Month: November 2022

Derry Church teams deliver meals to homebound residents in Derry Township every Friday. The greatest need is for a driver on the second Friday of each month, but other Friday teams can also use support – or let us know if you’d prefer to be added to the list as an occasional substitute.

Deliveries begin at 8:30 am at the Church of the Redeemer United Church of Christ on Chocolate Ave in Hershey, and take about an hour. Click here to read more about how Derry Church participates in the program. For more information and to volunteer, contact Mary Day.

1-2 PM MONDAY, DEC 19 ON ZOOM: CLICK TO JOIN

For its last Zoom gathering in 2022, the Tech Time crew invites you to join them for a discussion with Ofc. Kevin M. Leiss of the Derry Township Police Department. Officer Leiss conducts digital forensic examinations at the police department, and works with a variety of cybercrime cases. He will talk about some of the things to look out for with regard to scams and good internet practice, and answer your questions. 

7:30 AM WEDNESDAY, DEC 7 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

Men, it’s time for the return of Derry’s monthly men’s breakfast! Charlie Koch and friends look forward to bringing back this long-standing tradition of a delicious hot cooked breakfast served with great fellowship and a brief devotion. It would be very helpful to know how many men are planning to attend: please RSVP to Charlie by Monday, Dec 5.

DEC 5-14 AT VARIOUS SITES IN HARRISBURG

Sign up to help at Paxton Presbyterian Women’s Santa Shops and you’ll be providing an opportunity for inner-city youth to select Christmas gifts for their family members. Derry Church has helped with this project in past years. The time commitment is 2 1/2 – 4 hours per shift, with starting times varying from 8:30 am – 6 pm.

The Santa Shops schedule is posted on the Presbyterian Women’s bulletin board opposite Fellowship Hall entrance #4. Teens are welcome to help. Sign up by emailing Barb Greenwood. Questions? Contact Doris Feil.

7:30 PM FRIDAY, DEC 16 AT MESSIAH UNIVERSITY, PARMER HALL
7:30 PM SATURDAY, DEC 17 AT ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE, LEFFLER CHAPEL
4 PM SUNDAY, DEC 18 AT MARKET SQUARE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HARRISBURG

Experience the magic of A Candlelight Christmas presented by the nationally acclaimed Susquehanna Chorale, a chamber ensemble comprised of 40 auditioned singers. Members of the Messiah University Brass will be featured in a performance of John Rutter’s inspirational three-movement Gloria. The Chorale will also sing Jim Clements’ Gabriel’s Message and Eric Whitacre’s hauntingly beautiful Lux Aurumque, along with an audience sing-along of Mack Wilberg’s Joy to the World with brass and organ. A pre-concert instrumental recital will be presented by the Messiah University Brass 15 minutes prior to each performance. A reception for the audience and singers follows each program.

Participating from Derry Church are singers Janice Click Holl and Greg Harris, and pianist/organist Dan Dorty. Click for tickets.

From Nov 27 – the first Sunday in Advent – through Sunday, Dec 11, Derry Church will be giving AND receiving! In the upstairs hallway, you can pick up our 2022 Advent devotional and support these Derry Church mission partners at designated stations in the narthex: 

1. $25 Walmart gift cards for workers at the Grantville Racetrack Ministry, or write a check to Derry Church notated RTM. Goal = 40 gift cards.
2. $25 Walmart gift cards for Derry Township Social Ministry families (Hershey Food Bank clients) to choose what they need most… or write a check to Derry Church notated DTSM. Goal = 60 gift cards.
3. A group of local musicians and visual artists have combined to produce a downloadable Christmas album of 33 songs, Joy to the Burg 2022, and a collection of eight holiday greeting cards. For a $20 donation, you can have the album, and for a $15 donation, you can have the greeting cards. Cash, or checks made out to “CCU,” are welcome. All proceeds go to Christian Churches United, which is the recipient of our 2022 Christmas Eve offering. 
4. Bethesda Mission is sponsoring a food drive to supply Christmas dinners for their clients. Derry’s goal = 25 cans of sweet potatoes/yams (40 ounces) and 25 boxes of brownie mix for their dinner fixings. 
5. Medical supplies for Christ Lutheran Church’s Medical Mission.
6. Pick up an Advent devotional booklet written by Derry members and staff, or click here to download a copy (PDF).
7. Drop off your coins for the Change 4 Children offering to benefit the Alliance for Children Everywhere in Zambia.

