News

5:30 PM SUNDAY, AUG 25: MEET AT 1248 EAST CHOCOLATE AVE

Meet in Palmdale (across the street from Cherry Blossom Creamery, at the former car dealership). A short pre-ride orientation gives riders background on the evening’s bike tour routes:

• An 8-mile casual paced residential ride around the rolling hills of the Milton Hershey School campus 
• A 17-mile rolling rural out and back for experienced “road riders”

No prior group bicycle ride experience is necessary. No one will be left behind. No special attire is necessary, however bicycle helmets will be required. Youth must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Planning to ride? Call or text David Whitenack at 717-881-0757.

10 AM – 12 PM TUESDAYS, OCT 8 – DEC 3 IN ROOM 7 • RSVP TO BECKIE FREIBERG BY SEPT 3 • FREE! 

Many older adults have concerns about falling and restrict their activities. A MATTER OF BALANCE is an award-winning eight-week program designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. Sessions will be presented by Amy Bollinger, BSN RN TCRN.

This program emphasizes practical strategies to manage falls. Participants will learn to:

• View falls as controllable
• Set goals for increasing activity
• Make changes to reduce fall risks at home
• Exercise to increase strength and balance

Who should attend?

• Anyone concerned about falls
• Anyone interested in improving balance, flexibility and strength
• Anyone who has fallen in the past
• Anyone who has restricted activities because of falling concerns

Priority registration for Derry members continues through Sept 3, when the class will be advertised to the community. Class is limited to 20 participants.

ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING 12 PM SUNDAY, AUG 18 IN ROOM 7B AND ON ZOOM

Plans are under way for Derry members and friends to travel internationally in 2026. Come and hear about the plans that are under consideration. Pastor Stephen and Ann will present three exciting options, and the great news is that if we decide the location by Sept 1, we can save $750-$1,000 per person!

After the meeting, an email summary with the trip information will be sent, along with a poll for travelers to vote on their first, second, and third choices. If you’re not already on it, contact Pastor Stephen to be added to that distribution list.

11 AM – 12 PM MONDAYS BEGINNING SEPT 9 IN THE HAMMOND LIBRARY

The group will begin a study of the book of Romans, and new participants are welcome to join. Contact Claudia Holtzman for more information, or just come to the gathering on Sept 9.

11 AM THURSDAY, SEPT 26 AT THE SIGHT & SOUND THEATER • $85 PER PERSON DUE BY AUG 24

To sign up, RSVP to Sue Whitaker (864-494-7414) and return payment to the church office no later than Saturday, Aug 24. Tickets cost $85 when there are at least 15 people in the group. Make checks payable to Derry Church, notated “Sight and Sound Theater.” 

To ride the in the van, meet 9:30 am at Derry Church. If you will meet the group at the theater, contact Sue Whitaker (864-494-7414). After the performance, the group will go to Miller’s Smorgasbord for lunch.  

The trip is open to anyone who wants to attend, so come along! Those who have attended these shows in the past have loved them.

5:30-7 PM TUESDAY, AUG 13 IN ROOM 6 FOR GIRLS AGES 8-12

For the final Tween Time of the summer, girls will complete a mission project begun at VBS: painting placemats for Meals on Wheels and building “Find-It” jars for patients at Penn State Health. It’s a great opportunity to spend time together and help others! This drop-off event is hosted by Claudia Holtzman and Courtney McKinney-Whitaker. A meal is not included, so have dinner before or after.

MONDAY, OCT 21: 9:30 AM BREAKFAST AT SHADY MAPLE, 1 PM WHEATLAND TOUR

The Derry Day Trippers head to Lancaster in October! The day begins with a sumptuous breakfast smorgasbord at Shady Maple, followed by time to explore the Amish market and shops. Cost is approximately $15, due that morning.

Before noon, the Day Trippers will travel into Lancaster city for a 1 pm private tour of Wheatland, the home of James Buchanan — the only U.S. president to be born and raised in Pennsylvania. The visitor center has displays and a gift shop to explore before or after the tour. Cost is $13 (senior).

The group reservation has space for 20. To claim a spot, make checks payable to Derry Church notated “Wheatland Tour,” and place in the white mailbox outside the church office by Sunday, Sept 29. Questions? Contact Richard Carty.

Here’s a quick look at upcoming Derry Church events you can add to your calendar:

7 pm Thursday, Aug 22 | Room 7
Choir Rehearsals Begin

10:30 am Sunday, Aug 25 | Sanctuary
Blessing of the Backpacks 

Sunday, Sept 8
Sunday School Kickoff

12:45 pm Monday, Sept 9 | Room 7
Prime Timers Kickoff: Bible Study with Pastor Stephen

5 pm Tuesday, Sept 10
Terrific Tuesday Dinner & Fall Kickoff 

Friday-Sunday, Sept 27-29 | Krislund Camp
Krislund Family Weekend 

4 pm Sunday, Oct 6 | Sanctuary
Arts Alive Presents Thomas Pandolfi, Concert Pianist 

Thanks to your generous donations, we have not only reached but exceeded our goal of $50,000 for the classroom construction at Logos Academy. Should you wish to contribute further as part of our 300th Anniversary celebration, donations will be received until Aug 1, either online or by checks made payable to Derry Church.

Derry Church has a connection to Valarie Allman, a gold medal winner for the women’s discus throw at the Tokyo summer Olympics (2021) who hopes to repeat the feat this year. Read more in this Denver Post story. Look for her to compete in the qualifying round on Aug 2, and in the finals on Aug 5.

If you were around in the early 2000s, you might remember Valarie, parents David and Lisa, and brother Kevin. This family photo is from the 2004 church directory. The Allmans moved to Colorado after they left Hershey.

It’s finally time for the 2024 Paris Olympics! No plane ticket to France? That’s ok! Cycle, skateboard, canoe, breaststroke, or ride your dressage horse to the Ruth Codington Library and join the Derry Church Reading Olympics! No need for volleyball sand in your shorts: all you have to do is read books (from ANY library) that meet our reading challenges.

There are 10 challenges that correspond to thrilling Olympic events.

• Complete any three and you are a bronze medalist
• Six challenges earn you a silver
• Complete all 10 and you’ve won a gold!

All medalists will find their names on the Wall of Fame in the library (sorry…no actual medals. Just Olympic glory and bragging rights!)

Each completed challenge is also an entry for you in the grand prize Name-a-Pastor-Stephen-Sermon raffle (and perhaps another golden surprise…)

Click this link to access the official challenge tracker. Turn in the tracker at the library, or email your progress to Lauren June.

BONUS: Send a photo of yourself reading OR doing ANY Olympic event to Sue George and you earn 2 extra RAFFLE ENTRIES PER PHOTO!

6 PM TUESDAY, AUG 27 ON THE FRONT LAWN, WEATHER PERMITTING

In celebration of all of God’s creatures and their presence in our lives, Derry Church offers its 17th annual worship service that includes a hands-on blessing of animals and the people with whom they live. Animals on leash, in a kennel, or otherwise controlled are invited to attend along with their owners. Praise songs and hymns, prayer and a brief meditation are also a part of the worship service. Dress casual.

You’re invited to bring donations for the Humane Society as an outreach to those who help care for animals in need of help and homes. Click for a list of most-needed items.