Join Older Adult Ministry in Planning for 2023

January 5, 2023

Information for ministers, educators, church administrators, clerks, and congregations

Make Your 2023 Covenant with POJ

As we begin a new year full of opportunities to support you and your congregation in growing followers of Jesus, we invite you to make your 2023 covenant with Presbytery of the James.

Your congregation’s covenant is an opportunity for you to embrace the mission and vision of the presbytery in tangible and faithful ways. Through your financial support of the ministries of Presbytery of the James, the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, and the General Assembly together we live into the hope of our calling. Please send your covenant to the presbytery office by January 31.

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Join Older Adult Ministry in Planning for 2023

One third of Presbyterians are aged 71 or older. How many in your congregation fit into this demographic? Join POJ’s Older Adult Ministry in planning activities to meet the needs of this large group. Attend the first meeting of 2023 on January 10 at 1 p.m. at the presbytery office.

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Disaster Relief Team Helps Community Recover

After a successful trip to Florida in October to help with cleanup efforts from Hurricane Ian, POJ’s Disaster Relief Ministry is heading back to the area January 7-15. Please pray that the team will remain safe in their activities as they work to give comfort to those who lost so much.

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Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy Day

POJ’s Public Policy Witness Ministry invites you to the 30th Virginia Vigil and Advocacy Day to Prevent Gun Violence on January 16. The Virginia Center for Public Safety and its partners hold this event annually on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Virginia State Capitol. Join the vigil from 2 to 3 p.m. then raise your voice for responsible gun laws by meeting with your elected officials in the Pocahontas Building from 3 to 5 p.m.

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Bring Your Confirmation Class to Camp Hanover

Church confirmation classes are invited to join Camp Hanover for a time of fellowship, fun, and faith at the 2023 Confirmation Retreat, February 24-26. Through keynotes, small group discussion, and time for recreation, youth participants will have the opportunity to interact with others going through the confirmation process. Adam Bowling, pastor of First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City, leads the retreat.

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OGA Shares Resources for Per Capita Sunday

On January 22, Presbyterians are invited to join together for Per Capita Sunday, a day for centering worship on how we gather as a connectional church in service to God and one another. Find resources on the OGA website to help you craft a service and begin conversations. These resources include liturgy, suggested hymns, and video “Moments for Mission.”

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Pastoral Relationship News

May God bless and lead these pastors and congregations in their journeys in the future. We are grateful for their service to the church and its people.

Blackstone Church welcomed Rev. Jason Leonard as covenant pastor on January 1.

Rev. Arch Wallace concluded his service as covenant pastor of Second Church in Petersburg on December 31. He had been the pastor since 2014.

Rev. Jaechul Pi concluded his service as Burkeville Church's covenant pastor on December 31. He had been there since 2017. He has accepted a call at a church in Hampton Roads.