News

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Meara Kwee:
I would go to Peru. While I speak Spanish and have traveled quite a bit in Central America, I’ve only been to one country in South America. I’d love to hike to Machu Picchu and experience the cultures and flavors of Peru.

Bill McGregor:
Garmisch Parkenkirch in Germany: I went on vacation there as a child with family and friends when I was growing up in Germany. 

Stacey Ruch:
I would like to visit New Zealand. The wild beauty and variety of nature appeals to me. Mountains, oceans, and remote locations feel peaceful to me.

Greg Taylor:
Australia, because I was born there. 

Mark Verner:
I would love to visit a monk monastery and spend time there. It would grow my faith and enrich my soul.

4 PM SUNDAY, SEPT 25 IN THE SANCTUARY • AN ARTS ALIVE EVENT • FREE WILL OFFERING

The toe-tapping sound of the Big Band era will fill the Sanctuary when the 16-member Lebanon Big Swing Band plays for Derry Church’s 2022 Arts Alive Cultural Series. 

The Lebanon Big Swing Band was organized in 1990 by Edgar Felty, Lee Moyer and Karl Wolf, Jr. — members of Local 401-750 of the American Federation of Musicians in Lebanon — to provide an opportunity for area musicians to present music of the Big Band Era. Their repertoire includes music in the style of favorite dance bands such as Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Harry James, Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Most members of the band have “day jobs” and come together to rehearse and play concerts and dances and entertain audiences as a hobby. They are all accomplished musicians who learned their basic music skills in school instrumental programs and have enjoyed enhancing their lives by sharing this style of swing music.

The Lebanon Big Swing Band has played at Derry Church twice before, and performs across Central PA throughout the year under the direction of trombonist and band leader Steve Leibig. The ensemble includes vocalist Lauren Schuyler as well as two original members of the band: Lee Moyer and Warren Daugherty. The musicians remain dedicated to keeping the spirit of Big Band alive. 

• Ladies, mark your calendars for Saturday, Aug 27 and the PW in Carlisle Summer/Fall Gathering at Second Carlisle Presbyterian Church. The programs include an introduction to the Bible study, Celebrate Sabbath, by Rebeca Lister and a presentation on anxiety by Rev. Andy Hart. Contact Doris Feil to get in the car pool. 
• Presbyterian Women observe Orange Day the 25th of each month to show awareness of exploitation of females worldwide and to show support for people working to end it. In Pennsylvania, we hear of domestic violence more than labor and sexual exploitation, but both do exist in this state.  Next Thursday, wear orange or an orange ribbon to show support for organizations ministering to the victims of the exploitation.

If you could only listen to three music albums for the rest of your life what would they be? 

Randy Aires:

• Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
• Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Dvorak’s String Quartet No. 12 (“American”) by the Emerson String Quartet

Sara Matthews:

• 1200 curfews by Indigo Girls
• Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
• Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons 

Julie Miller:

• Out of Time by REM
• Paper Airplane by Alison Krauss & Union Station
• The Music of Kings: Choral Favorites from Cambridge by the Kings’s College Choir

Tim Mosher

• Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 in C Minor (The Resurrection Symphony) recorded by New York Philharmonic under the direction of Leonard Bernstein  
• Gregorio Allegri’s Miserere recorded in the Merton College Chapel, Oxford in 1980 by the Tallis Scholars
• Shostakovich: String Quartets Nos. 1 – 13 by the Borodin Quartet

Jim Royer:

• More of The Monkees by the Monkees
• A Song For Two by Cashman and West
• Belly Up by Dr. Hook and The Medicine Show

9-10 AM IN ROOM 2

For many years Sue and Jim George spent a week each summer at Chautauqua Institution in Western New York. In 2019 Sue especially enjoyed an interfaith lecture presented by award-winning educator, writer, activist, and scholar Simran Jeet Singh, who spoke about his Sikh faith. In fact, Sue liked the lecture so much that she purchased the DVD set so Derry’s Adult Education committee could use the lectures when there was time in the schedule. Now you have the chance to watch that lecture — and three others from the 2019 series — over the course of the next four weeks.

On Sunday, join Jack Keene and friends in room 2 to watch the DVD lecture presented by Dr. Singh. Simran writes and speaks regularly on issues of diversity, inclusion, civil rights, religion, and hate violence, and his thought leadership extends to a number of audiences, including university campuses, government bodies, and leadership conferences. He is Executive Director for the Aspen Institute’s Religion & Society Program and author of the recently published book, The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life.

Following the video presentation, there will be time for questions and discussion, and even a chance to hear some of the questions posed by the Chautauqua audience. 

12:30 PM SUNDAY, AUG 7 AT IRON HILL BREWERY, HERSHEY

Young and young-ish adults are invited to a fellowship lunch gathering on Sunday! This is a great chance to meet young adults at Derry Church and reconnect with others. Please contact Pastor Stephen if you plan to attend.

In cooperation with Church World Service Harrisburg, our Syrian family of six has arrived safely in Hershey. The Welcoming Team met them at the airport and presented their four children, ages 4-12, with several stuffed animals as well as backpacks containing age-appropriate activities. Each family member brought two duffle bags containing their household and personal belongings which were taken excitedly to their new home.

With the aid of a translator and despite the long travel day, the family continuously expressed their thanks and appreciation for all that was being done for them. This was extended to include attendance Friday at the local mosque. As you might expect, there are many questions: how do you run the washing machine; what are those blinking lights we see at night (fireflies); and do you work when it snows?

The coming days will be filled with ESL lessons, physicals, registration with government programs and school enrollment, also job searches for the educated parents.

Donations you can help with now:

• 24″ and 26″ Bicycles
• Two-shelf shoe rack, approximately 12″ wide by 36-48″ long
• Men’s electric razor and a hair clipper kit

Contact Marilyn Koch to arrange for pickup of items or drop off at the church.

Watch for upcoming opportunities where you can help their transition into a new culture.

We’re thrilled that weekly Terrific Tuesday meals will be returning at 5 pm in Fellowship Hall beginning Sept 13, and excited to have families gather for fellowship and opportunities for music and learning. 

At 6 pm Sept 13 in the Sanctuary, Derry Church is delighted to present “Stories and Sounds” for families and friends of all ages to enjoy. The program features three beloved fairy tales: Three Little Pigs, Brementown Musicians and Adventures at Grannie’s (Little Red Riding Hood) with music by contemporary American composers Daniel Dorff, Kile Smith and Gwyneth Walker. This 35-40-minute-long program introduces elementary school children to storytelling through music and theater and features live performance by theater major students from CASA, Dr. Ai-Lin Hsieh, cello professor at Lebanon Valley College, and Peter Sirotin, Concertmaster of the Harrisburg Symphony. 

Derry members and friends who are homebound and unable to receive communion at the church: Pastor Stephen and a Deacon would like to bring communion to you. To sign up, just call the church office (717-533-9667) or email Pastor Stephen. Home communion goes out once a month, and we’d love to add YOU to the rotating schedule.