POHICK POST

Pohick Episcopal Church

9301 Richmond Highway Lorton, VA 22079
Telephone: 703-339-6572 Fax: 703-339-9884
Let your light so shine (Matt. 5:16)

From The Rector

The Reverend
Donald D. Binder, PhD

t our annual parish meeting back in January, I

reported to the congregation that Pohick Church
was in the process of receiving two large parishioner
bequests, one from the estate of Robert Kilmarx (predeceased by his wife Bunny) and one from that of
Norma Tomley (predeceased by her husband Roy Avery). Together, these gifts - now mostly in hand - total
approximately $250,000.
The major task for the Vestry at its January retreat was to designate the purposes for which these
bequests would be used. As reported to the congregation in a forum held shortly after that retreat, the
consensus of the Vestry (later affirmed by a formal
vote) was to allocate $200,000 for the repair, upkeep
and improvement of our aging physical plant, with the
remaining $50,000 to go toward the establishment of
a fund to underwrite grants in pursuit of Let Your
Light So Shine initiatives.
At my suggestion, these initiatives were initially
launched by the Vestry and congregation in January of
2013 in order to: better serve the community and the
world in the name of Christ, and more actively attract
members of that same community to join in Pohicks
larger Christian mission.
Over the past few months, the Vestry has approved
an application process for this fund and established
a recommendatory Grant Committee consisting of
the Rector (chair), Wardens, Treasurer, and Mission

JUNE 2015
and Outreach Commission Chair and Co-chair. They
in turn developed an application form that has been
given to the parish staff and commission chairs for the
consideration of the committees, groups, and guilds
under them. However, any Pohick Church communicant in good standing can apply for one of these
grants.
Heres how it works. Suppose you or a committee
or a Pohick-associated group has an idea for an initiative that would minister to the community and the
world, and/or welcome members of our surrounding
community to join in our larger ministry efforts. But
theres one problem: the proposed initiative has some
start-up costs.
You could then request from the parish secretary
a Let Your Light So Shine grant application form
at any point in the year. This will require you to submit what we might call a ministry plan, a series of
statements that set out the initiatives ministerial goals
and how they will be achieved - much like the secular
worlds business plan, although here we are seeking
a spiritual return rather than a financial one.
A budget with supporting cost documentation is
also required as a lead-up to the specific grant request,
which is limited to a one-time award of no more than
$2,000, though exceptions can be made in extraordinary cases. Upon receipt of the application, the Grant
Committee will review it and potentially have the
applicant respond to questions. The Committee will
then make a recommendation to the Vestry, which
then has the final authority to accept, modify, or reContinued on page 2

Page 2 June 2015

From the Rector: continued from page 1

ject the recommendation. Their decision will then be

communicated to the applicant. For grants that are
approved, the Treasurer will disburse the authorized
monies to the appropriate contractor or reimburse the
applicant after the appropriate receipts have been presented.
Here we might pause to ask: exactly what kinds of
ministry ideas does the Vestry have in mind?
Since the launch of the Let Your Light So Shine
initiatives began more than two years ago, most of the
ideas we have implemented have principally involved
volunteer time, with little or no initial cost. Among
others, these have included the publication of the
weekly Tidings, the sponsoring of a Boy Scout troop,
and the establishment of the Agape Works ministry.
Other ideas that have not been implemented, in
part because of associated costs, include: the inclusion
of church brochures in the welcome packet given to
military families through Belvoir Army Community
Services, the addition of both permanent informational signage and temporary banner signs for church
events, and outreach to the Wounded Warrior program at the newly completed Belvoir Community
Hospital.
But these are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of
ministerial possibilities. We hope that the establishment of this new fund will inspire many more creative
ideas - ones that now are not quickly discarded because of concerns about start-up costs.
And so I would ask you to be prayerful about
these, and to discuss any that you deem worthy with
fellow parishioners - as well as with me and other
members of the Vestry. If support is there, develop a
ministry plan. Should any costs be involved, file a Let
Your Light So Shine application.
We look forward to reading your proposals.

COMBINED ISSUES!
The July and August 2015 issues of the
Pohick Post will be combined into one newsletter.
On June 15, please submit all articles that would usually
appear in the July AND August Pohick Post. Thanks very
much for the cooperation! Forward articles by email in
Word compatible format to Lori Buckius, raebuck@aol.
com. Items for the Sunday Service Volunteers page should
be addressed to Carmel Hodge, cchodge@aol.com.

Pohick Episcopal Church

Christian Education

Frances Sessums, Director of Christian Education

It has been a wonderful Church School year. A
hearty thanks to all of the teachers, staff, substitutes,
and aides who have made this year such a success! The
volunteers have been so generous with their time and
talents. The students have all been very blessed to have
worked with such wonderful people. Thanks also to all
of the outstanding children and youth of the parish
who have participated in the Church School this year.
It has been such a joy for everyone to work with this
great group of kids this year!
During summer, the preschool through rising second graders will meet together in classrooms C and D
for Summer Bible Storytelling Time. This will be in
lieu of Childrens Chapel and Childrens Church. Parents should drop off their children between 9:50 am
and 10:00 am on Sunday morning. Following story
time, the children will join their parents in the church
during the Peace. Any questions should be directed to
Frances Sessums at 703-425-2857.

Vacation Bible School

Pohicks annual Vacation Church School will be

held July 13 through July 17 from 9:00 am to 12:00
noon. The theme is Gospel Lights SonSpark Labs.
This promises
to be a week
of fun and adventure. Please
mark the calendar and plan
on attending!
There will
be classes for
three year olds
through fifth
grade students. The 6th through 12th grade students
are encouraged to volunteer as teacher assistants.
Many volunteers are needed!
There are openings as lead teachers, assistant
teachers, craft assistants, recreation assistants, snack
assistants, nursery leader, and assistants. If anyone is
interested in knowing more about the program please
call Frances Sessums at 703-425-2857.

