News

4 PM SUNDAY, MAY 7 IN THE SANCTUARY • FREE WILL OFFERING • AN ARTS ALIVE EVENT

Now in their 45th concert season, Voices of the Valley will share their joy of singing by presenting works by Aaron Copland, Moses Hogan, Ysaye Barnwell, Cyndi Lauper, Andre J. Thomas, Eric Whitacre and more. Voices of the Valley had its inception as the Alumni Chorale of Lebanon Valley College. Since 2014, Gregg Mauroni has served as the choir’s artistic director.

Voices of the Valley is known for performing representative choral literature from all the major periods at a high level of excellence, and is dedicated to providing high quality musical experiences that enrich and enhance the lives of its listeners and the choir members.

Have you visited the Ruth Codington Library lately? It’s right inside entrance #1 on the building’s lower level. A committee of Derry library lovers has been working diligently to grow and organize our diverse book collection. You can even search the online catalog (also accessible via the Derry Church homepage). Want to take something home? All you have to do is remove the card from the back of the book, write your name and the date on it, and place it in the box on the shelf. Easy! Drop in often to see our new monthly library themes.

During the month of April, Look for New Life in the Library. Experience the colorful sights of spring and celebrate new life in Jesus with a book from our Easter collection. April is also National Poetry Month. Browse and borrow a book of poems and add your own verse to our interactive Poet Tree near the church office door. 

See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. Song of Songs 2:11-12

2 PM SUNDAY, MAY 7 AT ST. JOHN’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 165 FIREHOUSE ROAD, GRANTVILLE

Come and enjoy a wonderful afternoon of learning about women of the Bible as Anita Gutschick portrays Esther, Lot’s Wife and Rahab. A free will offering will be received. 

7:30 PM FRIDAY, MAY 12 IN THE SANCTUARY

Experience music old and new, crafted or recrafted by some of the world’s finest composers and arrangers, that explores our human journey in song. Program highlights include Stephen Paulus’ Pilgrim’s Hymn, Ola Gjeilo’s The Ground, and the South African song, Indodana, Eric Nelson’s arrangements of Leaning on the Everlasting Arms and When Memory Fades, and The Girl I Left Behind Me and The Nightingale set by Dan Forrest. Participating Derry Church singers include Greg Harris and Janice Click Holl. Read more.

8:30 – 11 AM SUNDAY, APR 9 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

Chef Charlie Koch and friends are serving egg casserole, scrambled eggs, pancakes (plain & chocolate chip), sausage and bacon, hash browns, cinnamon rolls, mixed fruit, orange & apple juices, milk, milk, coffee and tea.

Suggested donation of $10 per meal ($5 for children under 12) or $25 per family. All proceeds support the Bridges to Community mission trip in June going to the Dominican Republic.

9:15 AM SUNDAY, APR 30 HYBRID: ON ZOOM AND IN ROOM 7
9:15 AM SUNDAYS, MAY 7-14-21 IN THE JOHN ELDER CLASSROOM

The spring series of New Member Discovery Classes gives you the opportunity to learn more about the mission and ministry of Derry Church, and discover how you’d like to share your talents in the life of the church. First week is on Zoom (click to join) and in person, and you’ll also meet staff and leaders over the course of four weeks and tour the church. Those who decide to join will be received on Sunday, May 21.

Registration is appreciated by not required: sign up online or call the church office (717-533-9667).

Our 2023 “Shares for Scholarships” campaign has come to a close, and your response was overwhelming: 60 total contributors gave a grand total of $21,516! That’s $7,104 more than was raised in 2022!

Thank you for your generous outpouring of love for the children of Pakistan. Your gifts make it possible for 47 students to benefit from a year full of learning (in 2022, we supported about 30 students). This year’s campaign raised:

• 43 full scholarships for day students (each full scholarship = $400)
• Gifts of partial shares by 17 people that add up to another 4.5 full scholarships

This total doesn’t include what’s being raised right now through the Mission Madness basketball fundraiser, or the 18 scholarships funded by Derry members and friends outside of the Shares program, or the 5 scholarships given by the Mission and Peace Committee. Stay tuned for an exciting final report in coming weeks!

We can’t thank you enough for your kindness. Bless you and shalom from Derry’s Friends of Sargodha committee!

