Information for ministers, educators, church administrators, clerks, and congregations | | |
▪ Register for Stated Meeting by Feb. 20
▪ Register for Polity 101 by Feb. 28
▪ Message from Rev. Kerry
▪ Barbara Flynt Installation Feb. 22
▪ Message from Amy Starr Redwine
▪ Special Offerings Changes Recordings & Standing Orders
| | |
▪ Presbyterian Assoc. of Musicians Podcast
▪ What Should the Church Say Lect. Mar. 18
▪ West Coast Conference Apr. 13-17
▪ Princeton Forum on Youth Apr. 28-May 1
▪ Church & Community Events
▪ Employment Opportunities
| | Meeting Packet is Online & Registration is Open | |
Feb. 20, noon – Deadline to register
Feb. 21 – Stated Meeting of POJ at Fairfield Presbyterian Church (6930 Coldharbor Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23111) and via Zoom
| | |
Registration Deadline: Feb. 28
Instructor: Rev. Carson Rhyne
Dates for Winter Term: Thursdays, March 5, 12, 19, 26 · 7–8 p.m.
Cost: $50 per church, covering all participants
| | A Message & Reflection from Rev. Kerry | |
Greetings from your traveling TMP & SC!
I was back in Madison again this weekend (my first “back-to-back” visits anywhere!) to worship and then work with Madison Presbyterian Church’s Session as they are preparing themselves for their next steps of ministry: The Pastor Search!
Worship was a chance for me to hear a colleague preach for the first time, as well as to respond to those who greeted me by name—and to return the greeting in kind.
Let me also add thanks to the Session of Madison Presbyterian Church. They are getting ready for the next steps with enthusiasm and grace and will continue the ministry established there over the last three years!
Since this was a “work visit,” not much else to add. Rather, I would like to talk a bit about my visit earlier this year down at Woodlawn Presbyterian Church in Hopewell, Virginia. That Sunday, their pastor shared a poem in the sermon that resonated with me and has stayed in my memory. I would like to share that poem with you all.
The title of the poem is “I Wish You Enough," and it can be found online. There seems to be some question about who actually wrote it, but the version I found came from “Chicken Soup for the Grieving Soul.”
I Wish You Enough
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the
day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear
bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final goodbye.
I hope this brings all of you a moment to pause, reflect, and simply be in silence and grace.
My travels will continue; so, until my next stop, blessings.
Your colleague,
| | |
The Presbytery of the James invites you to the installation service of Barbara Benton Flynt as Commissioned Ruling Elder on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 2 p.m. The service will take place at The Brandermill Church in Midlothian, Virginia (4500 Millridge Parkway, Midlothian, VA), or tune in to bit.ly/tbcnow at the time of the service to view online.
An offering will be received for the Presbytery of the James Pastoral Care Fund with a reception following the service. All are welcome to attend and celebrate this special occasion.
Congratulations, Barbara! We pray for many fruitful blessings for you and The Brandermill Church!
| | A Message from Amy Starr Redwine | | |
Dear POJ,
First, thank you so much for the outpouring of support through your cards, message, and prayers over these last ten months. It has truly meant the world to me, Derek, and our family. I'm happy to report that I am recovering well from a bone marrow transplant and that I have returned to my work at First Presbyterian Richmond in a part-time and virtual capacity. I will be transitioning to full-time and in-person work as my recovery and medical team allows. I hope to be out and about soon and crossing paths with many of you. Thank you again for your prayerful support.
In faith, hope, and love,
Amy
| | Denomination News & Resources | | 2026 Special Offerings Changes Recordings Available & Standing Orders | | |
This year, the PC(USA) Special Offerings will shift from four offerings to three. Information on these changes and recorded webinars are available on the Special Offerings changes page. An accompanying slide presentation from the webinar may be found here or by clicking the button below.
Additionally, congregations are encouraged to review and, if needed, update their standing orders for Special Offering materials, including supplies for the new World Communion Offering. A standing order form is also available. General questions can be directed to special.offerings@pcusa.org.
| | |
The below is an excerpt from the recent Presbyterian News Service article:
“Sounding Board,” a new podcast that the Presbyterian Association of Musicians [launched this month], aims to reach those who love the church, care about the quality and integrity of worship, and want to grow in their ability to lead God’s people with thoughtfulness, creativity and faithfulness.