Pohick Episcopal Church

From The Assistant Rector

The Reverend
Dr. Ruth E. Correll, Ed.D.
Thoughts from
the 2015 Pohick Pilgrims
At the Post deadline, the Pilgrims are only one-third through our pilgrimage hosted and lead by faculty at St. Georges College, Jerusalem.
All of us anticipate many more experiences in the coming week and a
half. Stay tuned. Its not too early to start planning for your pilgrimage!
On Monday, May 11, seven Pohick Pilgrims gathered

at St. Georges College, Jerusalem, with about 30 other

people from across the USA as well as Australia, Canada,
and Great Britain. Our youngest pilgrim followed in Daniel Cencis footsteps by winning a trip to the Holy Land
awarded to an outstanding graduating senior at VTS. He
also attended Kenn Katonas ordination. The senior pilgrims, without mentioning any names in particular, are
also Pohickians. Nine other pilgrims are from northern
Virginia, and we are already thinking about reunions to
come. Although the majority are active Episcopalians, we
also include members of other Christian churches running
the spectrum from two headmasters of Roman Catholic
schools to active laity from free churches.
The first morning a superb lecture broadened our understanding of how a pilgrimage differs from a vacation.
We heard about biblical and other historical references to
this expression of faith in the Christian life. We were prepared to meet Gods presence in profound ways as well
as to face disappointments in our expectations. Pilgrims
are frequently going into or through transitions, discovery,
healing, and adventure. During a pilgrimage, we remember past events and look for Gods direction in new ways.
It need not be a physical journey but is always an inner
journey to new insights and sanctification. No two individuals will experience identical pilgrimages, and that is
very true of our Pohickians.
On Saturday, May 16, the fifth day of our pilgrimage, here are some thoughts from people you know. Arriving early, Nancy Sage headed for the Wailing Wall and
found it an unforgettable cultural experience. A long-time
people observer, she picked up quickly the underlying tensions in the faces of people. There is little laughter on the
streets; smiles dont come easily; life is uncertain here in
ways we can hardly comprehend. Here a merely cerebral
faith must wrestle with the political, social, and religious
realities in this land. Here Jesus becomes a real man who

June 2015 Page 3

attended to the poor and challenged the rich.

Pilgrims often have a desire to study Scripture
through their pilgrimage. Adeko Evans pointed out that
here she has realized the tremendous difference between
reading the Bible and being where the stories of the Bible
took place. Her husband, Ken Evans, noted an important
contrast in emphasis between the Jesus story of his life,
death, and resurrection memorialized in The Church of
the Nativity and The Church of the Holy Sepulchre versus
the emphasis on Jesus preaching, teaching, and miracles
that frequently dominate sermons and church education.
For Reed Heddleston, our Senior Warden who was raised
in the Baptist church, the New Testament will never be
the same again. He struggled for words to describe how
physically touching the sacred places he has known about
since childhood deepens his faith. He finally settled on
crystalized, a solid word that sparkles with reflected light
and colors.
His wife, Carol Heddleston, spoke of living the
Scriptures through our stop in the vast landscape of the
wilderness that stretches mile after barren mile. These are
not gently rolling hills but dangerously rugged mountains
with cliffs, landslides, and multitudes of cave. As a nurse,
she noted that thirst, dryness, heat, and dust would affect
anyone attempting to walk on rocky ground covered with
prickly scrub. How difficult it must have been for even
Jesus to resist temptation in this arid and unfriendly environment.
Our visit to Masada struck Ken Evans, a consultant
for the military, quite differently than myself. I watch Jesus
weeping over Jerusalem, How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood
under her wings, and you would not! See, your house is
left to you desolate. [Mt. 23:37b-38 ESV] Every time
I read Jesus last words to women who wept for him, the
specter of Masada will loom up in my mind. Daughters
of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves
and your children. [Lk. 23:29 ESV] Lord Jesus, help me
to heed your loving warnings.
Jackie Wells found the crowded and commercialized
Dead Sea visit disappointing, and she wondered what Jesus would say if he returned in person to see the barbed
wire fences that separate Israeli and Palestinian land.
On the other hand, she anointed the stones where Jesus
walked on the way to Calvary with an oil saturated cloth.
This act of devotion touched her emotionally in ways hard
to describe in words. She summed up what all of us are
thinking: This is a life changing experience. We will never
be the same again.

Page 4 June 2015

Pohick Episcopal Church

Stewardship Corner Stewardship and the Church Kitchen

What can a church kitchen teach us about stewardship? The answer is: more than you might think. First,
just what is a church kitchen? Is it sterile space where
meals are prepared and where trained professionals
ply their craft? No. Its really more like your home
kitchen when youre having folks over. Its a center for
gathering. It is a place where a surprising amount of
church business is carried out. It is a place where dedicated volunteers - faithful stewards of Christs church
- prepare for coffee hour, or for Lenten suppers, or for
Brotherhood breakfasts, or for luncheons or teas. Its a
place where lids are sanitized for apple butter canning.
And dont forget the hundreds of small acts of stewardship that center around the kitchen - people taking
used dish towels home to wash them, people dropping
off supplies with no thought of reimbursement, people taking out the trash because it needed to be done.
In short, it is one of any thriving churchs centers of
stewardship. You want to know how well stewardship
is working in a church? Check the kitchen!
An even higher level of stewardship has recently
been set in motion in Pohicks kitchen. Initial estimates of this renovation were well north of $100,000
- a daunting figure. Then faithful stewards of Christs
church at Pohick intervened. Volunteers have cleaned,
repaired and repainted the pantry and were about to
start a major renovation of the main kitchen and dishwasher room. Immediately after the end of Vacation
Bible School, volunteers will begin to move everything
out of the kitchen and to tear out all the current wood
cabinets. These stewards, giving of their time and talent will not only make the kitchen a more pleasant
place, they will save Pohick a significant amount of
money. Of course volunteers cant do everything and
in May alone, over $17,000 was contributed by Pohicks faithful stewards toward a much reduced total
cost slightly shy of $70,000.
The church kitchen is stewardship at work. Thank
you to all the stewards already helping and for those
of you looking for a way to contribute - time, talent,
or treasure, heres a great opportunity. Heres a recent
Perspectives piece that seems apropos:
STEWARDSHIP PERSPECTIVES
I am the true vine and my father is the
vine growerI am the vine, you are the branches.

