News

The candles that make our Christmas Eve services magical won’t be ready without help from a team of volunteers. Sometime in November, the candle holders are cleaned and inspected, and short ones are replaced. On Christmas Eve, tubs of candles the tubs are placed at the entrances to the Sanctuary and the candles are handed out at each service. After the final service, the candles are returned to their tubs and taken to the attic. Will you be one of the volunteers who prepares our candles this year? Contact Cindy DeMuth.

You are invited to ponder and discuss the following questions with your family, with small groups and committees, or on your own so what happens in worship can follow you, inspire you, and guide you throughout the week:

1. Do you remember an important call (a phone call, letter, invitation, offer) you have received ? What happened because of that call?
2. Frederick Buechner says “The place God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deepest hunger meet.” Where is that place for you?
3. The calling of God reflects the generosity of God because it declares that our lives matter and how we live matters. In one sentence how would you explain to someone how God calls you to live?

Come have some fun bidding on quality items while raising funds for Love INC of Greater Hershey! Bidding opens at 10 am Thursday, Oct 19 and closes at 8 pm Tuesday, Oct 24. Scan the QR code or click here to register and learn more. All proceeds benefit the programs of Love INC of Greater Hershey.

• Approved a building use request from Derry member Bob Foster to host a seminar with guest instructors on the martial art of Japanese swordmanship on Friday, November 10 and Saturday, November 11 from 9:30 am – 4 pm both days in Fellowship Hall.
• Transferred the membership of Doug & Denise Ebner to First Presbyterian Church in Grove City, Ohio.
• The Treasurer reported that August income not only was below budget but also was the lowest income month in over 10 years. We are currently $65,000 under our budgeted income for the year to date. Expenses also less than the amount budgeted offsetting some of the negative effect of the lower income.
• The Personnel Committee requested approval of an updated Employee File Retention Guideline policy to ensure compliance with federal laws. After review, the Session approved the new policy.
• The Personal Committee also submitted a position Description for an Associate Pastor for Christian Education/Director of Christian Education that was developed in conjunction with the Christian Education Committee. Considering M.E. Steelman’s recent announcement to step away from her position, the Committees are developing a plan to hire support for Christian education and ongoing faith formation at Derry. The current plan would be to employ an interim individual to give the committees time to establish a long-term Christian education vision for Derry. The eventual plan may be to hire an Associate Pastor as outlined in the submitted job description. After discussion, the job description and a process for interviewing individuals for the interim position were approved.
• The Communication & Technology Committee submitted a CPR for additional chancel mics and related electrical work. The cost of the project is approximately $15,000 and will be funded through the generous support of a Derry member. Elders will review the CPR with their committees to address any questions or concerns.
• Communication & Technology also submitted for review a project to install new interior signs. These signs will be designed & installed by Stoner Graphix, the same company who prepared our exterior signs. The project was approved at a cost of $9,996.60.
• The Stewardship & Finance Committee submitted preliminary expense budget numbers for 2024 based on the committees’ requests totaling $1,442,335. The 2024 Stewardship campaign will kick off on Sunday, October 1 with this year’s theme being “God Gives.”
• Pastor Stephen has proposed to the Personnel Committee that his terms of call remain the same for 2024. Rather than receive an increase, he suggested using the Brong Scholarship to fund an opportunity he has to visit India in 2024. He would use his experience in traveling to lead a class on exploring world religions through the lens of Christianity. After discussion, the session approved using the Brong Scholarship to cover up to $10,000 of Pastor Stephen’s travel expenses.
• Stewardship & Finance requested approved to change signatories on Derry’s Vanguard accounts. New signatories will be Greg Taylor, Duncan Campbell and George Porter. The request was approved.

The Session met last Wednesday and discussed our immediate staffing needs since M.E. Steelman is transitioning out of her position as Director of Church Life and Connection in order to have more time with her family.

The Personnel Committee heard from the Christian Education Committee about the biggest needs and desired timeline for additional staff help, particularly with our children and youth programming.

Session approved a proposal and process to search for an Interim Associate Pastor for Christian Education or Director of Christian Education. This would be a two-year position with the possibility of applying for a permanent position if the church discerns this is the kind of position we need long-term. This two-year position will give us immediate stability for Christian Education programs as well as time to discern long-term staffing model needs.

The Personnel Committee will work with the Christian Education committee to interview candidates. We will identify and interview candidates over the next month.

