Rev. Jess Cook has begun serving as the presbytery’s interim associate for youth ministry. Cook, who has more than a decade of experience working with youth in a variety of contexts, loves people, liturgy that means something, and spaces that invite us to bring our whole selves, whoever we are and wherever we come from. They live in Richmond with their partner and child.
Cook’s primary responsibility is coordinating the presbytery’s Youth Council, which develops youth leadership through learning, volunteer service, and fellowship.
Cook is seeking youth interested in serving on Youth Council for 2021-2022.
Participation is open to high school students who are members of a Presbytery of the James congregation or have a connection to Camp Hanover, such as involvement in the Pathfinders program or attendance at a youth retreat. Youth Council meets monthly through June, planning and hosting events for youth across the presbytery.
One of Youth Council’s emphases this year is preparing for the 2022 Presbyterian Youth Triennium, July 24-27 in Indianapolis.
The theme for Triennium is “When Did We See You?” Taken from Jesus’s Judgment of the Nations as depicted in Matthew 25:31-46, the theme is designed to engage young people with the mission priorities at the heart of PC(USA)’s Matthew 25 initiative: dismantling structural racism, eradicating systemic poverty, and building congregational vitality.
