Author: Susan George

The oldest, and only remaining original Derry building, the Session House, protected today by a glass enclosure, was built under the pastorate of Reverend William Bertram in 1732, and was utilized as a school in which reading was mainly taught so that all might read their Bible. It was also used as the pastor’s study and a meeting place. 

A separate log church building had been constructed earlier near the spring. Around this time, a burial ground was laid out, recognized today as the present cemetery. A second log church, of an uncertain date, was later built and stood until 1769, after which a similar wooden building was constructed that became familiarly known as “Old Derry Church.”

In 1883, the present stone Chapel was constructed. At this time, there was no permanent pastor and  the church was being served by supply pastors. The addition of the John Elder Chapel was constructed in 1935, under the pastorate of Rev. John Corbin.

In 1951, when Rev. William Blair was pastor, the education wing was added to the Chapel. In 1965, a completely new sanctuary was built adjacent to the chapel under the pastorate of Reverend Ira Reed. Many current members will remember it, and Rev. Reed.

Renovation of the Sanctuary was completed under the pastorate of Rev. Richard Houtz in 1995. Our present sanctuary was updated and refurbished in 2014, under the oversight and care of Rev. Houtz. Numerous devoted church members have participated in those efforts throughout the years. 

Derry is rich in local history and has long been a place of worship. In the early days, parishioners walked or rode long distances, in some cases, ten to 12 miles, to worship on this site. As we approach our 300th anniversary (2024), it might be prudent to think upon those early worshippers, and all those who followed, who have faithfully supported, maintained and continued the vibrant life of Derry through times of travail, hardship, war, peace, prosperity and success, and brought Derry to the special and blessed place it is today.

Editor’s Note: On the first Thursday of each month (or close to it), the eNews feature article highlights the mission focus for the month. In April we’re lifting up community involvement. You can also check the Joys & Concerns section of the weekly eNews for a quick reminder of what we’re focusing on this month.

Over the past several months, Derry’s Mission & Peace Committee has been prayerfully considering “adopting” an Afghan refugee family as part of Church World Service’s (CWS) Afghan Refugee Resettlement Program. You are probably aware that tens of thousands of Afghans have fled their country since August 2021 in the hopes of finding safe haven in the United States. One can only imagine the hardships a family must overcome when they leave everything behind. We believe that if they are surrounded by an outpouring of loving, caring, and supportive volunteers, their transition will be much easier.

As the Afghan refugees arrive, CWS forms Welcoming Teams which are tasked with helping to make this country feel like home. Derry will be working with the new CWS Harrisburg Office to form our team of volunteers — one of many being recruited from several Christian denominations. Volunteers will help the families with their housing needs, as well as securing clothing, transportation, employment, and education opportunities. The first several months are very demanding, but the goal is for the family to become independent with the love and support of their volunteer network.

Derry has already started preparing for this process by attending briefings by CWS leadership, talking with members of other local churches who have already been called to action, applying for clearances and background checks, collecting furniture and other items, and recruiting volunteers and assessing their availability. Although the commitment is not an easy one, we believe that this is the right next step for us as a church congregation and we hope that you will be a part of this effort as many more volunteers are needed. The volunteers that we interviewed said that the experience, although sometimes demanding, is very worthwhile. Amazing connections are made as we realize that all families hold similar values. 

In volunteering, you should be aware that this will require: 

1. A personal involvement with an Afghan family, and a flexible time commitment to include several hours of training via CWS
2. A need to obtain all necessary clearance forms
3. Perhaps a translation app on your smart phone to ease language barriers 

The more volunteers Derry has, the easier it will be to cover the family’s needs. A chance to ask questions and obtain more information will be offered at meetings to be held Sundays at 9 am on April 24 in the Chapel and following  10:30 am services on April 24, May 1, and May 8 in Lounge. You may also contact me if you are interested but unable to attend one of these meetings.

Additional ways to help may be through financial donations to assist with food, rent, and utilities, or donations of new items or items that are in good condition to help outfit their home. Please contact Pete Feil or Marilyn Koch to donate household items.

This is a great opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, connect with Afghan people, and learn about another culture without leaving Central Pennsylvania! You are sure to grow in your faith journey by bonding with others through this process. This is also an excellent way for Derry to share God’s love and practice God’s justice in our community.

The journey of faith is a long and difficult road.

