News

Covid numbers are dropping, so the Derry Day Trippers have begun planning more fun activities for the next few months:

2 PM SATURDAY, MARCH 12: HERSHEY SYMPHONY PRESENTS “SYMPHONY OF ILLUSIONS WITH MICHAEL GRANDINETTI” AT THE HERSHEY THEATRE
Pat Meilands is working on getting tickets as a group, and cost will be between $20 – $25 per person. Once we know how many are joining, we’ll let participants know the exact price and where we’ll meet for lunch in downtown Hershey before the concert.

11 AM THURSDAY, APRIL 28: “DAVID” AT SIGHT & SOUND THEATER, LANCASTER
As long as we have a group of 15 or more, the cost will be $65.55 per person. Then we can collect the money and pay for tickets so that we can get good seats together. 

Please email Sue Whitaker by Friday, Feb 25 if you’d like to attend either the March or the April events.

LOOKING AHEAD
We are thinking about a picnic lunch in May, and we hope to go to a Harrisburg Senators’ baseball game in June. Send your suggestions for Day Tripping to Pat Meilands or Sue Whitaker.

Horizons is the magazine (and Bible study) by and for Presbyterian Women. Cost is $18.95 instead of the individual rate of $24.95, and magazines on this subscription will be delivered to Derry Church. To join the bulk order, notify Doris Feil by Sunday, Feb 27.

7:30 PM FRIDAY, MAR 4 & SATURDAY, MAR 5 AND 1:30 PM SUNDAY, MAR 6 AT HERSHEY HIGH SCHOOL • CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO ORDER TICKETS

The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end, and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. 

Participating Derry Church youth include Hattie Gavazzi as Belle, Ryan Hosenfeld as Gaston, Mayangela Speicher as A Silly Girl, Morgan Owsley as Wolf, Napkin, Shepherd Boy and Singer/Dance Ensemble, Katie Bortel as Wolf, Napkin and Singer/Dance Ensemble, and Emma Burke in the orchestra. Let us know if we missed anyone in the cast, crew or orchestra and we’ll add to the list.

Reserved seats are $15 for adults, $10 for students/senior citizens, and $20 for general admission at the door. 

My name is Hossana and I study in class 2. I wish to become a doctor in future. Your angelic presence on the earth is of great importance. Because of you it is possible to fulfil the dreams of my parents. We can’t forget you support specially in the time of COVID-19 lockdown situation. We really love you and always pray for you and your family. Thank you once again.

For 11 years, Derry Church has maintained a partnership with the Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan. PEB operates 25 schools, primary through high school, including some boarding schools, that serve more than 5,900 students. Derry, through the Friends of Sargodha group, has a particular relationship with the schools in Sargodha. 

Friends of Sargodha’s goal is to continue to provide ten scholarships every year. You can help.

A full scholarship for a day student is $370 a year, about a dollar a day. We are dividing that amount into ten shares, $37 each, to offer you the opportunity to support a portion of a scholarship. 

You can purchase one or more shares by writing a check to Derry Church notated “Pakistan Scholarship” or giving online through the church website and selecting “Pakistan Scholarship.” 

Read Claudia Holtzman’s message inviting you to participate. This fundraiser continues through February 2022.

9-10 AM SUNDAY, FEB 13 •  ISSUES CLASS LED BY DERRY MEMBER WALTER A. PATTON, PH.D., DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE • CLICK TO JOIN • SIMULCAST IN ROOM 7

By now we all recognize the image of a SARS-CoV-2 (or COVID) virus particle. One protein is so critical for all its nastiness. We will take a look at that protein, discuss mutants, and examine the meaning of the word enthalpy. (And why mother nature always has enthalpy on her side and uses it in her favor, for good things and for bad…nature just can’t help herself.) 

NEXT WEEK ON ZOOM:  “An Unconventional God: The Holy Spirit According to Jesus and the Gospels” led by Debbie Hough.

2-4 PM SUNDAY, MAR 6 IN THE JOHN ELDER CLASSROOM • RSVP BY FEB 28 TO DORIS FEIL (7l7-566-8250).

This year’s theme is “Family Heritage” and our Presbyterian Women invite females of all ages to attend. What do you know of your family heritage or genealogy? Do you have an heirloom or something symbolic of your heritage? Even if you know next to nothing of your heritage, come and join the fellowship. We’ll enjoy a time of sharing during the first hour, followed by refreshments.

