|
|
Information for ministers, educators, church administrators, clerks, and congregations | |
|
|
In This Issue
- Meet Barry Parks, New Interim Stated Clerk
- Real Kids, Real Faith Seeks Partner Congregations
- Resources for Earth Day Sunday
- Upcoming Grant Deadlines
- Ginter Park Hosts Awkward Silence Antiracism Workshop
- VCU Campus Ministry Invites Incoming Students to Visit
- Presbytery Events
- Church and Community Events
- Employment Opportunities
| |
Meet Barry Parks, New Interim Stated Clerk | |
Mission Council has chosen Barry Parks to serve as the presbytery's interim stated clerk following the resignation of Charles Grant. We are grateful to Charles for his dedication to the presbytery during this time of seeking a permanent stated clerk. Read the transition announcement.
Barry and his wife joined Westminster Presbyterian Church (Charlottesville) in 2018 after relocating to the area. Barry has served as clerk of session at Westminster since July 2020. He also is vice-moderator of the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic. Barry was recently certified as ready to receive a call as a commissioned ruling elder with the Presbytery of the James. Welcome, Barry!
Reach Barry by email or by calling the office, (804) 262-2074.
| |
Real Kids, Real Faith Seeks Partner Congregations | |
Real Kids, Real Faith is exploring ways to nurture children's spirituality. Periodically, during the year, they test different ideas with various organizations to further their work. In Spring 2024, they will be testing three different six-week practices: a guided meditation, a storybook exploration, and a virtues project. If you are interested in learning about these opportunities, please fill out the interest form, and RKRF will follow up with more information. | |
Resources for Earth Day Sunday | |
The PCUSA partners with Creation Justice Ministries to offer Christian education materials to equip faith communities to protect, restore, and more rightly share God’s creation. In 2024, the theme "Plastic Jesus: Real Faith in a Synthetic World" helps congregations think more deeply about the ways that plastics impact our lives and God’s creation. Use this resource to find stories of individuals and communities making a positive impact, sermon starters to spark meaningful discussions in your church, worship resources to unite in prayer and reflection, and actionable steps to address the plastic crisis in your life, community, and our world. | |
Ginter Park Hosts Awkward Silence Antiracism Workshop | Ginter Park Church hosts a workshop on "Awkward Silence: Practical Activities for White People to Confront Antiracism". Whether your goal is simply to listen or you have grander aspirations to rid the world of hate and intolerance, this faith-based workshop will inspire you to take the next step toward your true heart transformation. Author Shani McIlwain leads the workshop on April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration ends April 20. The $10 cost includes lunch and a copy of the book. | |
VCU Campus Ministry Invites Incoming Students to Visit | Pace Center, the campus ministry at VCU, invites incoming students to visit on Fridays this spring. Learn about all things VCU and Pace from current students and staff. There are two activities for guests to join: dog walking at 2 p.m. and crocheting and knitting from 4 to 6 p.m. Share with youth in your congregations who are attending VCU this fall. For questions, reach out to Rev. Russ Kerr. | | |
|
117th Meeting
June 18
Union Seminary
Call to Order: 9:30 a.m.
Overture deadline: April 23, noon
Packet online: June 4
| |
| |
Church & Community Events | | |
|
Small Church Leaders Gathering
April 4, 7 p.m.
Virtual
Hosted by Office of Christian Formation
| |
|
NEXT Church National Gathering
April 8-11
Falls Church Presbyterian Church, Falls Church
| |
|
Legacies of the Holocaust Seminar
April 9-11
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, D.C.
| | |
|
Third Act Seminar
April 18
at Union Seminary
Hosted by Board of Pensions
| |
|
Women's Retreat
April 19-20
Camp Hanover, Mechanicsville
| |
|
Earth Day Sunday
April 21
| | |
|
Camp Fun Day
April 21, 2-5 p.m.
Camp Hanover
FREE!
| |
|
Awkward Silence Anti-Racism Workshop
April 27
Ginter Park Church
| |
|
ReKindle Grant Deadline
April 30
Columbia Theological Seminary Center for Lifelong Learning
| | |
|
Mental Health Grant Deadline
May 1
Presbyterian Mission Agency
| |
|
Older Adult Sunday
May 5
| |
|
Small Church Leaders Gathering
May 8, 1 p.m.
Virtual
Hosted by Office of Christian Formation
| | |
|
PW Justice and Peace Book Discussion
May 13, 6:30 p.m.
Virtual
| |
|
Family Camp
May 17-19
Camp Hanover, Mechanicsville
| |
|
Reflective Leadership Grant Deadline
May 28
Duke Divinity
| | |
|
Youth Servant Leadership Institute
June 17-21
The Pace Center at VCU
| |
|
226th PC(USA) General Assembly
June 29-July 4
Salt Lake City
| |
|
Bible and Church Music Conference
July 21-27
Massanetta Springs, Harrisonburg
| | |
|
Clergy Couple Retreat
July 29-August 1
Massanetta Springs, Harrisonburg
| |
Synod of the Mid-Atlantic Grant Deadline
August 1 | |
|
PW Churchwide Gathering
August 8-11
St. Louis
| | |
|
Camp: A Planning Retreat for Clergy August 13-17
Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation at YMCA of the Rocky Mountains Estes Park Center
| |
|
Homecoming
August 30-September 2
Camp Hanover
| |
|
Scotland Trip
September 13-23
With Three Chopt Church, Henrico
| |
Learn about church employment opportunities or submit an opportunity to POJ's calls and jobs board. | |
- Pastor of Youth and Children, Three Chopt Church (Henrico)
- Interim senior pastor/head of staff, River Road Church (Richmond)
- Installed minister, Amelia Church (Amelia)
- Director of Children and Youth Ministries, Three Chopt Church (Henrico)
- Summer camp staff, Camp Hanover (Mechanicsville)
- Summer camp nurse, Camp Hanover (Mechanicsville)
- Director of faith formation, River Road Church (Richmond)
- Synod administrator, Synod of the Mid-Atlantic (Richmond)
- Director of traditional music, River Road Church (Richmond)
| |
|
Calls and Jobs in Nearby Presbyteries
| |
The Current is published weekly. Submit an announcement for an upcoming issue by emailing editor Kelley Hope. Submissions due Thursday at 5 p.m. for the following week. Send text (including a link to your website/Facebook page) in the body of your email or in a Word document. Attach photos to your email if desired. Please do not send graphics or flyers. | Office Telephone | (804) 262-2074 | | | | |
