News

Are You the Proud Parent of a High School or College Grad?

Derry Church wants to celebrate with you! In preparation for Graduate Recognition Sunday on May 23, the church office needs information on all those graduating from high school and college by Sunday, May 16. Please send the following details to Sue George: name(s) of the graduate(s) and their parent(s); school graduating from, school attending in the fall and anticipated course of study or the graduate’s future plans. 

NEW! Sign Up for Derry Church Text Alerts

Derry’s Communications & Technology Committee invites you to sign up for text message notifications to help you stay connected with Derry Church. Sign up below for the notifications you want to receive. You’ll be asked to fill out a simple form, then you’re all set: 

Click this link or text Derry to 717-820-9060 to sign up for general Derry Church reminders and updates. You can expect two or three texts per week.

Click this link or text Tech to 717-820-9060 to sign up for a weekly Tech Time reminder and occasional tech news of interest to the group.

It’s Spring Cleaning Time!

In recent weeks the staff has been hard at work rearranging furniture, sorting books, cleaning out closets and generally tidying up classrooms and spaces as we prepare for activities and programs this summer and fall. In your own spring cleaning, if you come across something you think the church might be able to use, please check with Pastor Stephen before dropping it off. You’re welcome to bring canned goods for the Hershey Food Bank, personal care items for Love INC, calendars and stickers for the Community Check-Up Center, and any items PW has requested. Thanks, Derry!

Birthday Offering Provides a New Roof to Shelter Vibrant Ministry in Georgia

Memorial Drive Ministries, Inc.

The Birthday Offering of Presbyterian Women celebrates our history of generous giving.  Launched in 1922, the Birthday Offering has become an annual tradition.  It has funded over 200 major mission projects that continue to impact people in the United States and around the world. While projects and donation amounts have changed over the almost 100 years, Presbyterian Women’s commitment to improving the lives of women and children has not changed.

The second project for 2021 is Memorial Drive Ministries in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Located in a most diverse square mile of North America, Memorial Drive Ministries provides a welcoming environment for the vibrant ministries there. The $77,061 grant from the Birthday Offering provides a desperately needed roof to replace the one that leaks onto the gymnasium floor where sewing, karate, dance, frisbee, badminton, basketball and other after-school activities take place. With a new roof, Memorial Drive Ministries can continue to provide a place of welcome to diverse worshipping communities and innovative community services.

Your continued support will allow PW to fund next year’s projects. You can give online, or mail checks to the church. You can give online or mail checks to the church. Together let us lovingly plant and tend seeds of promise so that programs and ministries can grow and flourish.

Session Approves Phase 2 COVID Plan

On April 21, Session voted to maintain the 60-person limit for worship services and move to Phase 2 in our regathering plan, with in-person Sunday school returning in the fall. The Derry Brass can practice and record for worship services with safety protocols in place. Session also approved outdoor worship services once a month through the summer starting at 7 pm Tuesday, May 11.

April 2021 Financial Snapshot

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 3/31/21

    ACTUAL     BUDGETED
Income YTD:       $362,504       $312,500
Expenses YTD:    267,641         329,848
Surplus/(Deficit) YTD:          94,863         (17,348)

Notes from the treasurer:

  • Contributions are in line with 2020.
  • Mission & Peace is spending ahead of last year but is in line with budget.
  • Per capita is not yet paid, and insurance was paid in 2020, reducing S&F and Admin compared to 2020.
  • Cash flow at 3/31 is about $50K ahead of last year.

Mother’s Day Cards & More

Looking for lovely handmade Mother’s Day cards? Look no farther than these $2 beauties created by Claudia Holtzman. Cards for all occasions are available outside the church office: pay at the box next to the container of cards. All proceeds support scholarships for Presbyterian Education Board students in Pakistan.

PW Birthday Offering

The Birthday Offering of Presbyterian Women celebrates our history of generous giving. Launched in 1922, the Birthday Offering has become an annual tradition. It has funded over 200 major mission projects that continue to impact people in the United States and around the world. While projects and donation amounts have changed over the years, Presbyterian Women’s commitment to improving the lives of women and children has not changed.

The first project for 2021 is the Garden Gate Ranch, Inc. in Des Moines, Iowa. This location provides safe housing and restorative and transitional services for sexually exploited women and their children. The $150,000 grant from the Birthday Offering will assist in building an education center for programming, therapeutic services and vocational education on this large campus.

 As we establish a “new normal,” your continued support will allow PW to fund next year’s projects. You can give online or mail checks to the church. Together let us lovingly plant and tend seeds of promise so that programs and ministries can grow and flourish.

Softball Season Begins May 2


7-9 PM SUNDAY, MAY 2 AT VETERANS PARK, ELMERTON AVENUE, HARRISBURG

Derry’s co-ed softball team opens its 2021 season next month. Men and women age 16 and older are welcome to play on Derry’s recreational softball team. Please call or text coach Keri Miller for more information.

April Updates from Presbyterian Women

  • Join the PW Spring Gathering to learn about the last USA Mission Experience trip to the Finger Lakes region of New York from Martha Manning, exploring strong women and their influence on history. The Zoom meeting will start at 10 am Saturday, April 18 with devotions and a brief business meeting. Contact Sue Mummert to request login information.
  • Those who have one of the kits to make 10 hygiene bags for the Domestic Violence Center: please return bags and any unfinished materials to the church by May 2.

Cooking Classes & More Support Friends of Presbyterian Education Board

Click here to learn more about three online cooking classes that will show you how to make authentic Pakistani foods like samosas, traditional rice pilau and Nankhatai shortbread cookies! Also available are fair trade cooking bundles to complete the experience. Fun for the whole family and a great wait to learn more about classic Pakistani foods. Proceeds benefit Friends of PEB.