News

Do you have gently used or nearly new clothing you no longer need? Bring in clothes that match the current season: items for all ages welcome. Drop clothing in the new Allison Hill Ministries bin at Derry’s Mission Closet (lower level). Your generosity will make a big difference in the lives of those we serve. For more information or to arrange a pickup,  contact Kristen Campbell.

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 7/31/24:

	YTD	BUDGET
Income YTD:	$852,279	$764,633
Expenses YTD:	$695,906	$803,809
Surplus/(Deficit) YTD:	$156,373	($39,176)

BEGINS TUESDAY, SEPT 10 WITH DINNER AT 5 PM IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

This year’s schedule has been reconfigured in order to make scheduling easier for families with children of multiple ages. All age groups will dismiss at 5:45 pm from Fellowship Hall. Included in the activity time slot will be a rotation of crafts, stories and games.

When a child is in the nursery, we ask that parents/guardians remain at the church.

	5:45 pm	6:15 pm	6:45 pm	7:15 pm
Preschool	Nursery	Nursery	Nursery	Dismissal
K-2nd Grades	Music	Activity	Recreation	Dismissal
3rd – 5th Grades	Activity	Music	Bells	Dismissal
6th-12th Grades	Puppets	Puppets	Music	Dismissal

1 PM SUNDAY, SEPT 15 AT SYCAMORE SPRING FARM MARKET, 1901 THOMPSON AVE, JONESTOWN • CLICK TO WATCH A VIDEO ON HOW TO PICK APPLES

After many years as a children’s and youth event, this year’s apple gleaning is wide open to the entire church. Sycamore Spring orchard is allowing us to pick their primary harvest to benefit individuals in need. 

After worship, put on your fall picking clothes and sturdy shoes with closed toes. Bring sturdy boxes and bags with you. You’re welcome to bring your own packed lunch to enjoy in the orchard with friends and family. Once picking is under way, you’ll be directed where to pick and be given labels for the variety in your box. 

Pick-up trucks, minivans and SUVs will be needed to transport apples to agencies around the area on Monday, Sept 16. Contact Wally Patton to volunteer.

Derry Discovery Days Preschool has an opening in its morning four-year-old Pre-K Butterfly class that runs Monday through Thursday from 8:45 am-11:15 am. This class provides students with an excellent preparation for kindergarten in a nurturing, creative and play based environment. For more information, contact Laura Cox, preschool director. 

Attention horn, trombone, euphonium & baritone players: the Derry Brass is looking for players to join them in presenting music for Sunday worship. Contact Scott Ramirez (717-867-0399) for more information.

Derry Brass rehearsals are held at 5:45 pm Tuesdays, Sept 10 through late May in Room 7. 

As a result of Derry Church’s recent efforts to help a refugee family resettle in Hershey, mission committee members have realized the critical need for immigrants/refugees to learn English as a Second Language (ESL). To date six people are participating, but we need at least four to six more in order to offer an ESL program to the community.

The tentative plan is to offer three levels of English at Derry in sessions of about an hour long, from mid-October to the end of April, on Monday evenings. Each level would be led by a team of three people.

Professional training will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Sept 20 (6-9:30pm) and Sept 21 (8:45 am-5:30 pm with a 4:30 pm stop for those attending Derry’s 300th anniversary celebration dinner). You must attend on both days. Cost is $50 for training materials.

Online (Zoom) training is also available in four segments of three to four hours each over the Sept 27-30 weekend. Course materials for the classes will be furnished by the Mission & Peace Committee. Applications are due Sept 13. For more information, contact Sue Whitaker or Marion Alexander.

As many of you know, I’ve been thinking a lot about retiring at some point in the very near future. With that in mind, I’ve decided that the end of this September would be a good time for me to return to just being a church member.   

This date follows the church’s 300th anniversary and several commitments that I’ve made regarding this upcoming celebration.  

I’ve held the position of Coordinator of Hospitality Ministries for the past 16 years and have enjoyed working with lots of people. During that time the position has grown in numerous ways. In fact, I’ve witnessed a number of changes and have been involved in numerous things including, but not limited to: changes with church ministers, staff changes, new and old session members, welcoming new members, mourning the loss of lots of members, making it through COVID, with the help of Sue made over 80 videos of various cooking presentations, was responsible for planning, coordinating, preparing, and serving Terrific Tuesday meals along with many other food related functions, coordinating lots of receptions, assisting with post worship fellowship, along with lots of other activities.  

Since Gary retired (sort of) five years ago, we’ve been wanting to do a bit more travel, spend time with family and simply enjoy life while we still can. I feel that the time has finally come for me to enter the next phase of my life.   

So, what does this mean? I’m not going away and I’ll still be around to help on various things but not to the extent I’ve been doing for what seems like forever. Yes, this will mean some changes in the way things have been from the hospitality perspective. Church leadership is pursing some ideas, a possible replacement, and I have agreed to help in the transition.

So to all of you who have helped out with many, many, hospitality efforts, I say thank you for all that you do, and hope you continue to do, for the church.  

Thank you, 
Loretta D. Chubb    

5:30 PM SUNDAY, AUG 25: MEET AT 1248 EAST CHOCOLATE AVE

Meet in Palmdale (across the street from Cherry Blossom Creamery, at the former car dealership). A short pre-ride orientation gives riders background on the evening’s bike tour routes:

• An 8-mile casual paced residential ride around the rolling hills of the Milton Hershey School campus 
• A 17-mile rolling rural out and back for experienced “road riders”

No prior group bicycle ride experience is necessary. No one will be left behind. No special attire is necessary, however bicycle helmets will be required. Youth must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Planning to ride? Call or text David Whitenack at 717-881-0757.

10 AM – 12 PM TUESDAYS, OCT 8 – DEC 3 IN ROOM 7 • RSVP TO BECKIE FREIBERG BY SEPT 3 • FREE! 

Many older adults have concerns about falling and restrict their activities. A MATTER OF BALANCE is an award-winning eight-week program designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. Sessions will be presented by Amy Bollinger, BSN RN TCRN.

This program emphasizes practical strategies to manage falls. Participants will learn to:

• View falls as controllable
• Set goals for increasing activity
• Make changes to reduce fall risks at home
• Exercise to increase strength and balance

Who should attend?

• Anyone concerned about falls
• Anyone interested in improving balance, flexibility and strength
• Anyone who has fallen in the past
• Anyone who has restricted activities because of falling concerns

Priority registration for Derry members continues through Sept 3, when the class will be advertised to the community. Class is limited to 20 participants.

ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING 12 PM SUNDAY, AUG 18 IN ROOM 7B AND ON ZOOM

Plans are under way for Derry members and friends to travel internationally in 2026. Come and hear about the plans that are under consideration. Pastor Stephen and Ann will present three exciting options, and the great news is that if we decide the location by Sept 1, we can save $750-$1,000 per person!

After the meeting, an email summary with the trip information will be sent, along with a poll for travelers to vote on their first, second, and third choices. If you’re not already on it, contact Pastor Stephen to be added to that distribution list.

11 AM – 12 PM MONDAYS BEGINNING SEPT 9 IN THE HAMMOND LIBRARY

The group will begin a study of the book of Romans, and new participants are welcome to join. Contact Claudia Holtzman for more information, or just come to the gathering on Sept 9.