It begins with the innocence of a young mind learning the stories and absorbing the first complexities of belief in an unseen God. It continues with the life and death of Jesus and includes a Spirit moving across the lives of every living thing, always.

The journey of faith includes every phase of our lives. From we as children to we who have lived a lot of years. At every turn, there has been doubt, belief, doubt and belief.

I’m going to write about Walter.

My dog. Meet him in this short video.

I bought Walter as a diversion and a way of comforting my ill wife. It kind of worked. But after she passed, he became a blessing to me much more than I expected.Walter became a larger part of my life. Walter was full of love for me. He was faithful. He was calm and loyal. He taught me the value of those attributes by his example. He was accepting of my failures and celebrated my kindnesses. He taught me to be tolerant and respectful of others without regard for race, religion, gender, or status.

Walter loves everyone.

You’re probably expecting an essay on how much I love my dog. While I do, I would rather write about how much my dog loves me.

I’m not perfect, I’ve behaved badly from time to time. I have mistreated others and I’ve mistreated Walter from time to time. For others, reconciliation is often a long and apologetic road. For Walter I need only say, “I’m sorry” and I’m forgiven. Complete and utter forgiveness. While he can’t speak, he can still communicate using a combination of non-verbal gestures and sounds which focus my attention on what he wants. I have to learn to watch and listen very carefully since he is never perfectly clear with his “meaning making.”

He is always there for me. If I’m ill, he stays near and comforts me. If I’m happy he rejoices with me and starts looking for ways to spread that joy around. Racing around my home is a usual tactic.

He welcomes the adoration of others. He is especially fond of children. I’ve known unconditional love. It’s a love which springs from the heart, mind and spirit. I am blessed.

We are all blessed.

We all have the gifts that little dog brings. 

Amen.

When one retires and reflects on their vocation, it’s like looking at the tip of an iceberg. Some say that what is visible on an iceberg is only 10% of it. When I think about my ministry at Derry, all you can see from your perspective at Derry is the tip of my iceberg, these last 25 years where I’ve been privileged to serve as one of your pastors. Just below the water line are my previous pastorates in southern WV (Trinity Presbyterian Church, Shady Spring, WV- 1990-1996) and central Virginia (Rustburg Presbyterian Church, Rustburg, VA 1982-1990)

But that data does not tell you all. The base of my iceberg goes much deeper. It includes generations of hard-working and faithful Scottish ancestors who valued education and had a dedicated trust in a loving God and shared these priorities with their children and grandchildren. Although they did not realize it at the time, they were from a privileged, dominant group as white people, and that reality helped to create my stable iceberg. 

From my generations of North Carolina farming ancestors, I learned the love of land and creation, valued hard work from each family member, including young children. I was given the opportunity to explore whatever was of interest.  I thrived in a rich diet of southern farm to table cuisine when it was an ordinary occurrence of self-sufficiency. This was all covered with layers of unconditional love, like gravy on mashed potatoes. My iceberg grew and was surrounded with Presbyterian ancestors who were church leaders and thoughtful, questioning Christians. My home church and its congregation were an extension of my family and home.  This is a significant part of the 90%  that is below the surface.

But wait, there’s more: the gifts of people who made time to guide and mentor me over the years: a home pastor who took me on my college visit, because it was a busy farming season for my dad; a campus minister who gave me a local church job and nudged me to consider seminary; caring professors who encouraged me when I was doubting my sense of call; pastors who supervised me in church internships in Moorefield, WV and Pulaski, VA providing me with models for preaching, conducting funerals, conflict management, and pastoral care that I still use; gifted colleagues here at Derry where I learned the joy of team ministry, and presbytery staff who taught me and provided opportunities to serve other congregations. These important folks helped to broaden that iceberg of my learning and ability to answer this call to ministry. And along the way it was the many members of various congregations who added to my education and faith development. From them and you I learned and saw profound trust in God in the midst of unthinkable tragedies and shared the wonder of God’s presence and direction in indescribable joys.  Through all of you, I have experienced the commitment and love of Christ and been inspired.

At this milestone of retirement, when I reflect on my ministry, I give special thanks to the many here at Derry who I have enjoyed serving alongside. Together we have been good teams in faithful service to God. 

But most of all I am grateful to God who has gifted me with such abundant grace in my ministry through people like you. Retirement is a good opportunity to reflect in gratitude, but you don’t need that reason. I encourage you to pause and consider the iceberg underneath your surface and give thanks.

