The presbytery office will be closed Monday, January 15, to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will reopen January 16 at 8:30 a.m.

The presbytery’s Disaster Relief Ministry is returning to Florida for a fifth mission trip. Join in February 3-11 to help people near Fort Myers who are still experiencing the effects of 2022’s Hurricane Ian. Volunteers of all skill levels are needed to repair homes with a variety of issues. A cook also is needed. New participants should plan to attend a mandatory training on January 17 in Chesterfield.

NEXT Church is offering a series of virtual workshops January 11 through February 8. Each weekly session will address one of the following topics: Power Mapping: Building Skills for Community Organizing; Enneagram 101: How Personality Types Impact Leadership; Preaching as Disruption; Transformation Within and Beyond; and How to Tell a Story. Register for one for $29 or all five for $99.

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) is hosting its big advocacy event, Day for All People, on January 17. Learn about justice and make a difference in laws that affect you and others. Meet with legislators about paid sick days, no-cost communication in prisons, affordable housing, and other important issues. Day for All People starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Registration is $40. For those who live in or near Charlottesville, VICPP offers bus transportation. 

Camp Hanover invites church staff and volunteers who work with youth to a free two-day training on mental health first aid. Learn how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in youth. The class is taught by the Hanover County Behavioral Health Wellness Team. The training is at Camp Hanover on Tuesday, January 30, and Thursday, February 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day.  

Real Kids, Real Faith is exploring ways to nurture children's spirituality. They seek organizations to partner within two areas:

• Embodied Prayer - This practice will include different body prayers or meditations (each no more than five minutes long) taught over six weeks.
• Guided Mediation - This practice will include six guided meditations focused on different social concerns (such as housing insecurity, climate change, and immigration) and exploring ways kids can positively impact their community. The meditations will be followed by a brief reflection period. The practice, in total, will last about 15 minutes

The prayers or meditations can be added to an existing program like chapel time, story time, or any other weekly gathering. Each is a six-week project that will run from February to April.

Real Faith, Real Kids provides all materials and pays a small stipend for your time and participation. To learn more about these opportunities, complete an interest form and a representative will contact you.

Massanetta Springs hosts a weekend-long handbell retreat February 18-20. The event will feature great music under skilled direction and fellowship among bell choirs. Individuals as well as full choirs are invited to attend. Register by January 15 for a discount.

Three retired ministers who served in Presbytery of the James passed away in recent weeks. Our prayers are with their families during this sad time.

Richard Lindsey

Richard "Dick" Lindsey died December 11. He served at Southminster Presbyterian Church for nearly 30 years. After retirement, Dick and his wife, Nancy, moved to Charlotte to be closer to family. A memorial service will be held February 19 in Charlotte, NC, and via livestream. Read Dick's obituary.

Roger Nicholson

Roger Nicholson passed away December 29. Roger was a campus minister at VCU and part of the staff of Union Seminary for a number of years. In retirement, Roger was active with his wife, Pam, at Three Chopt Church. A memorial service will be held January 13 at 1:00 p.m. at Three Chopt. Read Roger's obituary.

William Kell

William "Buzz" Kell died January 4. He had served as an associate pastor at Tuckahoe Church and with his wife, Janet, co-founded Elijah House Academy. A memorial service will be at St. Giles Presbyterian Church on January 12 at 2 p.m. Read Buzz's obituary.