 1/2 sandwich ham/American cheese, 1/2 sandwich turkey/American cheese, bag of potato chips, small bag of carrots & celery, apple sauce, cookies, and an 8 oz. bottle of water. Gluten free options available.

Click here to register for the learning tour

6 PM SATURDAY, MAY 4 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

Women, mark your calendar! This year’s banquet theme is Herstory at Derry (300 Years of Herstory). Details & tickets available soon.

4 PM SUNDAY, MAY 5 IN THE SANCTUARY • AN ARTS ALIVE EVENT • FREE WILL OFFERING

Percussionist Bob Nowak takes the stage with five talented musicians to play some of his favorite tunes for marimbas, including “Bolero,” selections from “Carmen,” March from “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Joplin Rag Medley.” 

Bob played timpani for our Easter Sunday services, and for the past 20 years it’s been an annual tradition to welcome him and the marimbas in Sunday morning worship. Arts Alive is pleased to welcome Anthracite Marimba for their first Derry Church concert.

• Approved the use of the church building for the following events:
  • Wedding of Megan Jenkins and Brady Demey (non-members) on Saturday, April 26, 2025, to be officiated by Pastor Stephen – use of the Sanctuary plus rooms for the wedding party.
  • Musical program and reception as requested by the American Guild of Organists-Harrisburg Chapter on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at 4 pm using the Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall and kitchen.
  • Senior Recital and reception featuring Mathias Van de Louw on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 4 pm in the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. Derry Church members are invited to attend this event.
• Received a financial report from the Stewardship & Finance Committee.
• A cemetery workday to ready that area for various heritage events this year will be held on April 13. Volunteers interested in assisting should contact Bill Alexander.
• The Derry 300 Committee has purchased a bronze sign describing the location and
  importance of the Derry spring. The sign will be installed along the bank in the rear of the church overlooking the golf course fairway and Derry spring. The Session approved the painting of a mural consisting of scenes from the 1700’s which will be placed next to the spring. Claudia Holtzman will be painting the mural which will be on marine grade plywood.
• The Building & Grounds Committee submitted two Capital Procurement Requisitions for review and consideration. The first is to repair damaged Dryvit (synthetic stucco) on areas around the church damaged over time, and to inspect and repair/replace existing caulking around windows, sill ledges and joints. While the exact cost of the project will be dependent on damage discovered during the inspection, the estimated cost is $60,000. The second CPR is to add the final sections of downspouts and gutters to the rear of the church building. This is the final section of spouting/gutters to be replaced and added as other areas have been addressed. Cost of this project is estimated to be $30,000. The Elders will be reviewing these items with their respective committees. Final action will occur at the May stated Session meeting.
• Approved the Derry Discovery Days Board’s request to invite the Cool Beans Brew coffee truck to return to Derry on May 8, 2024, from 8 to 10 am to provide coffee, tea and other beverages to the DDD staff for Teacher Appreciation Week.
• It was the pleasure of the Session to meet with and receive the following new members on Sunday, March 17: Shauna Hoffman, Katelyn & Austin Laidler, Erica & Brendan MacFarlane, Ashley & Brian Shields, Linda Weller and David Whitenack.

9-10 AM SUNDAY, APR 21 IN THE LOUNGE

Are you a biker, hiker, kayaker, or someone looking to join other Derry members for a walk? The Wellness Task Force introduces the “Wellness Connections” planning team to facilitate informal meet-ups for Derry members and friends to participate in a variety of outdoor activities and fellowship. If you are interested in organizing or participating in an activity, join the team on April 21 or contact Tim Mosher.

On Sunday, April 7, the Day Trippers will attend the Paloma Irish Dancers performance at Derry Church at 4 pm, followed by 6 pm dinner at Hidden Still in Hershey. RSVP to Sue Whitaker by April 2.

The Derry Day Trippers social group welcomes everyone to participate in events they’re planning over the next few months. Contact Sue Whitaker for more information and to RSVP.

All Derry members belong to a Shepherd Group that offers care and support by geographic region. Our newest group — 99 — is for those who do not live in proximity to Derry Church. These Derry members live as far away as Florida, Texas, and Oregon, and worship regularly by live stream. Deacon Mike Reed oversees the new group. 

To find out more about Derry’s Shepherd Groups, contact Ellen O’Keefe, moderator of the board of Deacons.

Derry’s mission partner CWS Harrisburg will welcome more than triple the number of refugees that were welcomed last year. Funding sources do not adequately serve clients’  basic needs, especially those with more vulnerabilities including single mothers and those with severe medical issues. Your donations will be put to work immediately.

Send checks payable to CWS Harrisburg, 2101 N. Front Street, Building 3, Floor 3, Harrisburg, PA, 17110 or click to give online. Questions? Contact Erika Juran or call 717-660-5312.

• “Climate Change and Global Warming: What We Can Do” will be the morning program for the Spring Gathering of Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of Carlisle on Apr 13 at Falling Springs Presbyterian Church, Chambersburg. Registration begins at 9:15 am. The afternoon session, “Cancer Concerns for Women,” will be presented by Laura Umbrell, Oncology Navigator for Wellspan Chambersburg. A light lunch will be available for a small donation.
• PW Circle will meet on April 10 (instead of the 17) at 1 pm in the Lounge. The topic will be “Lydia Encounters Jesus in Worship.”

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 2/29/24:

For Derry’s 300th anniversary (1724-2024), the church commissioned a hymn from Rev. David Gambrell, associate for worship in the PC(USA) Office of Theology and Worship, and contributor to our “Glory to God” hymnal.

Set to the traditional Irish tune “Londonderry Aire,” the hymn “In Jesus Christ There is a New Creation” had its world premiere on March 17 at the Arts Alive Hymn Festival. This video is a recording of the world premiere performance. The congregation will sing it for the first time in worship on Heritage Sunday, April 28.

Here is the hymn text:

1. In Jesus Christ there is a new creation. the past is gone; a new life has begun. The time has come to bind up what is broken, return to God, and learn to live as one.

Refrain: Lift up your hearts and join the celebration! In Christ our Lord the promises are true. Sing praise to God, who made the earth and heavens, and even now in Christ is making all things new.

2. Through troubled times together we have traveled, yet every step has led us to this place. Now in Christ’s name we share a sacred calling: the work of peace, the ministry of grace. (Refrain)

3. There is a tree that stands beside the water — the tree of life, beside a living spring. Its leaves are for the healing of the nations. Beneath its shade the saints and angels sing. (Refrain)