News
Register Now: Krislund Camp Summer Programs for All Ages
March 17, 2021It’s time to sign up for summer 2021 Krislund Camp day, residential, and family camp programs! Check out the Krislund website for information or download a summer camp brochure.
Krislund is now hiring interns, program staff and counselors. Working at Krislund cultivates oral communication skills, critical thinking and problem solving, interpersonal and leadership skills, collaborative skills, and creativity. All positions are paid and include meals and housing.
Have questions or want to learn more from Derry folks well-connected to Krislund? Reach out to Valerie Minnich, Harold Nightwine, or Pastor Pam who is serving on Krislund’s board.
Sign up for the Krislund Corner newsletter
Hershey Ministerium Offers Lenten Virtual Worship Services
March 17, 2021For more than 70 years, Hershey Ministerium churches offered mid-week worship and luncheons for the community during Lent. This year, churches are taking turns offering virtual worship services that will be available by 12 pm each Wednesday. Find links at the websites listed below:
Feb 17: St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Service on YouTube
Feb 24: Derry Presbyterian Church
Click to watch the Lenten service led by Pastor Marie
Mar 3: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Click to watch this week’s service on Facebook
Mar 10: Zion Lutheran Church, Hummelstown
Click for a mid-week reflection and conversation with The Rev. David J. Schreffler, Pastor, Zion, Hummelstown; The Rev. Ursula Schreffler, Zion, Union Deposit; and The Rev. Martha Boyd, St. John’s, Hoernerstown
Mar 17: Church of the Redeemer UCC
Click to watch on YouTube
Mar 24: First United Methodist Church
Click to watch on YouTube
Mar 31: Spring Creek Church of the Brethren
https://www.springcreekcob.org
Hershey High School’s Online Musical Includes Derry Youth in Cast & Crew
March 17, 20217:30 PM FRI & SAT, MAR 19 & 20
Enjoy an online performance of “Anastasia: The Musicial” this weekend! Click this link to purchase a streaming ticket for your household, then you will receive an email with streaming information for the performance you’ve selected. Ticket cost is $16.50.
Look for these participants from Derry Church:
Hattie Gavazzi – The Dowager Empress
Mayangela Speicher – Ensemble
Katie Bortel – Swan Lake Dancer and Dance Ensemble
Emma Taylor – Stage Crew
Ethan Barna – Tech Crew Leader
Mei Mei Barna – Tech Crew
Emma Burke – Pit Orchestra (Horn)
Notes of Thanks
March 17, 2021Thank you to everyone who sent me cards and notes on the occasion of my 10th year as Clerk of Session. I am humbled by the many kind words of thanks and appreciation. It has been my honor to serve Derry in this way and to have had the privilege of working with our dedicated staff and members who gladly serve as Elders and Deacons. May God continue to watch and guide us as we work to proclaim God’s word, share God’s love and practice God’s justice. Love and peace to all, Kathy Yingst
I have received several cards and notes from Derry people, so please pass the word that I am home. I am wheelchair-bound but working to regain my mobility. God is good and His healing power is amazing. We give thanks! Herb Fowler
Derry friends, thank you so much for the cards, phone calls, meals, thoughts and prayers during the last several weeks. We really appreciated all the kindness that was shared by so many of you. It has been a very rough time with my parents (Harry & Betty Eberly) dying so close together. We used to do weekly dinners with them & daily phone calls — I really miss those times now. God has given us strength to get through these difficulties times and He will help us as times goes. God bless you! Teresa & Bill Hutcheson and Doug & Dee Eberly
Morning Meditations for Lent
March 16, 2021
Derry Church staff (and some special guests) return with a new video series for Lent! The first video posted on Ash Wednesday, and new Lenten video meditations will be added every weekday morning on Facebook, Instagram and our YouTube channel. Click here to access the YouTube playlist, and join us as we journey with Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem to experience the reality of God’s redeeming grace.
What’s the Plan for Holy Week and Easter?
March 10, 2021We’re making plans for virtual and in-person services at 7 pm on Maundy Thursday, April 1 and 7 pm on Good Friday, April 2, as well as in-person and virtual services on Easter Sunday, April 4.
When Session meets on March 17, the Elders will review and vote on updated regathering recommendations from the COVID Task Force. With Session approval, details and registration links for in-person worship services in April will be included in the March 18 eNews.
