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

ver vacation, the theme of individualism and

particularly religious individualism came up
frequently in my summer reading. Its not a new
topic in our nations history: as early as the 1830s,
social observer Alexis de Tocqueville somewhat
critically indentified individualism as a hallmark of
the American experiment. A century-and-a-half
later, sociologist Robert Bellah further developed
this theme in his 1985 book, Habits of the Heart,
which went on to become a staple of college reading lists for at least a generation.
More recently, Harvard sociologist Robert Putnam (Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis, 2015)
and political scientist Yuval Levin (The Fractured
Republic: Renewing Americas Social Contract in the
Age of Individualism, 2016) have highlighted the
theme of individualism in their writings.
Put simply, individualism is a worldview where
one thinks and acts principally with regard to himor herself, with little or no consideration for others
or the larger common good. In this mindset, decisions are made primarily with respect to self-interest and self-advancement.
Social commentators have attributed the rise
of this worldview in our nation to factors ranging
from the early expansion in the American West
(with its so-called rugged individualism), to un-

SEPTEMBER 2016
bridled consumerism (targeted ads everywhere), to
the more recent technological advances of the Internet, smartphones, and tablets (everyone is now
individually gazing at their screens).
Even the realm of faith hasnt been exempt, observe these writers, as can be seen from the emphasis in the past few decades on personal religion - a
sort of designer spirituality tailored to ones yearnings of the moment and mostly unhinged from participation in any formal religious community.
The above commentators have been largely critical of this now-entrenched worldview, identifying
it as the principal source of both conflict and apathy
in our society. Rampant individualism, they argue,
has led to divisiveness in our nation, and has kept us
from working together to address our larger societal
problems.
From a Christian perspective, the obstacles of
individualism and self-interest are not unique to
twenty-first-century America: they are the major
topics of the biblical narrative literally from Genesis
to Revelation, where they have always been seen as
the major stumbling blocks to human existence.
For the early Christians in particular, the mindset they sought to maintain was not of individualism, but of koinonia, a word often translated as fellowship in English editions of the Bible. And so
Acts of the Apostles describes the members of the
early church as devoting themselves to the apostles
teaching and fellowship (koinonia), to the breaking
Continued on page 2

Page 2 September 2016

From the Rector:

continued from page 1

of bread and the prayers (Acts 2:42). But the koinonia-fellowship that those early believers understood
was not as Christians today often think of fellowship - i.e, simply sipping coffee and eating donuts
together after church - but a much deeper level of
sharing in community.
Koinonia for them meant coming together and
developing significant relationships of care and
concern. They did this by praying and sharing the
Lords Supper together, by reflecting upon the
Scriptures together, and by serving the world together in Christs name. By the power of the Holy
Spirit, they sought to live out Christs New Commandment to love one another as he loved them
( John 13:34) and to show forth this same love to
the world (Matt 22:35-40).
This koinonia has been and will continue to be
what we seek in our community of faith here at
Pohick Church. Even as forces around us cajole us
to think only of ourselves and our personal selfinterests, we will hold fast to the path of the early
church by promoting opportunities to form deeper
relationships with each other and our Lord through
our community of worship, study, and service.
And so if you have felt afflicted by the forces of
individualism that have become so dominant in our
society, I invite you to discover (or rediscover) the
power of koinonia we share here at Pohick Church.
Rededicate yourself to one or more of the many
worship services, studies, and ministries that will be
firing up again this month, as can be seen throughout this edition of the Pohick Post. They will give you
an opportunity to enter into deeper relationship
with both Christ and other members of our faith
community.
For the irony is this: only by joining together
in true Christian fellowship can we ever find true
satisfaction for the deep longings of our individual hearts. As the cleric and poet John Donne once
wrote, No man is an island - and if we fool ourselves into believing that we are, we will only find
ourselves hopelessly adrift in the midst of a vast and
lonely sea.

