News

• Next Thursday is Orange Day, when PW highlights exploitation of females worldwide. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence has 59 community-based domestic violence programs which work to create pathways to safety and justice for the victims. Their definition of domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior by one person to gain power and control over another in an intimate or familial relationship. Approximately 37% of Pennsylvania women experience some form of this violence or violent stalking during their lifetimes. Counseling and support services for domestic violence victims in Dauphin County can also be found at Victim Witness Assistance Program and YWCA. On May 25, wear orange or an orange ribbon to show awareness of and support for victims and those working to end exploitation of females.
• The extra favors from the Lasses and Lassies Banquet were donated to the Bethesda Women’s Mission for Mother’s Day. The women were delighted to receive them.

Come down to the library and check out our collection of BIOGRAPHIES. We have over 200 titles in this category! Travel to Tehran, a Brooklyn homeless shelter, the city that will become Tokyo, or 1930’s Limerick, Ireland. Meet Malala, Phyllis Wheatly, Frank McCourt, Tony Dungy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Clint Eastwood…the list goes on and on. Browse biographies in our online catalog or stop in to see the new shelf displays. While you’re there, play Guess Who on the staff biography shelf (do you know whose first job was scooping Italian ice at Cocoa Avenue Plaza?) Add your own life details on the graffiti wall.

The Ruth Codington Library is right inside the door on the building’s lower level at entrance #1. A committee of Derry library lovers have been working diligently to grow and organize our diverse book collection. Want to take something home? All you have to do is remove the card from the back of the book, write your name and the date on it, and place it in the box on the shelf. Easy! Drop in often to check out our monthly library themes.

In preparation for Graduate Recognition Sunday on May 21, the church office needs information on all those graduating from high school, college, and grad school by Wednesday, May 17. Please send the following details to Kathy Yingst: name of the graduate (and their parents); school graduating from, school attending in the fall and anticipated course of study or the graduate’s future plans. 

Thanks to all who made the Lasses & Lassies Banquet such a success: the servers and kitchen crew, models, ones helping with the favors and setting up. Mark your calendars for next year’s event: May 4, 2024.

PW is still gathering items for hygiene bags for the Domestic Violence Center. You can support this effort by contributing sample size or 1-2 oz. tubes of toothpaste, deodorants (under 1.5 oz.), shampoos and lotions (hotel size), and tissue packs. Leave in the PW basket on the mission shelf by June 4. Thanks, Derry!

Welcome Beckie Freiberg, Derry Church’s first Faith Community Nurse! Click here to meet Beckie in a short video. Beckie will be commissioned in worship on Sunday, May 14. Read the introductory letter that was mailed to the congregation this week. Contact Beckie at care@derrypres.org or 717-500-6102.

• The Communications & Technology committee is recommending adding a piece of wall art to the area behind the Welcome Table and has had discussions with artist Luke Gawron to create the project. Luke has proposed creating a multi-media collage of Derry Church built from photos submitted by congregational members. The Session endorsed the concept. Look for more information in an upcoming Enews.
• The Session approved the use of the church for the wedding of member Michelle Califf to Ron Reboulet later this year, membership roll updates, and a baptism to occur in the summer.
• March’s financial reports show that contributions are ahead of budgeted projections. The Session thanks all who continue to support the church and its programs. 
• Approved the Capital Procurement Requisition to replace the roof on the Mansion Road property at a cost of $12,225. 
• It was the pleasure of the Session to approve the hiring of Beckie Freiberg, R.N. as Derry’s new Faith Community Nurse. A letter introducing Beckie to the congregation will be prepared, and she will be commissioned in her new role on Sunday, May 14. 
• The following Capital Procurement Requisitions were submitted for consideration:
• Communications & Technology proposes a project to rewire the church network. With the addition of new systems over the years, such as phones, security, WIFI access points, the network has become a chaotic jumble of unlabeled cables and wires. This project will remove old and/or unused wiring, consolidate junctions, locate and label all cables, and install updated Cat6 wiring. Cost of the project is $12,000.
• Building & Grounds has received bids to complete the upgrades to the Chapel bell tower, the new stairway between the rear parking lot and the Mansion Road entrance, and upgrades to correct water runoff from the front of the chapel and rear parking lot. Cost of the project is $140,000.
  These projects will be reviewed over the next month and voted upon at the May 17 stated meeting.
• Christian Education is sponsoring a Family Weekend gathering to be held September 22-24 at Krislund Camp and Conference Center in Madisonburg. Look for more information and how to make reservations in the eNews.
• Christian Education also recommended that the Session approve a youth trip to Corrymeela, Ireland for June 24-July 2, 2024. This trip will provide an opportunity for youth (rising 9th grade through college) to participate in Derry’s 300th anniversary celebration. While in Corrymeela, they will be participating in lectures and programs sponsored by the Corrymeela Community, traveling, and studying reconciliation. More information on this trip will be shared with the youth and the congregation in the future. 