• Met with incoming officers to hear their faith statements. Ordination/installation of newly elected church officers will occur on Sunday, January 8, 2023.
• Approved a Capital Procurement Requisition submitted by the Communication & Technology Committee to upgrade our security firewall, wifi access points, and install zoom room capability in room 7. Funding for the security upgrades will be through the Capital Facilities Fund and the Zoom room will be through the Futures Fund.
• The Treasurer reported that 2022 contributions continue to be ahead of last year. The 2023 budget was reviewed along with an update on the status of pledge submissions. Over the next month, the budget will be finalized and submitted to the Session in December for approval.
• Approved a request from Derry Discovery Days to continue the sale of Fox Meadows Creamery gift cards as a fundraiser for new playground equipment.
• Reviewed the 2023 Terms of Call for Pastor Stephen and recommended forwarding them to the congregation for approval at the upcoming December 11 Congregational Meeting.
• Received the “Agreed-Upon Procedures” report from Boyer & Ritter, church accountants, for the review of Derry’s 2021 financial procedures. The report indicated that no exceptions were found.
• The Mission & Peace committee will be selling the 2022 Christmas album “Joy to the Burg” for $20, and a collection of eight holiday greeting cards for $15. Proceeds to benefit Christian Churches United, the recipient of the Christmas Eve special offering.
• Approved the Friends of PEB sale of Shares for Scholarships and the 2023 March Mission Madness event to support the schools in Sargodha, Pakistan.
• Received the following new members: Dottie & Art Bossler, Pennie Cavanaugh, Betsy Jamison, Kurestin Miller and Toni Onushco.

Celebrate the birth of our savior at three distinctive Christmas Eve candlelight worship services on Saturday, Dec 24 in the Sanctuary:

2:30 pm: Worship includes Lessons and Carols and communion, with holiday music presented by the Derry Brass.

5:00 pm: A candlelight service of Lessons and Carols featuring participation by children and music for the entire family to enjoy.

7:30 pm: A traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service of Lessons and Carols, with music  provided by the Derry Ringers handbell choir and the Sanctuary Choir.

All Christmas Eve services include singing “Silent Night” and sharing candlelight, symbolizing that the Light of the World has come.

Child care will be available at the 5 pm and 7:30 pm services. The lounge adjacent to the Sanctuary offers a candle-free worship zone and a space where young families can move about freely.

Christmas Eve services at 5 pm and 7:30 pm will be live streamed.

On Sunday, Dec 25, worship will be held at 10:30 am in the Sanctuary and live streamed. Enjoy breakfast cooked by Charlie Koch and friends from 9-10:30 am in Fellowship Hall: your donation benefits mission trips in 2023.

6 PM FRIDAY, DEC 16 AT THE HOME OF CATHY & ALAN OLSON

The next activity for the Derry Day Trippers is a potluck dinner and fellowship. RSVP to Sue Whitaker by Dec 11 if you will be joining and if you would like to carpool. Bring your favorite dish to share. We hope to see you there!

Presbyterian Women’s Jumbles Shop returns this year at the Cookie Walk on Saturday morning, Dec 3. Due to limited space, donated items are restricted to jewelry, nice Christmas decorations, collectibles, and items suitable for gifts, all in good condition. NO furniture, books, CD’s, tapes, or clothing. NO JUNK! It will be tossed.  

