November 27, 2024

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

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In This Issue:

• POJ Holiday Closures
• Thanksgiving Blessings
• Celebrating New Pastoral Relationships
• Spotlight on Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church: Candlelight Carol Service

• Randolph-Macon Pre-Ministerial Program
• Call for Planning Calendar Photos
• Your Grief and the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Virtual Roundtable
• Church and Community Events
• Employment Opportunities

The POJ office will be closed November 25-29, however, Rev. Kerry Foster and Barry Parks will be working remotely for part of the week and may be reached by phone or email.

We at the Presbytery of the James send our congregations and subscribers heartfelt Thanksgiving blessings this season. May God’s grace and peace surround you and fill your hearts with gratitude.

We're pleased to welcome the following minister members into service at the POJ. We pray for fruitful work and relationships in your new callings!

• Rev. Keli Shipley Cooper joined Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church late this summer as pastor and head of staff.
• Rev. Charles "Chaz" Blasdell joined Amelia Presbyterian Church in November as pastor.

Rev. Keli Shipley Cooper

Rev. Charles "Chaz" Blasdell

Know a high school or college student interested in ministry? For students who are discerning a call to Christian ministry, Randolph-Macon offers an enriching program to explore how you might answer your unique call from God. The pre-ministerial program is supplemental to work in the classroom, and pre-ministerial students may major in any subject.

Significant financial support is available to many pre-ministerial students, through the selective A. Purnell Bailey Scholarship or Randolph-Macon’s pre-ministerial grants. 

The Presbyterian Planning Calendar is once again seeking photo submissions from congregations and worshiping communities, mid councils, camps, centers and education centers for use in its 2025-2026 edition.

Images to be considered for the Presbyterian Planning Calendar should feature church members and friends engaged in activities including worship, mission service, creativity and the arts, and direct outreach. Calendar planners ask that staged photos of groups of people and photos of people sitting at conference or dining tables be avoided.

The holiday season can be incredibly challenging for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Texas nonprofit Faith & Grief invites you to a grief roundtable, a compassionate space where we can share our grief stories, honor our loved ones, and explore the complexities of grieving during this time of year. The event is open to anyone who is grieving.

View full presbytery calendar

Supporting Older Adults in the "Third Thirty" Webinar

December 3, 2 p.m.

Free Virtual Webinar

Service of Thanksgiving for the Ministry of Rev. Dr. Lynn McClintock

December 3, 3 p.m.

Sara Belle November Theater at Westminster Canterbury

Your Grief and the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Roundtable

December 11, 8:30 p.m.

Virtual Roundtable

Hanover Christmas

December 13 and 14

Camp Hanover

Candlelight Carol Service

December 15, 5 p.m.

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church

Winter Camp

December 28-30

Camp Hanover

Digital Power and Play Training: Social Media's Impact on Adolescents' Spiritual Development and Identity

January 23, 10 a.m-1 p.m.

The Hermitage

Missional Entrepreneurship Training: For Pioneers at the Intersection of the Marketplace and God’s Mission

January 29-31

Riverside Presbyterian Church, Sterling, VA

Confirmation Retreat

January 31-February 2 Massanetta Springs

Randoph-Macon College Bailey Scholars / Pre-Ministerial Program Applications Due

February 1

Handbell Retreat

February 14-16

Massanetta Springs

• Full-Time Children’s Ministry Director, Central Presbyterian Church, Anderson, South Carolina
• Part-Time Director of Youth, College, and UKIRK Ministries, Williamsburg Presbyterian Church

Calls and Jobs in Nearby Presbyteries 



PC(USA) Job Board

Association of Partners in Christian Education Job Board

The Current is published weekly. Submit an announcement for an upcoming issue by emailing our associate for communications. Submissions due Thursday at 5 p.m. for the following week. Send text (including a link to your website/Facebook page) in the body of your email or in a Word document. Attach photos to your email if desired. Please do not send graphics or flyers.

Our Mission

To support leaders, congregations, and ministries in growing followers of Jesus Christ who joyfully live out God’s mission in the world.