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

August 7, 2025

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In This Issue:

• POJ Website Scheduled Maintenance Fri pm
• Farewell to Barry Parks, Temporary Stated Clerk
• Installation Service: Rev. Joel Morgan
• Community Spotlight on:
• Gregory Presbyterian with Rev. Kerry
• Peace Community Celebration at VUU
• Bulletin Insert Correction for Peace & Global Witness Resources

• Presbyterians for Earth Care Conference - Early Bird Deadline Aug. 31
• Great Outdoor Conference
• Church and Community Events
• Employment Opportunities

The POJ website may be unavailable for several hours or more beginning Friday, August 7 at 4 p.m. while we make some necessary updates. Prior to this maintenance, the website may not appear or behave as expected. Thank you for your patience.

The Presbytery of the James is grateful to have had the opportunity to serve alongside Barry Parks, whose faithful spirit, steady presence, and pastoral heart have been a gift to our community. While we are sad to lose him as a daily colleague, we celebrate with him as he steps into a new phase of life and ministry.

Barry began serving as temporary stated clerk on March 15, 2024, and concluded his season here July 31, 2025. His time with the presbytery was marked by his steady presence, supportiveness, and a deep commitment to the work of stated clerk--qualities that were especially appreciated during a season of transition.

Barry has dedicated much of his life to public service. He spent many years in Lovettsville, Virginia, where he once served as vice mayor and worked for the majority of his career at the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. After retiring, he took over the cooking duties at home, discovering a new passion in the kitchen--one that he has shared generously with friends and coworkers alike.

Barry and his wife, Ann, live in Lake Monticello near Charlottesville. Ann currently serves as clerk of session at Westminster Presbyterian Church, stepping into the role after Barry began his service as stated clerk for the presbytery. Their shared commitment to the church is a reflection of their deep faith and dedication.

Barry is a person of diverse interests. He enjoys photography, especially capturing the birds that visit the feeder outside his window, and he’s an avid fan of the television series Ted Lasso (the “Believe” sign he left at the POJ says it all!) He also has a fondness for cruising, aircraft, science fiction, and baking delicious brownies. 

Though he is stepping back from his presbytery role, Barry will continue serving the church as a commissioned ruling elder at Byrd Presbyterian Church in Goochland County. 

Thank you, Barry, for your service, your faith, and your friendship. We send you with gratitude and joy into this next season of life and ministry, where we know you will remain a blessing to the wider church.

Barry's commissioning service was held April 27, 2025.

Barry led Easter service this year at Byrd Presbyterian Church where he joyfully presided over the elements as a commissioned ruling elder.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to both Joel and Campbell Memorial and pray for a fruitful and blessed ministry in their shared experience ahead!

Good morning, POJ.

On Sunday, July 27, I worshiped with the good folks at Gregory Memorial Presbyterian Church in Prince George County, Virginia. My goal was to worship and continue broadening my understanding of POJ geography, and it was a great day for both.

Approaching from the west, I missed the church’s modern and large sign on the east side of the property. Thankfully, the good folks there made sure there was a second sign at the entrance, as the sanctuary sits far back from the road, shaded by huge trees.

As has been my consistent theme in these visits, I encountered a very welcoming church family. The sanctuary atmoshere was relaxed and inviting, and the room filled with conversations. I try to be at each church early so I can look around, visit, and just spend time sitting in each sanctuary for a bit. Many made their way over to welcome me before finding their seats.

Though I didn’t get a full photo of their campus, Gregory has a beautiful one. The white, wood-sided church building on the right, now used by a Boy Scout troop, was the original sanctuary before the current brick sanctuary was built. I like that this space continues in ministry instead of becoming a "museum."

Behind the main structure is a two-story building, with a big fellowship space on the first floor and classrooms and rehearsal spaces upstairs. Walking through this part of the campus, knowing it was still summer and most churches have fewer attendees on any given Sunday, these spaces still felt as welcoming to me as the sanctuary did. I see this as an act of witness to all—that this space is special and sacred, no matter what the season of the year.