Those who abide in me and I in them bear much

fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.
( John 15: 1-4)
With Reverend Corrells kind permission, we have
taken the liberty to use her excellent sermon of May
3rd as the springboard for this weeks Perspectives.
Borrowing from Bruce Wilkinsons Secrets of the Vine,
Ruth walked us through the life of the grape vine Jesus so often used to explain his parables. Jesus says
he is the vine and we are the branches. Lets see if we
agree. The grape vines branches, like us, are capable of
producing fruit that has both great value and pleasing
aesthetics. Like us, the grape branches go through periods of dormancy and periods of growth. Like us, the
branches of the grape vine must be carefully pruned
and nurtured by the vine grower. Like us, without
abiding in connection with the vine, the branches will
become wild and fail to produce healthy fruit.
Our individual journeys of faith are also much like
the life phases of the grape branch. There are times of
training and growth. There are times when we produce fruit to the glory of God. And there are times of
dormancy when we rest from our labors and gather
our strength to proceed. Through all these times, God
(the vine grower) nurtures and tends to us through
scripture, teaching, and abiding comfort. Often He
accomplishes this nurturing through His vine - the
church - the body of Christ in the world today.
Stewardship is about allowing God to tend to us
and, through us, to tend to other of His branches nurturing, teaching, and providing comfort. We have
recently talked about teaching. Over the next several
weeks, we will look at some of the ways we exercise
stewardship at Pohick to nurture and provide comfort.
Before we close, lets return to the cycles of our
lives. There are times in our cycles when we are dormant and need to receive nurturing more than provide
nurturing. There are times when all our energy is going toward producing fruit (recall our previous discussions on bring up our children). Remember that God,
through His church, is there for you in the times of
dormancy and growth. And when the time comes for
you to produce fruit, we ask that you also be there for
your church.

Pohick Episcopal Church

June 2015 Page 5

POHICK CHURCH ANNUAL PARISH RETREAT

Shrine Mont

Shrine Mont, Virginia

CAMP & CONFERENCE CENTER

Dates: June 26 - 28, 2015, from Friday dinner (5:30 pm) through Sunday lunch (12:30 pm)
Sign-up Deadline: Sunday, June 14, 2015
Shrine Mont Overview: It is that time again for fellowship, and physical, mental, and spiritual
renewal at Shrine Mont in the beautiful mountains of Virginia! Shrine Mont, located in Orkney
Springs, 13 miles west of Mt. Jackson, Virginia, is a conference center managed by the Episcopal
Diocese of Virginia. Shrine Mont consists of 1,100 acres of forest land featuring trails, lakes,
hills, and streams at the edge of George Washington National Forest, which is a stones throw
from the West Virginia state line. The centerpiece of Shrine Mont is an unusual open air stone
chapel, the Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration, from which Shrine Mont takes its name.
Campers, conferees, and guests worship at this beautiful shrine regularly.
Fees: The cost is $158 for adults (ages 13 and over), $53 for children (ages 4-12), and free for
children under four. If a crib is required, there is a $6 fee for the weekend. Babysitting during
adult sessions is available for an additional $10. Please note that these costs should not prohibit
anyone from attending the retreat. Anyone needing financial assistance should contact the Reverend Don Binder at 703-339-6572. Fees are firm for the weekend, even for late arrivals. If
arriving late, one can usually get dinner until 6:30 pm.

Pohick Church
Annual Retreat
June 26-28, 2015

Babysitting Service: For parents with children, there will be a super program for young people as well as a babysitting service ($10), so parents can attend activities. Babysitters will be available only during adult study sessions.
What to Bring: While breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided, bring snacks and a favorite beverages for evening fellowship time together at the Gathering Place. Also, consider bringing a flashlight, Bible, jacket or sweater, fan, and other
personal items. There is no air conditioning in the cottages, however, most rooms have electric fans.
Study: There are three scheduled occasions to study, and Rev. Binder/Correll put together a new program each year. These
sessions provide a great opportunity to get to know the clergy and fellow parishioners. Please note that Shrine Mont expects
parents to be responsible for the actions of their children, especially during the periods between the three planned sessions.

