News

In September, Derry’s Faith Community Nurse, Beckie Freiberg, erolled in the Westberg Institute’s Faith Community Nursing Course through the West Virginia University School of Nursing. Faith Community Nursing (FCN) is a recognized nursing specialty. The focus of this eight-week online class was on the Spiritual Dimension, Professionalism, Wholistic Health, and Community of the specialty.  

Beckie learned much through the readings and videos, and interacted with fellow classmates through the discussion questions and meeting with the instructor via zoom. Beckie is delighted to report that she has completed the course and can now officially claim the title of FCN. Congratulations, Beckie! We are blessed to have you serving as Derry’s first Faith Community Nurse. Learn more about her role as Beckie leads next week’s Issues Class, 9:15 am Sunday, Nov 19 in room 7B and streaming. 

8:30 AM – 12:30 PM SUNDAY, DEC 3 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

Derry’s annual blood drive is a few weeks away. Click here to sign up for your time slot or call 1-800-771-0059. Everyone who comes in to donate will receive a $5 Funcks’ gift card and two admission vouchers to the Pennsylvania Auto Show. Walk-ins also welcome.

2 PM AND 5 PM SUNDAY, DEC 10 IN THE SANCTUARY • 2 PM LIVE STREAMING • FREE WILL OFFERING

“Gaudete” is a fancy word for “Rejoice,” and that’s what the singers and ringers will be doing plenty of at Derry’s 2023 Christmas concert. Featuring our Sanctuary Choir, Derry Ringers, harp and orchestra, you can look forward to hearing works including Angels Carol, In the Bleak Midwinter, Carol of the Bells, and opportunities for the audience to sing along on carols including Angels We Have Heard on High and It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. Featured soloists include Nina Cline and Christyan Seay. Join us in rejoicing in the birth of our Savior this Christmas season!

According to author Virginia Kroll in one of our library’s children’s books, “there is no official biblical law or teaching in the church that instructs us to say grace before or after meals.” But we do, and many of us will come to the Thanksgiving table with many prayers of gratitude, awash with wonder at the sweetness of it all (from Three Gratitudes by Carrie Newcomer, a favorite of one of our staff members).

Ever wonder where our most loved prayers came from? Looking for ways to get better at praying? Curious how those in other cultures or religions express their thanks? The answers may just be on our library shelves!

Search the “Prayer” or “Thanksgiving” keyword in our online catalog. Or, stop in to browse the shelves where our collection of books about prayer are featured for you to borrow (the library is just inside Entrance #1). While you’re there, don’t forget to add your favorite Turkey Day foods and football predictions to the graffiti wall, then visit the staff shelf to get inspiration from their favorite mealtime prayers (one is an Eagle Scout favorite. Can you guess who has 3 in his or her family?)

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. Where do you see evidence of the world and lives being broken by violence, heartbreak, and despair?
2. What can the church do to help heal, mend, and repair what is broken?
3. What can you do and give to help the church in its mission to bring hope, peace, joy, and love into the world?

PICKUP 4-6 PM SATURDAY, NOV 18 AT HADEE MOSQUE, 245 DIVISION ST, HARRISBURG

Enjoy a sampling of five international dishes while helping to support Church World Services’ refugees and programs! Foods will be prepared from family recipes in a certified kitchen and may be reheated. The Syrian dish has been prepared by a member of the refugee family partnering with Derry Church. 

Cost is $20/box which is a single serving. Order by Monday, Nov 11: read more and click here to order.

The Presbyterian Women Thank Offering is being received through Nov 26. This offering provides grants with an emphasis on women and children and health issues. This year there are seven recipients. Six of the projects are national and one is international: building a health care facility in Zambia. Because of the distances people must travel, care is frequently delayed — one of the primary causes for mortality and morbidity in women and children. The new health center will provide full maternity services and primary care of children. It will have the added benefit of relieving the overcrowding and long wait times throughout rural eastern Zambia.

