Information for ministers, educators, church administrators, clerks, and congregations | | |
▪ POJ Misconduct Policy Forms Due
▪ Register by 10/16 for Stated Meeting
▪ Budget Listening Sessions w/Docs & Links
▪ ARC News:
- Seeing Whiteness Workshop 10/24
- Recording: Racial Justice Info Session
▪ Camp Hanover Great Camp Give 10/21
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▪ Massanetta Springs 2027 Dates
▪ Rev. Kerry Shares 1948 Church Etiquette
▪ We Remember Rev. Louis Andrews
▪ Hegseth's New Office of Religious Affairs
▪ Faith Formation Opps Via Circles & Zooms
▪ New Events! Calendar Highlights
▪ Employment Opportunities
| | Misconduct Policy Acknowledgments Due | | |
At its October 18, 2025 Stated Meeting, the Presbytery of the James approved an updated Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Policy, which requires annual acknowledgment of having read it. If you completed an acknowledgment last year, it is now time to do so again.
The policy is available in the COM section of the Forms and Documents page under the Resources tab on the POJ website. Submit your acknowledgment by completing the online form or by printing, completing, and mailing a form to the office.
Please review the policy and submit your acknowledgment by Dec. 31, 2026. Thank you.
| | | | Register Today for 124th Stated Meeting | | Called Meeting Nov. 10 & Listening Sessions | |
A called meeting of the Presbytery of the James will be held Nov. 10, 2026, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. via Zoom, to receive nominations for service on committees of the Presbytery of the James from the Committee on Nominations as well as the adoption of the 2027 budget motion. View the Budget Subcommittee Report here and the POJ 2017 Budget Worksheet here.
Virtual budget listening sessions will be held:
| | | | Seeing Whiteness: A Path to Becoming a More Effective Anti-Racist | A Coming Together Workshop | | |
Oct. 24, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Registration Deadline: Oct. 20
Ginter Park Presbyterian Church
How do white people act as agents of change in white communities, build authentic relationships with people of color, and work as partners for justice?
Together, white participants will address these questions with honesty and humility, explore what whiteness is, and engage with a panel of Black community members sharing insights that they hope the white people present will consider and act upon.
Let’s gather and learn how to work effectively together to dismantle racism and build thriving, just, and equitable communities.
Learn more and register here by Oct. 20!
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RECORDING AVAILABLE:
GA Racial Justice Info Session with Chad Wayner
| | The video recording of ARC's Zoom session with Chad Wayner, a POJ commissioner to the 2026 General Assembly, is now available. Chad shared his experiences on the GA’s Racial Justice Committee, discussed the implications of GA actions, and answered questions. | | | | Massanetta Springs 2027 Dates to Know | Massanetta Springs Conference Center may not reside within the POJ borders, but we try to share their events which serve all of Virginia (and beyond)! | |
Rev. Kerry Shares Forest Hill Presbyterian 1948 Church Etiquette Discovery
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Earlier this year, I was with some members of the Administrative Commission who were working with Forest Hill Presbyterian Church and its closure. That day, they were performing an often unseen task: cleaning out the building of cherished family treasures that no one seemed to wish to keep.
Church libraries and offices hold many such things—gathered, labeled, and shelved for future use. Now, no one is there to use them. One shelf contained bound copies of church bulletins going back many decades. Some had never seen bulletins kept that way; I had seen it only one other time.
A folded bulletin fell out of a randomly chosen book from the shelf at one point. On the back page, a treasure was found—one that can be passed on to you, the readers.
From the bulletin of the Forest Hill Presbyterian Church Sunday worship, dated March 14, 1948, during the ministry of one Rev. Clayton C. Crawford, the Church Etiquette list below was printed. Perhaps the leaders felt this might be a better way to address an unknown concern that was raised at the time.
CHURCH ETIQUETTE
(from the bulletin of the First Presbyterian Church, Tampa, Florida)
1. Come a little early. Be ready for worship when the service begins.
2. Never pass up the aisle during the reading of the Scripture lesson. You distract others, and destroy the effect of the Word.
3. GO FORWARD: Leave the rear pews for strangers and those who come late.
Read all ten Church Etiquette "commandments" here!
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It is with great sadness that I share the news that Rev. Louie Andrews, past pastor of Rockfish Presbyterian Church, passed away on Oct. 11, 2026. He died unexpectedly following successful surgery to remove a brain tumor. Deb and the children, Martina and David, were with him. He was surrounded by love.