Items can dropped off in Room 1 through Wednesday, Nov 30. Anyone out of town at that time who wishes to donate, please contact please contact Linda Chidester. Volunteers are needed for Friday, Dec 2 to set up and for Saturday, Dec 3 for sales and cleanup. To volunteer, contact Sally McKinney or Linda Chidester.

Rape as a weapon of war is as old as war itself. The objective is to humiliate and degrade, to break the spirit of defenders, to shatter families and communities, to instill a sense of hopelessness and despair. It often leaves wreckage too profound to repair. Women who have been raped do not want to spread information about themselves. Counselors in Ukraine are facing this roadblock and need to provide a place victims can feel safe to talk. Friday, Nov 25 is Orange Day, when Presbyterian Women asks you to join them in wearing orange or an orange ribbon to show awareness of and support those working to end exploitation of females worldwide. Pray for the victims of rape in war areas.

The Thank Offering of Presbyterian Women began in 1888 and supports mission projects at home and abroad. In keeping with the by-laws, 40% of funded projects are related to health ministries. Of the 10 projects funded this year, seven are in the US. Two projects that help adults with disabilities both here in the US and elsewhere in the world.  

In Mombin Crochu, Haiti, Village Partners International have a project addressing chronic and recurrent malnutrition. As earthquake, drought, political instability and Covid-19 threatens local food supplies in Haiti, this project will help prevent deaths and address root causes of severe malnutrition for rural, exceptionally poor families in Mombin Crochu. The grant will address several areas: increase interactions between children with severe malnutrition and clinical providers; educate physicians and nurses to support critically ill children; purchase equipment needed for severely malnourished children and create a emergency stockpile of supplies; provide educational events with communities and families; and establish nurseries of Moringa oleifera and Liane panier, plants used as nutritional supplements for families to cultivate in home gardens for personal consumption and income generation.

A second project in McAllen Texas will receive a commercial kitchen upgrade. CAMP (Can Achieve their Maximum Potential) University provides opportunities for adults with special needs to develop skills and interests that facilitate greater independence. The grant will provide a safe, updated commercial gas range that will be used for teaching adults how to follow instructions, such as recipes, and how to use various kitchen appliances. By providing cooking lessons, clients will learn to safely participate in meal preparation and eventually cook their own lunches at the university as an alternative to bringing lunches from home.

Please consider a contribution to the 2023 Thank Offering. Place checks in the offering boxes or mail to the church office, or give online as you are able in thanks for all the blessings in your life.

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 10/31/22

Notes from the treasurer:

• Contributions are about $58K ahead of 2021 and $42K ahead of estimated contributions through October.
• Mission and Peace is $21K behind 2021. Building & Grounds is about $30K below 2021. We do expect these committees to spend their 2022 budget.

6:15 PM TUESDAY, DEC 20 IN THE CHAPEL

For those who have empty places in their hearts and homes this Christmas season, Derry Church offers a “Longest Night” worship service. This reflective, come-as-you-are service with communion returns this year to the intimate setting of our historic Chapel.

For those who are facing the sadness of divorce or broken relationships or grief over the loss of a loved one, this special service gives people an opportunity to remember and to acknowledge sadness and grief, and to know that they are not alone. The Longest Night service can also offer solace to those anxious about employment or financial instability, or facing a frightening diagnosis.

Pastor Stephen leads this service on one of the longest, darkest nights of the year as an opportunity to intentionally acknowledge pain and offer comfort. Come as you are!

We were anxious to get down here to North Fort Myers and survey the damage that our property received. We were very lucky in that we lost a tree and some screening, we feel very blessed. This morning we attended our church down here, Burnt Store Presbyterian Church, and learned of the impact Hurricane Ian had on churches in the Peace River Presbytery.

The Chapel by the Sea on Fort Myers Beach had only the steel girders left standing and the concrete floor had a large hole in it from the force of the water. Other congregations lost their sanctuary and are holding services outside. BSPC had their sanctuary severely damaged by water to the point we may not be worshipping in there for many months. We held services in an all purpose room which had tarps taped to the ceiling to prevent further damage. A new roof, drywall, mechanical devices etc. will all need to be replaced.