Thank you for your support of this offering. You may give online, place contributions in the offering boxes marked “Thank Offering,” or mail to the church office. We have so much to be thankful for, and your gifts will help share our abundance with the world.

• Derry’s sponsored Scout troops will offer a Spaghetti Luncheon (eat in or take out) on Sunday, February 4, 2024 in Fellowship Hall following the 10:30 worship service. Derry members Dora Butler and Daniel Eisenhooth will be married Saturday, June 8, 2024 in the Chapel at 6 pm. Both building use requests were approved at the recent session meeting.
• The Session approved a proposal to engage the services of Achenbach & Curry to perform accounting and bookkeeping services and assist us with simplifying our financial system.
• The Treasurer again reported that September giving was below budget expectations. Expenses also continue to be less than the amounts budgeted.
• Derry Discovery Days would like to add play equipment to the outdoor playground. They have proposed purchasing a climb and slide structure suitable for children between the ages 2-5 years. DDD will pay all costs associated with the purchase and installation using proceeds from recent fundraisers and pandemic funding given to childcare centers. The project was approved.
• The Session received an audit report of Derry’s financial statement for the year ended December 31, 2022 from Boyer & Ritter, LLC. No significant issues were encountered by the auditors in reviewing our financial records.
• Rev. Ira Reed’s children contacted Pastor Stephen to request approval to be buried in Derry’s Cemetery. Given their association with Derry and the fact that space is available, the request was granted. The interested parties are William and Ann (Reed) Rundorff, Jim and Kathleen Reed, and Barbara Reed.
• The Derry 300 Committee submitted a Capital Procurement Requisition to contract with River Valley Landscapes to install a pond and appropriate landscaping adjacent to the Derry Church spring pump house, which is located on the adjacent Hershey Country Club fairway. The project will re-create the original spring pond that was critical to the early Derry Church settlers. The cost of the landscaping is $10,500 and will come from the Derry 300 Anniversary fund. The pond will be accompanied by a mural painted on the pump house featuring early settlers gathered around the spring. An informational sign is also planned to be installed on the edge of the church parking lot explaining the significance of the spring to members and visitors. Hershey Entertainment & Resorts and the Country Club have approved the project with the Country Club agreeing to assume responsibility for maintenance of the pond following construction. The Session requested additional information from the committee including whether Derry Township approval and any permits will be required. The project will be discussed with session committees and a vote taken at a later meeting after receiving the requested information.

Presenting Derry’s 2023 keepsake ornament handcrafted by blacksmith Mark Smith! These charming metal tree ornaments are 3″ wide by 2″ high and cost $15 each.

On Nov 5 and Sundays in November, you can purchase ornaments in the Narthex after both services. Stop by the church office during the week and ask for Sue George. 

Proceeds fund scholarships for students who attend Presbyterian Education Board schools in Pakistan. Only 150 ornaments have been made, so don’t wait to get yours and add to (or start) your collection. 

12 PM SATURDAY, DEC 2 IN ROOM 7

Derry friends, you’re invited to a “Zoom Party” to celebrate 25 years since the denationalization of Presbyterian Education Board (PEB) schools in Pakistan. We’ll connect online with PEB’s Executive Director Veda Gill and other staff members as they share stories and pictures of the past and dreams for the future.

We’ll participate using Derry Church’s Zoom Room as we gather with PEB supporters from all over the US to celebrate this important milestone.

Bring your lunch. Cookies & beverages will be provided. If you can’t attend at Derry in person, you’re welcome to join the party on Zoom.

4 PM FRIDAY, NOV 10 & 17, 2023
8 AM TO FINISH SATURDAY, NOV 11 & 18, 2023

Bring your rakes and join the Gardeners of Derry to work outdoors preparing the church grounds for the winter. Pickup trucks and wheelbarrows are welcome and appreciated. 

It’s time to order poinsettia plants that will brighten the church during the Advent season. After Christmas, you’re invited to take your poinsettias home to enjoy for weeks to come. A single plant is $13 and baskets are $32. Order forms are available at the insert rack in the Narthex. Deadline: Sunday, Dec 10.