Subsequent editions of “Sounding Board” will drop on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Guests include the Rev. Dr. Ron Byars, Dr. Arreon Harley-Emerson, the Rev. Dr. Margaret Aymer, Joel Schoon-Tanis and Tom Trenney.
The first guest of hosts Jeremy Roberts and Sarah Abushakra is the Rev. CeCe Armstrong, Co-Moderator of the 226th General Assembly and the associate pastor at St. James Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
Find “Sounding Board” on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
|
| Continuing Education Opportunities | | |
The Church Cannot be Silent, but What Should It Say?
The Rise of Christian Nationalism, the Decline of the American Dream, and How to Still Have Faith in America
March 18, 2-4 p.m.
Attend this free event via livestream or in person at Montreat
In 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a powerful address at the Montreat Conference Center amid deep national tensions surrounding race, politics, and economics. As King pressed on for equality and justice, he appealed to both the Bible and the U.S. Constitution.
Alongside his vision of God’s love, Dr. King professed, “But I still have faith in America. I love this nation and I believe that we are developing a coalition of conscience that will in the not‑too‑distant future solve this problem.”
Drawing on this moment in history, Dr. William Yoo, Associate Professor of American Religious and Cultural History at Columbia Theological Seminary, examines the intersections of faith, politics, and the civil rights movement as we witness the reemergence of white Christian nationalism, increasing socioeconomic challenges, and escalating political polarization today.
Dr. Yoo contends that American Christians can be both faithful witnesses of the gospel and loyal citizens of a nation founded on the principle of forming a more perfect union. He also offers thoughtful possibilities for how Christians can:
- honor God,
- love their neighbors,
- speak the truth in love,
- and still have faith in America.
| | |
The West Coast Presbyterian Pastors Conference exists to give fellow Presbyterian pastors a dedicated time of deep encouragement, spiritual refreshment, rich fellowship, and practical equipping from trusted teachers.
Pastors are invited to gather April 13-17, 2026 (8 days after Easter), in the beautiful mountains near Santa Cruz, California, for a life‑giving week of worship, powerful teaching, honest conversation, and true restoration.
There is still room available; please see the attached flyer for details.
| | |
Young people find themselves in the crosshairs of social upheaval, political rhetoric, and dangerous circumstances. With fears, threats, and chaos on the rise, youth ministries can be safe harbors that cultivate rest, play, curiosity, and joy. How do youth workers nurture the kinds of communities that are rooted in love, generous in mercy, and responsible with faithfulness?
Join the Institute for Youth Ministry for the 2026 Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry, April 28-May 1 at Princeton this year, as we invite learning and reflection on the capacity to stand steadfast, come what may.
| | |
|
Deadline to Submit March COM Materials
Feb. 19
| |
|
Registration Open: Polity 101 (Winter / March Course)
Feb. 1-28
| |
|
Deadline to Submit: March CPM Materials
Mar. 3
| | |
|
Action Circles for Protecting Children from Gun Violence: Imagining a New World
Apr. 15–May 13
| |
|
Focused Communication & Marketing: A Workshop for Every Congregation
Feb. 28, 10 a.m - 2 p.m.
| |
|
-
Prison Chaplain (Clergy or CRE/Full-Time) – GraceInside, throughout Virginia
-
Preschool Director / Lead Teacher (Lay/Full-Time) – Meredith Loughran Preschool at Sandston Presbyterian Church, Sandston, VA
| | Nearby Presbyteries and PC(USA) Calls & Jobs | | |
HAVE NEWS TO SHARE WITH THE POJ? We'd love to hear from you!
-
Submit an announcement by emailing communications@presbyteryofthejames.org with the word "newsletter" somewhere in the subject.
- Submissions are due Thursdays at noon for the following week's newsletter. The Current is published most weeks of the year.
- Send text (including a link to your website) in the body of your email or as an attachment.
- Attach photos to your email if desired.
| | | |
Our Mission
To support leaders, congregations, and ministries in growing followers of Jesus Christ who joyfully live out God’s mission in the world.
| | | | |
