News

March Updates from Presbyterian Women


Orange Day is Thursday, Mar 25, an opportunity to raise awareness of exploitation of females and to recognize those who are working to end it. In 2020, ecumenical Fellowship of the Least Coin project grants included two in Zambia: Chiseke Women Development Center in Lusaka and Hope Volunteers Women Empowerment. The first group encourages independence and self-employment in girl-children who are heads of households, as well as in guardians of orphans and vulnerable children of poor women. The second empowers widows, orphans and vulnerable children with a permanent place to call home so they do not have to live with or depend on people who sexually abuse or exploit them. Wear orange or an orange ribbon to show your support.

Spring Gathering of PW of Carlisle Presbytery: 10 am Saturday, April 17 on Zoom. Contact Sue Mummert, moderator, to have login information emailed you; include “PW gathering registration” in the subject line. Martha Manning will share her experience on the USAME trip to the Finger Lakes region of New York, where she learned about strong women and their influence on history. Suggested reading: Seneca Falls and the Origins of Women’s Rights Movement by Sally G. McMillen; Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom by Catherine Clinton; Born Criminal by Matilda Joslyn Gage, and Radical Suffragist by Angelica Shirley Carpenter.

Spring Reading Opportunities

The Monday evening study group will Zoom at 7 pm. Contact the church office for login info:

  • APR 5: Caste, The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
  • MAY 3The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi


Faithful Readers will Zoom at 9:15 am Sundays. Contact the church office for login info:

  • MAR 21: The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey
  • APR 18: Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now by Maya Angelou

Download the complete Faithful Readers list for 2020-21 and check out the Faithful Readers’ Facebook Group.

Books are available in the church library: contact Teresa to borrow a copy.

Register Now: Krislund Camp Summer Programs for All Ages

It’s time to sign up for summer 2021 Krislund Camp day, residential, and family camp programs! Check out the Krislund website for information or download a summer camp brochure.

Krislund is now hiring interns, program staff and counselors. Working at Krislund cultivates oral communication skills, critical thinking and problem solving, interpersonal and leadership skills, collaborative skills, and creativity. All positions are paid and include meals and housing. 

Have questions or want to learn more from Derry folks well-connected to Krislund? Reach out to Valerie Minnich, Harold Nightwine, or Pastor Pam who is serving on Krislund’s board. 

Sign up for the Krislund Corner newsletter

Hershey Ministerium Offers Lenten Virtual Worship Services

For more than 70 years, Hershey Ministerium churches offered mid-week worship and luncheons for the community during Lent. This year, churches are taking turns offering virtual worship services that will be available by 12 pm each Wednesday. Find links at the websites listed below:

Feb 17: St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Service on YouTube

Feb 24: Derry Presbyterian Church
Click to watch the Lenten service led by Pastor Marie

Mar 3:  Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Click to watch this week’s service on Facebook

Mar 10: Zion Lutheran Church, Hummelstown
Click for a mid-week reflection and conversation with The Rev. David J. Schreffler, Pastor, Zion, Hummelstown; The Rev. Ursula Schreffler, Zion, Union Deposit; and The Rev. Martha Boyd, St. John’s, Hoernerstown

Mar 17: Church of the Redeemer UCC 
Click to watch on YouTube

Mar 24: First United Methodist Church
Click to watch on YouTube

Mar 31: Spring Creek Church of the Brethren
https://www.springcreekcob.org

Hershey High School’s Online Musical Includes Derry Youth in Cast & Crew

7:30 PM FRI & SAT, MAR 19 & 20

Enjoy an online performance of “Anastasia: The Musicial” this weekend! Click this link to purchase a streaming ticket for your household, then you will receive an email with streaming information for the performance you’ve selected. Ticket cost is $16.50. 

Look for these participants from Derry Church:

Hattie Gavazzi – The Dowager Empress
Mayangela Speicher – Ensemble
Katie Bortel – Swan Lake Dancer and Dance Ensemble
Emma Taylor – Stage Crew
Ethan Barna – Tech Crew Leader
Mei Mei Barna – Tech Crew
Emma Burke – Pit Orchestra (Horn)

Notes of Thanks

Thank you to everyone who sent me cards and notes on the occasion of my 10th year as Clerk of Session. I am humbled by the many kind words of thanks and appreciation. It has been my honor to serve Derry in this way and to have had the privilege of working with our dedicated staff and members who gladly serve as Elders and Deacons. May God continue to watch and guide us as we work to proclaim God’s word, share God’s love and practice God’s justice. Love and peace to all, Kathy Yingst

I have received several cards and notes from Derry people, so please pass the word that I am home. I am wheelchair-bound but working to regain my mobility. God is good and His healing power is amazing. We give thanks! Herb Fowler

Derry friends, thank you so much for the cards, phone calls, meals, thoughts and prayers during the last several weeks. We really appreciated all the kindness that was shared by so many of you. It has been a very rough time with my parents (Harry & Betty Eberly) dying so close together. We used to do weekly dinners with them & daily phone calls — I really miss those times now. God has given us strength to get through these difficulties times and He will help us as times goes. God bless you! Teresa & Bill Hutcheson and Doug & Dee Eberly

Morning Meditations for Lent

Derry Church staff (and some special guests) return with a new video series for Lent! The first video posted on Ash Wednesday, and new Lenten video meditations will be added every weekday morning on Facebook, Instagram and our YouTube channel. Click here to access the YouTube playlist, and join us as we journey with Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem to experience the reality of God’s redeeming grace.

What’s the Plan for Holy Week and Easter?

We’re making plans for virtual and in-person services at 7 pm on Maundy Thursday, April 1 and 7 pm on Good Friday, April 2, as well as in-person and virtual services on Easter Sunday, April 4.

When Session meets on March 17, the Elders will review and vote on updated regathering recommendations from the COVID Task Force. With Session approval, details and registration links for in-person worship services in April will be included in the March 18 eNews. 

Mission Madness is Back: Get Ready to Make Your Picks!

Director’s cut! This Mission Madness extended video features Pete Steelman and more friends inviting you to participate in Derry’s Mission Madness V tournament and fundraiser.

Mission Madness officially launched during the March 7 worship service, and the video above is a long version of what was shown during the service. Follow this link to set up your bracket, and on March 14 you may begin selecting your teams.

Proceeds will help to fund scholarships for Sargodha School students in Pakistan. A suggested $10 donation per entry can be made on the church’s secure online giving portal: select “Pakistan Scholarships.”

A trophy and engraved plaque for the overall winner will be presented next month, as well as multiple engraved medals for winners of subgroups (Best Youth, Best in Staff, Best on Session, Best in Music etc). And yes, you can also look forward to Pete’s traditional email updates, nicknames, and jovial banter that recaps the action after every round of games.

Questions? Contact Pete Steelman.

Epistemology and the Search for Truth: Week 6

Week #6 of Pastor Stephen’s class, “Epistemology and the Search for Truth.” We need to understand the method of inquiry and evaluating an argument or even a fact. Where does the fact come from, is it only a partial fact, what is the context of the fact, who is presenting the fact and what is their agenda. Critical thinking is necessary in our pursuit of any kind of truth.