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Information for ministers, educators, church administrators, clerks, and congregations | |
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Inspired Worship at Presbytery Meeting | |
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At Saturday’s 116th meeting of Presbytery of the James, Rev. Dr. Alonzo Johnson, coordinator of the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People, preached for the meeting's worship service.
Reading from Matthew 25, he noted that we should remember to see Jesus in people who are poor, vulnerable, or struggling. He also reminded us that we are all people who struggle. Fortunately, we have God who helps us be strong, carry the Good News, and address the pain around us. He urged us to let go of our fear of people who are different from us and welcome them into our churches.
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Six Installed and Commissioned in Service to Presbytery
The meeting also marked a leadership transition for the presbytery. Rev. Rosalind Banbury (Bethlehem Church) passed the gavel to Ruling Elder Cherry Peters (Second Church, Richmond), who will serve as moderator until February 2025. Rev. Josh Andrzejewski (First Church, Richmond) was installed as 2024 vice-moderator. Rev. Nicole Ball, Rev. James Taneti, Ruling Elder Barry Parks, and Ruling Elder James Luckett were commissioned to represent the presbytery at the 226th General Assembly this summer.
Meeting Recording Available
Missed the meeting? Or want to revisit a part of it? Check out the recording on YouTube. The description includes links to each section, so you can quickly get to a specific part.
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Hannah Garrity, an inquirer for the candidacy of ministry with the presbytery, began creating a beautiful painting inspired by Matthew 25 during the meeting. Hannah is a founding member of A Sanctified Art. | |
Rev. Humphrey Muraya was recognized by the SDOP Ministry and the New Worshipping Communities Team. Humphrey has led All Nations Presbyterian Fellowship for 12 years. He is retiring this month and returning to Kenya. | |
Cindy Corell, PC(USA) mission co-worker, updated the presbytery on her new assignment. This summer, she will begin serving the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. She will continue to advocate for Haiti as well. | |
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Our sincere appreciation to Rosalind Banbury for her leadership as moderator in 2023. We also are grateful to the staff and volunteers of the Gayton Kirk for hosting this meeting. We give thanks to God for you all.
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Learn about Dechurching with Book Study | |
Dechurching, when Christians stop attending worship services, has been described as the largest and fastest religious shift in U.S. history. Presbyter Flo Barbee-Watkins leads this four-week exploration of the book The Great Dechurching by Jim Davis and Michael Graham. Learn more about these former members and how to engage them. | |
Share Your Feedback on Strategic Plan | |
The Strategic Plan Review Task Force would like to hear from you. At Saturday’s presbytery meeting, we collected feedback on these questions:
In reference to the strategic plan and its components:
- What is going well?
- What could be done better?
- What role are you playing, or willing to play, in the plan’s implementation?
If you were unable to attend that conversation, please share your input via the online survey by March 2.
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Union Lecture Examines Development of Islamophobia | Save the date for Union Seminary’s 2024 Dawe Lecture. The event is March 14 at 6:30 p.m. in Watts Chapel on Union Presbyterian Seminary's Richmond Campus. Dr. Hadia Mubarak, assistant professor of Religion at Queens University, will explore the implicit ways one receives and learns Islamophobia. The event also will be live streamed. A book study also is available, with virtual meetings February 22. | |
Benefit Concert for Real Life | Join New Hanover Church for a benefit concert by candlelight on February 29. Fill your cup with meditative classical music for the soul. There is a suggested donation of $15/person or $25/couple to benefit Real Life, a local organization that supports individuals and their families post incarceration. | |
Envisioning Ecumenical Possibilities for Anti-Racism | On February 22 at 8:00 PM, clergy, faith formation, and other congregational leaders, and the whole United community, are invited to a panel discussion including Anti-Racism and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion leaders from the ELCA, PC(USA), and UCC of Minnesota. Explore approaches to anti-racism work appropriate for diverse settings and leave inspired, with applicable resources for your congregation – no matter where you are in your anti-racism work. This is offered as a collaboration between United’s Anti-Racist Initiatives and The Ministry Lab. | | |
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117th Meeting
June 18
Invitation needed
Call to Order: 9:30 a.m.
Overture deadline: April 23, noon
Packet online: June 4
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Church & Community Events | | |
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St. Paul's Lenten Speaker Series
February 21-March 20
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Richmond
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Civil Rights Travel Seminar Deadline
February 23
Presbyterian Peacemaking Program
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Benefit Concert
February 29, 6:30 p.m.
New Hanover Church, Mechanicsville
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Eco-Palms Order Deadline
March 1
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Earth Care Congregation Conversation
March 3, 2:30 p.m.
Bon Air Church
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Salisbury Hymn Festival
March 3, 5 p.m.
Salisbury Church, Midlothian
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LGBTQIA+ Youth Ministry Course
March 5-26
APCE, via Zoom
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Tracing the Roots That Connect Us
March 9 & 10
Providence Church, Gum Spring
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PW Book Discussion
March 11
Zoom
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Reflective Leadership Grant Application Open
March 18
Duke Divinity
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Mr Rogers Day Resources
March 20
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NEXT Church National Gathering
April 8-11
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Legacies of the Holocaust Seminar
April 9-11
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Women's Retreat
April 19-20
Camp Hanover
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Family Camp
May 17-19
Camp Hanover
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Clergy Couple Retreat
July 29-August 1
Massanetta Springs, Harrisonburg
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Scotland Trip
September 13-23
With Three Chopt Church, Henrico
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Learn about church employment opportunities or submit an opportunity to POJ's calls and jobs board. | |
- Installed minister, Amelia Church (Amelia)
- Interim senior pastor/head of staff, River Road Church (Richmond)
- Director of traditional music, River Road Church (Richmond)
- Organist, Ashland Church (Ashland)
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Calls and Jobs in Nearby Presbyteries
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