News

Amanda Bentley, Hospitality Coordinator
abentley@derrypres.org
Amanda is a wife and mother of all boys. She has had her own bakery business for over 15 years, and has worked in professional kitchens for more than 20 years. She loves to cook and come up with new recipes, but her true passion is decorating and making their home feel welcoming. The family loves to go on adventures, and Amanda loves the beach: they dream of moving to the Carolinas someday. Amanda is excited to bring her knowledge to Derry Church and to serve you.

Shawn Bentley, Assistant Property Manager
custodian@derrypres.org
Shawn is a father and grandfather. He loves to fish, hunt, and golf, and play an occasional board game as well.

With 30+ years of experience in both ministry and construction, Shawn has honed his skills in leadership, project management, and community development. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to serving others through his work in the church. He has a passion for building relationships with church and community members, and strives to create spaces that are functional, inviting, and impactful.

In ministry, Shawn has served as a pastor, mentor, and counselor, guiding individuals through life’s challenges and helping them find purpose and fulfillment. He has a deep understanding of the importance of faith and spirituality in people’s lives, and is committed to spreading love, compassion, and hope to everyone he meets.

In construction, he has managed a wide range of projects, from residential  renovations to commercial spaces. Shawn has an eye for detail and a strong focus on quality craftsmanship.

Overall, his years of experience in ministry and construction have shaped Shawn into a dedicated and compassionate person who is committed to making a difference in the world. He is excited to continue use these skills here at Derry Church.  

Both positions begin Sept 3. Amanda will be working alongside Loretta for the next few weeks. You’ll see her on Sunday mornings and Tuesday evenings, and other occasions as fall programming gets under way. Shawn will be partnering with Jeff Miller over the next two weeks. His regular schedule is 8-11 am Monday-Friday, and he’ll help his wife with room setups and cleanup as needed.

SEPT 22-28 TO PLYMOUTH, NORTH CAROLINA

Make plans now to join Lend A Hand on its next work trip to repair flood-damaged homes. Cost is $125 (includes room, board, and transportation), departing from Christ Presbyterian Church, Camp Hill at 9 am on Sunday, Sept 22. No tools required, but you can bring your favorites if you wish. Register online. Questions? Contact Pete Feil.

10:30 AM THURSDAYS BEGINNING SEPT 5 IN ROOM 7A

The Thursday morning Bible study group has been studying Great Themes of the Bible, Volume 1. The group completed chapters 1 through 4 in the spring, and will dig into chapters 5 through 13 this fall, taking a break for an Advent study at the end of the year. Newcomers welcome. Questions? Contact Tim Guenther.

1 PM ON THE SECOND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH BEGINNING SEPT 11 IN THE LOUNGE
Note: the October meeting will be held on 10/16/24

“Let Justice Roll Down: God’s Call to Care for Neighbors and All Creation” is the PW Bible Study for 2024-25. The nine lessons include Environmental Justice, Land Justice, Food Justice, Water Justice, Air Quality, Climate Change, Economic Climate Justice, Intergenerational Justice, and Sustaining Creation’s Health for All. Join the PW Circle to discuss these timely issues: all are invited to participate. If anyone is interested in doing the study at another time, contact Doris Feil.

Do you have gently used or nearly new clothing you no longer need? Bring in clothes that match the current season: items for all ages welcome. Drop clothing in the new Allison Hill Ministries bin at Derry’s Mission Closet (lower level). Your generosity will make a big difference in the lives of those we serve. For more information or to arrange a pickup,  contact Kristen Campbell.

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 7/31/24:

	YTD	BUDGET
Income YTD:	$852,279	$764,633
Expenses YTD:	$695,906	$803,809
Surplus/(Deficit) YTD:	$156,373	($39,176)

BEGINS TUESDAY, SEPT 10 WITH DINNER AT 5 PM IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

This year’s schedule has been reconfigured in order to make scheduling easier for families with children of multiple ages. All age groups will dismiss at 5:45 pm from Fellowship Hall. Included in the activity time slot will be a rotation of crafts, stories and games.

When a child is in the nursery, we ask that parents/guardians remain at the church.