On March 27 we will recognize and give thanks for Rev. Marie Buffaloe’s 25 years of pastoral service to Derry Church. I invite you to  join in person or by live streaming as Pastor Marie leads worship and preaches one last time. I appreciate Marie’s sermons because she speaks and proclaims the good news with such authenticity and love. I’m fed, comforted, and challenged by her words, and I know this Sunday will be no different. Her love of God and this congregation is so evident when she leads worship. I hope our presence and our participation in worship this Sunday clearly reflects our love of God and our love and appreciation for her. 

Following the 10:30 am service, a post worship fellowship in Fellowship Hall will be held in her honor. 

Then at 3 pm, I invite you to attend a program held in the Sanctuary and streaming. As we honor and give thanks for Pastor Marie’s ministry, Dick Houtz, Debbie Hough, and I will share our memories and reflections on Marie’s ministry. The puppets will offer a tribute to Marie, we’ll present gifts, and there will be music for all to enjoy. We’ll join together in a liturgy of thanksgiving for all the ways Marie has ministered to us. Finally, we’ll have an opportunity to give thanks for Marie and Brad’s time at Derry and bless them as they enter a new chapter of life together. 

After the program, come to Fellowship Hall for a reception that will include some of Marie’s favorite foods. There will be a basket to receive cards and a keepsake guestbook where you can write a personal note to Marie. This book will be available over the next few weeks so that everyone who wants to can have an opportunity to sign it.

Pastor Marie has meant so much to all of us at Derry Church. She has been a pillar of strength, care, compassion, wisdom, and love when we’ve needed it most. She has prayed with us through our saddest and most difficult days and celebrated with us when we’ve been filled with joy and thanksgiving. She’s baptized our children and buried our loved ones. She’s united us in marriage and counseled us in distress. She’s visited us in the hospital and in our homes and shared the love of God with our congregation. She’s been the manifestation of God’s abiding love and care in our lives for 25 years, and she will be deeply missed. 

I know I will miss her very much. Marie has been the kind of colleague every pastor deserves but few ever have. I count myself lucky to have been able to minister alongside her these last five years. She made my transition to ministry here so much easier, and for that I will be forever grateful. She has taught me about Derry’s history and traditions, and its wonderful people. She’s been a colleague, a counselor, a confidant, and a cherished friend. I will miss her humor, passion, advocacy, intuition, and heart for God and God’s people. While I will miss ministering alongside her, I am glad to wish her a happy and blessed retirement. She deserves it and she deserves to leave knowing how loved she is, how grateful we are, and what a difference she has made in our lives and the life of this church. 

The last time I wrote to you in this space, I was focused on the Sunday morning live stream and recruiting for the AV crew. This time I’m writing about something ultra low tech: new outdoor signage for Derry Church. 

If you’ve been on the church campus recently, you may have noticed that some signs are deteriorating, have incorrect information, or are missing altogether. Since 2018, the Communications & Technology Committee (CTC) has been vetting sign vendors and figuring out what signs are needed, what they should look like and what they should say. We considered an electronic sign along East Derry Road that would have scrolling text, but dismissed it when we realized it would be hard to read driving by… then we discovered our neighborhood wasn’t even zoned for that kind of signage. 

We knew we wanted to incorporate the church’s new tree logo and colors into a unified brand. Working with the security committee, we also knew we needed to number all of the doors in a logical sequence that would make it easy for everyone to locate the entrance they want, especially emergency personnel. 

As we met with sign vendors, shared our ideas and listened to their proposals, one company rose to the top, offering a great combination of thoughtful design and competitive pricing: Stoner Graphix. If you’ve been to the Hershey Story Museum, Chocolate World or Hersheypark, you’ve seen their work. They’ve been in business for 30 years and even better, their Hummelstown facility is practically in our back yard. 

Their package includes a new sign at the corner of Mansion Road and Chocolate Avenue, a new sign that offers clear directions when you’re at the T by the Session House and don’t know if you should turn left or right, and an illuminated tree logo over the courtyard entrance that effectively bridges our outdoor and indoor spaces.

In January we presented Stoner’s proposed sign package to the Session, and in February it was approved with minor modifications. You can expect to see the signs installed later this year, while the CTC turns its attention indoors to begin the process of updating interior signs. Our goal is to have all the new signs in place in time for Derry’s 300th anniversary in 2024. 