BSPC will be welcoming their new pastor and his family from South Africa next Sunday. All are excited for his arrival. Buildings aside, many congregation members throughout the Presbytery were devastated by Ian and have lost most everything.

In addition to your prayers, the Presbytery will need financial assistance to help parishioners and churches. I encourage Derry members and others in Carlisle Presbytery to give to Presbyterian Disaster Relief or send contributions directly to the Peace River Presbytery at 2230 Harriet Street, Port Charlotte, FL  33952.

9:00 – 11:30 AM SATURDAY, DEC 10 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL 

Families of children in preschool through kindergarten (and siblings) are invited to a casual Saturday morning holiday drop-in. Participants will come dressed in festive PJs and enjoy pancakes and a hot cocoa bar, cookie decorating, games, crafts and making Christmas ornaments.

Please RSVP to Sarah Bartz by Thursday, Dec 1. If older children or teens would like to help with facilitating games and making crafts/ornaments, please let us know.

Love INC of Greater Hershey’s recent 16th Anniversary Celebration and Community Auction raised $29,600 through the generous support of sponsors, donors, and participants. Thanks to everyone who supported the celebration, especially the volunteers including Derry’s own Kristie Elliott. Through the years, Love INC has expanded to include 21 partnering churches who willingly pool their resources to support the broader community. Because of this network of local churches, Love INC is able to connect caring church volunteers with their neighbors in need. Thank you to everyone who contributes to the ministries available through Love INC and its partner churches.

Carlisle Presbytery welcomes Kristal Smith, who has begun her work as Presbytery Leader for Governance and Congregational Leadership. Kristal’s role encompasses the office of the stated clerk as well as consultation with congregations, individuals, and committees of the presbytery.

Contact Kristal at kristal.smith@carlislepby.org or call 717-737-6821.

The Thank Offering of Presbyterian Women began in 1888 and supports mission projects at home and abroad. In keeping with the by-laws, 40% of funded projects are related to health ministries. Of the 10 projects funded this year, seven are in the US. 

Raleigh, North Carolina is home to the Women’s Reentry Project. This project helps women prepare for and navigate life after incarceration by developing tools to forge new and better lives. The WRP combines housing – which is a significant barrier to successful reentry – with wraparound social and vocational support. The Thank Offering grant will help fund three forms of subsidized housing: Bridge Housing upon release from prison; Stable Supportive Housing for 12-18 months; and Independent Housing, for those who continue in the program as nonresidents. Using gender specific, trauma-informed, evidence–based services, this program helps women achieve stability, family reunification and independent living.

A very different program in Rome, Georgia, is the Day & Overnight Transformations Retreats for Cancer Patients. Low income cancer patients must navigate many challenges beyond their illness: they often must choose between securing food or medicine, lack reliable transportation and worry about paying everyday bills. Cancer Navigators assist medical providers by guiding patients toward a better understanding of diagnosis and care while connecting them with needed services. The Thank Offering grant will provide retreats for 60 cancer patients who do not otherwise have resources to leave for a day. Through an escape from daily life and struggles, these retreats offer patients a rare opportunity to take time for themselves and receive helpful tips and information. By spending time away with other cancer patients, retreat participants witness they are not alone in their cancer journeys.

Please consider a contribution to the 2023 Thank Offering. Place checks in the offering boxes or mail to the church office, or give online as you are able in thanks for all the blessings in your life.

BY GREGG ROBERTSON • CHAIR, PERSONNEL COMMITTEE 

Let me start with the process. To call a new associate pastor we are NOT following the traditional Presbyterian process as outlined in our Book of Order, but a much more efficient and we think much more effective process that Derry has used successfully in the past.