	5:45 pm	6:15 pm	6:45 pm	7:15 pm
Preschool	Nursery	Nursery	Nursery	Dismissal
K-2nd Grades	Music	Activity	Recreation	Dismissal
3rd – 5th Grades	Activity	Music	Bells	Dismissal
6th-12th Grades	Puppets	Puppets	Music	Dismissal

1 PM SUNDAY, SEPT 15 AT SYCAMORE SPRING FARM MARKET, 1901 THOMPSON AVE, JONESTOWN • CLICK TO WATCH A VIDEO ON HOW TO PICK APPLES

After many years as a children’s and youth event, this year’s apple gleaning is wide open to the entire church. Sycamore Spring orchard is allowing us to pick their primary harvest to benefit individuals in need. 

After worship, put on your fall picking clothes and sturdy shoes with closed toes. Bring sturdy boxes and bags with you. You’re welcome to bring your own packed lunch to enjoy in the orchard with friends and family. Once picking is under way, you’ll be directed where to pick and be given labels for the variety in your box. 

Pick-up trucks, minivans and SUVs will be needed to transport apples to agencies around the area on Monday, Sept 16. Contact Wally Patton to volunteer.

Derry Discovery Days Preschool has an opening in its morning four-year-old Pre-K Butterfly class that runs Monday through Thursday from 8:45 am-11:15 am. This class provides students with an excellent preparation for kindergarten in a nurturing, creative and play based environment. For more information, contact Laura Cox, preschool director. 

Attention horn, trombone, euphonium & baritone players: the Derry Brass is looking for players to join them in presenting music for Sunday worship. Contact Scott Ramirez (717-867-0399) for more information.

Derry Brass rehearsals are held at 5:45 pm Tuesdays, Sept 10 through late May in Room 7. 

As a result of Derry Church’s recent efforts to help a refugee family resettle in Hershey, mission committee members have realized the critical need for immigrants/refugees to learn English as a Second Language (ESL). To date six people are participating, but we need at least four to six more in order to offer an ESL program to the community.

The tentative plan is to offer three levels of English at Derry in sessions of about an hour long, from mid-October to the end of April, on Monday evenings. Each level would be led by a team of three people.

Professional training will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Sept 20 (6-9:30pm) and Sept 21 (8:45 am-5:30 pm with a 4:30 pm stop for those attending Derry’s 300th anniversary celebration dinner). You must attend on both days. Cost is $50 for training materials.

Online (Zoom) training is also available in four segments of three to four hours each over the Sept 27-30 weekend. Course materials for the classes will be furnished by the Mission & Peace Committee. Applications are due Sept 13. For more information, contact Sue Whitaker or Marion Alexander.

As many of you know, I’ve been thinking a lot about retiring at some point in the very near future. With that in mind, I’ve decided that the end of this September would be a good time for me to return to just being a church member.   

This date follows the church’s 300th anniversary and several commitments that I’ve made regarding this upcoming celebration.  

I’ve held the position of Coordinator of Hospitality Ministries for the past 16 years and have enjoyed working with lots of people. During that time the position has grown in numerous ways. In fact, I’ve witnessed a number of changes and have been involved in numerous things including, but not limited to: changes with church ministers, staff changes, new and old session members, welcoming new members, mourning the loss of lots of members, making it through COVID, with the help of Sue made over 80 videos of various cooking presentations, was responsible for planning, coordinating, preparing, and serving Terrific Tuesday meals along with many other food related functions, coordinating lots of receptions, assisting with post worship fellowship, along with lots of other activities.  

Since Gary retired (sort of) five years ago, we’ve been wanting to do a bit more travel, spend time with family and simply enjoy life while we still can. I feel that the time has finally come for me to enter the next phase of my life.   

So, what does this mean? I’m not going away and I’ll still be around to help on various things but not to the extent I’ve been doing for what seems like forever. Yes, this will mean some changes in the way things have been from the hospitality perspective. Church leadership is pursing some ideas, a possible replacement, and I have agreed to help in the transition.

So to all of you who have helped out with many, many, hospitality efforts, I say thank you for all that you do, and hope you continue to do, for the church.  

Thank you, 
Loretta D. Chubb