Information for ministers, educators, church administrators, clerks, and congregations

December 3, 2025

Trouble viewing this email? Click to view as webpage.

2026 POJ Covenant Reminder

In this season of thankfulness, giving, and stewardship, remember your presbytery!

We request the return of your Spirit-led covenant forms to the POJ by January 31, 2026. Your commitments enable us to faithfully serve the ministers and congregations in our presbytery day to day and as we joyfully look to the future. Thank you for your trust and hope, not in us, but in our Lord.

2026 Covenant Letter

2026 Covenant Form

Kirk O'Cliff Presbyterian: A Small Congregation Delivers Big Blessings this Thanksgiving

In a powerful demonstration of community spirit, the Kirk O’Cliff Presbyterian Church congregation provided ten Thanksgiving meals to families in need, delivering the donations to Livingston Elementary School in Spotsylvania on November 19.

What makes this act of generosity even more remarkable is the scale of the giving relative to the size of the congregation. With an average attendance of just 30 people, the Lake Anna area church raised enough to provide meals for approximately 100 individuals.

"Big things can be done when people come together," said Justin Poling, chair of Kirk O'Cliff's Mission and Outreach committee. "I’m so proud of our congregation for making this happen. They should be commended."

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church: 94th Annual Candlelight Carol Service

All are invited to a service of Lessons and Carols at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1627 Monument Ave, Richmond, VA 23220, on Dec. 21 at 5 p.m.

The service will feature music by the Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir, Soloists, and congregational hymns under the leadership of Christopher Martin, Director of Music at Grace Covenant.

Additional parking will be available at First English Lutheran Church, with childcare provided, and a reception following the service.

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and Virginia Interfaith Power and Light are hosting a day of advocacy at the state capitol in Richmond!

Day for All People on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 is a flagship event, with hundreds of people attending from all over Virginia.

This is a great opportunity to learn about justice and make a difference in our state laws! Join faith leaders in Richmond to meet with legislators about affordable housing, maternal health, higher education in prison, and other important issues.

Day for All People will start at 8:00 a.m. and end around 2:30 p.m. Early bird registration (before January 1) is $30, and free busses are available from some areas. Find out more information and register by clicking below.

Learn More & Register

Day for All People Flyer

Denomination News & Resources

Call for 2027 Planning Calendar Photos

The Presbyterian Planning Calendar is once again seeking photo submissions from congregations and worshiping communities, mid councils, camps, conference centers and education centers for use in its 2026-2027 edition.

The deadline to submit photos for the upcoming Presbyterian Planning Calendar is Feb. 17, 2026.

Images to be considered for the Presbyterian Planning Calendar should feature church members and friends engaged in activities including worship, mission service, creativity and the arts, and direct outreach. Calendar planners ask that staged photos of groups of people and photos of people sitting at conference or dining tables be avoided.

Photos should be high-resolution photographs: A minimum resolution of 2000 x 1500 pixels (no smaller than 1 MB) is requested for best printing. Please include a caption and photo credit with each image. If children are pictured, please ensure the use and distribution of your photo complies with your safe church policy.

Photos should be submitted online using a form found h ere. If you have questions or need to submit materials in a different way, please contact the planning calendar manager, Jackie Carter, by email at jackie.carter@pcusa.org or by phone at 502-569-5772.

Submit Photos

Contact Jackie Carter

When Christmas feels heavy, the church can offer a place to rest. For many, Advent and Christmas are seasons of joy — family gatherings, celebrations, carols, and feasting. But for those experiencing grief, illness, loneliness, anxiety, or major life transitions, this time of year can stir up feelings that don’t fit the season’s script.

A Longest Night / Blue Christmas Service creates sacred space for these tender realities. This digital liturgy offers a quiet, contemplative worship experience that names sorrow honestly and proclaims the gentle hope of Christ’s light shining in the darkness.

Whether your congregation observes the Longest Night on December 21 or holds a Blue Christmas service at another time, this digital resource will help you offer pastoral, accessible worship to all who find the season challenging. Learn more and order by clicking below; the suggested price is $10 or pay what you can.

Learn More & Order Here