Month: December 2021
Christmas Eve at Derry Church
December 23, 2021Christmas Eve brings three opportunities to worship in the Sanctuary:
- Join Pastor Stephen and the Derry Brass at 2:30 pm for worship with communion
- At 5 pm, bring the family for a service led by Pastor Pam, Pastor Stephen and M.E. Steelman
- Our Sanctuary Choir and Derry Ringers sing and ring in Christmas at 7:30 pm in a service led by Pastor Marie and Pastor Pam, with organ prelude starting at 7:15 pm
Child care is available at the 2:30 pm and 5 pm services. The lounge has been designated a candle-free zone.
Click here to view and download the Christmas Eve bulletin
Click here to join the 5 pm live stream
Click here to join the 7:30 pm live stream
Face masks are required indoors at Derry Church. With the coronavirus variant on the rise, social distancing and use of hand sanitizer (available throughout the building) is recommended.
Rev. Stephen McKinney-Whitaker • Pastor
December 23, 2021
Last Christmas … it seems longer than a year ago. So much has changed over the course of the past year. It’s felt like a roller coaster of changing situations, emotions, challenges, and blessings. Last Christmas we weren’t able to gather together as we’ve done so many times before. Last Christmas was the first Christmas of its kind for most of us; participating in virtual Christmas Eve services, not traveling to be with family, opening presents on Zoom. This Christmas may be different for you, it may be brand new, or it may be much like last Christmas, but every Christmas IS last Christmas.
“Every Christmas is last Christmas.” I didn’t get it when I first heard it on an episode of Doctor Who several years ago, but I do now. Every Christmas is a last Christmas.
Perhaps looking back you’ve realized that last Christmas was your last Christmas: last Christmas with a loved one, last Christmas in a home, last Christmas when your child made you a present, or your last Christmas together.
This Christmas is going to be last Christmas. We know it will be the last Christmas we are blessed with Pastor Marie as one of our pastors leading us in worship, but we can’t know all the things that may change over the next year to make it last Christmas. The same is true for each of us. We may have an idea of how this may be a last Christmas because you may be aware of transitions in your own life, but we can never know the full extent of change a year can bring. But we do know change is inevitable: it will be last Christmas. Enjoy it, love it, cherish it, and take it all in. Every Christmas is last Christmas.
And yet every Christmas is also first Christmas. Do you remember your first Christmas as a couple, in a new home or city, with a new child, even your first Christmas at Derry? Last Christmas was also first Christmas: the first Christmas pre-recording services and having livestream only, the first Christmas with Pastor Pam and Grant, and for me it was the first Christmas as a family of four. This Christmas will also be first Christmas. This is Derry’s first Christmas with our new organ, it’s the first Christmas for Pastor Pam and Grant as we gather together in the sanctuary and for Eric Riley as our Artist-in-Residence. It’s the first Christmas at Derry for new members, even the first Christmas we’ve decorated with purple poinsettias.
Christmas is a microcosm of the changes in our lives. There will always be lasts and there will always be firsts. We will mourn and miss; we will change and cheer. Things will end and new things will begin as they have at Derry for nearly 300 years. Just imagine all the lasts and all the firsts this place has seen since Scots-Irish pioneers first chose to worship under the oaks in 1724.
The year ahead will be no different. There will be lasts and there will be firsts. Some things will come to an end, but new and exciting things will begin. My favorite Scripture is 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ there is a new creation, the old life has passed away and the new life has come.” I experience that every Christmas, every year, every day, and so does Derry. It’s one of the many ways the Gospel fills me with hope. God says to us again and again, “Look, I am doing a new thing (Isa. 43:19).” While I know this Christmas will be last Christmas, I can hold on to the hope of first Christmas. And while this year will be the last year, it will also be a new year and a first year.
So together, let’s make this Christmas and the coming year special. Let’s honor the lasts and celebrate the firsts in faith and thanksgiving. God is doing something new in our lives and at Derry. I can’t wait to discover it with you.
