Information for ministers, educators, church administrators, clerks, and congregations | | |
▪ May 12 Called Meeting Registration Open
▪ Clerks' Session Records Due May 15
▪ Older Adult Ministry News:
▪ Aging & Dementia Webinar May 19
▪ Join POJ Older Adult Ministry!
▪ Camp Hanover Summer Opportunities for All
▪ Service Year Opportunities for Young Adults
▪ Stewardship News
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▪ Essential New Books for Leaders
▪ Assemble Menstrual Care Kits for May 28
▪ "We Went to Palestine" Podcast Features Co-Moderators & Stated Clerk
▪ Worship and Music Conference
▪ Church & Community Events
▪ New! Employment Opportunities
| | | | Register for Called Meeting by May 11 | |
The called meeting regarding the sale of the Presbytery of the James office building, lease of office space, nominations to serve on POJ entities, and Ebenezer Administrative Commission will take place Tuesday, May 12 at 6:45 p.m. via Zoom. The Moderator received a request to call this meeting from the required number of teaching elders (three) and ruling elders (three) representing the required number of congregations (three)." (Manual of Administrative Operations (Adopted February 21, 2026), Section Two Meetings of the Presbytery, A. Time and Date of Meetings, pg. 4)
Visit the POJ Meetings page for meeting and registration information. Be sure to register by noon on May 11.
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Nominees Requested
An Opportunity to Serve
The Presbytery’s Committee on Nominations (CON) is hard at work seeking the names of
persons to serve in the ministry we share as Presbyterians in central Virginia. Among those we seek are the names of persons who would consider serving, if elected, on the Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC), for a 3 year term.
Church discipline, in the PCUSA is accomplished through judicial processes of
accountability… Presbyteries, synods, and the General Assembly conduct trials
and appeals of both remedial and disciplinary processes through permanent
judicial commissions (PJCs).” (Book of Order 2025-2027, D-2.0101 and
2.0102).
Specifically, we hope to nominate a Ruling Elder who is a woman, or a person of color. Some
legal training, as an attorney or paralegal, would be preferable. If you are interested in being
considered for nomination, please send your name, and contact information, to the Rev. Kate
Fiedler at katef@2presrichmond.org.
| | | | Reminder to Clerks: Submit Session Records to Your Reader by May 15 | | |
Have you submitted your Session's records to your assigned reader yet? If so, Thank you!! If not, there's still time to do so by May 15.
Learn who your reader is and other recordkeeping details for clerks on the Forms for Sessions and Congregations page.
| | POJ OLDER ADULT MINISTRY NEWS | | Aging Webinar with Arch Wallace May 19 | Join us for a free Zoom webinar on aging and dementia, (especially Alzheimer's disease,) presented by POJ's Older Adult Ministry with Rev. Arch Wallace, a pastor, former lawyer, mediator, and someone who brings personal family experience to the topic. | | | | Join the POJ Older Adult Ministry! | |
Looking for meaningful connection, shared wisdom, and a chance to shape the future of older adult ministry in our presbytery?
The Presbytery of the James Older Adult Ministry invites you to bring your voice, experience, and passion to the table.
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Whether you’re newly retired, decades into this season of life, or simply care deeply about vibrant faith communities for all ages, we’d love to have you. Together, we’ll explore ways to nurture spiritual growth, foster intergenerational relationships, and support one another in living out God’s call -- no matter our age.
Contact George Whipple to learn more and get involved.
| | Service Year Opportunities for Young Adults | |
A Year in Berlin (A Young Adult Volunteer Partnership)
Spend 10 life-changing months in Berlin, Germany’s capital, in a volunteer service program rooted in faith in action. Deepen your understanding of what it means to be engaged in God’s world, grow in your sense of self and community, and explore your call as a faithful global citizen. This program is for young adults ages 21–30. Applications are due no later than May 18, 2026. Contact Destini.Hodges@pcusa.org for information!
Serve in one of two placements:
- A parish ministry with children and youth
- A diaconal institution accompanying people with disabilities
PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer Program
The Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program is an ecumenical, faith-based year of service for young people (ages 19–30) in sites across the United States and around the world or virtually! YAVs accompany local agencies working to address root causes of poverty and reconciliation. Alongside this work, volunteers explore the meaning of their Christian faith and accountability to their neighbors in the community with peers and mentors.
Applications open in late August or early September for the following year. Apply early!
This year of service opportunity includes:
- A regular stipend
- All program-related transportation costs covered
- Student-loan assistance.
Visit us at youngadultvolunteers.org, contact yav@pcusa.org or call 1-800-728-7228 x5300 for more informaiton. Follow us @yavprogram on social media!
| | Stewardship Ministry News | |
Help the children learn – and love – to share
In church stewardship, there is growing concern as “traditional” givers age out – they move closer to family, they enter assisted living, they reallocate their estate, or they pass away. The challenge has always been how to continually engage younger people, to connect with them and build a foundation of giving. READ MORE
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Legacy Giving
Wills and other forms of legacy giving are essential components of estate planning – the process of managing your accumulated assets and determining what legacy you will leave through them, including your legacy of faith. The Foundation offers planning tools to help donors compose their legacy giving plans and to help churches support these efforts. READ MORE
| | Save on Books at the PC(USA) Store | We know church leaders are always looking for thoughtful resources to deepen faith, enrich preaching, and nurture discipleship in their communities. Discover mere a selection of new books designed to support you as you engage Scripture, address the questions of our time, and equip church members and families for Faithful living. At the PC(USA) Store, you can save 35% every day on these and many other trusted resources. | | A New Way to Share Care: Menstrual Supply Kits for May 28 | |
Many congregations in the Presbyterian Church (USA) faithfully support Gifts of the Heart kits — sharing practical care with neighbors when it matters most.
This spring, there's a new way to make a difference. Did you know 500 million women and girls lack access to basic menstrual supplies? In recognition of International Menstrual Hygiene Day (May 28), you can assemble CWS Period Packs – menstrual supply kits that provide essential items for health, dignity, and daily life.
It's a simple, hands-on project perfect for youth groups, mission committees, women's circles, families, or individuals. Gather a group or get started on your own, assemble the supplies, and send them to be shared with neighbors in the U.S. and around the world. Menstrual care is essential care – and you can help.
| | We Went to Palestine: A 2-Part Conversation with Cece Armstrong, Tony Larsen, and Jihyun Oh | |
In a special two-part podcast series, host Bruce Reyes-Chow sits down with PC(USA) Co-Moderators Cece Armstrong, Tony Larson, and Stated Clerk Jihyun Oh for a powerful conversation about their recent trip to Palestine. This podcast is sponsored by the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship and the Palestine Justice Network of the PC(USA).
Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Podbean, or wherever you listen.
| | Presbyterian Association of Musicians Worship and Music Conference | |
June 21-26 & June 28-July 3, 2026
Montreat Conference Center, Montreat, North Carolina
Join worshipers of all ages - musicians, leaders, and learners - for the largest annual gathering of Presbyterians welcoming participants of all denominations.
Together, we will create music, learn, and worship. Your participation is an investment in the dynamic growth of the Church as we explore the promising future together.
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Deadline to Submit: Agenda June Stated Meeting
May 13
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Deadline to Submit: Reports June Stated Meeting
May 20
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Director of Preschool (Full-Time) – First Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Virginia
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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.
- 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.
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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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