While the sign project isn’t as glamorous as live streaming, it’s a key element in making our campus more welcoming. We want to make it easy for everyone to find their way around and let them know we’re glad they’re here. Stay tuned: exciting changes are on the horizon!

Editor’s Note: On the first Thursday of each month, the eNews feature article highlights the mission focus for the month. In March we’re lifting up the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. You can also check the Joys & Concerns section of the weekly eNews for a quick reminder of what we’re focusing on this month.

Received during the season of Lent (March 2-April 17), the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) Offering is the single, largest way that, for over 70 years, Presbyterians have come together to work for a better world by advancing the causes of justice, resilience, and sustainability. These efforts of the Presbyterian Church USA to provide relief from natural disasters, food for the hungry, and support for the poor and oppressed are administered through three programs: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA); Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP); and Self-Development of People (SDOP).

PRESBYTERIAN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (PDA) is  well-known for its rapid response to natural and international disasters by supplying funds to help initiate the recovery process. In recent years this has been readily apparent following Hurricane Ida, tornados in the midwest, California wildfires, typhoons, and several earthquakes. With the pandemic, this year’s efforts have been directed toward providing grants to communities pushed to the margins by COVID-19. PDA is also involved in programs supporting the refugee crises in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, South Sudan, and the southern US border.

PRESBYTERIAN HUNGER PROGRAM (PHP) partners with various food and farming projects to alleviate poverty, hunger and its causes throughout the world. Some of this is accomplished through providing animals, bees, and seeds, promoting better crop selection and agricultural methods, fair trade practices, and family gardens. They also seek to supply better and more nutritional foods, secure loans for income-producing projects, and address local environmental and labor issues.

SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE (SDOP) works in partnership with people in low-income communities in the United States and around the world. The aim is to invest in communities responding to their own challenges of oppression, poverty and injustice, thus helping them to develop solutions to their particular problems in areas such as youth-led activities, disabilities, farming, skills development, and immigration/refugee issues.  

This year our OGHS Offering will be divided equally between PCUSA and Bridges to Community (BTC), the non-profit organization which has coordinated Derry’s trips to Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic for the past 20 years. Following a two-year pandemic hiatus, we will return in June to the Dominican Republic to build a house for a family in need. We will work with the family, local masons, and community members to provide safe and secure housing in this poor area. We’ll also participate in Bible School activities in the afternoon. Under the BTC model, new homeowners are encouraged to pay into their local community fund, which can then be used by the community at their discretion for selected improvement projects. 

The Mission & Peace Committee has set a goal of $18,000 for this year’s OGHS Offering. You may give online or by check made out to Derry Presbyterian Church and notated OGHS, or use envelopes in the pews.  Taken together, your contributions to the OGHS offering will enable both PCUSA and BTC to improve their quality of life for many people. Thank you, Derry, for your generous support! 

As long as I can remember, I have been a part of Derry Church and all the programs it offers. Since I was a little girl, I participated in the singing choirs, bells, puppet ministries, Pilgrim fellowship, reading liturgy, and of course being a part of the youth group since sixth grade.

Participating in the youth group has been a fun, rewarding, and educational experience. I was so excited to finally join youth group when I reached the age to join. Youth group offered me so many fun opportunities to share friendships, learn more about the teaching of the Bible, and being able to play such awesome games like finger rockets or the weirdest games that Pastor Stephen is somehow able to come up with.  

Before COVID, youth group obviously looked and felt a little different. We were able to go to fun filled retreats in the fall and summer which involved messy games but great inspirational readings, moments to be able to bond with each other, and the new friends you make. Another occasion to meet new people is by attending the Unite Youth events.  I always had such an amazing time going to those kinds of activities with our Youth Group.  

I definitely want to talk about the amazing youth group leaders that I have had the honor to know and appreciate their passion. The first youth group leader I had was Jackie. She was such a nice person and made youth group the most fun it could be. She always had engaging lessons planned out mostly about how you can use the teachings of Jesus Christ to use in the real world that can make an impact on society.  

Then Pastor Stephen came in to help out. He is such a great pastor and from time to time youth group leader. He has amazing energy that brightens up youth group.  I always love playing his games and hearing him speak his sermons and devotionals.  And now Pastor Pam. She is such a nice and funny person that always lightens up the room. She has great knowledge of the Bible and has really good lessons.  She has such a fun personality that ties in with the youth group. 