December 2021 Session Highlights
December 22, 2021- Installation and ordination of incoming church officers is scheduled for January 9, 2022.
- Steven Guenther presented the Treasurer’s report which showed that giving in November was less than projected. Committee spending is generally in line with or under budget.
- The Session has been discussing whether to loosen restrictions for wearing masks at the 8 AM Sunday service. Given the current unknown effect of the Omicron variant and the increase in hospitalizations locally, no changes were proposed at this meeting. This topic will continue to be reviewed at future meetings.
- Duncan Campbell, Chairman of the Stewardship & Finance Committee, presented Derry’s 2022 proposed budget. After review, Session approved the proposed 2022 Operating Budget in the amount of $1,250,000 projected revenue and $1,293,937 projected expenses.
- The Session also reviewed and approved the 2022 Rental Committee’s budget for income and expenses relative to the 275 Mansion Road and 233-235 East Derry Road properties.
- An amendment to the “Covenant of Agreement for Pastoral Relationships-Temporary Pastor” with Rev. Dr. Marie L. Buffaloe was approved which permits Pastor Marie to reduce her hours to half time beginning January, 2022 with an associated salary adjustment.
- The building used as the “Scout House” is in need of repairs to preserve its structural integrity. The Buildings & Grounds committee submitted a Capital Procurement Requisition to use $25,000 from the Futures Fund to cover these repairs. This proposal will be reviewed by Derry’s committees and voted upon at the Session’s January meeting.
- The Session reviewed and approved a submission from the Building & Grounds Committee to the Stabler Foundation for a grant to assist with cemetery restorations. Thank you to Bill Alexander for his work in preparing the grant request.
- A contribution from HERCO to the repairs previously made to Derry’s Session House glass enclosure was reviewed and accepted.
- Special 2022 Offerings/Fundraisers as submitted by Presbyterian Women were reviewed and approved.
- Due to staffing shortages, Derry Discovery Days requested approval to fill a substitute teacher position. The Session approved the hiring of Haily Radnor as a substitute teacher.
- Communion dates for 2022 were reviewed and approved.
- A big “thank you” was extended to those Ruling Elders finishing their terms for their dedication and leadership over the past three years.
Holiday Schedule Changes
December 22, 2021- No 8 am worship or KIWI on Dec 26
- No 11-Minute Lessons on Dec 26 and Jan 2
- No Tech Time on Monday, Dec 27
- Church office closed Monday & Tuesday, Dec 27 & 28
- No evening worship on Tuesday, Dec 28 or Jan 4
- No eNews next Thursday, Dec 30: newsletter returns Jan 6, 2022
- Church school and youth group resumes Sunday, Jan 9
- Kids In Christ Club resumes Tuesday, Jan 11
2022 Lend-A-Hand Work Trip
December 22, 2021
JAN 16-22 TO NEW BERN, NC
This fall 12 volunteers helped repair four occupied homes damaged by Hurricanes Mathew (2016) and Florence (2018), but there is more work to be done to help families devastated by storm damage. For a trip application, to make a donation, or for more information go to lendahand.net or call 717-731-8888. Cost of the Jan trip is $175, which includes room, board, and transportation.
Epiphany is Coming… and so are Star Gifts!
December 22, 2021Come to worship at 8 or 10:30 am on Epiphany Sunday, Jan 2 to worship and to choose a star gift for 2022! Baskets of stars will be at the Chapel and Sanctuary entrances. Choose a star gift and reflect on that word for the coming year. Take it home and hang it up where you can see it every day. Ponder what significance this word might have in your life, and how God might be speaking to you through that simple message.
Where Do Your Mission Gifts Go? One Place is Stop the Violence
December 22, 2021On Dec 16, members of Derry Church’s Mission & Peace Committee visited Stop the Violence (STV) to deliver gift cards, hats and mittens, toys, and canned food that was collected at the Dec 5 drive-thru. This long-time mission partner is a Harrisburg non-profit dedicated to providing counseling for women of domestic violence, as well as food, clothing, gifts, and school supplies to community residents in need.