Please respect Deb’s need for privacy in the next few weeks. I know that this is a shock, and we all will want to show our love. However, this is a time for family.
Addresses For Cards:
Deb Andrews - 29 Lakeside Close, Nellysford, VA 22958
Martina Paukert - 2603 Lavaca Ct. Crozet, VA 22932
Dave Andrews - 1060 New Village Drive NW, Christiansburg, VA 24073
Service:
It will be no surprise to anyone who knew Louie that he wrote his own service. We will celebrate our Lord and Louie's life with Louie’s words on November 7 at 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian in Charlottesville (500 Park Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902). (First Pres is the gracious host due to the anticipated size of this Rockfish service.) A reception will follow. Parking is behind the church in several lots. Street parking is also available. Carpooling is recommended. The service will be recorded and not live-streamed by choice. A copy will be available to view on a private page by request to Rockfish.
Please direct all questions to Rockfish Presbyterian: rockfishpcus@gmail.com or 434-361-1221. You can view the obituary here.
In Christ's Love, Rev. Inger Manchester
| | Here’s What to Know about Pete Hegseth’s New Office of Religious Affairs | A memo announcing the establishment of the Office of Religious Affairs said it would ‘oversee research, technology, and analytical tools to support and assess spiritual fitness, spiritual readiness, and spiritual resilience’ of soldiers. | | |
Presbyterian Outlook's excerpt below is from the recent Religion News Service piece.
In a “State of the Force” address on Wednesday (Sept. 30), Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the creation of an Office of Religious Affairs that would elevate “spiritual health at the same level as physical health.”
The office, and its director, would report directly to him, Hegseth said, to ensure soldiers have “religious support” in the form of chaplains with religious expertise rather than “secular... Read more...
| | | | Faith Formation Leader Connection Opportunities | The Faith Formation Leader Connection brings together leaders of faith formation ministries in the PC(USA). | | We do this by offering a variety of ways for leaders to share, connect, and learn through FREE Community Circles, Resource Zooms, Listening Circles, and Cohorts. Here are our upcoming opportunities. Join us! All times are in Eastern. | |
Around the Table: Faith & Practice Webinars
Join Around the Table for two upcoming interactive Faith & Practice webinars for parents, caregivers, pastors, educators, and church leaders.
On Thursday, Dec. 3, from 1–2:30 p.m., author and pastor Mihee Kim-Kort will lead Seeing & Being Jesus in the World, a conversation about helping children, youth, and families live out God’s radical welcome through compassion, justice, and everyday faith. The session will explore practical ways to discuss topics such as poverty, racism, gender inequality, climate change, and peacemaking. Register here.
On Thursday, December 10, from 1–2:30 p.m. Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri will guide Art as Prayer: Advent — The Creative Watercolor Art Experience. This 90-minute session invites participants to explore watercolor painting as a devotional practice during Advent; no art experience is needed. Register here.
Small Church Community Circle
Educators, volunteers, pastors, commissioned pastors, and mid-council leaders serving small churches (under 100 members) are invited to join the Small Church Community Circle, a space for connection, support, and faith formation resources. Register for any of these upcoming online gatherings here:
Nov. 5, 2026, 3 p.m.
Feb 4, 2027, 3–4:30 p.m.
Apr. 22, 2027, 1–2:30 p.m.
(Check out the Small Church Faith Formation Resource List Here!)
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Spanish-Language Workshop for those Affected by Cancer
Thursdays, Oct. 1-29
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Rhythms of Relief Benefit at New Hanover Presbyterian
Oct. 17
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Youth Group at Pace (Campus Ministry at VCU)
Nov. 15
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▪ World Food Day 10/16
▪ Children’s Sabbath; Educate a Child,
Transform the World 10/18
▪ United Nations Day 10/24
▪ Reformation Sunday 10/25
▪ All Saints' Day 11/01
▪ Honest Patriotism for Christian Citizens; Election Day 11/03
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Office Manager (Lay/Part-Time) – Westminster Presbyterian Church, Richmond, VA
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Traditional Music Director (Lay/Part-Time) – Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church, Weems, VA
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Covenant Pastor (Clergy or Lay/Full-Time) – Providence Presbyterian Church (Powhatan), Powhatan, VA
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Interim Associate Pastor for Christian Formation and Fellowship (Clergy/Full-Time) – First Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach, VA
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Director of the Pace Center at VCU (Clergy or Lay/Full-Time) – Pace Center, Richmond, VA
| | Nearby Presbyteries and PC(USA) Calls & Jobs | | |
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Our Mission
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