News

• Rev. Kristal Smith, Presbytery Leader for Governance and Congregational Leadership met with the Session to bring updates on the Presbytery’s work and answer questions. She discussed Rev. Cheryl Galan’s recent retirement and adjustments being made as a result. Of particular interest was Rev. Smith’s discussion of Per Capita giving – how it started and how it is calculated and used. Current per capita is $31/Derry Church member, distributed as follows: $18.95 stays with Carlisle Presbytery, $2.40 to Synod of the Trinity, and $9.65 to General Assembly. Derry pays the per capita for each church member – a total of $27,435 for this year.
• April’s financial reports show that expenses for the month exceeded the budget primarily due to the payment of the per capita giving. However, we are about $18,000 ahead of budget for the year.
• Approved two Capital Procurement Requisitions – the first to rewire the church network, which includes removing old/unused wiring, consolidating junctions, locating and labeling all cables, and installing updated Cat6 wiring. Cost of the project is $12,000. The second project will include upgrading the Chapel bell tower, adding a new stairway between the rear parking lot and Mansion Road entrance, correcting water runoff issues around the church building, and renovations to classrooms 4, 5, and 7AB. Cost of the project is $150,000.
• Reviewed and approved an updated Gift Acceptance Policy which clarifies actions that need to be taken when discussing and receiving gifts being made to the church, whether monetary donations or tangible items.
• Stewardship & Finance has implemented several new policies regarding fund investment and re-balancing. Those items of business were approved.
• Authorized obtaining a business credit card for ME Steelman with a $5,000 limit.
• Reviewed and approved a new position description for a Nursery Childcare Leader. This position will help with scheduling and coordinating care as well as oversight of the nursery. With Sue Fox retiring, a new leader for the nursery is necessary.

While Sue can never be replaced, Derry Church has started the search for a new lead nursery caregiver. Click for the job description. If you or someone you know is interested in applying, resumes can be sent to Gregg Robertson.

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 4/30/23:

Expenses for the month of April exceeded budget primarily due to the one time, lump sum payment of $27,435 to the Presbytery for our per capita.

Derry member Luke Gawron has been commissioned to create a painting for the main entrance of the church, and he’s looking for your help. Luke needs copies or duplicate photos of meaningful times you’ve spent at Derry. Pictures from weddings, funerals, baptisms, retreats, mission trips, corn roasts, chili cook-offs and more will be happily accepted. 

These pictures will be cut and assembled together to create an image that will be the subject of his painting, so please be aware that your pictures will not be returned! We anticipate receiving lots of pictures, so please know submitting a picture does not guarantee it will be a part of the final painting. 

Pictures can be submitted in person by placing them in the Heritage Committee mailbox between rooms 1 & 2 on the lower level, or submit photos digitally by following this link. All photos must be submitted by July 15.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
Rachel DeWees, Palmyra High School
Attending Lebanon Valley College: double major in Early Childhood and Special Education
Parents: David and Rebecca DeWees

Kathryn Kyper, Palmyra High School
Attending University of Pittsburgh: maioring in Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Parents: Geoff Kyper and Lee Ann Grisolano

Mayangela Speicher, Hershey High School
Attending Point Park University, Pittsburgh: maioring in Cinema Arts
Parents: Doug and Cenaida Speicher

Piper Stagg, The Stone Independent School
Attending the University of New England, Biddeford, Maine: majoring in Marine Biology and minoring in Writing
Parents: Susan and Woody Stagg

COLLEGE GRADUATE
Patrick Gavazzi, Tufts University
Computer Science and Cognitive Brain Science, minors in Italian and Entrepreneurship
Parents: Katie and Bob Gavazzi

9:15-10:15 AM SUNDAY, MAY 21 IN THE JOHN ELDER CLASSROOM AND STREAMING

Alex Swan, Site Director of Church World Service’s Harrisburg office, leads Issues Class this week. About a year-and-a-half ago, CWS opened an office in Harrisburg to help settle refugees assigned to this area. Alex will discuss the process of receiving refugees and establishing Welcome Teams to assist in their resettlement.

• Next Thursday is Orange Day, when PW highlights exploitation of females worldwide. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence has 59 community-based domestic violence programs which work to create pathways to safety and justice for the victims. Their definition of domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior by one person to gain power and control over another in an intimate or familial relationship. Approximately 37% of Pennsylvania women experience some form of this violence or violent stalking during their lifetimes. Counseling and support services for domestic violence victims in Dauphin County can also be found at Victim Witness Assistance Program and YWCA. On May 25, wear orange or an orange ribbon to show awareness of and support for victims and those working to end exploitation of females.
• The extra favors from the Lasses and Lassies Banquet were donated to the Bethesda Women’s Mission for Mother’s Day. The women were delighted to receive them.