2015 POHICK CHURCH RETREAT SHRINE MONT APPLICATION

Name(s)___________________________________________________________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________________________________________________________
Email:______________________________________________________ Tel:___________________________________
_____ Adults ($158 each)
_____ Young Children (3 and under, free)

_____ Children (4-12, $53 each)

_____ Cribs required ($6 each)

_____ Babysitting ($10)

Total enclosed: $_____________

Enclose a check payable to Pohick Church, and mark Shrine Mont in the memo section. For more information, call the Parish Office at 703-339-6572.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 2015

Page 6 June 2015

Pohick Episcopal Church

2015 POHICK CHURCH PARISH RETREAT

Shrine Mont, Orkney Springs, Virginia
Friday, June 26
Afternoon arrival
5:30 pm
7:30 - 8:30 pm
8:30 pm
9:00 pm until

Dinner
Orientation in Art Hall
Compline
The Gathering Place

Saturday, June 27
7:30 am
8:00 am
9:00-10:30 am
10:30-12:30 pm
12:30 pm
1:00-4:30 pm
4:30-5:30 pm
5:30 pm
7:00-8:00 pm
8:00 pm
9:00 pm until

Morning Prayer in Art Hall

Breakfast
Session I, Group Photo at Shrine
Open/Activities
Lunch
Open/Activities
The Gathering Place
Dinner
Session II in Art Hall
Evening Prayer at the Shrine
The Gathering Place

Sunday, June 28
8:00 am
9:00-10:30 am
10:45 am
12:30 pm
1:30-4:00 pm

Breakfast
Session III in Art Hall
Holy Eucharist at the Shrine
Lunch
Open/Depart

Shrine
Mont
Retreat
Center

N
W

E
S

Shrine Mont is located 1 hour south of Winchester or 1

hour north of Harrisonburg, and approximately 2 1/2 hours
from the Washington, DC and Richmond metro areas. To
reach Shrine Mont follow I-81 to Mt. Jackson (Exit #273).
Turn left from DC or right from Richmond onto Rt. 703
(east), then right (south) on US 11, follow through town,
turn right on Rt. 263 and follow approximately 15 miles to
Orkney Springs.

Directions to Shrine Mont: From Pohick Church, take I-66 west to I-81 south. Exit 273 at Mt. Jackson. Turn
left on Mt. Jackson Road (Cty 292). Turn right on US 11 (traffic light). Turn right on to State Route 263 to
Orkney Springs and Shrine Mont. The trip takes about two hours from Pohick.

2015 POHICK CHURCH RETREAT SHRINE MONT APPLICATION

Activities and Options: Indicate particular activities of interest.

Tom or Susan Mayberry, 434-481-3575, will keep track of others expressing an interest in all options.
_____ Swimming

_____ Basketball

_____ Volleyball

_____ Shuffleboard

_____ Tennis

_____ Golf

_____ Sleeping

_____ Fishing

_____ Mountain Climbing

_____ Hiking

_____ Eating

_____ Bridge/other card games

_____ Horseshoes

_____ Shopping

_____ Antiquing

_____ Porching

_____ Other

Pohick Episcopal Church

June 2015 Page 7

Pohick
Episcopal Church

Vacation
Bible School
July 13 - 17, 2015

REGISTRATION FORM
To be held at:

Pohick Episcopal Church 9301 Richmond Highway Lorton, Virginia 22079

For chidren age 3 (only if potty-trained) through Grade 5*
Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 12:00 noon

IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE DAILY SESSIONS TO BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 9:00 am.

To help the Christian Education budget,

a donation of $25.00 per family would be most appreciated.
Directions: Please fill out a separate form for each child attending.
Childs Name ______________________________________________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________________________________

(street)

(city)

(zip)

Telephone _____________________________________ Date of Birth ________________________________

*School Grade completed in June of 2015 ________________________________________________________
Parents Names _____________________________________________________________________________
Medical Information (eg food allergies, etc.) ______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE CHECK WHERE APPROPRIATE:
_____ I can stay and help if needed.
_____ My child would like to come, but will need a ride.

_____ We would like to carpool, if possible.

_____ I can provide a ride for _____ child(ren).

Please return this form to the Church office, either in person or by mail.

(over)

Page 8 June 2015

Pohick Episcopal Church

POHICK EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Vacation Bible School

PERMISSION FOR EMERGENCY CARE
Name of Child _____________________________________________________________________________
Date of Birth _____________________________________________________________________________
Name of Parent/Guardian ____________________________________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone _________________________________________________________________________________
THE CHURCH HAS MY PERMISSION TO CALL ANOTHER PHYSICIAN IN AN
EMERGENCY WHEN FAMILY PHYSICIAN OR I CANNOT BE CONTACTED.
Name of Family Physician _____________________________________________________________________
Telephone _________________________________________________________________________________
IS YOUR CHILD:
ALLERGIC TO MEDICATION? ____________________________________________________________
IF SO, WHICH ___________________________________________________________________________
ANY OTHER ALLERGIES - SUCH AS BEE STINGS _________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
UNDER PHYSICIANS CARE? _________________
UNDER MEDICATION NOW? _________________
THE CHURCH HAS MY PERMISSION, IN AN EMERGENCY WHEN I (OR MY PHYSICIAN) CANNOT
BE CONTACTED, TO TAKE MY CHILD TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OF THE NEAREST HOSPITAL
AND ITS MEDICAL STAFF HAVE MY AUTHORIZATION TO PROVIDE TREATMENT WHICH A PHYSICIAN DEEMS NECESSARY FOR THE WELL-BEING OF MY CHILD.

NOTE: By law a parent cannot consent in advance to any and all manner of emergency
care. It is understandable that in cases, other than the need for immediate emergency treatment, the attending physician may defer treatment pending the parents permission to administer professional service.

_____________________________________________________________
(Parent/Guardian signature)
_____________________________________________________________
(Date)

Pohick Episcopal Church

eens in focus

Last month, the EYC teens went on their annual

spring retreat to Harrisonburg, VA. The theme of the
weekend was Ask me who I am? - I am a Courageous, Confident Christian Three areas of study were
explored - Praising God, ourselves and each other,
how to live a Courageous life, and where do to get the
Confidence to live out a personal calling.
Why is it important for a teen to spend time on
a retreat? Numerous times in Jesus ministry he went
out by himself, or with the Apostles, to spend time
resting and recharging. Teens need this time as well.
The teen life is full of changes, decisions and forces
pulling them in multiple directions. The Holy Spirit
can get lost in the teenagers day to day requirements
of homework, sports, food, family, food! The time
away gives them a chance to regroup, play, rest and
hear about the spiritual journeys of their friends and
other adults. It allows their faith community to affirm
and support them and for them to be able to receive it
in a safe place.
Fellowship, prayer, food, study and fun are all important parts of an EYC retreat. Teens are allowed
the opportunity to try new things, to reflect on their
spiritual life and to find ways that they can impact
others in their daily life. Change does happen! Teens
return with a better understanding of themselves,
their friends, and ways Christ interacts with them
continuously. So next spring, when it is time to decide
whether to go on the retreat - take a chance. The decision could be life changing!