For example: Marie Buffaloe came to our Presbytery when her husband Brad Bradburn took the Executive Presbyter position in the Carlisle Presbytery. It so happened around that same time Derry had grown to the point where we needed an associate pastor. As we got to know Marie, it became clear that she could fulfill the pastoral needs that Derry’s growing congregation required. Rather than go through the highly structured, time consuming and expensive traditional Presbyterian call process, Derry’s Session contracted with Marie for her pastoral services. This was a relationship that lasted for 25 years. Each year, the  Session renewed our contract with Marie until her retirement earlier this year.

Another factor that guided us in this case to not use the traditional Presbyterian call process was our experience using that process to call Pastor Stephen. As it turned out, of the 164 resumes that we received through the denomination call process none resulted in a candidate in which we were interested enough to interview. Rather, every one of the candidates the PNC felt excited enough about to interview came to us through the Pastor Nominating Committee’s own efforts to reach out and network with others in the denomination.

This summer, as we came to realize that we would need a new associate pastor, Pastor Stephen and I began to reach out to others in the Presbytery and beyond to find potential candidates that might fit Derry’s needs, resulting in three excellent candidates that expressed interest in the Derry position and agreed to be interviewed.

In October, the Personnel Committee formed the Associate Pastor Interview Committee (APIC) consisting of 11 Derry members from all facets of the congregation. The role of the APIC is to interview prospective candidates and come to a consensus on which candidate would be most suitable to meet Derry’s needs. Once a lead candidate has been identified, the candidate will be invited to Derry to participate in several activities with the congregation in areas in which they will be expected to take a leadership role. Based on feedback from congregation members participating in those activities the Personnel Committee will either recommend to Session that a contract be negotiated with the candidate or the APIC will interview additional candidates.

The APIC has been interviewing candidates based on the following dimensions: Ministry with Children and Youth, Teaching Ministry including faith formation for all ages, Communication, Pastoral Care and Worship. Questions exploring these five dimensions of ministry are being used by the APIC in the candidate interviews.

The APIC has completed three interviews so far. We scheduled a face-to-face meeting of the APIC on November 14 to review the results of our interviews and hopefully come to a consensus on inviting one to participate in the congregational activities. Given that we will soon be into the Advent Season, the congregational activities with the leading candidate may not take place until after the New Year. 

Please contact me with your questions about this process and our progress, by email or phone. I ask that you keep the Associate Pastor Interview Committee in your prayers as we seek to discern God’s will for our new associate pastor. 

Members of the Associate Pastor Interview Committee: Bill DeMuth, Bill Uffelman, Christina Simmons, Claudia Holtzman, Gregg Robertson (Chair), Julie Yutesler, Kristy Elliott, Lauren June, Sara Matthews, Timothy Mosher and Wally Patton.

11:30 AM SUNDAY, NOV 27 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

You’re invited to join Derry friends to make your own Advent wreath! Each family will assemble a wreath to use in their own home throughout the season of Advent. Click to RSVP by Tuesday, Nov 22.

3-5 PM FRIDAY, NOV 18
8 AM TO FINISH SATURDAY, NOV 19

Bring your rakes and join the Gardeners of Derry to work outdoors preparing the church grounds for the winter. Pickup trucks and wheelbarrows are welcome and appreciated. 

From Nov 27 – the first Sunday in Advent – through Sunday, Dec 11, Derry Church will be giving AND receiving! In the upstairs hallway, you will be able to pick up Advent devotionals and drop off items for our mission partners and gift cards for racetrack workers and children whose families use the Hershey Food Bank and Community Outreach. NO hats/gloves/scarves needed this year.

Here’s the list of supplies requested from Rev. Drew Stockstill that will support Christ Lutheran Church’s Health Ministry:

• Men’s and women’s plain underwear
• Men’s plain white undershirts
• Travel sized tissues and cough drops
• Hygiene items: lotion, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant
• Plain Tussin 
• Muscle rub
• Chest rub
• Emergen-C, Airborne, Zinc

The Season of Giving takes the place of last year’s Derry Drive-Thru and previous years when you could choose tags from the Christmas tree in the downstairs atrium. You won’t see a tree downstairs this year as that space is now being used for fellowship and community. Just pop upstairs to participate in Derry’s Season of Giving!

