News

July 2022 Financial Snapshot

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 6/30/22

      ACTUAL     BUDGETED
Income YTD:    $666,604       $625,000
Expenses YTD:     563,591         646,972
Surplus/(Deficit) YTD:     103,013         (21,972)

Notes from the treasurer:

  • Contributions are about $12K behind 2021 and $31K behind estimated contributions through June
  • Mission and Peace is $27K behind 2021. Building and grounds is about $9K below 2021. We expect these committees to spend their 2022 budget. Some personnel expenses are backloaded. We expect to be similar to 2021 at break-even

Adult Education Opportunities for Sunday, July 24

ISSUES CLASS: Switzerland Travelogue: Churches, Castles and Scenery
9-10 AM SUNDAY, JULY 24 IN THE JOHN ELDER CLASSROOM & STREAMING

Join Jack Keene for a virtual tour of Switzerland in this week’s Issues Class! Whether you join in person or by streaming, you’ll enjoy seeing highlights of Jack and Heidi’s recent trip.

BIBLE STUDY: Women of Exodus, Part 3: Zipporah 
9:30-10:15 AM SUNDAY, JULY 24 IN ROOM 1

According to womanist biblical scholar Wil Gafney, Zipporah was a shepherd, survivor, wife, mother, God-wrestler and divorcee. Who was this Midianite woman who married Moses? How did her courage pave the way for the liberation of the Hebrew people from Egypt? Join Meara Kwee for a discussion of Exodus 2:16-22; 4:18-26 and 18:1-7. This class was originally scheduled for June 26, 2022.

4th Tuesday Worship: Celebrating Our Covenant with Animals


7 PM TUESDAY, AUG 23 ON THE FRONT LAWN, WEATHER PERMITTING

In celebration of all of God’s creatures and their presence in our lives, Derry Church offers its 15th annual worship service that includes a blessing of animals. Animals on leash, in a kennel, or otherwise controlled are invited to attend along with their owners. The worship service will include praise songs and hymns in addition to a hands-on blessing of animals and the people with whom they live. Dress casual.

You’re invited to bring donations for the Humane Society as an outreach to those who help care for animals in need of help and homes. Requested items include non-scoopable cat litter, puppy training pads, paper box lids (for litter boxes), metal pet dishes, sheets, towels, blankets, paper towels, garbage bags of any size, dust pans and brushes, odor neutralizers, glass cleaner, floor cleaner, and gift certificates to pet stores, grocery stores, and hardware stores. 

What the Heck is Tech Time?

Since spring 2020, Derry friends have been gathering weekly on Zoom to talk and learn from each other. What started as a way to practice the new Zoom platform has evolved into a supportive online community. Friends from as far away as Portland, Oregon drop in to ask questions about their smart phones and computers. We’ve talked about everything from electric vehicles and Twitter to how to avoid email phishing attacks. Every week is different but one thing stays the same: we learn something new from each other.

Newcomers are  welcome to join Sue George and friends on Tech Time at 1 pm on Mondays. Drop in whenever your schedule permits – you don’t even need to ask a question. Click this link to join the meeting any time between 1-2 pm. If you’d like a weekly text reminder, click here to sign up.

Orange Day is Monday, July 25

Monday, July 25 is designated as Orange Day by Presbyterian Women to show awareness of exploitation of females worldwide and to support people who are working to end it.

Various NGOs have addressed sexual violence in conflicts: Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, FIDH, TRIAL International, CIVITAS MAXIMUS, REDRESS and others. They work to sensitize the international community and civil society on this subject and also to care for the victims and prosecute the aggressors. However, there is no unifying pole of expertise and actions entirely devoted to war rape. WWoW is attempting to fill this gap

Wear orange or an orange ribbon to show support for these efforts, especially in light of news from Ukraine.

Sign Up for the Corn Roast!


5:30 PM TUESDAY, AUG 16 AT THE LEADER FARM IN HUMMELSTOWN • RAIN DATE: THURSDAY, AUG 18
CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE FOR DIRECTIONS: 717-533-9667

This year’s corn roast features delicious corn on the cob roasted over hot coals, plus hot dogs and soft drinks. Bring a side dish or dessert to share.

There’s a pond for fishing (bring your own gear) and plenty of activities and games for all ages to enjoy.

Cost is $3 per person, FREE for age 6 & under.

Many hands needed for setup and cleanup: click to volunteer

  RSVP for the Corn Roast  

Save the Weekend: All-Church Retreat at Krislund Camp

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, SEPT 9-11 AT KRISLUND CAMP, MADISONBURG

Get away from it all with your church family! Arrive on Friday evening or Saturday morning. We’ll begin with a service project for the camp, and the afternoon is free time where many opt to go to Penn’s Cave (15 minutes away) which has an excellent gift shop and you can take a boat trip through the cave. Alternatively, you can join in games and activities at the main lodge.  

Saturday evening features a wagon ride through the woods followed by a s’mores roast. On Sunday morning we’ll worship, either outdoors or in the lodge.

More details coming soon. Send your questions to Jack Keene.

Volunteers Needed for the Love INC Sneaker Drive

At least 50 people are needed to get more than 300 pairs of sneakers to the Lower Dauphin and Derry Township students who need them. Help is needed for scheduling appointments, managing inventory, greeting families on distribution day, and fitting students with their new sneakers.

Any time you can volunteer is appreciated! Event dates and times are broken into shifts; you may sign up for one or as many shifts as you are able. If your availability does not fit a specific shift listed, please call the Love INC office (717-835-0101) and they will be happy to accommodate your schedule.

Refugee Resettlement Update

This week members of Derry Church and All Saints Episcopal Church agreed to partner with Church World Services Harrisburg to help resettle two Syrian families in the Hershey area. The first family will be arriving July 27 and the second family on Aug 2. Watch for further announcements about how you can participate in this refugee resettlement program. For more information and to volunteer, contact Pete Feil.

You’re Invited: Dinner at Derry 

5:00-5:45 PM MONDAY-THURSDAY, JULY 11-14 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL • $5/PERSON, FREE FOR AGES 6 & YOUNGER

Each evening before our “Wonderfully Made” Camp Week gets under way, Derry Church is offering dinner for all to enjoy. Simplify your summer evenings and gather with friends old and new! 

Dinner at Derry meals are available to Camp Week families, church families and the community. Please feel free to invite a friend to join you. RSVP requested. Pay at the door by cash or check payable to Derry Presbyterian Church

See menus & RSVP for Dinners at Derry