I love how Derry Church has more than a youth group. I have participated in the music aspect for a long time. Bells and singing have been a very educational experience for me.  Puppets with Claudia are a joy. Claudia Holtzman has very talented creative skills that she can tie in with sharing the stories of the Bible. I have learned so much from her and how to be as creative as possible. God’s Hidden Hands is such a great way to express the teachings and I am glad I am a part of it. 

In ninth grade I was fortunate enough to be involved in confirmation before the coronavirus hit. I learned so much and I am finally able to be a member here at Derry Church. Now during COVID we are not doing as much due to the virus but we try to do as many fun activities as possible. I went whitewater rafting with the youth group and Pastor Stephen which was incredible! We are also finally doing a youth group trip which is taking place in Maine, which is very exciting!  

All these memories I am able to share with amazing people and the church I really care about. Hopefully, when there are less restrictions we are able to still have such a fun youth group and make more memories and friendships along the way.

Editor’s Note: Mayangela is a junior at Hershey High School, the daughter of Doug and Cenaida Speicher and the granddaughter of Fred Speicher. Mayangela has been involved in the Hershey High School theater productions since 9th grade, and you can see her in the 2022 production of Beauty and The Beast as a “Silly Girl.” She has been dancing with Frances Mohler for about four years, and is a member of Derry’s Youth Leadership Committee. In her free time, Mayangela loves to watch movies and sing.

There is nothing more comforting than being greeted with a “Welcome Back!” smile, wave, hug or conversation.  Whether you last saw one another a day ago, a week ago, a month ago or two years ago, when you are greeted with warmth, energy and care, it feels good!

Over the next few months we will continue to “Welcome Back!” more of our congregation and “Welcome!” new visitors to Derry. 

I know our congregation will welcome everyone with genuine warmth and care, and hopefully a lot of grace. Each friend and visitor is joining us with a different worship background. Some may have been consistently participating through live streaming worship, while others may not have worshiped for a long time. No matter their experience, we want to help each person connect with the Derry Church family and feel supported and encouraged as they gather with us.

While this message probably sounds obvious, it is important for us to do a “self check” to be sure we are ready to say “Welcome Back!” What does a worship self check look like?

• When saying hello, offer a friendly greeting and smile. Help each person feel truly welcomed to Derry Church.
• When greeting a family with young children, be sure to talk with everyone. Children love to feel included.  
• When talking to young children, resist the urge to reach out and touch. Many children have not interacted with large numbers of adults over the last few years. Instead, simply talk with the children.
• When sitting near someone who is struggling to sit still and remain quiet, remind yourself that this may be the first time they are joining us for a worship service in quite a while. Sitting still in a pew for an extended period of time takes practice. Try to reserve judgment and, instead, offer them grace and encouragement.
• If you don’t know a person, a couple or a family, take a moment to introduce yourself. If they are new to Derry, ask if they have any questions and encourage them to fill out an information card from the pew and place it in a collection box. This makes it easy for the staff to then reach out to our visitors.

The next few months will be exciting here at Derry Church as we welcome more friends to worship. For some, the return to in-person worship will be easy, but for others it will be more of a challenge. Our ability to offer support, patience, love, and encouragement during this time of transition will help them return to worship each week. I am hopeful that Derry Church can make this transition joyful to everyone by extending a wonderful “Welcome Back!” to all.

Editor’s Note: On the first Thursday of each month, the eNews feature article highlights the mission focus for the month. In February we’re lifting up homelessness by sharing an update on Bethesda Mission, our mission partner for more than 30 years.

The wait is over! The Bethesda Women’s Mission has a brand-new and beautiful building that was completed in August 2021.  The women and children moved into their new sleeping quarters with the help of many volunteers and groups. Now, with living and sleeping space expanded, we are able to accommodate 51 women and their children. The staff, too, is excited about the new surroundings. In addition to living space, we house classrooms, a chapel, several children’s nooks, an exercise room, a computer lab, and a beautiful new professional kitchen. While our outside grounds are still under construction, come spring we expect to see the finishing touches on parking spaces, a playground, a garden, and the completion of a sunroom overlooking the green space in our front yard.  

This is possible because the OLD Women’s Mission, located at 818 N. 20th Street, was demolished in December 2021, to make room for all of the upcoming outside activities.  

