News

What teacher made the biggest impact on your life, and why?

Lynn Shirk: Dr. Ion Agheana, my college Spanish professor. He encouraged me to apply to be a teaching assistant during my sophomore year. I was painfully shy and I had never even considered becoming a teacher. I got the job and discovered my passion for teaching.

Elizabeth Gawron: Art teachers have always been the people who created an environment I could grow in as well as make mistakes in. The art teacher who has made the greatest difference in my life is my husband, Luke. His loyalty, commitment, creativity and faith in me have transformed my life into the blessing it is today.

Brian Montgomery: Professor White, my freshman (Plebe year at the Naval Academy) English professor, a very animated teacher, gave his perspective on why a BS degree (yes, bachelor of science) in English would stand me in good stead as a Naval officer. I was convinced and changed my major from Aerospace Engineering to English. It was a big change, and in hindsight, a good one.

Susan Stagg: Mr. Marchetti, my sophomore English teacher in high school. He challenged us (and required us) to be critical thinkers, and I believe that is an essential skill that is served me well throughout my life.

Ron Hetrick: My junior high school teachers. They recognized that I had academic potential and encouraged me to want to exceed in school. Because of this experience, I decided I wanted to be an educator as my future occupation. This decision led to a very fulfilling career.

• The Session approved a motion that would permit Debbie Hough to administer the Sacrament of Communion. This measure will be presented to the presbytery with a request that they commission Debbie in this capacity.
• Derry’s annual blood drive will be held on Sunday, December 11, 2022.
• An application for credit cards issued by Northwest Bank were approved for certain administrative staff to make church-related purchases.
• Approved the transfer of $12,000 per year from the property rental income account to an administrative account which will cover the costs of obtaining outside financial consulting services.
• Received information on this year’s Stewardship campaign and the preliminary 2023 budget.

The fall series of New Member Discovery Classes will be held 9-10 am Sundays, Oct 30 – Nov 20 in the John Elder Classroom. Child care is available. You’ll learn about the mission and ministry of Derry Church and how you can be involved. Registration is always appreciated, never required: click to RSVP.

Those who choose to join Derry Church will be received on Sunday, Nov 20 at the 10:30 am service.

10-11 AM IN THE DERRY CHURCH PARKING LOT

Families, you’re invited to enjoy a safe space to “Trunk or Treat” with your little ones. There is no cost to participate, simply come in costume and enjoy saying hello and trick-or-treating with your church friends. 

Individuals, couples and families can join the fun by decorating their vehicles and providing candy for the “Trunk or Treat” experience. Let us know you’ll participate:

• Register a Trunk or Treat Vehicle
• Register Your Trunk or Treaters

Candy donations welcome! Drop candy in the designated box between the doors at the Mansion Road entrance.

Presbyterian Women’s Jumbles Shop will return this year along with the Cookie Walk on Saturday morning, Dec 3. Due to limited space, donated items are restricted to jewelry, nice Christmas decorations, collectibles, and items suitable for gifts, all in good condition. NO furniture, books, CD’s, tapes, or clothing. NO JUNK! It will be tossed.  

Items can dropped off in Room 1 from Nov. 21-30. Anyone out of town at that time who wishes to donate, please contact Nancy Kitzmiller.

Volunteers are needed for Friday, Dec 2 to set up and for Saturday, Dec 3 for sales and cleanup. To volunteer, please contact Nancy, Sally McKinney, or Linda Chidester.

This year, Derry Church’s Advent devotional will be reflections and thoughts on lines from our favorite Christmas carols. Click here to add your name and a line or phrase from a Christmas carol of your choice. Make sure that line has not already been chosen by someone else. You may share thoughts, reflections, or memories inspired by the line of your choice. Send your devotion of 500 words or less to Pastor Stephen by Tuesday, Nov 15.

Devotionals will be available on the first Sunday of Advent (Nov 27) and will be delivered to those who are unable to leave their own homes easily.

2 PM SUNDAY, OCT 23 ON THE MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL GROUNDS

Join Derry friends by raising money for local food banks and support Church World Service’s effort to end hunger across the globe!

CLICK TO SIGN UP AND/OR DONATE TO THE CROP WALK

You can also sign up and turn in donations at a table in the Narthex on Oct 9, 16 & 23.

Derry Church is a strong supporter of alleviating hunger in our local communities. Not only is this a national problem but it affects many families locally as well. We hope to have a strong turnout to show our support for the Central PA Food Bank, the Hershey and Hummelstown Food Pantries and other local organizations. More details coming soon. Get ready to walk!

10 AM – 3 PM SATURDAY, OCT 8 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 – 2 pm.

If you could have a meal with any three people from history, who would they be?

Jan Nixon: Dolly Madison, John Adams, Queen Elizabeth II

Richard Carty: Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Queen Victoria

Pam Whitenack: Milton Hershey, Eleanor Roosevelt, Julia Child

Courtney McKinney-Whitaker: Abigail Adams, Elizabeth Gaskell, Frederick Douglass

Cindy Warnock: Benjamin Franklin, Eleanor Roosevelt, Grace Banker 

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 8/31/22

	ACTUAL	BUDGETED
Income YTD:	$930,702	$833,333
Expenses YTD:	756,962	862,622
Surplus/(Deficit) YTD:	173,740	(25,634)

Notes from the treasurer:

• Contributions are about $86K ahead of 2021 and $79K ahead of estimated contributions through August,
• Mission and Peace is $27K behind 2021, and Building & Grounds is about $28K below 2021. We do expect these committees to spend their 2022 budget.

4:30 PM SUNDAYS BEGINNING OCT 9 ON ZOOM • CLICK TO REGISTER

You are invited to join a transformational Bible study sponsored by the Presbytery of Carlisle and led by Honduras mission co-worker Dori Hjalmarson. “Church, Community and Mission” examines God’s mission of jubilee and salvation in the world and the church’s participation in that mission.

Over the past two years, the Honduras Presbyterian Church has used the study to generate transformation and energetic reflection on its relationship to the larger community, redefining “evangelism” and Christian responsibility. The study was written by professors at the Latin American Biblical University in Costa Rica and translated to English by Presbyterian mission co-workers. It is participatory, conversational, and open-minded.

10 AM – 12 PM SATURDAY, OCT 22 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 to the church office.