Coming Up in POJ!
May is Older Adult Month; Older Adult Week is May 3-9, 2026 and Older Adult Sunday is May 3!
Dementia describes a group of symptoms affecting memory. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common causes of dementia. There are estimated to be more than 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. By the year 2050 projections are that those suffering from Alzheimer’s will be 13 million people (statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association). According to the Pew Research using PCUSA 2023-2024 statistics, we are an aging denomination with 45 percent of our membership age 65 and older. As pastors and elders and a host of caregivers, we need to understand what is happening within our congregations and families.
Please join us for a FREE webinar on aging and dementia, in particular Alzheimer’s disease.
May 19, 2026 at 2 p.m. on Zoom
The presenter is Rev. Arch Wallace. Arch is a lawyer turned pastor. He served in the U.S. Army in the psychological department. He then became a lawyer serving a law firm in Richmond. As a lawyer he eventually became familiar with cases involving clergy. It was then he began to feel a stronger tug into the pastoral ministry. He graduated from Union Seminary, Richmond. He has served various churches in the presbytery as pastor and interim pastor. He has served on various committees of Presbytery and was moderator of the Presbytery. Arch has a variety of talents and skills, a Parliamentarian, a professional mediator, and a professional genealogist. He brings to the issue of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease his personal family experience.
Event provided by the Presbytery of the James Older Adult Ministry.
THE OLDER ADULT MINISTRY'S goal is to develop strategies which will help inform older adults on a wide variety of topics: those relating to spiritual, physical and mental health, financial concerns, law and retirement issues, housing and transportation matters, volunteer and employment opportunities, and end-of-life planning.
Retreats and other events planned by the Older Adult Ministry create opportunities to gather and focus on particular age-related issues, with time for worship, learning together and fellowship.
Members
George Whipple, moderator
Cellonia Ndede
Lillian Rhudy
Ralph Rhudy
Karen Scherling
National News
2026 Older Adult Ministry Resource Guide
The POAMN Board is pleased to bring you the 2026 Resource Guide for Older Adult Ministry to provide valuable tools and ideas for older adult ministry activities at your church or community. We urge you to circulate this among your leaders.
POAMN’s annual resource guide contains a wealth of program ideas and resources to support your older adult ministry.
Open digital version here or click here to learn more.
Inside the 2026 Guide:
- Building Community Across Generations
- Supporting Youth When Dementia Touches the Family
- Retired Volunteers Bring Skills and Service to Summer Camps
- Bridging Generations, One Lesson at a Time
- Growing Grand Connections Near and Far
- Creating Joyful Community for Young Adults with Special Needs
- Living in the Sandwich Generation
- The Magic of Children and Seniors Connecting at Senior Living Communities
- Becoming an Intergenerational Learner
- Join POAMN in Tennessee for Our 2026 Gathering
- Deeper Connections: Meaningful Conversations and Aging Well
- Grow Your Skills in Older Adult Ministry
- Connecting Seniors to Support and Solutions
- Online Guide to Serving Older Adults: Tools, Tips, and Real-Life Examples
- Bring Your Ideas to Life: Apply for a POAMN Grant
- Lend Your Talents to Inspire Others
- Living a Legacy: Embracing Reflection, Storytelling, and Spiritual Growth
- Worship Service: God’s Faithful Presence Through All Our Days
- Resource Guide Sponsors
2026 Older Adult Ministry Conference
Local News
Gifts of the Heart: Body, Mind, and Spirit POJ Self-Paced Virtual Conference 2025
Now Available! Click the videos to the right or the links below to view.
Older Adult Week is fast approaching, taking place May 4-10! Presbytery of the James Older Adult Ministry is excited to present the perfect program for your church! Blessings of the Heart: Spirit, Mind & Body is a self-paced virtual conference featuring local subject matter experts, launching April 24 here!
We encourage you to share this information and coordinate group viewings and discussions with one of your congregation's small groups. Your senior group, Sunday school class, Bible study, or another small group may consider dedicating three to four sessions to this experience, exploring the spiritual, intellectual, and physical aspects of the heart from an older adult perspective.
Join the community conversation on our Facebook event page!
Each of the presentations described below runs about 30 minutes, allowing time for group discussion and reflection during a one-hour program:
SPIRIT: In the Midst of Our Changes
Hear Rev. Jay Morgan, chaplain at Westminster Canterbury Richmond, discuss the spiritual challenges and blessings that come with change and aging.
MIND: Blessings of the Heart
Cardiologist Dr. Shel Thomas offers an insightful look at the miraculous intricacies of the human heart.
BODY: Keeping the Body Active
Fitness specialist Taryn Young from Westminster Canterbury Richmond shares accessible and mindful techniques to keep our hearts and bodies healthy.
Though designed for older adults, these presentations are valuable for all audiences!
ALREADY PARTICIPATED IN THIS EVENT?
We'd love to hear all about it! Please share how your group or congregation's participated by emailing us or by posting to the event Facebook page! We'd love to get your feedback on this self-paced conference experience!
POJ Older Adult Ministry Leads Chester Presbyterian in Exploring Senior Engagement
On January 24-25, 2025, elders, deacons, and staff at Chester Presbyterian Church gathered for a two-day session on strengthening their Older Adult Ministry (pictured). Led by the Presbytery of the James (POJ) Older Adult Ministry team, the group examined church and community demographics, assessed current efforts, and explored future possibilities.
Participants viewed a webinar from the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network (POAMN), which highlighted one church’s approach to expanding its ministry for older adults. POJ’s team, led by George Whipple, shared valuable resources, potential challenges, and success stories.
For congregations interested in developing their own Older Adult Ministry, the POJ team is available for guidance by contacting Rev. George Whipple.
What does Christian vocation look like for the elderly?
God calls us to serve the world with our bodies—even when those bodies are failing.
“Life is a gift of God, and aging is a natural part of living, involving the whole life span from birth to death. Older adults are not a different category of persons, but are simply those persons who have traveled further along on the journey.”
Task Force on Older Adult Ministry—2004 General Assembly PC USA 1992