We are thankful for your continued care and support. Spring tours begin in March: we’d love to have you come and visit!

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I find myself quite reflective these days remembering how ministry and I have changed these last four decades. Now thinking back over my sermons, leadership priorities, pastoral care and ministry at Derry and my two previous congregations, I have a few regrets. I guess it’s time for confession.

I wish I had addressed environmental concerns as Christian issues. I grew up learning about environmental concerns and tried to always recycle, but I seldom connected and saw my consumer lifestyle as sin. All we need to do is look at bundles of plastic water bottles that we’ve been convinced are essential for us, as well as our indifference to the fossil fuels we use for our comfort and convenience. Each of those actions, big and small, make a difference. Being a Christian commands us to be good, responsible stewards. It’s part of loving our neighbors as ourselves. I wish I had preached and done more to address how our choices in living with comfort and ease affects others on this planet. I wish I had connected the dots more for all of us.

I wish I had been a more vocal advocate for the voices of those long silenced. I have tried to be a pastor of all those within the congregation, even when I disagreed with their conclusions and assumptions about those who are different. My decision was not to entirely disclose my personal opinions and values, for fear that I would be discounted as their pastor if they knew my personal stance. And for that, I regret not being a more vocal advocate for gays, lesbians, bisexual folks and transgender people. I have friends, family and clergy colleagues who identify as those who question and challenge the binary traditional understandings of sexual orientations. In these years, I’ve learned so much and expanded my own knowledge and understanding. I regret not having taken a public stand in support and calling us to be more inclusive in the Christian family.

I wish I had gone on more mission trips. My first trip outside the US was to Haiti in my first year of ministry. Nothing could have broadened my world view more and challenged my first world perspective. Each additional mission trip to Zambia, Kenya, and Honduras added another chapter and spiritual learning. I regret not going more often as I always seemed too busy, felt too unsafe, and talked myself out of it. What I did learn was that mission work — even for a day to muck out flooded homes in WV, Harrisburg, and central PA — showed me more about God’s love and abundance. Every time I volunteered at Downtown Daily Bread, Grantville Racetrack Ministry and various food pantries, I glimpsed a little more clearly God’s kingdom as I met people I would not otherwise have encountered. Those experiences have been profound for me and as I reflect now,  I regret not taking advantage of more opportunities.

Is it too late to address my regrets? We’ll see. But just in confessing my laments, I hope to open up more opportunities for conversations and actions.

I was baptized and raised as a Catholic. I attended parochial school and served as an altar boy at St Joan of Arc. At that young age I never thought much about God’s work in my life.

I first attended a Christmas Eve service at Derry Church in 2000 while visiting with my wife’s family. Cynthia had joined Derry in 1961 and my mother-in-law, Jo Baum, was the first female Elder at Derry Church. We were living in Minnesota but attended services whenever we were in town visiting family. On our first wedding anniversary, we renewed our vows at Derry Church. When we retired in 2012 we moved to Hershey and I became a member.

Since then, I feel God has instilled in me a will to help others. Prior to being installed as an Elder I volunteered as an usher and greeter. I also volunteered on the G.O.D. Squad, as a Meals on Wheels driver, and serve as treasurer for Derry’s golf league.

In the fall of 2018, I was asked to be an Elder. I attended officer training and was installed as a ruling Elder in January 2019. Serving as an Elder gave me insight into the importance the Session plays in planning and managing the church’s direction. During my three years on Session I served as a financial custodian, usher captain recruiting ushers for church services and serving communion. I was also involved in many important church decisions. I feel the most important of these was approving the COVID team’s recommendations to keep our members safe during the ongoing pandemic.

Other actions the Session took during my term included approving our new Vision and Mission statements, hiring an interim music director, approving the purchase and installation of the Aeolian-Skinner organ, approving the addition of accessible seating in the Chapel, installing tempered glass at the Session House, purchasing a new oven for the church kitchen and approving the restoration of the cemetery for our 300-year anniversary. 

During my term as Elder, I served on the Building and Grounds Committee. As a member of this committee I volunteered to be part of the Rental Property Subcommittee and the subcommittee to purchase a replacement church van. Even though my term as ruling elder has come to an end, I will continue to be part of the Building and Grounds Committee and the Rental Property and Van Purchase Subcommittees.

I enjoyed my time serving on Session. It was a great experience working with staff and other Elders on Session.