News

Derry Church is delighted to welcome Eric Riley as Artist-in-Residence in Choral Arts. Eric will work with the choir and provide mentorship for Grant Wareham.

When Grant was hired last year, we said we would provide an opportunity for Grant to study under an established director who could serve as a teacher and mentor as Grant grows into the role of Director of Music Ministry. It wasn’t possible to offer that opportunity during the pandemic. Dan Stokes has ended his time working at Derry and we are incredibly grateful for Dan’s service, leadership, music, and friendship as he moves into retirement and other opportunities.

We look forward to having Eric share his gifts and passions for choral music with the choir and congregation at Derry Church.

Eric Riley was appointed Artistic Director of the Wheatland Chorale (Lancaster) in 2012. He recently retired as Artist in Residence at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church in York, and before that, he served nine years as the organist and director of music at Harrisburg’s Market Square Presbyterian Church.

Eric graduated from Syracuse University School of Music with a degree in organ performance, and later earned his Master’s in Music from the Scarritt Graduate School of Vanderbilt University. Eric is an accomplished conductor and organist who has led programs across the country and in Europe.

Eric lives in Hummelstown with his wife Christine, who sings alto in the Wheatland Chorale. He begins work at Derry Church on Nov 1 and will be present in worship on Sunday, Nov 7.

M.E. Steelman has served as our transitional children’s coordinator since 2018, and last week the Session voted to make her a permanent member of the church staff. We are delighted to introduce M.E. as Derry Church’s Children’s Ministry Coordinator! 

In this role, M.E. provides leadership for our children’s ministry programs through fifth grade, including faith-based education, fellowship, worship, and mission — all with the goal of supporting their daily lives and equipping children and their families as they grow in faith and discipleship.

FOLLOWING THE POSTLUDE FOR THE 10:30 AM SERVICE ON SUNDAY, OCT 31

You’ve heard the Aeolian-Skinner organ play … now find out how it works! In this brief demo you’ll learn the four basic kinds of pipes, how wind pressure is regulated, and how the organist puts everything together, as well as why wooden louvers are so crucial to the organ sounding the way it does. You’ll also learn about the basics of designing an organ, and the practical reasons why this organ sounds more rich and full compared with our previous Reuter organ. Bring your questions!

You can participate in Derry’s 2022 “Growing in Grace and Gratitude” stewardship campaign by returning the Estimate of Giving card you received in the mail, or you can complete the card online. Go to derrypres.org/give and your 2022 estimate will be securely delivered to Sandy Miceli, our financial/office manager.

If you use online giving and the information you enter represents a change from 2021, please be sure to make adjustments on Derry Church’s online giving site. 

Stewardship Sunday is Nov 14 and giving estimates can also be submitted during both worship services that day.

DEPARTS DERRY CHURCH 12:45 PM WEDNESDAY, DEC 8 FOR 3 PM GARDENS ENTRY

This trip to Longwood Gardens begins in the daylight, then enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights as it gets dark. Cost is $23 per person. Please RSVP to Sue Whitaker, then send or take your check to the church payable to Darry Church and notated Longwood Gardens. Since we have to pay for the tickets in advance, once you sign up you are committed to attend. Payment is due by Nov 7. We hope to see you there!

Derry Church participants and supporters have raised $5,060 for the 2021 CROP Walk! All gifts are appreciated and 25% of the total benefits our local food banks in Hershey & Hummelstown. Thank you!

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 9/30/21

Notes from the treasurer:

• Contributions are about $30k behind 2020 and budget.
• Committee spending generally in line with or under budget. 
• Cash flow at 9/30 is about $50k lower than last year.

Family Promise of Harrisburg Capitol Region works to transform the lives of families experiencing homelessness. It’s Derry Church’s turn to provide meals for these families staying at 56 Erford Road in Camp Hill during the week of Nov 7-13. 

Click here to sign up or contact Jane Robertson.

3-6 PM FRIDAY, NOV 12 • 8 AM-12 PM SATURDAY, NOV 13

Many hands needed to prepare the church grounds for the winter. Bring rakes, wheel barrows and leaf blowers. At least one pick up trip is also needed each day. 

Do you have any Christmas or winter-themed home & garden magazines to spare? They’re needed for a youth art project that will depict homes and families during the winter months, especially the Christmas season. Drop magazines in the designated basket between the doors at the Mansion Road/office entrance.

Lend A Hand is taking a work crew to New Bern, NC from Nov 14-20 to help repair flood-damaged homes through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Cost of the trip is $175 per person, which covers transportation, food at the site, and lodging. Proof of COVID vaccination is required and masks must be worn for all inside work. Applications available online. Questions? Contact Pete Feil (717-566-8250).

• Presbyterian Women observe Orange Day on the 25th of each month to highlight the exploitation of females around the world. This month is focused on Afghanistan and those working to provide escape routes for females and families wanting to leave. “Islamic Rule” gives evidences of hunger, fear, disrespect, non-permission to work, a ban on women in public places, an education ban and dismantling of co-educational institutes, no participation of women in the formation of interim Taliban cabinet, and many more rights violations. These are some of the examples that will make Afghan women suffer more under Taliban rule. On Monday, wear orange or an orange ribbon to show support for the females of Afghanistan and people who are trying to improve the lives of females there.
• Fifty hygiene bags were delivered to the Domestic Violence Center in September. Thanks to everyone who contributed items to fill the bags.
• The Synod PW Mission Project for this year is the prison ministry of Rev. Stanley in Malawi. He serves eight prisons by carrying the work of God, bringing supplies of food, water, soap, and treasured aspirin as well as supplies for infants incarcerated with their mothers. He has also bought coffins and paid for funerals. He needs a truck to haul supplies and prisoners released or in need of medical attention. PW in Derry has sent $700 towards this purchase.