9 – 11 AM SATURDAY, SEPT 30 AT PATRIOT PARK, 161 PATRIOT WAY, HUMMELSTOWN (OFF ROUTE 39)

Join the fun as our preschool raises funds for playground improvements, including a new slide structure. Derry Church and Discovery Days students and family members will be biking, scootering, strollering, or walking 1/4 mile loops around the park and then celebrating with fall treats and activities. If you’d like to donate to the cause, ask any DDD student about contributing to their personal fundraising page, or you can write a check payable to Derry Church notated Discovery Days fundraiser.

Sign up in the Narthex on Sundays or click here to join the Derry Church walkers or to make a donation

The 38th Annual Hershey/Hummelstown CROP Hunger Walk is right around the corner! On Sunday, Oct 22 churches from the Hershey/Hummelstown area will once again join Church World Service to raise funds to end hunger around the world and here at home. 25% of the funds raised stay here to support local food banks and feeding programs.

During the pandemic fundraising lagged, but the number of hungry people continued to grow. The Hershey/Hummelstown CROP Hunger Walk planning team hopes to get back on track this year by increasing the number of walkers and donations. Our community goal is $10,000. We can meet that goal with your help:

1. Mark your calendar and join the Walk on Sunday, October 22 at 2 pm on the Milton Hershey School grounds. 
2. Invite family, friends, and leashed pets to join you.
3. Request donations from family, friends, and neighbors.
4. Register for the walk online or at the registration table in the Narthex between services and after the 10:30 am service. Registration and donations will also be accepted at the CROP Walk. Look for the registration table near the start line.
5. Make a donation: you can give online or make checks payable to Derry Church, notated CROP Hunger Walk 2023.
6. Contact Marilyn Koch, Carl Rohr, or Jane Robertson if you have questions.

Please support the Walk in any way you are able.  It’s easy, it’s fun, and it does a whole lot of good!

You’re invited to contribute to Derry’s 2023 Advent Devotional, “Home for Christmas.” This year we’re focusing on how we find hope, peace, joy, and love at home during the Advent and Christmas season.

You could write about what brings you hope when you think about being home (or your family being home) for Christmas, or what you’ve learned about peace while at home for Christmas (or longing to be home). You could write about focusing on joy in your home, or how love is found at home for Christmas.

Click this link to sign up to share a meaningful message of faith with your church family this holiday season. Submissions due to Sue George by Monday, Nov 6.

10 AM – 12 PM SATURDAY, NOV 4 IN ROOM 7 

For those grieving the loss of a loved one, this workshop helps with support, encouragement and advice for the upcoming holiday season. Free. RSVP requested: email the church office or call 717-533-9667.

4 PM SUNDAY, NOV 5 IN THE SANCTUARY • FREE WILL OFFERING

Rizzetta’s Tones is a Celtic Americana band comprised of ‘fraternal twin’ hammer dulcimers, silver flute, high and low whistles, guitar, bass guitar, plus alto and bass melodions. Their sound is often spiced up with button accordion, Greek bouzouki, mandolin, autoharp, ukulele, as well as bodhran, djembe, and other percussion instruments (yes, even three frogs!)

Band members Randy Kochel, Amanda Wells, Linda Lohr, Bill Stine and Jared McDonald sing lead and backing vocals on songs poignant and humorous. Repertoire includes music from Ireland, Scotland, and the USA, drawing as well from the traditions of other lands. 

Forging new arrangements and writing their own material, the ensemble presents audiences with a pleasing twist while respecting musical traditions. Members have previously performed and recorded with Gladly Playe Wyth Stryngs, From the Well, Fargo Wagon, and Crofter’s Heir. Get ready for a journey of exciting instrumental and vocal experiences!

You are invited to ponder and discuss the following questions with your family, with small groups and committees, or on your own so what happens in worship can follow you, inspire you, and guide you throughout the week:

1. When have you wondered in awe at the majesty of God’s creation: its beauty, vastness, or intricacy?
2. How have you been most appreciative of the gift of creation? When have you taken it for granted or not treated it as well as you could?
3. God gives us the gift of creation: of life and a place to live it. How might this gift inspire us to give in a similar way?

9 AM – 2 PM SATURDAY, OCT 7 AT THE HARRISBURG KOREAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1127 SLATE HILL ROAD, CAMP HILL

Come experience Korean culture through activities, and folk performances! A variety of Korean foods are available for purchase (Bibimbob, Bulgogi, Kimchi, etc) for $10-$20. Enjoy performances by the Harrisburg Korean Culture School and Selahart group from 11 am – 1 pm.