Old Events
Searching for Derry’s New Associate Pastor
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AN UPDATE FROM GREGG ROBERTSON
CHAIR, PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Let me start with the process. To call a new associate pastor we are NOT following the traditional Presbyterian process as outlined in our Book of Order, but a much more efficient and we think much more effective process that Derry has used successfully in the past.
For example: Marie Buffaloe came to our Presbytery when her husband Brad Bradford took the Executive Presbyter position in the Carlisle Presbytery. It so happened around that same time Derry had grown to the point where we needed an associate pastor. As we got to know Marie, it became clear that she could fulfill the pastoral needs that Derry’s growing congregation required. Rather than go through the highly structured, time consuming and expensive traditional Presbyterian call process, Derry’s Session contracted with Marie for her pastoral services. This was a relationship that lasted for 25 years. Each year, the Session renewed our contract with Marie until her retirement earlier this year.
Another factor that guided us in this case to not use the traditional Presbyterian call process was our experience using that process to call Pastor Stephen. As it turned out, of the 164 resumes that we received through the denomination call process none resulted in a candidate in which we were interested enough to interview. Rather, every one of the candidates the PNC felt excited enough about to interview came to us through the Pastor Nominating Committee’s own efforts to reach out and network with others in the denomination.
This summer, as we came to realize that we would need a new associate pastor, Pastor Stephen and I began to reach out to others in the Presbytery and beyond to find potential candidates that might fit Derry’s needs, resulting in three excellent candidates that expressed interest in the Derry position and agreed to be interviewed.
In October, the Personnel Committee formed the Associate Pastor Interview Committee (APIC) consisting of 11 Derry members from all facets of the congregation. The role of the APIC is to interview prospective candidates and come to a consensus on which candidate would be most suitable to meet Derry’s needs. Once a lead candidate has been identified, the candidate will be invited to Derry to participate in several activities with the congregation in areas in which they will be expected to take a leadership role. Based on feedback from congregation members participating in those activities the Personnel Committee will either recommend to Session that a contract be negotiated with the candidate or the APIC will interview additional candidates.
The APIC has been interviewing candidates based on the following dimensions: Ministry with Children and Youth, Teaching Ministry including faith formation for all ages, Communication, Pastoral Care and Worship. Questions exploring these five dimensions of ministry are being used by the APIC in the candidate interviews.
The APIC has completed three interviews so far. We scheduled a face-to-face meeting of the APIC on November 14 to review the results of our interviews and hopefully come to a consensus on inviting one to participate in the congregational activities. Given that we will soon be into the Advent Season, the congregational activities with the leading candidate may not take place until after the New Year.
Please contact me with your questions about this process and our progress, by email or phone. I ask that you keep the Associate Pastor Interview Committee in your prayers as we seek to discern God’s will for our new associate pastor.
Members of the Associate Pastor Interview Committee: Bill DeMuth, Bill Uffelman, Christina Simmons, Claudia Holtzman, Gregg Robertson (Chair), Julie Yutesler, Kristy Elliott, Lauren June, Sara Matthews, Timothy Mosher and Wally Patton.
Advent Wreath Making
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11:30 AM SUNDAY, NOV 27 IN FELLOWSHIP HALL
You’re invited to join Derry friends to make your own Advent wreath! Each family will assemble a wreath to use in their own home throughout the season of Advent. Click to RSVP by Tuesday, Nov 22.
Fall Raking and Outdoor Cleanup
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3-5 PM FRIDAY, NOV 18
8 AM TO FINISH SATURDAY, NOV 19
Bring your rakes and join the Gardeners of Derry to work outdoors preparing the church grounds for the winter. Pickup trucks and wheelbarrows are welcome and appreciated.
Health Supplies You Can Donate During Derry’s Season of Giving
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From Nov 27 – the first Sunday in Advent – through Sunday, Dec 11, Derry Church will be giving AND receiving! In the upstairs hallway, you will be able to pick up Advent devotionals and drop off items for the food bank, health care supplies for one of our mission partners, and gift cards for racetrack workers and children whose families use the Hershey Food Bank and Community Outreach. NO hats/gloves/scarves needed this year.
Here’s the list of supplies requested from Rev. Drew Stockstill that will support Christ Lutheran Church’s Health Ministry:
- Men’s and women’s plain underwear
- Men’s plain white undershirts
- Travel sized tissues and cough driops
- Hygiene items: lotion, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant
- Plain Tussin
- Muscle rub
- Chest rub
- Emergen-C, Airborne, Zinc
The Season of Giving takes the place of last year’s Derry Drive-Thru and previous years when you could choose tags from the Christmas tree in the downstairs atrium. You won’t see a tree downstairs this year as that space is now being used for fellowship and community. Just pop upstairs to participate in Derry’s Season of Giving!
