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

November 12, 2026

Trouble viewing this email? Click to view as webpage.

In This Issue:

▪ Called Meeting Recording Available

▪ Project Pie at New Hanover Presbyterian

▪ Mary Jane Winter’s 50th Ord Anniversary: Norfolk Presbytery’s First Woman Ordained

▪ Rev. Kerry Returns to Blackstone Presbyterian

▪ We Remember Xel Sant'Anna & Bruce Smith

▪ Honoring Native American Heritage Month: Beyond Acknowledgements

▪ The Meaning of Food

▪ Stewardship News & Resources

▪ New Events! Calendar Highlights

▪ New Jobs! Employment Opportunities

Called Meeting Recording Available

Miss the meeting? View the recording of the meeting here.

Reserve a Pie to Support POJ Neighbors

New Hanover Presbyterian Church will once again bake, box, and freeze delicious pies that you can purchase and enjoy during your holiday feasts during its annual Project Pie. All pie proceeds in 2026 will be for Hanover Churches Network (HCN), an organization of churches working together to respond to urgent social needs in our community. A neighbor may need help with an electricity bill so they don't lose power, or a family may need shelter in a hotel after a fire or domestic abuse. With your support, our contribution will help the HCN respond quickly when a need arises.

Pies cost $30 each, and will be ready for pickup beginning Nov. 22nd. Spread the word, and act quickly before we sell out! Reserve and pay for your pie here!

Mary Jane Winter’s 50th Ordination Anniversary: Norfolk Presbytery’s First Woman Ordained

On Sunday, October 11, 2026, Franklin Presbyterian Church (now located in Presbytery of Eastern Virginia) celebrated the 50th ordination anniversary of the Reverend Mary Jane Winter, the first woman ordained by Norfolk Presbytery, with many former members and friends filling the sanctuary.

The service was based on the ordination service in 1976, and the sermon was a revisit of the first one Mary Jane preached at Franklin. Several who were there 50 years ago returned and had parts in the service, including the organist, a member of the original search committee, and a member of the original Presbytery Commission.

See more photos and read the full article here.

Rev. Kerry Returns to Blackstone Presbyterian Church

This Sunday I was returning to a congregation I had already visited, but as their “supply preacher.” Their pastor was away, and as many of our smaller, more widely dispersed congregations can attest, finding a supply preacher can occasionally be challenging.

Before I detail my time there, I just want to commend all who preached on the lectionary selection of Matthew 25:1–13. To me, it is a very difficult passage for a sermon. If you are curious why, take a moment and read it. Then maybe email me what you think it means!

Back to Blackstone! The church sits just outside of downtown, with two other very similar large, red-brick churches close by. Luckily, the signage is good, since trying to drive, look for signs, and discern which building looks more Presbyterian than the others is quite difficult!

Blackstone sits on a corner; I would suggest turning onto the side street and parking in their lot behind the church. You can enter the fellowship hall via stairs or a ramp. The fellowship hall is two stories tall—in the middle, that is—as the second-floor Sunday school rooms are visible, connected by an open U-shaped walkway. I have seen this layout before, but do not know the proper architectural name for it. Does anyone know what that might be? Keep reading...

In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ,

we commend to God Rev. Bruce Camerdan Smith who died on November 2, 2026

"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, says the Spirit. They rest from their labors, and their works follow them." Revelation 14:13

A memorial service will be held at The Presbyterian Church, Fredericksburg on Saturday, November 21 at 10 a.m. with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.

Dr. Xel Sant'Anna passed on November 7, 2026, at the age of 90, and was born on December 7, 1935. Dr. Sant'Anna was a resident of Williamsburg, Virginia.

We will share more when we receive details on funeral arrangements.

Eternal God, our help in every time of trouble, send your Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen those who mourn, that we may have hope of life eternal and trust in your goodness and mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Beyond Land Acknowledgement

November is Native American Heritage Month! This month, Creation Justice Ministries is exploring the intersection of Indigenous history, land, and what creation care truly requires of us as people of faith.

We’re starting with a simple but powerful question: Whose land are you on?

Before your church, neighborhood, and your city, this land belonged to someone.

Use the Native Land Digital map to find out whose territory you’re on. Then spend the rest of the month learning about the Presbytery of San Gabriel’s groundbreaking act of land return, and explore our Truth, Healing and Repair resource for faith communities (PNS article).

