The 103rd Stated Meeting of Presbytery of the James (POJ) took place Saturday, October 19, 2019 at New Hanover Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsville, VA. The members and staff of New Hanover showed hospitality was their gift. Many participants remarked in the meeting evaluation of their warm smiles, efficient organization, and extraordinary noon meal including homemade chicken
Strength for Today, Bright Hope for Tomorrow Join other adults and church leaders for a one-day retreat event at Camp Hanover filled with food, fun, and fellowship. Using “Great is thy Faithfulness” as an inspiration for the day, we’ll explore and reflect on our purpose, our gifts, and our legacy. What is the witness we
One of the co-moderators of the 223rd General Assembly will visit Richmond October 23 for two events. Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri is an ordained Ruling Elder at First Spanish Presbyterian Church in Miami and an educator. She was elected in June 2018 as co-moderator with Cindy Kohlmann. At 11:45 a.m., she will be at Union Seminary for
The Mission Development Resources Committee of the Presbyterian Mission Agency has awarded Trinity Ghanaian Presbyterian Fellowship a $25,000 grant to promote its growth and development. Trinity Ghanaian, which serves African immigrant communities in Richmond, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in October. Congratulations to Pastor Willie Woodson and his congregation! Visit Trinity Ghanaian online Learn about the grants Members
Built in 1747, Providence Church in Gum Spring is the oldest Presbyterian church in continual use in Virginia. The church is rare in another way: the 60-member congregation operates on weekly offerings instead of an annual stewardship campaign. Historically, skilled church members handled building maintenance and repair needs. As their numbers declined, church leaders recognized
Debt from construction and renovation projects in the 1990s and 2000s was like an albatross around the neck of Chester Presbyterian. The staff was lean because they couldn’t afford to hire employees, such as a director of Christian education. “We concentrated intensely on attendance, weekly offerings, and balance sheets,” observed Pastor Gordon Mapes, who inherited
The corridor connecting the two wings of Bon Air Presbyterian was dark and crowded, especially on Sunday mornings. The building’s dated HVAC systems and bathrooms were in need of updates. “The primary entry into the facility felt like a 1950s school,” said Pastor Janet Winslow, “not the vitally-engaged congregation that we are. Our vision was
This guest post was written by Colleen Earp, Camp Hanover’s director of youth, environment, and service ministries. Ubuntu. I am because we are. Ubuntu is one of the themes in InsideOut’s summer camp curriculum PeaceWorks, which Camp Hanover and many other faith-based camps are using this summer. This Zulu word suggests the interconnectedness of humanity,
A new study shows that one in four congregations has conducted a capital campaign in the past year. Researchers with Indiana University and the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving shared a sneak peek of the results of the National Study of Congregations’ Economic Practices at a recent conference attended by Deborah Rexrode, associate for
This guest post was written by Caitlin Deyerle. Rev. Deyerle is the moderator of POJ’s Committee on Ministry. She has been the pastor of Southminster Church in Chesterfield since 2013. When I was first called to Presbytery of the James, I came to Virginia not knowing a soul. I dove eagerly into my church work,