Stop the Violence, led by Rev. Mim Harvey, offers many outreach projects and programs including:
- A back-to-school drive that provides children with new backpacks and school supplies
- Thanksgiving turkey baskets – more than 120 – for families in need. STV also provided food to three other local churches with needy families.
- Deliveries of soup, crackers, and homemade cookies to elderly people to spread love and brighten spirits.
- New coats, toys, and food to 100+ children so that they could have a joyful and warm holiday season. Santa also visited the children on a fire truck!
- A shelter in Steelton that currently houses three people. The shelter has recently been renovated but still requires some additional care. STV has asked for a new fence to ensure the safety of the children living there, flower boxes to beautify the location, and children’s play equipment (playhouse, swings, etc) to make the shelter not only safe, but a nice place to live.
- A food bank (open twice a month) that also fulfills emergency calls for food and supplies.
- Encouraging and assisting members of the community with COVID vaccines.
Pam Whitenack • Elder and Chair, 300th Anniversary Committee
December 16, 2021
Derry Church has had the opportunity to connect with many amazing people over the years. Our church family has benefited from learning from world-class theologians, musicians, and composers, as well as world political leaders. How Derry was able to connect with these remarkable people is often serendipitous.
In 1998 Derry Church began making plans to celebrate its 275th anniversary the following year. Reverend David Birch (retired) who had served as Derry’s interim pastor before Reverend Dick Houtz was called and who regularly worshipped at Derry, served as the 275th Anniversary Committee chair. Remarkably, one of Dave Birch’s neighbors was Tom Foley, who was active not only in Pennsylvania politics but was also deeply interested and involved in efforts to bring peace to Northern Ireland, something that he begun during a graduate fellowship at University College Dublin back in 1975-1976. He later took a two-year leave from Yale Law School in 1979-1981 to serve as a full-time volunteer with the Nobel Prize-winning organization Peace People in Belfast. Following law school, Tom worked with two US Speakers of the House, Tip O’Neill and Tom Foley (no relation), and for Senator Joe Biden on Irish issues in Washington. When Northern Irish peace leaders traveled to the United States, Tom Foley was often called on to host them during their visits.
That neighborhood friendship led to some amazing opportunities for Derry’s heritage trip. Throughout his life, Tom Foley had worked closely with leaders of the Corrymeela Community, a peace and reconciliation group dedicated to bringing all sides of the political conflict to the table. As part of the Derry Heritage Tour, plans were made to stay at Corrymeela to learn more about its work.
Tom Foley also helped Derry connect with the world events. John Hume, the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize winner, had been invited to be a speaker at the March 1999 Congressional Retreat that was held at the Hershey Lodge. Hume, a Roman Catholic, along with David Trimble, a Protestant, won the Nobel prize for their efforts to bring peace to Northern Ireland. Their work resulted in the Good Friday Peace Agreement, signed on April 10, 1998. The agreement ended most of the violence of the ‘Troubles,’ the political conflict in Northern Ireland that had ensued since the late 1960s. The agreement was a major development in the Northern Ireland peace process of the 1990s.
John Hume was a native of Derry, Northern Ireland. During his March 1999 visit to Hershey, he became aware that ‘Derry’ was the name of the township and this piqued his curiosity. His host, Tom Foley, told him about Derry Church and the origins of the township name. Tom brought John Hume over to Derry Church so that he could learn more about the history of our church. They had an impromptu meeting with Pastor Dick Houtz and Pastor Marie Buffaloe under the oak trees by the cemetery. When John Hume learned of our plans to visit Derry (Northern Ireland) he wanted to know the schedule so that he could meet and worship with the group when they visited the First Presbyterian Church (in Derry).