International Friendsgiving: A Culturally Diverse To-Go Feast
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PICKUP 4-6 PM SATURDAY, NOV 26 AT HADEE MOSQUE, 245 DIVISION ST, HARRISBURG
Set aside your Thanksgiving leftovers and enjoy a sampling of five international dishes while helping to support Church World Services’ refugees and programs! Foods will be prepared from family recipes in a certified kitchen and may be reheated. Cost is $20/box which is a single serving. Order by Monday, Nov 21: read more and click here to order.
Learn About Two More 2022 Thank Offering Recipients
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The Thank Offering of Presbyterian Women began in 1888 and supports mission projects at home and abroad. In keeping with the by-laws, 40% of funded projects are related to health ministries. Of the 10 projects funded this year, seven are in the US. Two projects are in conjunction with local Habitat for Humanity groups. Several grants will support projects that are aimed at adults with disabilities.
In Talladega, Alabama Union Village is an innovative program by Presbyterian Home for Children in partnership with the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind that turns unused farmland into much-needed accessible, affordable and secure housing for adults with multiple disabilities. This supportive housing community empowers independent living and is one of the few programs designed for this vulnerable population in the United States. The Thank Offering grant will support the construction of 16 tiny homes that provide special accommodations such as zero-step entry into the house and bathroom and strategic placement of lighting and sensory–assist devices.
Another program that supports adults with disabilities is Our Community Cup Coffeehouse in the Philadelphia area. When adults with intellectual disabilities and differences reach the age of 21, many supportive programs disappear. Our Community Cup Coffeehouse provides a space for adults with disabilities, their families and caregivers to feel welcomed and encouraged to grow in friendship, leadership and faith. Guests meet weekly to share a meal and participate in social activities like playing cards, coloring, singing with live music and participating in talent nights where jugglers, singer, comedians, poets, painters, fiber artists and dancers share their gifts. The Thank Offering grant will fund the use of the building, gifts for musicians, activity costs and food for the year. Since some regular funding was lost during the pandemic, this grant will allow the project to rebuild its financial infrastructure for the long term.
Please consider a contribution to the 2023 Thank Offering. Place checks in the offering boxes or mail to the church office, or give online as you are able in thanks for all the blessings in your life.
Worship Celebrating our Covenant with Animals
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In celebration of all of God’s creatures and their presence in our lives, Derry Church offers its 14th 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.
Engage Worship Featuring the Music of Billy Joel
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Join us in the Sanctuary or by live stream to “engage” with the music of the great Billy Joel while considering the promise of God’s peaceable Kingdom and the power of community to help bring it to life. We’ll hear Grant Wareham bring Billy Joel to Hershey through piano renditions of favorites, we’ll have soloists sing some classics, and of course the congregation will get to sing along to some of Billy Joel’s greatest hits.
Griefshare Support Group
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6-8 PM MONDAYS IN ROOM 7
GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who walk alongside people through one of life’s most difficult experiences, offering support to those who are dealing with the loss of a loved ones from death.
Participants are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for the safety of all who attend. Register by contacting Marie Buffaloe or call the church office (717-533-9667). No cost to attend. Child care is not available.
The series continues weekly through August 30, 2021.
Tech Time!
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1-2 PM MONDAYS ON ZOOM
Do you have a computer or software question? Want to practice Zoom in a safe, welcoming environment? Wondering why your cell phone is misbehaving? Confused about what a web browser is? No tech question is off limits in this weekly gathering on Zoom. Drop in to ask one question or stay for the hour and learn stuff!
Sessions are led by Sue George, Director of Communications & Technology… but she’s not the only one with answers. Our regular participants offer great suggestions and answers to the assortment of questions that pop up each week.
Click to register. Sign up once and you can attend all Tech Time sessions in 2021.
Click this link or text Tech to 717-820-9060 to sign up for a weekly Tech Time reminder and occasional tech news of interest to the group.
Questions? Contact Sue George.
New Member Classes
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11:30 AM-12:30 PM SUNDAYS: JUL 25, AUG 1 & AUG 8 IN THE LOUNGE
Learn more about the mission and ministry of Derry Church in a series of hour-long classes offered after 10:30 am worship on Sunday mornings. Those who decide to join will be received on Sunday, Aug 8. Questions? Need child care? Contact Pastor Marie.
CLICK TO REGISTER (always appreciated, never required)
Outdoor Worship
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Join Derry Church pastors, musicians and friends for worship on the front lawn! Please bring your own chair and dress comfortably.
If it rains, this service will be held in the Chapel.
Upcoming outdoor services:
7 pm Tuesday, Aug 10
7 pm Tuesday, Aug 31 (celebrating our covenant with animals: pets welcome on leash or contained)
7 pm Tuesday, Sept 7