May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPIHM). This national observance began as a weeklong event in 1977. In 1990, Congress extended it to a month. May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United…
Five churches in Presbytery of the James have been certified as Earth Care Congregations by the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s Presbyterian Hunger Program through February 2024. The Earth Care Congregation certification is designed to recognize churches that make the commitment to take seriously God’s charge to…
Dear Members of the Presbytery of the James, As the season of Easter draws near, it is with great excitement that we reach out to you, our beloved community of faith. Easter is a time of renewal, anticipation, and hope, as we celebrate the resurrection…
Mission Council has called a meeting of the presbytery for Thursday, April 20, at 7:00 p.m. The 225th General Assembly (2022) proposed changes in the language of the Book of Order that, if approved, will amend the PC(USA) Constitution. Presbyteries must submit their affirmative or…
The Church Pastor Relations Committee of the presbytery’s Commission on Ministry has created a resource to help church members make plans for their passage to eternal life. In A Last Gift for My Family and Friends, individuals can gather in one place important information about…
“Abracadabra!” rang out across the sanctuary where Presbytery of the James was conducting its 113th meeting on February 18. “The origin of the word abracadabra in Hebrew is ‘I will create as I speak,’” explained Rev. Dr. Flo Barbee-Watkins, lead presbyter. In 2021, Presbytery of…
The 113th stated meeting of the Presbytery of the James was held on February 18, 2023, at Westminster Church (Richmond) as a hybrid meeting. Participants, in person and via Zoom, included 110 teaching elders and 92 ruling elders representing 61 congregations. Moderator Dan Jordanger (Providence,…
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate and honor the achievements of women throughout history. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,” honors women in every community who have devoted their lives and talents to producing art and news, pursuing truth,…
One highlight of the 113th presbytery meeting on Saturday, February 18, was the installation of the moderator and vice moderator for 2023. Thank you, Rev. Rosalind Banbury and Cherry Peters, for your willingness to serve the presbytery in the coming term. Rosalind, who had been…
The Church and Pastor Relations Committee of POJ’s Commission on Ministry invites you to learn about a spiritual parish opportunity approved by the presbytery at its October 2022 meeting. The spiritual parish was created to help churches in the presbytery that are challenged to call…