The Thank Offering of Presbyterian Women began in 1888 and supports mission projects at home and abroad. In keeping with the by-laws, 40% of funded projects are related to health ministries. Of the 10 projects funded this year, seven are in the US. Two projects are in conjunction with local Habitat for Humanity groups. Several grants will support projects that are aimed at adults with disabilities.

In Talladega, Alabama Union Village is an innovative program by Presbyterian Home for Children in partnership with the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind that turns unused farmland into much-needed accessible, affordable and secure housing for adults with multiple disabilities. This supportive housing community empowers independent living and is one of the few programs designed for this vulnerable population in the United States. The Thank Offering grant will support the construction of 16 tiny homes that provide special accommodations such as zero-step entry into the house and bathroom and strategic placement of lighting and sensory–assist devices.

Another program that supports adults with disabilities is Our Community Cup Coffeehouse in the Philadelphia area. When adults with intellectual disabilities and differences reach the age of 21, many supportive programs disappear. Our Community Cup Coffeehouse provides a space for adults with disabilities, their families and caregivers to feel welcomed and encouraged to grow in friendship, leadership and faith. Guests meet weekly to share a meal and participate in social activities like playing cards, coloring, singing with live music and participating in talent nights where jugglers, singer, comedians, poets, painters, fiber artists and dancers share their gifts. The Thank Offering grant will fund the use of the building, gifts for musicians, activity costs and food for the year. Since some regular funding was lost during the pandemic, this grant will allow the project to rebuild its financial infrastructure for the long term.

Please consider a contribution to the 2023 Thank Offering. Place checks in the offering boxes or mail to the church office, or give online as you are able in thanks for all the blessings in your life.

• Approved a donation policy for non-cash items with the purpose of assuring that such gifts are appropriately used by the church and to guide donors in their giving decisions.
• Reviewed a plan from the Communication & Technology Committee to upgrade our security firewall, WiFi access points, and install Zoom Room capability in room 7. These enhancements will improve security and online access, and the Zoom Room will provide a quality hybrid (in-person and online) experience for participation in meetings and classes. This item will be reviewed over the next month and voted upon in November.
• Discussed how and where to house the Syrian refugee family as their lease with Love INC will be ending in the next several months. This matter will be further discussed at the November meeting. 
• Approved updating church bank accounts at PNC, Northwest, and Truist to allow Vice Treasurer, Craig Kegerise, access to those accounts.
• Approved moving the annual per capita line item from the Stewardship & Finance budget to the Mission budget. This is a pass-through item and will not take funds away from the Mission committee’s support of charitable organizations.
• Approved Church World Service’s request to sell handmade refugee items in Fellowship Hall on Sundays throughout November.
• Derry will continue its support of Derry Township Social Ministry’s Giving Tree and Derry’s Racetrack Ministry by collecting $25 Walmart gift cards. These can be brought to the church during Derry’s “Season of Giving” November 27 – December 11 and deposited in the collection points located in the Narthex. 
• Christian Churches United was designated as the recipient of the Christmas Eve special offering.
• The annual chili cook-off and square dance is back and scheduled for February 25, 2023.

9 AM – 12 PM SATURDAY, DEC 3 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL 

Start looking for that special cookie recipe! Each family is asked to donate one batch of homemade cookies (2-4 dozen or more). Drop off on Friday, Dec 2 or by 9 am on Saturday. Include a label with name of the cookie. If cookies contain nuts, peanut butter or almond extract and the name does not reflect that ingredient, please list that information on the label. Cookies are sold by the pound. Proceeds support Presbyterian Women’s mission goal for 2023. Contact Doris Feil to volunteer to set up on Friday or sell cookies on Saturday.

Due to limited space, Jumbles Shop donated items are restricted to jewelry, nice Christmas decorations, collectibles, and items suitable for gifts, all in good condition. Items can dropped off in Room 1 from Nov. 21-30. Anyone out of town at that time who wishes to donate, please contact Nancy Kitzmiller.