When the travel group arrived in Derry, they were met not only by John Hume, but also the Mayor of Derry, who joined them for Sunday worship and then hosted the travel group at Derry City Hall following worship. It was a truly memorable event for the Derry Church travel group, made possible by a chance, serendipitous meeting.
December 2021 Financial Snapshot
December 15, 2021Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 11/30/21
| ACTUAL | BUDGETED | |
| Income YTD: | $1,117,244 | $1,145,833 |
| Expenses YTD: | 1,051,494 | 1,209,421 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) YTD: | 65,750 | (63,588) |
Notes from the treasurer:
- Contributions are about $45K behind 2020, but contributions have been variable in the second half of the year
- Committee spending generally in line with or under budget.
- Cash flow at 11/30 is $35K behind last year
Christmas Joy Offering
December 15, 2021This month and on Christmas Eve, Derry Church is receiving the Christmas Joy Offering, a cherished Presbyterian tradition since the 1930s. Half of what’s received this year will be given to Church World Services Lancaster to aid in the resettlement of Afghan refugees in our area. Many families have already been resettled in the area with nothing but the clothes on their back. CWS needs our support to help these families start life again here in Central Pennsylvania.
The remaining half will benefit the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. The Assistance Program provides critical financial support to church workers and their families. Presbyterian-related schools and colleges provide education and leadership development while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage. This has been a Presbyterian commitment for nearly 140 years.
Support the Christmas Joy Offering by giving online or writing checks payable to Derry Church and noting “Christmas Joy” on the memo line. Thanks, Derry!
Presbyterians Impacted By and Responding to Weekend Tornado Outbreak
December 15, 2021The catastrophic destruction of Mayfield, Kentucky is one of the harrowing stories the Rev. Jim Kirk, Associate for National Disaster Response for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), heard about over the weekend following a severe weather outbreak that impacted nearly a dozen presbyteries Friday night and early Saturday morning.
“There’s an incredible number of people who have been displaced, because their home has either been heavily damaged or destroyed,” Kirk said. “So, sheltering is going to be a significant need. This will be an event that will require a long-term response for the rebuilding — just an incredible amount of emotional, spiritual care needs, given the number of fatalities and injuries.” Read more and give generously to PDA through Derry Church.
NEW! Noontime Organ Recitals in the Sanctuary Begin Jan 4
December 15, 2021
12:00-12:30 PM TUESDAYS, JAN 4, 11, 18 & 25 IN THE SANCTUARY
Just as every organ is unique, every organist makes an instrument sound slightly different. Come and enjoy a series of noontime organ recitals every week in January, beginning on Jan 4 with Shawn Gingrich, Director of Music at First United Methodist Church, Hershey. In coming weeks you can look forward to hearing Eric Riley, Dan Dorty, and Grant Wareham play Derry’s Aeolian-Skinner Op. 1132.
Read This if You Use Derry Church’s Online Giving Portal
December 15, 2021Thank you for using Derry Church’s convenient online giving platform, Vanco Payment Solutions. The platform has been upgraded recently, so if you have not visited the site for a few months, you will need to refresh your account by adding your payment preferences (credit card/bank ACH). When you complete this task, the site will update your account and you will be able make changes to any scheduled payments.
This helpful guide can assist you through this process. If you have questions as you update your information, you’re welcome to reach out to Sandy Miceli (717-533-9667) for assistance.
If you are making a change to your pledge for 2022, you will need to will need to apply that adjustment in your Vanco account. Thank you for your ongoing support to Derry Presbyterian Church.
