News

Allison Smith was elected by Carlisle Presbytery on March 15 to serve in a bridge position as Temporary Stated Clerk. Allison is a lifelong Presbyterian who grew up at Derry Church. After seminary at Lancaster Theological Seminary, Allison served for five years as pastor to the Faith-Immanuel and Hope Presbyterian Churches. She has been active in the presbytery through the Education Committee, participation in a pastor colleague group, and by offering musical gifts (along with her husband Conrad) in presbytery worship. Allison also serves the Committee on Preparation for Ministry. Read more.

Derry Church’s Administrative Assistant Teresa Hutcheson announced her retirement to the Session this week. The Session accepted her resignation with gratitude for Teresa’s 24 years of faithful service to Derry Church. There will be an opportunity to celebrate Teresa’s service at Derry Church: watch the eNews for details.

The congregation is invited to send Teresa notes of gratitude and thanksgiving for her time at Derry: mail to her at 1140 Woodridge Drive, Middletown PA 17057. We wish Teresa all the best in her retirement and look forward to seeing her and Bill in worship in the future.

Cash Flow – Operating Fund as of 2/28/22

Note from the treasurer:

• Contributions are ahead of budget and prior year. With the $48,830 of contributions for 2022 that were paid in 2021, we are about $25K ahead of prior year in contributions. We are in line with prior year spending.

Bring your coins for the Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE) Change 4 Children on Sunday, March 20. A recent ACE update tells the story of Betty whose mother abandoned her at a local hospital just hours after the birth. Despite efforts of the hospital staff and police, no one could find the mother. Betty was sent to the House of Moses, ACE’s crisis nursery for orphaned and abandoned babies. When no leads developed to the identity of her biological family, she was cleared for adoption. Over several months, Betty and her “mummy” bonded through visits until the Zambia Dept. of Social Welfare approved the adoption. Your gifts provide the staffing and items needed to care for these babies until they can be reunited with family or adopted.

Bring your change in zip-closed bags, remembering to bag any foreign coins separately. Check that the bag is free of paper clips, pins, batteries, buttons — anything that is not legal tender — as these clog the coin sorting machine.  

Change 4 Children for ACE is collected quarterly at Derry Church. The next offering will be received on Sunday, June 19.

SATURDAY, APR 9 AT DERRY CHURCH • CLICK TO RSVP

10 AM: Toddlers through kindergarteners are invited to gather with us on the front lawn for a craft and story before organizing into groups and inviting the children to enjoy the egg hunt. Please bring your own basket/bucket/bag to collect eggs.

12 PM: Children in grades 1-5 are invited to our “Egg”stravaganza celebration that begins with a bring-your-own picnic lunch on the front lawn. Then we’ll have a blast playing games and hunting for eggs. Parents, pick up your children at 2 pm from the front courtyard area.

In the event of inclement weather, egg hunts will be held indoors.

6-8 PM MONDAY, APR 11 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

Children in grades 2-4 and their parents/guardians are invited to learn more about the sacrament of communion in preparation for the children’s participation in Maundy Thursday worship at 7 pm Apr 14. Contact ME Steelman to register.

Derry Church is looking for a full-time Administrative Assistant to perform a variety of secretarial and administrative duties in support of church staff, members, and Session. Download the job description. Interested applicants can send a cover letter and resume to Pastor Stephen or contact him with any questions.

9 AM SUNDAYS IN ROOM 2 BEGINNING APR 3 • IN PERSON ONLY

This participatory class welcomes and invites an exchange of questions, ideas, and various theological perspectives. Rev. Ivo Meilands will lead the first session with a Biblical study on a Lenten theme. Other studies in this series will be led by Meara Kwee and Rev. Tom Folts.

Post-worship fellowship is now being offered after the 10:30 am service, and hospitality coordinator Loretta Chubb needs assistance serving light refreshments such as cookies and a drink. Foods are purchased and/or made ahead of time.

Two volunteers are needed each week to assist with plating, serving and cleaning up afterwards. CLICK HERE to sign up online or call the church office for assistance (717-533-9667).

If you would like to celebrate a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, homecoming, etc.) you can provide additional items by contacting Loretta ahead of time.

DROPOFF DEADLINE: FRIDAY, APR 1

Derry Church is hosting its annual Easter egg hunt on April 9, and we need your help: please drop off bags of individually wrapped, nut-free candies in the “Easter Treats” basket in the mission closet in the atrium library by Friday, Apr 1. We’ll be filling dozens of eggs for multiple age groups, so any and all donations are welcome and appreciated.

NEW SERIES BEGINS SUNDAY, MAR 13! 8:45 & 11:45 AM IN THE CHAPEL OR WATCH ON YOUTUBE OR FACEBOOK ON SUNDAY AFTERNOONS OR LATER

Join Pastor Stephen in the season of Lent as we consider the “A’s of Atonement”: how different theologians whose names begin with A have interpreted Jesus’s death on the cross, and how His death atoned for our sins, reconciled us to God, defeated death, and makes eternal life possible.

Our 2022 “Shares for Scholarships”campaign has come to a close, and your response was overwhelming: 19 new donors have joined with others renewing their scholarship gifts from last year, for a grand total of $13,296! Thank you for your generous outpouring of love for the children of Pakistan. Your gifts make it possible for more than 30 students to benefit from a year full of learning. We can’t thank you enough for your kindness. Bless you and shalom from Derry’s Friends of Sargodha committee!