Music Schedule June 2015

Sunday, June 7 Second Sunday after Pentecost

10:00 am Youth Sunday, St. Cecelia St. Alban
Choir
Sunday, June 14 Third Sunday after Pentecost
10:00 am Bishop Goff s visit, Choir of Pohick
Sunday, June 21 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
10:00 am Fathers Day, Women of the Choir of
Pohick
Sunday, June 28 Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
10:00 am Soloist

June 2015 Page 9

Music Notes

Linda Egan, Minister of Music

The Sounds of Pohick annual free concert

is Saturday, June 6, 2015, at 4:00 pm.
Youll hear the Choir of Pohick, the Pohick Bell
Choir, the Pohick Pickers, the Early Church Music
Ensemble, the St. Francis Choir and the St. Cecelia
St. Alban Choir.
Youll hear music by composers who wrote
throughout the whole history of the church, right up
to the present.
Youll hear the voices of children, teenagers and
adults.
Youll hear handbells, guitars, organ, piano and
percussion.
Youll hear lots of good music, including rousers
and quiet meditations, remembrances and celebrations, made by lots of good musicians.
Youll help make music by singing hymns with all
these good musicians.
Afterward come to the Common Room to celebrate with the music makers at a reception. Its a great
way to spend the end of a June afternoon. Do bring
your family and friends; dont miss it!
To prepare for the concert we will hold a final rehearsal on Thursday, June 4, 2015, in the church. All
musical groups will rehearse that evening:
6-6:30 St Francis Choir
6:30-7:15 St. Cecelia St. Alban Choir
7-8 Pohick Bell Choir
8-8:15 Early Church Music Ensemble
8:10-9 Choir of Pohick
8:45-9:30 Pohick Pickers
Please bring all music and instruments needed;
arrive ahead to set up and be ready to rehearse at the
stated times. Thanks!

Donations for Guest Musicians

From time to time there are additional needs associated with

the music program. Donations
are welcome; checks should be
made to Pohick Church with
Music Fund noted on the check.
Thank you!

Page 10 June 2015

Pohick Episcopal Church

Update on Issues in the Anglican Communion

Don Brownlee, Co-chair, Policy and Planning Commission

This monthly report is part of the Vestrys ongoing effort to inform and update the Parish about the ongoing controversies within
The Episcopal Church (TEC) and the Anglican Communion. These
controversies largely involve the blessing of same-sex unions, ordination of non-celibate homosexuals, interpretation of Scripture, and
breakdown of traditional boundary lines between Provinces.

Four bishops have been selected as nominees to be the next

presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church. They are:
The Rt. Rev. Thomas Breidenthal, bishop of Southern Ohio;
The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, bishop of North Carolina;
The Rt. Rev. Ian Douglas, bishop of Connecticut; and
The Rt. Rev. Dabney Smith, bishop of Southwest Florida.
The nominating committee said it looked for candidates who
possessed:
An evangelists heart
Love of people, with vibrant relational skills
Collaborative leadership skills
Knowledge of and experience in The Episcopal Church
Ability to further dioceses and congregations
Ability to inspire growth and lead through change
Bp. Breidenthal has served as bishop of
Southern Ohio since 2007. He believes a new
spirit is rising in TEC and the time is ripe to lay
hold of it, and listed four areas that he believes
deserve the next presiding bishops steady attention -- encouraging conversations about
faith, building ecumenical relations, encountering the unchurched,
and looking after for one another.
Bp. Curry has served as bishop of North Carolina since 2000.
He prays and dreams of an Episcopal Church focused on following the way of Jesus of Nazareth, courageously committed to being a part of the 21st-century Jesus movement in the world. Such a
church he believes, will live together deeply
as a community of baptized disciplesbe
a truly catholic community whose love and
embrace, whose inclusion and welcome will
be as far and as wide as the outstretched arms
of Jesus on the crossreflect the faces of all the peoples of the
countries and cultures in which The Episcopal Church is found
more than just diverse, it will be different. And in that difference
it will be a witness to Gods dream of the beloved community on
earth. It will see itself less as an institution and more a part of
the Jesus movement following the risen Christ in the direction of
Gods dream.
Bp. Douglas is the newest of the four to the episcopate, having
been consecrated as bishop of Connecticut in 2010. But he has the
most experience of any of the candidates with
the greater Anglican Communion, having
served as The Episcopal Churchs representative to the Anglican Consultative Council,
and a member of the Standing Committee
of the Anglican Communion, since 2009. He
helped plan the 2008 Lambeth Conference.