Find all the links here: https://www.creationjustice.org/indigenous.html.

Presbyterian Outlook: The Meaning of Food

Check out this month's issue of The Presbterian Outlook which features a number of pieces on the meaning of food. Below are just a few.

Thinking theologically about food

Could our negligence with food be intimately connected to a broader negligence with neighborhoods, communities — even Earth itself?

By Norman Wirzba



Stepping into the Story of Ruth

Presbyterians rediscover the ancient practice of gleaning.

By Harriet Riley

Come anytime. We have Tupperware. Bring some corn.

An invitation to Thanksgiving grows into years of dinners and community.

By Dartinia Hull

For readers interested in subscribing to the Presbyterian Outlook, information is available here. Subscriptions include access to the website, archives and digital edition. Content includes profiles of local congregational ministries, small-group discussion guides, personal reflections, commentary on theology and practice, news updates and Bible studies.

Stewardship Ministry News & Resources

Find ways to share your thanks and gratitude at Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving can be an opportunity to find new ways to share thanks and gratitude. We can learn new ways to bring joy and thankfulness to the lives of family, friends and community.

Creating a stewardship sermon series that fits your church context

Every congregation is different, and your stewardship messages should be too. Rev. Carol Holbrook Prickett explores strategies for building a meaningful stewardship sermon series that resonates with your church, encourages faithful giving and supports your ministry’s mission.

Money follows mission: Connecting vision, values and stewardship

A strong vision does more than guide ministry. It energizes congregations, builds unity, and inspires generosity. Discover how Rev. Joshua Kerr encourages churches to connect mission, values, and stewardship to tell a more powerful story of impact. 

Stewardship Navigator

New resources have been added to the Stewardship Navigator, the Presbyterian Foundation's free online stewardship planning tool. Explore newly added stewardship sermons and templates for letters, commitment cards, newsletters, and campaign communications.

Looking for something else? We’ve got lots more on our website. Find stewardship-related sermons, narrative budgets and much more here. If you aren't sure where to start, contact your Ministry Relations Officer.

Youth Group at Pace (Campus Ministry at VCU)

Nov. 15

George Whitefield Reenactment

Nov. 15

A Seminary for Every Congregation: Online Info Session

Dec. 4

Donate Items for Silent Auction!

POJ DATES & PC(USA) SPECIAL DAYS/OBSERVANCES

▪ Hunger and Homelessness Sunday 11/15

▪ Transgender Day of Remembrance 11/20

▪ Christ the King/Reign of Christ Sunday 11/22

▪ Cultivating Economic Wholeness: Eradicating Systemic Poverty 11/23

▪ International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 11/25

▪ POJ Closed for Thanksgiving 11/25, noon-11/27

▪ Thanksgiving 11/26

▪ 1st Sunday of Advent 11/29

• Faith Formation Ministry Assistant (Lay, Part-Time) – First Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Virginia
• Covenant Pastor (Clergy or Lay, Part-Time) – King’s Chapel Presbyterian Church, Doswell, Virginia
• Director of Music (Lay/Part-Time) – New Hanover Presbyterian Church, Mechanicsville, VA
• Business & Operations Director (Lay/Full-Time) – Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, VA
• Director for Discipleship (Clergy or Lay/Full-Time) – Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church, Richmond, VA
• Traditional Music Director (Lay/Part-Time) – Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church, Weems, VA
• Covenant Pastor (Clergy or Lay/Full-Time) – Providence Presbyterian Church (Powhatan), Powhatan, VA
• Interim Associate Pastor for Christian Formation and Fellowship (Clergy/Full-Time) – First Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach, VA

Nearby Presbyteries and PC(USA) Calls & Jobs

PC(USA) Job Board

HAVE NEWS TO SHARE WITH THE POJ? We'd love to hear from you!

• Submit an announcement or story to communications@presbyteryofthejames.org with "newsletter" included somewhere in the subject.
• Submissions are due Thursdays at noon for the following week's newsletter. The Current is published most weeks of the year with a couple of breaks during summer and winter.
• Send text (including a link to your website) in the body of your email or as an attachment.
• Attach photos to your email if desired.

Our Mission

To support leaders, congregations, and ministries in growing followers of Jesus Christ who joyfully live out God’s mission in the world.