News

• The Treasurer reported that contributions are ahead of budget expectations with spending in line with this time last year. Also reported was that our campaign for Ukraine relief has raised more than $31,500. With the addition of the $25,000 in matching funds, more than $56,500 has been donated.
• The session reviewed area hospitalizations and Covid positivity and incident rates. In light of the downward trend in all areas and that our community is in a low rate category, the Session voted to make face masks optional at the church effective immediately. Face masks will continue to be required for those caring for children under five years of age, and anyone is always free to choose to wear a mask at any church event.
• Approved the request from the Building & Grounds Committee to obtain architectural specifications for safety upgrades to the interior Chapel bell tower, a new stairway between the rear parking lot and the lower Mansion Road building entrance, and gutter and downspout repairs to direct roof runoff away from the building.
• The Building & Grounds Committee also submitted a Capital Procurement Requisition to restore all remaining stained glass windows in need and to protect seven basement windows along the back of the church with safety glass. The cost of the project is approximately $40,230 to be funded through the Stained Glass Window Restricted Fund.  This proposal will be reviewed by Derry’s committees and voted upon at the Session’s April meeting.
• At the Maundy Thursday service, the children in the sacraments class will be permitted to assist with serving communion with their parents’ help.
• Teresa Hutchison submitted her retirement request, which the session accepted with grace and gratitude for her 24 years of faithful service. An updated position description for the Administrative Assistant position was reviewed and approved. The open position will be posted internally.
• Approved a recommendation from the Personnel Committee to increase the hourly wage of the Church Custodian position from $17 to $20 due to market conditions.
• Derry’s Active Membership roll will be updated to delete the names of individuals who have moved, have not been active at Derry for a period of two years or more, or who are attending other churches.

3:30-5:30 PM FRIDAY, APR 1 • 8 AM TO FINISH SATURDAY, APR 2

Bring your rakes and garden gloves and join the Gardeners of Derry (G.O.D.) Squad as they work outdoors to tidy up the church grounds and prepare for the spring season. Pickup trucks and wheelbarrows also welcome and appreciated. 

“Who is She? Women of the Bible” fashion show will the program for the Lasses and Lassies Banquet at 6 pm Saturday, May 7 in Fellowship Hall. More details coming soon.

It’s the day Presbyterian Women raise awareness of exploitation of females and support work ending it. Family and domestic violence is a common problem in the US, affecting an estimated 10 million people annually, and as many as 1 in 4 women. Virtually all healthcare professionals will evaluate or treat a patient of domestic violence at some point. Domestic violence includes economic, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse of children, adults, and elders and can be difficult to identify. Of female victims of domestic homicide, 44% visited a hospital emergency department within two years of their murder. (Domestic Violence, Martin R. Huecker, etc.) On Friday, Mar 25, wear orange or an orange ribbon to show support for workers identifying and trying to end domestic violence throughout the world.

Allison Smith was elected by Carlisle Presbytery on March 15 to serve in a bridge position as Temporary Stated Clerk. Allison is a lifelong Presbyterian who grew up at Derry Church. After seminary at Lancaster Theological Seminary, Allison served for five years as pastor to the Faith-Immanuel and Hope Presbyterian Churches. She has been active in the presbytery through the Education Committee, participation in a pastor colleague group, and by offering musical gifts (along with her husband Conrad) in presbytery worship. Allison also serves the Committee on Preparation for Ministry. Read more.

Derry Church’s Administrative Assistant Teresa Hutcheson announced her retirement to the Session this week. The Session accepted her resignation with gratitude for Teresa’s 24 years of faithful service to Derry Church. There will be an opportunity to celebrate Teresa’s service at Derry Church: watch the eNews for details.

The congregation is invited to send Teresa notes of gratitude and thanksgiving for her time at Derry: mail to her at 1140 Woodridge Drive, Middletown PA 17057. We wish Teresa all the best in her retirement and look forward to seeing her and Bill in worship in the future.

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 2/28/22

Note from the treasurer:

• Contributions are ahead of budget and prior year. With the $48,830 of contributions for 2022 that were paid in 2021, we are about $25K ahead of prior year in contributions. We are in line with prior year spending.

Bring your coins for the Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE) Change 4 Children on Sunday, March 20. A recent ACE update tells the story of Betty whose mother abandoned her at a local hospital just hours after the birth. Despite efforts of the hospital staff and police, no one could find the mother. Betty was sent to the House of Moses, ACE’s crisis nursery for orphaned and abandoned babies. When no leads developed to the identity of her biological family, she was cleared for adoption. Over several months, Betty and her “mummy” bonded through visits until the Zambia Dept. of Social Welfare approved the adoption. Your gifts provide the staffing and items needed to care for these babies until they can be reunited with family or adopted.

Bring your change in zip-closed bags, remembering to bag any foreign coins separately. Check that the bag is free of paper clips, pins, batteries, buttons — anything that is not legal tender — as these clog the coin sorting machine.  

Change 4 Children for ACE is collected quarterly at Derry Church. The next offering will be received on Sunday, June 19.

SATURDAY, APR 9 AT DERRY CHURCH • CLICK TO RSVP

10 AM: Toddlers through kindergarteners are invited to gather with us on the front lawn for a craft and story before organizing into groups and inviting the children to enjoy the egg hunt. Please bring your own basket/bucket/bag to collect eggs.

12 PM: Children in grades 1-5 are invited to our “Egg”stravaganza celebration that begins with a bring-your-own picnic lunch on the front lawn. Then we’ll have a blast playing games and hunting for eggs. Parents, pick up your children at 2 pm from the front courtyard area.

In the event of inclement weather, egg hunts will be held indoors.

6-8 PM MONDAY, APR 11 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

Children in grades 2-4 and their parents/guardians are invited to learn more about the sacrament of communion in preparation for the children’s participation in Maundy Thursday worship at 7 pm Apr 14. Contact ME Steelman to register.

Derry Church is looking for a full-time Administrative Assistant to perform a variety of secretarial and administrative duties in support of church staff, members, and Session. Download the job description. Interested applicants can send a cover letter and resume to Pastor Stephen or contact him with any questions.

9 AM SUNDAYS IN ROOM 2 BEGINNING APR 3 • IN PERSON ONLY

This participatory class welcomes and invites an exchange of questions, ideas, and various theological perspectives. Rev. Ivo Meilands will lead the first session with a Biblical study on a Lenten theme. Other studies in this series will be led by Meara Kwee and Rev. Tom Folts.