Summary of called meeting, book study, Camp Hanover events, and more

SEPTEMBER 5 2023

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

VIEW AS A WEBPAGE

Past Issues

Grant Elected Temporary Stated Clerk

In a special meeting on August 29, the presbytery elected Rev. R. Charles Grant as temporary stated clerk. Charles assumes the role vacated by Steve Hicks, who resigned due to the demands of his full-time job. We are grateful to Steve for his service to the presbytery.

In 40 years of active service to the church, Charles has served congregations in Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. Within Presbytery of the James, Charles pastored at Colonial Heights, Bon Air, Westminster (Charlottesville), First (Richmond), and Lord Jesus Korean. His presbytery service includes chairing the nominating committee and COM and representing Hanover Presbytery in the post-reunion, synod-wide negotiations for presbytery boundaries. He has also served as acting stated clerk on several occasions. We thank Charles for his willingness to serve the presbytery again.

Charles can be reached at statedclerk@presbyteryofthejames.org.

Read meeting summary

Corell Co-hosts Fall Book Study

In September and October, join Cindy Corell, mission co-worker serving Haiti, in a study of “The Land is Not Empty: Following Jesus in Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery” by Sarah Augustine. Learn about historical harms against Indigenous people as well as injustices impacting their descendants, the economy, and the Earth today. In addition to Cindy, book study leaders include Presbyterian Mission Agency staffers from the Presbyterian Hunger Program, the Joining Hands initiative, and Presbyterian World Mission.

Learn more

Registration closes soon for Equipping the Saints, a presbytery-wide training event on September 16. Get your carpool of church officers and volunteers together and join us at Culpeper Church.

Visit Camp Hanover This Fall

Fall is a beautiful time to be at Camp Hanover. See God's hands at work in the changing of leaves and enjoy needed respite. Camp Hanover's staff invites you and your community to their October events. Please pass along the invitation in your newsletters and social media.

See all coming events

Volunteers Needed

Hurricane season is back and the people of Florida are still living in homes damaged by last year's Ian. Join the presbytery's Disaster Relief Ministry in helping the recovery effort. Volunteers are needed for the next trip, September 30-October 7. Projects usually involve carpentry, drywall finishing, plumbing, and painting. Any skill level is helpful, including someone who can prepare the group's meals. To volunteer for this trip or ask questions, contact ministry leader Brown Pearson.

Learn more

Older Adult Ministry Hosting Event This Month

Older adults, caregivers, and pastoral care professionals are invited to a program September 23. Learn about important issues facing older adults: spirituality, bereavement, and end-of-life choices. The Older Adult Ministry of Presbytery of the James brings you this free event at Westminster Canterbury Richmond. Share this event with your community.

Learn more

Grant Opportunity for Local Grassroots Groups

Are you involved with local mission work in your congregation? Please share SDOP's grant opportunity with any mission partners you have that may be eligible. On September 21, grassroots groups can learn about the grant and discuss their project ideas with SDOP representatives.

Learn more

Coye Honored for 50 Years in Ministry

Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Thomas (Tom) Coye on the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. Milden Church in Sharps, where Tom is serving as the covenant pastor, celebrated the milestone on August 20 with a reception following the worship service.

Learn more

Into the Church Triumphant

God called home three blessed and faithful saints from our community in recent weeks. May our Lord bless and comfort their families and friends during this time of grief.

Rebecca Simmons Ford

Rebecca Simmons Ford died at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury in Irvington, VA, on August 18. A member of Campbell Memorial Church since 1985, Rebecca was active in the presbytery and Presbyterian Women. She served as presbytery moderator in 2004 and also was a ruling elder commissioner to the General Assembly. Please send healing prayers to her family. A celebration of Rebecca’s life was held at Campbell Memorial on September 2. Read Rebecca's obituary.

Rev. Dr. Carroll A. Londoner

Carroll Londoner entered the Church Triumphant September 3. He was a minister for more than 60 years, serving faithfully throughout the presbytery. He also was a retired captain with the U.S. Navy and a professor emeritus at Virginia Commonwealth University in the adult learning and human resource development department. Please keep his wife Susie and their family in your prayers. (When presbytery staff learn the details of Carroll's memorial service, we will share them on the presbytery Facebook page.)

Donald Royston Collins

Don Collins, husband of Rev. Sandra "Sandy" Collins (Honorably Retired) and father-in-law of Rev. Mary Kay Collins, died on September 4. Don was an active member of First Presbyterian Church (Richmond), a retired teacher and general contractor, and a member of the Air Force Reserves. A memorial service will be held on September 8 at 2:00 p.m. at First Church. It also will be livestreamed on youtube.com/fpcrichmond. Please send healing prayers to Sandy and their family.