Information for ministers, educators, church administrators, clerks, and congregations | | |
▪ Listening Sessions Apr. 27 & May 5 & Called Meeting May 12
▪ SDOP Grant Workshop Apr. 28 Cancelled
▪ Older Adult Ministry Aging & Dementia Live Webinar May 19
▪ May Trainings Registration Close Apr. 30
▪ Rev. Kerry at Mitchells Presbyterian
▪ Hebron's Noah Morgan Featured on Post-Christian World Church Webinar May 7
▪ Easter Baking at Burkeville Presbyterian
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▪ Fossil Fuel Divestment Before General Assembly
▪ Unification Commission A Corp Board Recommends Balanced Budgets
▪ Wealth of Webinars from PRC
▪ Creation Justice Ministries Fighting for Higher Ground In Detroit Screening May 11
▪ Church & Community Events
▪ New Posts! Employment Opportunities
| | POJ Office Sale Listening Sessions Scheduled Ahead of May 12 Called Meeting | | |
Two listening sessions are scheduled for members of the Presbytery of the James to voice their thoughts and questions regarding the sale of the Presbytery of the James office building:
The Called Meeting on this subject will take place Tuesday, May 12 at 6:45 p.m. via Zoom. Visit the POJ Meetings page for current meeting details and information.
| | Aging & Dementia Live Webinar with Rev. Arch Wallace May 19 | |
Please join us for a FREE webinar on aging and dementia, in particular Alzheimer’s disease, on May 19, 2026, at 2 p.m. on Zoom, presented by POJ's Older Adult Ministry. Register at bit.ly/4cC4qax or visit presbyteryofthejames.com/ministries/older-adult-ministry
Dementia describes a group of symptoms affecting memory. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common causes of dementia. There are estimated to be more than 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. By the year 2050 projections are that those suffering from Alzheimer’s will be 13 million people (statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association). According to the Pew Research using PCUSA 2023-2024 statistics, we are an aging denomination with 45 percent of our membership age 65 and older. As pastors and elders and a host of caregivers, we need to understand what is happening within our congregations and families.
Rev. Arch Wallace is a lawyer turned pastor. He served in the U.S. Army’s psychological operations division before becoming an attorney at a law firm in Richmond. As a lawyer, he became familiar with cases involving clergy, which deepened his sense of a call to pastoral ministry. He went on to graduate from Union Seminary in Richmond and has since served various churches in the presbytery as both pastor and interim pastor. Arch has also served on numerous presbytery committees and was once moderator of the Presbytery. His talents and skills include work as a parliamentarian, a professional mediator, and a professional genealogist. He brings to the issue of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease his own personal family experience.
| | May Trainings Registration Closes Apr. 30 | |
Self Development of People Grant Workshop April 28 Cancelled | | |
The Self Development of People Community Grant Workshop on April 28, 6-7:30 p.m. has been cancelled and will be rescheduled. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Keep an eye out for further updates on this or check out the SDOP website for more info and grant opportunities on the local and national level.
| | Rev. Kerry at Mitchells Presbyterian Church | |
The drive from my home to my destination included interstate and county roads. I like the interstate for cruise control and lenient speed limit enforcement; I like country roads for the scenery and curves, letting me engage with the road like a "grand prix" driver.
This morning, I was to be at Mitchells Presbyterian Church leading worship the first Sunday after their pastor accepted another call. The goal was to participate in worship and have a town hall–like meeting with the session and any members who had "what next" questions.
This was my second time at Mitchells, having filled in for their pastor in September 2025. I found the church the same as before: friendly and inviting, chatting with me and others—just being themselves.
The only sign something was different was the pastor's study. It's the first office inside the side door, nicely furnished with a great set of bookcases. Today, those bookcases were empty. Having moved as a clergy person three times, I can tell you packing away one's library is a somber occasion.
Worship centered on Peter's Pentecost sermon. A particular take bounced around in my thoughts: Peter's tone, the "and that's the way it is" finality of it (think Walter Cronkite).