He believes the world be different nine years from now (the

end of the next presiding bishops term) if every Episcopalian
embodied and acted upon our baptismal vocation to participate in
Gods mission of restoration and reconciliation, individually and
together as the Body of Christ. In order to do this we need lay
and ordained leaders shaped by Gods mission in Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This requires a radical reorientation
of The Episcopal Church at every level. We can no longer afford
to be preoccupied with ourselves and our church structures and
institutions. Instead we need to discover and join what God is up
to in the world. Engaging the Good News of God in our neighborhoods will free us from our church-centered concerns and will
give us new life.
Like Bp. Breidenthal, Bp. Smith has served as bishop of the
diocese of Southwest Florida since 2007. The son and grandson of
priests, if elected presiding bishop he would seek to build a high
level of trust within the churchs overlapping structures, as well
as the wide variety of opinions and concerns
contained within. Ive learned that my ability to lead is dependent on the ability to draw
people together to follow a common vision.
For me, this ability requires deep listening,
prayer, pleasure in being with diverse groups
of people, the capacity to help discern and articulate purpose and vision, delegation of responsibility, enthusiasm, and being a catalyst for Gods joy in life.
We also need to rekindle trust among the people in our congregations, teaching that our governance is not issue driven, but Gospel
driven in which issues can be faced a needed effort for the long
term health of the church. To help build this trust, I would hope to
spend proportionally more time in the Episcopal Church. I would
share encouragement across the church to celebrate the multiple
ways that God has resourced us to be involved in loving mission
to the world. I want the Episcopal Church to be growing in numbers, faith communities, young ordinands, spiritual depth, and joy.
This is an exciting time to be in our church.
(The quotations above are from information provided online
by the nominating committee. Additional information about the
nominees and their backgrounds can be found on its website.)
Their names will officially be placed in nomination at the
General Convention in late June. The House of Bishops will elect
one of the four as the next presiding bishop, subject to confirmation of the choice by the House of Deputies (made up of priests
and lay people). The newly-elected presiding bishop will be installed in a service at the National Cathedral in the fall, and begin
his nine-year term on November 1st.
Bp. Shannon had been one of those initially nominated, but
withdrew from consideration.
***
A controversy over baptism in the diocese of Central Florida
spread quickly on the Internet in May, and quickly became a wideranging Internet debate over our theology of baptism.
It began when two married gay men who attend the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Luke in Orlando arranged for their infant

Pohick Episcopal Church

Update on Issues in the Anglican Communion,

continued from page 10

son Jack to be baptized. Shortly before the service, the dean of the
cathedral asked or suggested that the baptism be delayed. One of
the fathers posted a statement about it on Facebook; the matter
was quickly taken up and spread by those advocating full inclusion
of gays and lesbians in the life of the church.
The question became: Do we judge the relative fitness (in our
eyes) of the parents and sponsors when determining whether an
infant should be baptized?
Those who said yes, we should look at the parents, argued,
Baptism is a covenant ordinance and clearly the two homosexuals concerned are in contravention of a covenant relationship with
God, and have also tainted his covenant of marriage. They are disqualified on every count and the baptism would be a blasphemy,
a sinful application of the rite, and a repudiation of the gospel of
holiness... Concern for a child may be legitimately expressed in
prayer and the infant certainly needs that. Baptism in this instant
would not simply be invalid but an insult to God and an offense to
his people.
And The whole lifestyle of these men are a blasphemy when
they pretend their sexual relations are not sinful and when they
assert that it will not harm the child in any way. To get the Church
involved deepens the blasphemy.
But a prominent conservative bishop, Bp. Dan Martins of
Springfield Ill, disagreed.
It serves no worthy end to withhold that grace from an innocent child when it is being requested by those responsible for
his care. As for the ability of those presenting him to renounce
sin, follow Jesus as Lord, and be faithful to the teaching and fellowship of the apostles, my suspicion is that they would be making those promises with uncrossed fingers and a clear conscience.
One might surely question the conclusions to which their moral
reasoning has led them, but if they have come to that place in
good faith, they should receive the benefit of the doubt. There is
certainly nothing to be gained by peremptorily turning them away
for the sake of theological purity, and potentially much to be lost.
I would baptize the child.
After a week of these online discussions, the diocesan bishop
met with the parents. Like Bp. Martins, Bp. Greg Brewer is one
of the most theologically conservative bishops remaining in The
Episcopal Church. After their meeting, he said the baptism should
go forward, and that he had offered to participate in it.
In a pastoral letter, Bp. Brewer said:
When I am considering who should be baptized, my preeminent concern is for the one being presented for baptism. Which
would be better for the child: to be baptized into the Christian
community or to grow up in a secular household devoid of the
both the grace of Christ and bonds of a Christian community?
Some will say that it is impossible for gay couples to fully
assent to the baptismal covenant, especially the question do you
renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God? I
wrestle with that as well. But I also know that the baptismal covenant is written in language so demanding that I am still discovering places in my life where I live below its demands
I know that for some, saying yes to this baptism feels like