The Derry Brass — Derry Church’s own volunteer brass ensemble — is looking for horn, trombone, euphonium and baritone players in high school and up to join them in providing music for Sunday morning services. 

Enjoy this two-minute clip from the Nov 21, 2021 as the Derry Brass plays a medley for Christ the King Sunday. For more information, contact Scott Ramirez or Grant Wareham (717-533-9667).

This year the Hershey Ministerium is offering three midday Lenten worship services:

• 12:10 pm Wednesday, Mar 2 at St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church, led by John Triscik of St. Joan and Michelle Miduri of Love INC of Greater Hershey.
• 12:10 pm Wednesday, Mar 23 at Derry Church, led by Rev. Cindy Brommer of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Rev. Marie Buffaloe.
• 12:10 pm Wednesday, Apr 6 at All Saints Episcopal Church, led by Rev. Christina Fidanza of Church of the Redeemer United Church of Christ and Rev. Anjel Scarborough of All Saints. 

Face masks are required for those attending in person. All services will be live streamed. Lunch will NOT be provided by the host congregations this year.    

The Ministerium is also offering a 6:30 am sunrise service at the Hershey Gardens on Easter Sunday, April 17 led by Pastor Jennifer Williams and the worship band from Fishburn United Methodist Church. 

The Monday evening study group will gather at 7 pm on Zoom to discuss the following books:

MAR 7: “The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times” by Jane Goodall. Discussion led by Kris Englund-Krieger.
APR 4: “The Sentence” by Louise Erdrich. Discussion led by Chris Gawron.
MAY 7: “How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America” by Clint Smith. Discussion led by Eleanor Schneider.

Faithful Readers will gather at 2 pm Sunday afternoons on Zoom to discuss these books:

FEB 13: “Every Heart a Doorway” by Seanan McGuire
MAR 13: “The Seeker and the Monk” by Sophronia Scott
APR 10: “Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed Science” by Jeanine Atkins
MAY 15: “The Parted Earth” by Anjali Enjeti

Greetings from Sargodha. I am Tabish. I study in class 8. I live in Sargodha, the city which is famous for its oranges. It’s been two and a half months our school reopened after lockdown, effect my daily life and study bitterly. Nowadays I am preparing for my exam which are going to held in November. Thank you very for choosing me for scholarship. It is like a lifeline in these circumstances.Thank you very much again.

For 11 years, Derry Church has maintained a partnership with the Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan. PEB operates 25 schools, primary through high school, including some boarding schools, that serve more than 5,900 students. Derry, through the Friends of Sargodha group, has a particular relationship with the schools in Sargodha. 

Friends of Sargodha’s goal is to continue to provide ten scholarships every year. You can help.

A full scholarship for a day student is $370 a year, about a dollar a day. We are dividing that amount into ten shares, $37 each, to offer you the opportunity to support a portion of a scholarship. 

You can purchase one or more shares by writing a check to Derry Church notated “Pakistan Scholarship” or giving online through the church website and selecting “Pakistan Scholarship.” 

Read Claudia Holtzman’s message inviting you to participate. This fundraiser continues through February 2022.

Presbyterian Women will be collecting the Church World Service Blanket Offering during the month of February.

The needs are still great for suffering people around the world. A $10 donation provides a blanket or other emergency help. Blankets were distributed to homeless on the streets of New York during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. New arrivals who fled violence and persecution in their homeland and are seeking refuge in the US were provided blankets and hygiene kits. People suffering the effects of the hurricanes last year in North Carolina were given clean-up kits to begin their recovery.

From January to June 2021, 23,610 blankets were packed and delivered wherever they were needed. The needs keep coming. Your donation to the Blanket Offering will help Church World Service continue their work. Click to give online, use offering envelopes available in the pews, or write checks to Derry Church notated “Blanket Offering.”

This summer, Derry youth are going to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Maine! They will experience God’s creation, worship together, and take time to connect and reconnect with church friends. They’re excited to be able to travel together again and to experience God in new ways.

The trip fundraiser kicks off on Youth Sunday, Feb 20. When you make a donation, you’ll receive sponsorship benefits as described on the chart. Each tier has its own special benefits and rewards,  designed so that the youth can share the trip and their adventures with you!

Youth will be in the Narthex to sign up sponsors and receive donations after both services on Feb 20, as well as on select Sundays in March, April, and May.

Click to watch as our youth invite you to help make the trip a reality!