Today was a typical Sunday: sitting in that unique sanctuary, listening to the choir lead worship and response, sharing moments from the congregation's life, celebrating a child of the church returning for a concert, keeping an eye on the three male choir members just off to my right (they told me to be aware of them last time!), sharing prayer, and being part of a faith-filled congregation living out its faith for all to see.
After worship, we gathered in the fellowship hall with the session and many members and talked about "the process"—and more importantly, what both the session and congregation could do to keep moving forward. They had already secured supply pastors for the short term, and the Clerk reminded everyone that the pastor left behind a comprehensive "checklist" for the session (well done, preacher!).
The best part was the congregation's decision (no motions, no seconds, no votes, just "yeses") to continue with the activities that had become part of the church's life for 2026. I suppose this is their "we've got this" attitude coming through. Oh yes, and there were snacks and drinks!
It was good to see my siblings in Christ that morning, though a little sad; the congregation assured me ministry will go on. There will be work for them to do, and for the presbytery to do as well. They are ready to get things moving, and my note to COM will say the same.
All in all, another wonderful day in the POJ neighborhood!
Blessings,
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Hebron's Rev. Noah Morgan on Being Church in a Post-Christian World: A Live Webinar | |
What: Live webinar on Being Church in a Post-Christian World
When: May 7 at 6:30 p.m.
Who: Rev. Noah Morgan of POJ's Hebron Presbyterian Church joins in conversation with Rev. Dr. Edwin van Driel and Rev. Kendra Buckwalter Smith, hosts of Being Church in a Post-Christian World podcast.
How to Join: Register here.
In an increasingly post-Christian world, what does it look like to be the church and participate in the mission of God today? We will discuss what we can learn from the church in the Dutch context and how God might be calling us to be the body of Christ in new ways.
| | Intergenerational Baking at Burkeville Presbyterian Church on Easter Sunday | |
On Easter Sunday, Burkeville Presbyterian's Worship Committee Chairman, Jennifer Bennett, extended a joyful invitation to the entire congregation to join the children in making resurrection buns—a hands-on reminder of the empty tomb. What began as a children’s activity quickly became a beautiful, multigenerational experience of faith. Together, young and old gathered to bake, share, and reflect, watching the symbolism unfold as the “tomb” was opened to reveal it empty, just as Scripture tells us. In that shared moment, the congregation not only learned about Christ’s resurrection but experienced it in community—worshiping, laughing, and growing in faith side by side.
| | Why Fossil Fuel Divestment is Back Before the General Assembly | |
Caring for God's Creation Day and Earth Day were April 22. This week, we share an excerpt from recent Outlook article by The Rev. Fred Milliagan. Read the full piece here.
As the impacts of climate change grow more visible around the world, many Presbyterians are asking what faithfulness requires of the church. How should our financial decisions reflect our commitment to care for creation and for our neighbors?
Over the past 12 years, dozens of presbyteries have called on the Presbyterian Foundation and the Board of Pensions to divest from companies whose primary profits come from fossil fuel energy. These calls distinguish fossil fuel energy products from the many other products derived from oil, gas and coal due to the climate-changing emissions released when they are used.
At the 227th General Assembly this summer, another overture will join this call for divestment. Keep reading.
| | Unification Commission, A Corp Board Unanimously Recommend Balanced Unified Budgets for 2027 & 2028 | |
This is an excerpt from Presbyterian News Service's Mike Ferguson's recent article. Read the full piece here. (Above photo: Drummers participate in closing worship at the 226th General Assembly in Salt Lake City, Utah.)
Meeting jointly via Zoom Monday, members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), A Corporation Board and the Unification Commission voted unanimously to recommend balanced unified budgets for 2027 and 2028 to the 227th General Assembly meeting this summer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The recommended per capita apportionment rates will be $10.94 for 2027 and $11.27 for 2028. The exact dollar figures, with revenues and expenditure proposals the same each year, is $90,454,606 for 2027 and $97,921,505 for 2028.