Come down to the library and check out our collection of BIOGRAPHIES. We have over 200 titles in this category! Travel to Tehran, a Brooklyn homeless shelter, the city that will become Tokyo, or 1930’s Limerick, Ireland. Meet Malala, Phyllis Wheatly, Frank McCourt, Tony Dungy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Clint Eastwood…the list goes on and on. Browse biographies in our online catalog or stop in to see the new shelf displays. While you’re there, play Guess Who on the staff biography shelf (do you know whose first job was scooping Italian ice at Cocoa Avenue Plaza?) Add your own life details on the graffiti wall.

The Ruth Codington Library is right inside the door on the building’s lower level at entrance #1. A committee of Derry library lovers have been working diligently to grow and organize our diverse book collection. 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 check out our monthly library themes.

In preparation for Graduate Recognition Sunday on May 21, the church office needs information on all those graduating from high school, college, and grad school by Wednesday, May 17. Please send the following details to Kathy Yingst: name of the graduate (and their parents); school graduating from, school attending in the fall and anticipated course of study or the graduate’s future plans. 

Thanks to all who made the Lasses & Lassies Banquet such a success: the servers and kitchen crew, models, ones helping with the favors and setting up. Mark your calendars for next year’s event: May 4, 2024.

PW is still gathering items for hygiene bags for the Domestic Violence Center. You can support this effort by contributing sample size or 1-2 oz. tubes of toothpaste, deodorants (under 1.5 oz.), shampoos and lotions (hotel size), and tissue packs. Leave in the PW basket on the mission shelf by June 4. Thanks, Derry!

Welcome Beckie Freiberg, Derry Church’s first Faith Community Nurse! Click here to meet Beckie in a short video. Beckie will be commissioned in worship on Sunday, May 14. Read the introductory letter that was mailed to the congregation this week. Contact Beckie at care@derrypres.org or 717-500-6102.

• The Communications & Technology committee is recommending adding a piece of wall art to the area behind the Welcome Table and has had discussions with artist Luke Gawron to create the project. Luke has proposed creating a multi-media collage of Derry Church built from photos submitted by congregational members. The Session endorsed the concept. Look for more information in an upcoming Enews.
• The Session approved the use of the church for the wedding of member Michelle Califf to Ron Reboulet later this year, membership roll updates, and a baptism to occur in the summer.
• March’s financial reports show that contributions are ahead of budgeted projections. The Session thanks all who continue to support the church and its programs. 
• Approved the Capital Procurement Requisition to replace the roof on the Mansion Road property at a cost of $12,225. 
• It was the pleasure of the Session to approve the hiring of Beckie Freiberg, R.N. as Derry’s new Faith Community Nurse. A letter introducing Beckie to the congregation will be prepared, and she will be commissioned in her new role on Sunday, May 14. 
• The following Capital Procurement Requisitions were submitted for consideration:
• Communications & Technology proposes a project to rewire the church network. With the addition of new systems over the years, such as phones, security, WIFI access points, the network has become a chaotic jumble of unlabeled cables and wires. This project will remove old and/or unused wiring, consolidate junctions, locate and label all cables, and install updated Cat6 wiring. Cost of the project is $12,000.
• Building & Grounds has received bids to complete the upgrades to the Chapel bell tower, the new stairway between the rear parking lot and the Mansion Road entrance, and upgrades to correct water runoff from the front of the chapel and rear parking lot. Cost of the project is $140,000.
  These projects will be reviewed over the next month and voted upon at the May 17 stated meeting.
• Christian Education is sponsoring a Family Weekend gathering to be held September 22-24 at Krislund Camp and Conference Center in Madisonburg. Look for more information and how to make reservations in the eNews.
• Christian Education also recommended that the Session approve a youth trip to Corrymeela, Ireland for June 24-July 2, 2024. This trip will provide an opportunity for youth (rising 9th grade through college) to participate in Derry’s 300th anniversary celebration. While in Corrymeela, they will be participating in lectures and programs sponsored by the Corrymeela Community, traveling, and studying reconciliation. More information on this trip will be shared with the youth and the congregation in the future.