Note of Thanks
December 15, 2021To the church family of Derry Presbyterian Church, thank you so much for your generous investment in our students by covering the cost of the field trip to the Oakes Museum at Messiah University. Your generosity enabled our students to enjoy an enriching experience learning about bears, big cats, and other animals in North American and African habitats. For many of our students, this was the first time to ride on a bus or cross “the river.” They were truly mesmerized by that experience, before we even arrived at the museum. Your partnership with Logos Academy Harrisburg over these last several years has been so very encouraging. Your investment is a significant part of what enables us to provide a quality, Christ-centered, private school education for our students, many of whom would never have such an opportunity. Andy Phillips, CEO/Head of School, Logos Academy Harrisburg
Susquehanna Chorale Presents “A Candlelight Christmas” Concert
December 15, 20218 PM FRIDAY, DEC 17 AT HIGH CENTER/PARMER HALL/MESSIAH UNIVERSITY • 8 PM SAT DEC 18 AT ELIZABETHTOWN CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN • 4 PM SUN DEC 19 AT MARKET SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HARRISBURG • TICKETS
The Susquehanna Chorale honors the sacred mystery of the season with Gustav Holst’s “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence,” Egil Hovland’s “The Glory of the Father,” and Matthew Culloton’s “In Dulci Jubilo.” Other musical treats include a new work by Dan Forrest commissioned for the Chorale’s 40th anniversary, Mack Wilburg’s “Christmas is Coming” and Gordon Langford’s “Jingle Bells.” Two of our Sanctuary Choir members sing with the Chorale: look for Greg Harris and Janice Click Holl in this premier 39-member ensemble.
Join a Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic in June 2022
December 15, 2021Make your plans now to join Derry members from June 11-19, 2022, as they return to the Dominican Republic with Bridges to Community to build a new home and do Bible school activities. Those aged 14 or 15 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
All participants MUST have proof of full vaccination prior to the trip. Cost of the trip is $1,300, a special re-introductory price. Application and full payment are due by March 6, 2022. Oak Fund grants to cover up to half the cost are available.
Sign up on the Mission and Peace bulletin board in the Narthex near the nursery. For more information, contact Pete Feil.
Learn How to Make a Moravian Star
December 8, 2021Make a Fleece Blanket and Bring Warmth and Hope to Someone in Need
December 8, 202111:30 AM – 12:30 PM SUNDAY, JAN 9 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL
The Christian Education and Mission & Peace committees invite you to join them for an hour to make warm fleece blankets for people in need. No sewing skills required: if you can tie a knot, you can make a blanket! Donations of fleece fabric are welcome: to make one blanket, you need two pieces of fleece in two-yard lengths. Blankets made last year were shared with Stop the Violence in Steelton.
“These Days” Devotional Booklets Make Great Stocking Stuffers
December 8, 2021The January-March issue of “These Days: Daily Devotions for Living by Faith” is now available for pickup at the office and courtyard entrances. Take one for yourself, give some to those you love this Christmas season.
Community Churches Offer Services of Comfort and Hope
December 8, 2021If it’s not convenient for you to attend or live stream Derry’s Longest Night service at 7 pm Tuesday, Dec 21, consider attending one of these comforting services offered by our church neighbors:
Blue Christmas: A Service of Hope
2 pm Sunday, Dec 19 at Palm Lutheran Church, 11 W. Cherry St. in Palmyra
Prayers, scripture and music that acknowledges God’s presence is for those who mourn and for those who struggle, and that God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness. Followed by fellowship and light refreshments.
Longest Night: A Blue Christmas Service of Remembrance
3 pm Sunday, Dec 19 at First United Methodist Church, 102 W. Chocolate Ave. in Hershey
A worship gathering in the darkness of the winter solstice especially for those experiencing loss, grief, or other pain amidst the joy of Christmas. The service will include a litany with candles, reflection, and prayers.
Winter Reading Opportunities
December 8, 2021The Monday evening study group will gather at 7 pm on Zoom to discuss the following books:
JAN 6: “Stolen: The Astonishing Odyssey of Five Boys Along the Reverse Underground Railroad” by Richard Bell. Discussion led by Eleanor Schneider.
FEB 7: “The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth” by Sam Quinones. Discussion led by Chris Gawron.