Presbyterian Women in Carlisle Presbytery: Spring Gathering
SATURDAY, APRIL 29 AT MECHANICSBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Registration opens 9 am, gathering begins 9:30 am
The morning program is “Substance Abuse Disorder – What Is It?” After lunch, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank will give a presentation on their work. A light lunch is available ($5 donation). To carpool, contact Doris Feil.

Synod of the Trinity Presbyterian Women Gathering
JULY 10-12 AT THE PENN STATER, STATE COLLEGE
The keynote speaker is Susan Jackson Dowd, PW Executive Director. The gathering features an overview of the coming Horizons Bible study plus 11 workshops from which to choose. The Presbytery Coordinating Team authorized $100 scholarships for up to 20 women. Cost is $350 per person for a double room and $485 for single room. Registration deadline: May 31. Download a registration form, check the PW bulletin board for more details or contact Doris Feil.

Lasses & Lassies Banquet
6 PM SATURDAY, MAY 6 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL
This years’ program is Bridal Show with members of both churches modeling dresses worn in their own or a family member’s wedding. The menu includes appetizers, roast beef, ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, gravy and cake. Gluten-free and vegetarian options available on request. $15/person over age 12, $7 for ages 4-12. Purchase tickets on Sunday mornings, April 16 and 30. To participate in the bridal show, notify Jeanette Weaver or Doris Feil by Apr 2.

Plans are in the works for a family friendly Krislund Camp getaway weekend. Mark your calendars now and attend one of the informational meetings listed below:

6:30 PM SUNDAY, APR 16 AT BETH EL TEMPLE, 2637 NORTH FRONT ST, HARRISBURG • $20/PERSON INCLUDES SALMON DINNER SERVED AFTER SUNDOWN

The Freedom Seder is an interfaith event that commemorates the journey from slavery to freedom for Jews in ancient Egypt and for African-Americans in the United States. We celebrate these emancipations while acknowledging the forms of hatred and oppression that persist today, and committing to work against them together. We will sing, perform Passover rituals, share a meal, and and learn about modern-day systemic oppression as we explore how we can be United Against Hatred.Please RSVP by Apr 10. Questions? Contact Patty Brown at (717 232-0556).

Derry Church members are invited to play on our new pickleball court in Fellowship Hall. Call the church office (717-533-9667) to reserve your time slot and the equipment. Best days are Monday afternoon & evening, Wednesday afternoon until 6 pm, and all day on Friday. 

• Approved baptismal instruction and baptism for five families to occur over the summer months.
• Approved several building use requests:
  • July 21, 2023 Fellowship Hall & Nursery. Requested by Lauren Talhelm on behalf of the Partners in Medicine group at Penn State Hershey.
  • May 6 & 17, 2024 Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall. Susquehanna Chorale 2024 spring
    rehearsal & concert.
• Approved the creation of the new staff role and position description for a Faith Community
  Nurse. To support this position, a subcommittee of the Membership & Involvement Committee, known as the Health and Wellness Team, was created. This group will work closely with the Faith Community Nurse to help facilitate the health and wellness ministries of the church. The Personnel Committee has formed a search team, which will be identifying and interviewing candidates for the position.
• Reviewed February’s financial reports.
• The Stewardship & Finance committee submitted a Capital Procurement Requisition for 
  replacement of the roof on the Mansion Road property. The cost of the replacement is $12,225. This item will be reviewed over the next month by the church committees and voted upon at the April session meeting.
• Approved dates to serve communion in 2024.
• The children in the Children & Sacraments class will be permitted to assist with serving
  communion (with their parents’ help) at the Maundy Thursday worship service.
• The Mission & Peace Committee has spent time considering several hands-on community
  projects to coincide with Derry’s 300th anniversary. They presented two local projects at the meeting, which the Session reviewed and approved:
  • The first project partners with Veterans of Pennsylvania in constructing a “tiny home” village in south Harrisburg (next to the PennDOT building) to house and support homeless veterans. Derry will be sponsoring one of the homes at a cost of $50,000 to be contributed by the end of 2023. We will have the opportunity to assist with the construction when it begins in 2024.
  • The second project is assisting with the construction of the 5th grade classroom at Logos Academy in Harrisburg. Derry previously helped the school’s expansion of grades 2 and 3. The cost of this project is $50,000 and fundraising will begin in 2024.
• More information on both projects will be provided to all along with ways that individuals can contribute to these community mission projects.