June 2015 Page 11

nothing more than pastoral logic, particularly when one starts

with the spiritual needs of the child.. For others it feels like a betrayal of the Gospel and a capitulation on
my part in my opposition to gay marriage
in the church. Please know, for those on
both sides of the gay marriage issue, that
I have not changed- at all- my opposition
to the churchs recognition of gay marriage
as Holy Matrimony. I still believe, strongly,
that civil gay unions do not conform to the
Biblical definition of Holy Matrimony nor
do they conform to the definition of Holy
Matrimony found in our Book of Common Prayer.
Given our own brokenness as a people, it seems to me that
none of us has the right to cast the first stone. We all live below
the demands that both the baptismal covenant and the Scriptures
ask of us, and many times consciously. ..Who is deserving or undeserving? For example, in Scripture there are far stronger and
explicit objections to multiple divorces and remarriages than there
is to a monogamous gay union. Are you willing to say No to the
baptism of children from a couple that have in their history multiple divorces? If not, why are you willing to give such heterosexual
relations a pass, but condemn civilly married gay Christians? Who
actually qualifies?
In other words, we are all broken and sinful people who are
deeply in need of the mercy of Christ. There is a child in need of
the grace of Christ. There are parents who are committed to raising their son as a Christian. There is a congregation that is willing
to accept their baptismal responsibilities. It is for this, that I am
saying Yes to the baptism of this child.
Elsewhere:
Heather Cook, the suffragan bishop of Maryland who was
arrested on drunk driving charges after a fatal accident, has accepted a sentence of deposition from the Presiding Bishop. She
has been removed as a priest and bishop (commonly called defrocked), and resigned her position with the diocese of Maryland.
The agreement ends the ecclesiastical proceedings against her
without a trial. She is awaiting trial on the civil charges stemming
from the accident.
A week later, the diocese authorized appointment of an assistant bishop, and Bp. Eugene Sutton named retired Bp. Chilton
Knudsen to the new position. Her background is significant in
light of former Bp. Cooks issues: Bp. Knudsen acknowledges herself to be a recovering alcoholic. Bp. Sutton said: Bishop Knudsen
is well known throughout the Episcopal Church as a leader and
an expert in addiction and recovery with clergy and congregations.
Her depth of knowledge and experience will benefit the Diocese
of Maryland as we continue to learn more about this issue. Our
plan and prayer is to be the mission focused diocese we aspire to
be and Bishop Knudsen brings gifts that will help us..
It is important to remember that despite all these controversies, the work of the Church
- globally, nationally, and locally - goes on. The Stewardship Commission continues to remind us of the ways Pohick carries out that work, and spread the good News. Pohick continues
to be the only Bible some people will ever read. Through youth mission trips, food donations
to LCAC, donations of school supplies and backpacks, the Gunston School tutoring program,
and the Community of Hope we continue to leak the love of God to those in need.

Page 12 June 2015

Pohick History Refresher

Begin the summer with a Pohick Church history

refresher! Join new trainees and fellow Historic Pohick Church Docent Guild Members in a morning of
Pohick history training. The Docent Guild will hold
a Short Training Session on Saturday, June 13. The
training will feature explanations of the Guilds activities by Guild members; videotaped Pohick Church
history lectures by Father Don Binder, and a demonstration tour of the Church. Coffee and treats are included. Held in the Parish House Annex, the session
begins at 9:30 am and finishes at 12:30 pm. There is
no fee for the session, however, a $5 fee will include a
manual. RSVP to Fred Crawford at frcrawford205@
comcast.net or at 703-680-1664. Checks for manuals
can be made payable to the Pohick Church Docent
Guild and sent to Susan Costa in the Church Office.

Pohick Church
Pictorial Directory

Lifetouch, the company that purchased Olan

Mills, is scheduled to take photographs at Pohick
on August 7 and 8 as well as September 15, 16,
and 17 in preparation for a new Church Directory. Please mark these dates on the calendar and
plan to participate. The goal is to have the book
completed by Christmas.

Christmas Mart Jewelry Table

Spring often means spring cleaning. Be aware

of any jewelry that is no longer worn, and please
donate it for the Christmas Mart Jewelry Table.
Profits from the Jewelry Table have been very
substantial for the past
few years, thanks to all
the donations received.
Jewelry in any condition is useful. Broken
jewelry is either mended or put in bags and sold to crafters. These bags
are among the first items sold. Jewelry can be left
in the Church Office, or call Cammie Liddle at
703-971-7548.

Pohick Episcopal Church

Martha Guild
Martha Guild
Wine Tasting
The Martha Guild
would like to express its
appreciation to EVERYONE that supported the
Second Annual Wine
Tasting - whether it was
by attending the event and/or buying chances
on the specialty baskets. Because of generous
support, the Martha Guild was able to contribute $2,000 to the Kitchen Renovation
Project.
A special thanks to Carol and Reed Heddleston for being gracious hosts. Congratulations to the winners of the baskets: Alan
Mayberry, Jan Buckius, Terri Hayes, Jud and
Nancy Bireley, Tom Bland, Pam Hogg, Mo
Faber, Alex Cutler, McKenna (Alexs fianc),
and a friend of the Heddlestons. Thanks to everyone for the support!
The Martha Guild will enjoy a night out
for dinner on June 3 at the Pane e Vino Restaurant, 9020 Lorton Station Boulevard, Lorton. All Women of the Church are cordially
invited to attend. Diners should meet at the
restaurant at 6:30 pm.
For those wishing to attend, please notify
Connie Myers by phone at 703-455-4652 or
by email at jetskiing@hotmail.com by June 1
so reservations can be confirmed.

DONT FORGET!
Sunday service times
change on June 7!
Please attend the
8:00 am or
10:00 am service.

June 2015 Page 13

Pohick Episcopal Church

Pohick Church Activities

JUNE 2015

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

10

11

12

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

25

26

27

7p EFM

Youth Sunday
Proper 5b
8a HE I
10a HE II
11a Parish Picnic
5p Confirmation
class
Bishop Goff s
Visitation
Proper 6b
8a HE I
10a Confirmation,
Baptism, HE II

21

Fathers Day
Proper 7b
8a HE I
10a HE II, EFM
Graduation

28

Shrine Mont
Proper 8b
8a HE I
10a HE II

7p EFM

9:30a Staff Mtg

9:30a Ann Mason Guild
7:30p Vestry

9:30a Staff Mtg

2p HE, the Fairfax

6p Youth Choirs
Picnic
7:30p Healing
Service

7p Boy Scouts
8:30p AA

2p HE, the Fairfax 7p Boy Scouts

7:30p Healing
8:30p AA
Service

22

7p EFM

23

9:30a Staff Mtg

24

2p HE, the Fairfax 7p Boy Scouts

6p COH
8:30p AA

Shrine Mont

7:30p Healing
Service

29

7p EFM

30

9:30a Staff Mtg

JULY 1

2p HE, the Fairfax 8:30p AA

7:30p Healing Service

Saturday

2p HE, the Fairfax 6p Final Re6p Martha Dinner

hearsal
7:30p Healing Service 7p Boy Scouts
8:30p AA

Friday

JUNE 1

9:30a Staff Mtg

Thursday

MAY 31

Trinity Sunday
6p Marriage
7:45a HE I
Course
9a HE II
7p EFM
10:15a Christian Ed
11:15a HE I
5p Confirmation Class
6p EYC Family Picnic