Faithful Readers will gather at 2 pm Sunday afternoons on Zoom to discuss these books:
DEC 19: “Christmas: A Candid History” by Bruce David Forbes
JAN 9: “Two Old Women” by Velma Wallis
FEB 13: “Every Heart a Doorway” by Seanan McGuire
Andrew Mashas • Faith-Based Engagement Specialist, CWS Lancaster
December 2, 2021Editor’s Note: On the first Thursday of each month, the eNews feature article highlights the mission focus for the month. In December we’re lifting up a recipient of this year’s Christmas Joy Offering, Church World Service Lancaster. You can find the current month’s mission focus in the Joys & Concerns section of the weekly eNews.
Church World Service (CWS) Lancaster continues to help resettle refugee families from around the world to the Central Pennsylvania area. After strong travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we started receiving families back in May 2020. Since then, we have received 92 individuals (consisting of 16 families and some individuals) from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, Myanmar, and most recently, Afghanistan.
After a 20-year military occupation in Afghanistan, the longest running war in American history concluded at the beginning of September. What ensued was the largest humanitarian evacuation in American history. Over 65,000 individuals from Afghanistan were airlifted out of the Kabul airport after the Taliban regime overtook the capital city in 11 days. Those Afghan families were then taken to various military bases across the United States. From there they have been processed for resettlement with the nine resettlement agencies in the US, and CWS is one of them.
CWS Lancaster has begun to receive some families from Afghanistan to the Lancaster area, and we plan on helping to resettle many more over the coming months. The Presidential Determination (the amount of refugees allowed in the US in any given federal fiscal year) was set at 125,000 allowed into the United States beyond the 65,000 from Afghanistan.
This clearly presents not just a challenge, but an opportunity. This dramatic increase in refugee arrivals, after several years of federal budget cuts, has prompted CWS to open a satellite office in the Harrisburg area. We hope to open the office and to start resettling families to the Dauphin and Cumberland County areas in January 2022. This will give CWS the ability to service and resettle more refugee clients to the Tri-County area than ever before. And we can only do this work with the continued support of the local faith community, mobilizing churches to be a welcoming presence for all who want to start new lives in America after fleeing from violence and war.
CWS, along with churches like Derry Presbyterian, continue to form sponsorship groups (called Welcome Teams) for small groups of people to walk along side of our refugee friends and neighbors during their resettlement and integration period. This program lasts for approximately six months as families look to get settled to the area, learn a new language, enroll their children in school, secure housing and employment, and continue to flourish in our community.
We are so thankful for churches like Derry Presbyterian for their willingness to walk alongside CWS in this exciting time. The goal is to serve as many refugee families as we can with dignity and compassion, love and grace as God calls us to continue to welcome the stranger in our midst.
Pastor Marie Announces Her Retirement as of March 2022
December 1, 2021An eBlast on Nov 29, 2021 and a mailing sent this week brought news to the congregation that Pastor Marie Buffaloe will retire on March 31, 2022.
Click here to watch her video announcement.
Click here to read letters from Pastor Marie and Pastor Stephen that provide more information.
Pastor Marie has richly blessed all of us in her 25 years of ministry at Derry Church. Plans are under way to celebrate Marie and her ministry next year.
Ice Cream Gift Cards are Perfect for Gift-Giving – and Supporting our Preschool!
December 1, 2021
Looking for that perfect stocking stuffer, teacher gift or coach thank-you? Consider Fox Meadows Creamery Gift Cards! Your purchase of gift cards in any amount will benefit Derry Discovery Days Preschool.
Fox Meadows Creamery in Ephrata offers farm fresh ice cream and dairy treats as well as delicious lunch items. It has won Best Ice Cream of Lancaster for many years. Discovery Days will earn 25% of all gift card sales now through Dec 13.
To purchase gift cards, send Laura Cox an email that includes how many gift cards and their dollar value. Make checks payable to Derry Presbyterian Church notated “Creamery Gift Cards” and return to Laura Cox’s mailbox by Monday, Dec 13. Your gift cards will be available for pick up later that week at the church.