Ministers, Educators, Administrators and Clerks, please share this information with your congregation.  
January 16, 2020
In observance of Martin Luther King Jr Day,
Presbytery of the James will be closed Monday, January 20.
We will reopen January 21.  
Generosity at POJ Churches Makes News
God's love is evident every day, put into action by the works and deeds of each of us. Two POJ churches were recently featured in the media for an act of generosity that occurred in their congregations. Enjoy these stories that demonstrate God’s love in action.
A member of New Hanover Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsville donated a kidney to a stranger so that a fellow congregation member could receive a new kidney.
Members of First Presbyterian in Charlottesville spent Christmas night serving a traditional dinner to the city’s homeless population.
Have a story to share? Send it to POJ. Your story could be featured in FYI, the Vine, or on POJ's Facebook page. The deadline for contributions for the March issue of the Vine is February 1.
Deadline for Overtures for 224th General Assembly Approaching
The presbytery meeting on February 15 is the last opportunity for church sessions to request an overture for consideration at the 224th General Assembly in June. POJ policy allows for "overtures of the day" to be submitted at the meeting and docketed for discussion as new business by a majority vote of the presbytery. Overtures may address constitutional matters (amendments to/interpretation of the Book of Order) or other concerns felt by a session. For questions about the GA overture process, review the PC(USA) resource How to Submit an Overture . If your session is planning to make an overture at the stated meeting, please email Fred Holbrook by February 12 advising him to expect it.
Events Promote Faith-Rooted Activism for Racial Healing
POJ’s Dismantling Racism Ministry invites you to two events in commemoration of the National Day of Racial Healing, January 21.
“Repairing the Breach: History, Religion, and the Racial Divide” will be held the evening of January 21 at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. The event will explore the church's role in perpetuating and abolishing slavery, and the need for faith-rooted activism. Panelists will address the nation's moral debt debate on Reparations and the present opportunity to repair the harms that still exist today. Tickets for this event are $10.
“Faith, Education, and Reparations” will be held the afternoon of January 22 at the Union Presbyterian Seminary Early Center. Dr. David Ragland, founder and co-director for the Truth Telling Project of Ferguson and the National Reparations Network, will lead participants in brainstorming strategies to repair what is broken.
Register Your Youth for Confirmation Retreat
Registration is open for Camp Hanover 's 2020 confirmation retreat, February 7-9. This event complements any church’s confirmation program, regardless of where participants are in the process. Through keynotes, small group discussion, and time for recreation, youth p articipants will have the opportunity to interact with others going through the confirmation process. Jeremy Cannada, pastor of Amelia Presbyterian Church, will lead the retreat.
Events
Synod Seeks Participants for Racial History Pilgrimage
Synod of the Mid-Atlantic is hosting a pilgrimage to Montgomery, Alabama, February 6-8, for an immersion into our racial history. Attendees will visit the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice to learn about historical and present-day racism then participate in a group discussion about the experiences. Participants are responsible for transportation to and from Montgomery. Other costs, including hotel, meals, and entrance fees, are covered by the synod. Up to five people may represent POJ on the trip. To participate, contact Kelley Hope .
Begin or Build Your Older Adult Ministry
POJ's Older Adult Ministry invites you to “Stronger Together: Faith in Action Across Generations,” April 30 and May 1 at Montreat Conference Center. The event is ideal for individuals who work with older adults in congregations, desire to build relationships across generations, or seek to thrive after age 55 in body, mind, and spirit. Save by registering before March 1.
Stated Meetings
Feb 15
Presbytery of the James
Stated Meeting
Westminster PC, Charlottesville
June 16
Presbytery of the James Stated Meeting
Salisbury PC, Midlothian
Oct 17
Presbytery of the James Stated Meeting
Orange PC, Orange
Jobs
Churches throughout POJ are looking for new talent. Find information about these opportunities on POJ's job board . Searching for candidates? Submit a job.
-          D irector of children’s and youth ministries (part-time) , Bon Air Presbyterian Church
Office Telephone (804) 262-2074