Mission Madness is Back: Get Ready to Make Your Picks!
March 10, 2021Mission Madness officially launched during the March 7 worship service, and the video above is a long version of what was shown during the service. Follow this link to set up your bracket, and on March 14 you may begin selecting your teams.
Proceeds will help to fund scholarships for Sargodha School students in Pakistan. A suggested $10 donation per entry can be made on the church’s secure online giving portal: select “Pakistan Scholarships.”
A trophy and engraved plaque for the overall winner will be presented next month, as well as multiple engraved medals for winners of subgroups (Best Youth, Best in Staff, Best on Session, Best in Music etc). And yes, you can also look forward to Pete’s traditional email updates, nicknames, and jovial banter that recaps the action after every round of games.
Questions? Contact Pete Steelman.
Epistemology and the Search for Truth: Week 6
March 10, 2021Week #6 of Pastor Stephen’s class, “Epistemology and the Search for Truth.” We need to understand the method of inquiry and evaluating an argument or even a fact. Where does the fact come from, is it only a partial fact, what is the context of the fact, who is presenting the fact and what is their agenda. Critical thinking is necessary in our pursuit of any kind of truth.
Tuesday Worship from Derry Church • 3/9/21
March 10, 2021Church Attendance in Pandemic Times
March 4, 2021You may be wondering: how does live stream attendance from the past year compare with Derry’s in-person church attendance? In pre-pandemic times, ushers counted everyone sitting in the Chapel and Sanctuary and the number was recorded in a notebook. Each year, those numbers were added up, giving us an average in-person attendance figure for the year. In 2019, that number was 321.
In 2020 we had live streaming numbers that Sue George records on a spreadsheet each week. Pre-pandemic, our Sunday live stream averaged 35 IP addresses. From March-Dec 2020, live stream attendance averaged 270, and so far this year we’re at 280 across all three platforms people use to join us on Sunday mornings (our website, YouTube and Facebook).
Each IP address represents a single computer, TV or mobile device. In many homes more than one person is watching, so for actual attendance, it’s realistic to estimate 1.5 to 2 times 280, giving Derry a range of 420-560 viewers each week who attend from a dozen states.
When the adult Issues Class met in person, the class averaged 10-15 participants. On Zoom, the class averages 30 participants with many more watching afterwards.
In children’s programming, Derry Church welcomed on average 20 children in person ages 4-grade 5. On Zoom we’re seeing 25 participants at church school and fellowship opportunities.
Youth fellowship often saw 15-20 in-person participants and now 12-15 youth are joining virtually. This group spends the most time staring at screens during the week, so we’re not surprised to see that they want a break on the weekends.
Derry Church continues to attract new members, with 10 people joining last November and eight in the current class that will be received on March 14. Some new members have not yet been inside the church building.
Shares for Scholarships Campaign: Fantastic Final Report!
March 4, 2021Our 2021 “Shares for Scholarships”campaign has come to a close, and your response was overwhelming: 50 donations were received totaling $12,394! Thank you for your generous outpouring of love for the children of Pakistan. Your gifts make it possible for 32 day students and one boarding school student 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
Mission Madness is Back and Better than Ever!
March 4, 2021It seems like years since last March, when the pandemic hit and the NCAA Tournament was cancelled, but we quickly pivoted and fashioned our “Derry Madness” games and videos to take the place of the basketball. As fun as that was, with the return of NCAA basketball we are returning to the ‘traditional’ mission fundraiser!
Proceeds will go to student scholarships for the Sargodha School in Pakistan. A suggested $10 donation per entry can be made on the church’s secure online giving portal: select “Pakistan Scholarships.”
If you participated in the last NCAA pool two years ago, you should be automatically re-enrolled in the Yahoo site where you will enter your picks. If you are new, or unsure if you played before, or have a new email address, just email Pete Steelman and he will add you to the mailing list.
You may pre-register on Yahoo now, although picks cannot be made until “Selection Sunday” in mid-March.
A trophy and engraved plaque for the overall winner will be presented next month, as well as multiple engraved medals for winners of subgroups (Best Youth, Best in Staff, Best on Session, Best in Music etc). And yes, you can also look forward to Pete’s traditional email updates, nicknames, and jovial banter that recaps the action after every round of games.