Wednesday

8a Brotherhood
of St. Andrew
3p Concert
warm-up
4p Sounds of
Pohick

13

8a Brotherhood
of St. Andrew
9a Docent Short
Training

8a Brotherhood
of St. Andrew

Shrine Mont
8a Brotherhood
of St. Andrew

Independence
Day
8a Brotherhood
of St. Andrew

Contact the Parish Secretary, Susan Hayward-Costa, to list group meetings or events on the calendar, shcosta@pohick.org.

NEW DATE!!

Pohick Churchs 70th Annual Country

Fair will be held on September 26, 2015.
Anne Derbes is the chair person
assisted by Jeff Parker. Please mark
the calendar and plan to participate.

SEPTEMBER POHICK POST

Earlier deadline for September Pohick Post!

Articles for the September Pohick Post should be submitted by JULY 15. Forward articles by email in Word
compatible format to Lori Buckius, raebuck@aol.com.
Items for the Sunday Service Volunteers page should be
addressed to Carmel Hodge, cchodge@aol.com.

Page 14 June 2015

Pohick Episcopal Church

SUNDAY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS

7 JUNE
8:00

Mike Vaughn
Ken Evans

10:00 Youth Sunday

Mo Faber
John Godley

7:00

C. Cockroft

14 JUNE

21 JUNE
USHERS

Alan Mayberry
Stew Remaly

Rodger Jones
Becky Wagner

Chris Brown
Jim Foster
Jan Hoffheins
Rick Nelson

11:15 Pasour/Remaly

Kirkland/Hoffheins

AM

J. Wells
N. Sage
J. Mullins
C. Foster
H. Parker
R. Stankwitz
J. Geschickter

BJ McPherson
A. Powell, J. Schmid
M. Tonkin
D. Trussell
E. Pitcock
A. Marsico
M. Yezek

K. Tracy

A. Stribling

M/M Rodger Jones

8:00 M/M Evans

10:00 Church Picnic

M/M Evans

8:00 D. McHugh
10:00 TBD

J. Wells

M/M Per Kullstam

TBD

C. Cockroft

TBD

R. Heddleston

F. Thurston

TBD

Pitcock/Schmid

TBD

BJ McPherson
A. Powell, J. Schmid
M. Tonkin
D. Trussell
E. Pitcock
A. Marsico
M. Yezek

J. Sunderland
N. Bireley
A. Cannon
M. Hartig
C. Heddleston
J. MacDonald
R. Teale, B. Wagner

J. Sunderland
N. Bireley
A. Cannon
M. Hartig
C. Heddleston
J. MacDonald
R. Teale, B. Wagner

J. Wells

M. Bartholomew

TBD

Stew Remaly

Edie Bartlett

Rita Stankwitz

M/M Altman

TBD

M. Bartholomew

TBD

TELLERS
M/M Brown

ALTAR GUILD

FLOWER GUILD

8:00 Doug Smith

10:00 Renee Vaughn

Vestry

C. Herbert

LOCK - UP

A. Choi

AM

Tony Marsico
Alan Mayberry

OPEN - UP

12:00 D. Derbes

5 JULY

Mike Vaughn
Mike Zane

Dan Derbes
Grant Hodges
Bill Hosp
Rita Smith

H. Parker

28 JUNE

GREETERS
M/M Dan Derbes

COFFEE HOUR
M/M Altman
M/M From

DOCENTS
BJ McPherson
TBD

Fuzzy Thurston
Dave Billingsley
Kathy Kirkland
Edwardene Pitcock

Schow/Hayword

M/M Edgemon

TBD

Hank Foresman
Beth Altman
Don Cooke
Paul Walden

M/M Wayne Biggs

TBD

TBD

The Sunday Service Volunteers Schedule is also available at Pohick Churchs website, www.pohick.org, under Ministries.

CONGRATULATIONS
TO ALL OF POHICKS GRADUATING
COLLEGE & HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS!
BEST WISHES TO ALL!

June 2015 Page 15

Pohick Episcopal Church

Kids

Korner!

Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 2
Lorton, VA

Pohick Church

9301 Richmond Highway

Lorton, Virginia 22079-1519
Return Service Requested

The Purpose of Pohick Church is to be a nourishing community where Christs love is experienced and taken beyond its walls.

VESTRY GRAM

Date: _____________________ Subject: _____________________

To: The Vestry

From:

Reed Heddleston
Clint Herbert
John Pasour
Don Brownlee
Amanda Choi,
Caroline Cockroft,
Fred Crawford,
Dan Derbes, Helen Parker,
Edwardene Pitcock,
Zach Smith, Fuzzy Thurston,
Russ Wyllie

Pohick Church Vestry

The Revd Donald

Sr. Warden:
Binder, PhD
Jr. Warden:
The Revd Dr. Ruth Treasurer:
E. Correll, Ed.D.
Register:
James Rickenbaker
Members:
Linda Egan


Frances Sessums

Rusty Booth

Susan Hayward-Costa
Mike Morgan

John Sessums

Pohick Church Staff

Rector:

Assistant:

Seminarian:
Minister of Music:
Director of
Christian Ed:
Youth Minister:
Parish Secretary:
Finance Admin:
Sexton:

Telephone: 703-339-6572 Fax: 703-339-9884

Church Office Email: shcosta@pohick.org Web Site: www.pohick.org