3 PM SUNDAY, JUNE 11 AT MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 901 N. 6TH ST, HARRISBURG

Helen Anthony, Director of Music & Organist at Messiah Lutheran Church, will present organ works by J.S. Bach.  

Helen is a 1976 graduate of Westminster Choir College, and completed graduate level course work at West Chester University. She has held church positions in the Harrisburg, Hummelstown, Hershey areas. Helen retired from Derry Church in 2015.  

Proceeds of this benefit concert will support restoration of the church’s Moller Organ comprised of three manuals and 33 ranks. General admission tickets are $30 and are 100% tax deductible.

There are also sponsorship opportunities available at the following levels:

• JS Bach $1,500
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart $1.000
• Ludwig Van Beethoven $500
• Frederic Chopin $250
• Friends of Messiah any amount 

The recital will last one hour, with a reception following in the social hall. Your support of this inaugural concert insures that future generations will enjoy the organ in worship services praising God.

8 AM SATURDAY, JUNE 24 AT SPRING CREEK CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, 335 EAST AREBA AVE, HERSHEY • REGISTER NOW

Last year over 140 runners and 11 sponsors joined together to raise over $8,400 for the programs of Love INC of Greater Hershey. We are looking forward to another successful event this year and would love for you to join us. The course includes the scenic Milton Hershey School campus.

Cost: $30/Adult and $20/Student by June 5th ($5 increase after 6/5)

The Birthday Offering of Presbyterian Women celebrates our history of generous giving. Launched in 1922, the Birthday Offering has become an annual tradition. It has funded over 200 major mission projects that continue to impact people in the United States and around the world. While projects and donation amounts have changed over the years, Presbyterian Women’s commitment to improving the lives of women and children has not changed.

The second project for 2023 is Berhane Yesus Elementary School Kindergarten Construction in Dembi Dollo, Ethiopia. Located in the western highlands of Ethiopia, Berhane Yesus Elementary School seeks to change lives by sharing the “Light of Jesus” and by providing the best possible educational experience for children of Dembi Dollo. Berhane Yesus provides children the possibility of a better future by preparing them for the rigorous high school education and a life of Christian service.  

The school is the first entry point to education for children of subsistence farmers, migrant workers and displaced groups of people. This K-8 school has been serving the community and been a part of the Presbyterian Church in this rural community since 1921. A kindergarten class was added to the school in 2012, but with no available space for class, the children met in the chapel. Over the years the number of kindergarten students has increased and now a space of their own is not only needed but required by the government to be able to remain open. Western Wollega Bethel Synod provide land for the classroom and the Birthday Offering grant will provide all necessary funding for construction.

Your continued support will allow PW to fund next year’s projects. You can give online, deposit checks in the offering boxes, or mail checks to the church notated “PW Birthday Offering.” Together let us lovingly plant and tend seeds of promise so that programs and ministries can grow and flourish.

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 3/31/23:

The work project scheduled for Saturday, April 29 in Grantville has been postponed until further notice while we await issuance of a building permit. We’ll let you know when it is rescheduled and check your availability at that time. Thanks for volunteering!

• Your last chance to purchase tickets for the Lasses & Lassies Banquet is Sunday, Apr 30! The bridal show consists of dresses worn in the past, not ones to buy now.
• Men are needed to serve and clean up for the banquet on Sunday evening, May 6. Dinner for the volunteers will be provided at no cost. Contact Doris Feil by Sunday, Apr 30.