In addition, the motion included the approval of annual income realized in 2025 and projected for 2026 from the John C. Lord and Edmund P. Dwight Funds in support of the budget for the general mission work of Presbyterian Life & Witness. The approvals are requirements of the two gifts. Keep reading.
| | A Wealth of Webinars from Practical Resources for Churches | |
Join Practical Resources for Churches' (PRC) live and on-demand webinars – offering 50–75 learning opportunities each year – to equip your congregation and judicatory with fresh ideas, practical tools, and inspiring presenters. We also welcome your suggestions for future topics and trainings.
Upcoming Live Webinars:
- May 5 - Effective Budget Planning
- May 5 - Anti-Harassment & Sexual Harassment Prevention Training
- May 9 - Book Club- "Coal River" by Ellen Marie Wiseman
- May 12 - Being the Helper: Trauma Informed Care for Young Children
- May 14 - Leadership Transitions; Succession Planning for Church Leaders
| | Continuing Education Opportunities | | Fighting for Higher Ground in Detroit Screening May 11 | |
What: Fighting for Higher Ground virtual film screening and conversation about how churches can be powerful agents of change in their own communities and what it might look like to replicate this work in your community.
When: May 11 at 7 p.m.
Who: From Creation Justice Ministries and the American Geophysical Union's Thriving Earth Exchange
How: Register here
What does it look like when faith communities lead the charge on environmental justice — not from the outside, but from the ground up?
This short documentary follows two Detroit congregations (Scott Memorial United Methodist Church and Nazarene Missionary Baptist Church) as they confront illegal dumping, food insecurity, and decades of environmental neglect in their own neighborhoods. With support from Creation Justice Ministries and the American Geophysical Union's Thriving Earth Exchange, church members are turning vacant lots into community gardens, combating illegal trash dumping through research and beautification, and building a model of faith-rooted, community-driven environmental action.
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Registration Window for Polity 101 May Term & Clerk Training
Apr. 1-30
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Deadline to Submit: June Stated Meeting Overtures
Apr. 22
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Deadline to Submit: May CPM Materials
May 5
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Union Presbyterian Seminary Sprunt Lectures
May 4-6
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AI Goes to Church: Pastoral Wisdom for Artificial Intelligence
Thursdays in May, 7 p.m.
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SPECIAL DAYS/OBSERVANCES
▪ American Genocide Rememberace Day - Apr. 24
▪ World Malaria Day - Apr. 25
▪ Older Adult Week Begins - May 3
▪ Legacy Giving Sunday - May 3
▪ Nat. Day of Awareness & Action for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, & Two-Spirit People - May 5
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Church Administrator (Lay/Part-Time) – New Hanover Presbyterian Church, Hanover, Virginia
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Choir Director/Church Musician (Lay/Part-Time) – Meadows Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, Virginia
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Director of Music (Lay/Part-Time) – The Presbyterian Church, Fredericksburg, Virginia
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Director of Christian Education for Children and Youth (Clergy or Lay/Part-Time) – Bon Air Presbyterian Church, Bon Air, VA
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Director of Music (Lay/Part-Time) – Laurel Presbyterian Church, Glen Allen, VA
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Campus Ministry Coordinator (Part-Time/Temporary) – Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, VA
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Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries (Clergy or Lay/Full-Time) – First Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, VA
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Covenant Minister (Clergy/Part-Time) – King’s Chapel Presbyterian Church, Doswell, VA
| | Nearby Presbyteries and PC(USA) Calls & Jobs | | |
HAVE NEWS TO SHARE WITH THE POJ? We'd love to hear from you!
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Submit an announcement or story to communications@presbyteryofthejames.org with "newsletter" included somewhere in the subject.
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Submissions are due Thursdays at noon for the following week's newsletter. The Current is published most weeks of the year.
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Our Mission
To support leaders, congregations, and ministries in growing followers of Jesus Christ who joyfully live out God’s mission in the world.
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