2 PM AND 5 PM SUNDAY, DEC 4 IN THE SANCTUARY • 5 PM LIVE STREAMING • FREE WILL OFFERING

Centering on themes found in Isaiah’s promise of a peaceable kingdom, Derry Church’s 2022 Christmas concert brings together the talents of our Sanctuary Choir and Derry Ringers, brass and percussion in a program that includes “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day,” “The Dream Isaiah Saw,” “O Holy Night” and “Joy to the World.” Under the direction of Dan Dorty, you’ll hear Dan Stokes on organ and piano, sopranos Janice Click Holl and Julie Miller, mezzo soprano Amy Yovanovich and baritone Mitchell Sensenig-Wilshire. Don’t miss this joyful beginning to the holiday season!

6 PM SUNDAY, NOV 13 AT FENICCI’S RESTAURANT, 102 W. CHOCOLATE AVE, HERSHEY

Come to church for Basically Broadway, then join the Derry Day Trippers in downtown Hershey for dinner! Pay for your own meal: there’s no need to turn in money to the church this time. RSVP to Sue Whitaker by Monday, Nov 7 if you will attend so we’ll have seats for all who’d like to join. Everyone is welcome!

SUNDAY, NOV 13-SATURDAY, NOV 19

Family Promise families are returning this month to the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 610 W. Chocolate Avenue, Hershey. Evening meals, van drivers, and overnight chaperones are needed.

Click the links below to sign up to deliver dinner, drive the van, and serve as an overnight chaperone. Questions? Contact Jane Robertson.

Overnight Chaperones: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0e4bacae2aa4f85-overnight3

Van Drivers: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0e4bacae2aa4f85-vandrivers4

Meals: https://takethemameal.com/OWXL5951

1:30 PM MONDAY, DEC 5 AT THE DI MATTEO WORSHIP CENTER/CHAPEL

Pastor Stephen will lead worship with communion, prayers, a meditation and carol singing, with organ accompaniment by Kathy Yingst. A time for fellowship follows the service.

Lend A Hand (LAH), a mission of the Presbytery of Carlisle, was founded in 1989 as a disaster response and assistance program. LAH will return to New Bern, NC, the week of Nov 13-19 to work on a new build. This house must be completed by Dec 31 in order not to forfeit a $200,000 grant.

The LAH team will travel by van and stay at New Hope Village, where bedding is provided. The $175/person cost covers lodging and food, but plan on additional funds to cover food expenses you may incur during travel and for dining out one evening. Questions? Ready to volunteer? Contact Pete Feil or register online.

The Thank Offering of Presbyterian Women began in 1888 and supports mission projects at home and abroad. In keeping with the by-laws, 40% of funded projects are related to health ministries. Of the 10 projects funded this year, seven are in the US. Two projects are in conjunction with local Habitat for Humanity groups.

In Toledo (OH), the Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity Home Repair Ministry will be able to purchase materials such as siding, wood, paint, concrete reinforcements and windows for home repair in three areas designated in the Neighborhood Stabilization Plan. This program strategically focuses resources block by block to elevate home ownership, make critical health and safety-related updates and support neighborhood beautification projects. The project’s goal is to lift up marginalized neighborhoods so that residents want to live in the community, families find stability, and seniors are able to age in their homes.

The second Habitat-related project is in Chattanooga (TN). The Orchard Knob Collaborative is committed to restoring and strengthening the neighborhood by using a long-range, inclusive approach to assist low-income households with home repair. The Thank Offering grant will purchase materials to alleviate health, life and safety issues, address code violations and increase energy efficiency. By making repairs and reducing exposure to lead paint, asbestos and allergens, residents will live in safer and more inviting homes and will lead to improved quality of life.

Please consider a contribution to the Thank Offering. Place checks in the offering boxes or mail to the church office, or give online as you are able in thanks for all the blessings in your life.