During worship, I had the chance to spend time with children. I hope that our churches, having children attend and also having a time in worship just for them, is as common everywhere as my travels have shown me. Let us celebrate our small church children!

I am celebrating early, as there will be two baptisms soon to be celebrated at Gregory--a youth and an adult. Additionally, I got to see a very unique way of gathering the Hunger Offering. Of course, the children ushered, but they did so using a classic Radio Flyer Red Wagon, pulled by the children and having the offering dropped and “clank-clanking” into the wagon as they made their way to the front of the sanctuary. A gentle and powerful reminder of the power and impact of even small gifts given in love.

So once again, another one of our congregations is being a part of their community, caring for their own, and being mindful of their neighbors in word and deed.

Let me offer the same invitation as I did last week: Should you be in Prince George County on a Sunday morning, check your GPS, and find Gregory Memorial, and worship with our extended family of faith.

Blessings,

August 24, 2-6 p.m.

Virginia Union University, Henderson Center Square



This free, family-friendly event promotes healing, unity, and wellness with a focus on mental health awareness, crime prevention, and gun violence reduction through the theme of Family and Peace Within.

Highlights include comedian CJ Richardson as host, Peacekeeper Awards, live performances, youth games, giveaways, local vendors, and resource tables. Please share this event with your network and join us!

A mistake was recently noted in the Peace & Global Witness bulletin insert, Pursuing Peace. The percentages for distribution are reported incorrectly. The correct version can be downloaded below.

Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world. Through the Peace & Global Witness Offering, congregations are encouraged and equipped to find and address the anxiety and discord that is prevalent throughout this broken and sinful world. Peace & Global Witness Offering occurs from September 7 through October 5 this year. Click below for more resources or click here to watch a video on this special offering.

In these challenging times, people of faith are called to come together around the vital issue of caring for God’s creation. Presbyterians for Earth Care (PEC) invites you to do just that at its 2025 Earth Care Conference, October 8–11, at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center near Little Rock, Arkansas—or join online.

Keynote speaker: Rev. Andrew Black of EarthKeepers 360

Worship leaders: Rev. Jocelyn Wildwright (Ferncliff Chaplain) and Rev. Rebecca Barnes (PC(USA) Hunger Program)

Workshops: Seven speakers exploring the sacredness of water

Plenary panel: International leaders, moderated by Rev. Dr. Tricia Tull

Hands-on activities: Canoeing, kayaking, and more

Early bird registration ($100) ends August 31. After that, the rate increases by $25.

The Outdoor Ministries Connection's Great Gathering will return in 2025. This ecumenical conference will bring together outdoor ministry associations (including the Campfire Collective) from across the United States and Canada.

The event will again be held at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center in Lake Junaluska, NC November 9-13, 2025.

2026 Budget Request Deadline

August 8

Overture Deadline - October Stated Meeting

August 21

Sept. COM Deadline

August 21

August Musicales 2025

August 13 & 20

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church

Ashland Presbyterian 150th Celebration

August 11, 10-11:30 a.m.

Ashland Presbyterian Church

GENeratiONs Together Online Gathering

August 20, 1 - 2 p.m.

Virtual

Many new events recently added!

Click below to check them out!

• Youth Director, Part-time (Clergy/Lay) – Meadows Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, VA
• Piano Accompanist, Part-time (Lay) – The Brandermill Church, Midlothian, VA
• Children's Ministry Director, Part-time (Lay) – Swift Creek Presbyterian Church, Moseley, VA
• Operations Manager, Full-time (Lay) – Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, VA
• Band Director, Part-time (Lay) - Westminster Presbyterian Church, Richmond

Nearby Presbyteries and PC(USA) Calls & Jobs



PC(USA) Job Board

Association of Partners in Christian Education Job Board

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