Ministers, Educators, Administrators and Clerks,
please share this information with your congregation.  
October 11, 2018
Rev. Fred Holbrook
Search Committee to Recommend Rev. Fred Holbrook as Interim General Presbyter/Stated Clerk
Today, Presbytery of the James’s Committee on Ministry (COM) authorized the Interim Search Committee to present Rev. Fred Holbrook to the presbytery for approval as the interim general presbyter/stated clerk to succeed Rev. Carson Rhyne. 

Fred has been a minister of Word and Sacrament for 35 years. During this time, he has served as pastor, head of staff, interim pastor, and associate pastor to churches in Virginia, North Carolina, and Kansas.

His most recent ministry was as interim pastor to Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Overland Park, Kansas. From 2002 to 2014, Fred was executive director of Massanetta Springs Camp and Conference Center. Fred has a strong grasp of polity and parliamentary procedure which has enabled him to support churches, moderators, stated clerks, and presbyters at mid-council levels.

The process of selecting an interim general presbyter/stated clerk began this spring when the Communications and Coordination Team appointed a search committee. The committee received 36 applications, interviewed five candidates, and extended a call to Fred. The COM exam subcommittee met with Fred on October 4 and recommended approval of the call.

The presbytery will vote on the committee's recommendation at the October 20 stated meeting. If elected, Fred will begin a 12-month renewable call on December 1.
A group of sixteen volunteers from Presbytery of the James (POJ) are in New Bern, North Carolina helping with recovery efforts from Hurricane Florence. Led by Brown Pearson , moderator of POJ’s Disaster Relief Purpose Group , the team was one of the first to arrive and organize clean up. Volunteers include Jim Moseley , pastor at Campbell Church, who shared an update with POJ on the situation in New Bern.
credit: Seth Ilys | English Wikipedia
Presbyterian Women Gather for Fall Meeting
The Presbyterian Women of the James will meet for their fall gathering on Saturday, November 3 at The Presbyterian Church in Fredericksburg. The program includes a presentation by Peggy Jones who will share her experiences of medical mission trips to Honduras through World Gospel Outreach. Participants also will review part of the HORIZONS Bible study "God's Promise: I Am With You" by Amy Poling Sutherlun during this gathering. Save the date of May 4 for a celebration of the 30th anniversary of Presbyterian Women of the James.
Discovering Racism Purpose Group Hosts Rev. Denise Anderson
Why is Christ’s body, the church, still so divided? How can we participate in God’s renewal and transformation of our minds, communities, and all creation without losing hope?  Rev. Denise Anderson , co-moderator of the 222nd General Assembly of the PC(USA) and current coordinator for racial and intercultural justice with the Presbyterian Mission Agency, will address these questions at an event hosted by the Dismantling Racism Purpose Group . Join them for United in Baptism, Gathered at One Table on Thursday, October 18 at 7 p.m. in the Early Center on the campus of Union Presbyterian Seminary. All are welcome!
Rev. Denise Anderson
Put on your Dancing Shoes
The Older Adult Ministry is hosting an intergenerational folk dance with calling by General Presbytery Carson Rhyne . Learn popular square dances and line dances during a free afternoon of fun and fellowship at Camp Hanover. Refreshments provided.

Sunday, October 28
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Clerk of Session Training in November
Reminder, the last clerk of session training for this year will be held Sunday, November 4 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the POJ office. Learn responsibilities as put forth in the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and other duties clerks of Session might be asked to perform.
Announcements
Ignite the Fire

Mechanicsville Presbyterian Church invites the community to "Ignite the Fire" October 19-21. Join for a weekend of fun, faith, and fellowship and ignite the flame of faith in your life. Rev. Dr. Richard Haney, Rev. H. Carson Rhyne, Jr., and Kristy Rusch will lead worship and children's ministry. 
Rev. William Jordan Jr
Memorial Service Planned for Jordan

Memorial service for Rev. William "Bill" H. Jordan Jr. will be held at Second Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Virginia on Sunday, November 4, 2018 at 3 p.m. Bill was the first pastor of New Covenant Church.
End of Life Event Planned

Massanetta Springs Camp & Conference Center is hosting "Starting the Conversation," an event to help individuals and families prepare for end of life. Register by October 16 for the event October 19-29.
Free Choir Robes

Sandston Presbyterian Church has 22 choir robes with stoles available to a church that needs them. Please contact Paulette O'Berry at  sandspres@verizon.net  or by phone at 804-737-1527 for more information.
Grace Covenant Joins Lutheran Church for Joint Service

Gr ace Covenant Presbyterian Church
with its neighbor First English Lutheran Church offer the second annual joint Sunday worship. This year's service will take place at First English on Sunday, October 21, at 11:00 a.m. There will not be a service at Grace Covenant that day. As October 21 is “Bread for the World” Sunday, any loose plate offerings given will be donated to Feedmore, Central Virginia’s Core Hunger Relief Organization.
Events at Camp
Hanover This Fall

Bluegrass Jamboree  - Oct. 14, 2-6 p.m.  
Common Chords Cafe  - Bluegrass Jam - Oct. 18, 7-10 p.m. 
Jr/Sr High Youth Retreat  - Oct. 26-28
A Hanover Christmas  - Dec. 7 & 8, 6-9 p.m. both nights
Stated Meetings
Oct 20
Lord Jesus Korean, N Chesterfield

Feb 16, 2019
Presbytery of the James Stated Meeting
Three Chopt Church, Richmond

June 18, 2019
Presbytery of the James Stated Meeting
INVITATION NEEDED

Oct 19, 2019
Presbytery of the James Stated Meeting
INVITATION NEEDED
Events
Oct 10
Meadows Church, Charlottesville
Oct 12-13
Union Presbyterian Seminary Early Center, Richmond
Oct 17
Covenant Church,
Petersburg
Oct 18
Early Center, Union Presbyterian Seminary
Oct 24
Fairfield Church,
Mechanicsville
Oct 26-27
Richmond Hill Retreat Center, Richmond
Nov 3
The Presbyterian Church, Fredericksburg
Nov 4
Presbytery of the James office, Richmond

Nov 9-11
Massanetta Springs, Harrisonburg