Pohick Episcopal Church

Junior Wardens Report

Fred Crawford, Junior Warden

Thanks: To Pete Kind for the work on the movable

handicap ramp to the Common Room. Some work still
to be done, but it is tight and preserved. Thanks, Pete!
Thanks to Stew Remaly for the temporary repair to
the outside nursery door. Replacement is in the future.
Thanks to the team of Parker, Faber, Bartholomew and
Buchannan who took care of a large oak limb that came
down and needed to be cut up and hauled away. Done in
less than a week by this energetic crew.
What has been done: In addition to the work cited, the
final fire alarm system acceptance inspection for the system in the Parish House has been completed. The system
has been operable the entire time, but did not have the
required acceptance sticker from the contractor after installation or modification. John Sessums dogged pursuit
of the contractor finally succeeded. Thanks, John.
The light at the south end of the Colchester parking lot was replaced by Dominion in early August. It had
been out for over a month.
The summary report on the electrical capacity for
the Parish House has been completed and the electrical
contractor has been contacted to get the new circuits installed in the kitchen for the new dishwasher.
What is planned: Parking lot re-striping will be done
by the middle of September depending on weather.
The courtyard lamppost nearest to the Colchester
steps has been taken down due to wet rot in the wood
at the base. This section of the post is being rebuilt and
should be back in service by early September.
The evaluation from the air conditioning contractor is
expected shortly with R&B on the options and estimates
for shifting the Sanctuary to all electric for heating.
Following the receipt of the preliminary estimates to
convert the Sanctuary to all electric, the Foundation will
start the evaluation of the alternatives and initiate discussion with Dominion Power to get a separate feeder to the
Sanctuary that will accommodate the electrical changes
to the Sanctuary.
The soffits on the Parish House are deteriorated,
which was discovered during the roofing project. Quotes
are being sought for the necessary repairs to this area of
the building.
Contractors are being solicited to repoint our brickwork on the patio behind the Common Room. Repointing is replacing the mortar between the bricks which ages
and deteriorates over time.

Pohick Episcopal Church

From The Assistant Rector

The Reverend
Dr. Ruth E. Correll, Ed.D.

From Summer to Fall

With recent temperatures registering one of the

highest averages in memory, the longing for fall becomes almost an obsession. For those of us who have
already enjoyed our annual vacations, any hint of the
cool breezes and vibrant colors of fall lies too far beyond the horizon to beckon enticingly. It has been too
hot to hike and too humid to breathe. Even swimming promises scant refreshment. In the flat tires of
my deserted bike, I find a kindred spirit.
While this area of the world offers three and a
half beautiful seasons out of four, August alone feels
like a month of at least forty-five days. At the outset
of another work year, how can I drum up the will for
full-steam-ahead into the new work year? Through
continual scorching days and restless nights of stale
air conditioning in this high heat index wilderness
came an answer: replace the slogan just do it with
just dont do it.
One night I obeyed good just do it sense, closed
shop, and retired in time for a good eight hours sleep.
Two frustrating hours later, it was useless. I kept telling myself I must sleep. Then just dont do it popped
into my mind. So I got up, turned on the computer,
and systematized some thoughts on a subject that had
been simmering on the back burner. I felt thoroughly
energized. An hour or so of focused effort produced
a document that brought order out of my scattered
thoughts. Waving my arms in elation, I returned to
bed. In seconds, a deep, satisfying sleep had engulfed
me. I awoke after four hours feeling as refreshed as if
I had slept a full eight.
Those two hours of tossing and turning were the
end of a hot and humid summer. Going to work on
the document was the crisp first breeze of fall. Completing it painted the vibrant colors of fall across my
imagination. Nevertheless, the summer, for all its discomfort, was time well spent. I learned the futility of
my just do it spirituality. The only way forward was
just dont do it.
Life in Northern Virginia drives us to scramble
around in a vicious cycle of routine and interruption
until we are in a hot and humid state of exhaustion

September 2016 Page 3

too tired to sleep. During the blistering summer of the

soul, Gods gift may be sleeplessness for a sequence
like this.
Close eyes. Long tradition makes a habit of closing
our eyes when we pray. Shutting down the stimulation
of vision helps us to turn inward and upward. Paradoxically, the darkness exposes attitudes, thoughts,
and actions that may be bringing unrest in our hearts.
Breathe deeply. Now we begin to see the inner self
that God wants us to see. In the privacy of our secret souls, we open ourselves to permit Gods Spirit
to enter, breathing in light/insight and breathing out
healing/wholeness. Alert relaxation of faith lets God
continue to work in us.
Focus attention. With the incessant chatter of our
thoughts and schedules silenced, what God is calling
us to be and do rises up out of the chaos and abides
like a lighthouse. We learn what requires a no or yes
from us. We put our oars in the water and head to the
destination.
Drink water. Like the spring of living water gushing up within that Jesus promised to the woman at the
well, we lap up refreshment of spirit in what God asks
of us. Travel from just do it through just dont do it
to just let God do it! Have a bountiful, beautiful fall!

EYC Kick-Off Picnic

Sunday, September 11
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

5th - 12th grade teens and their

families are invited to attend
A-K: bring vegetable dish or salad
L-Z: bring dessert or chips
Hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks provided

Parents meeting 6:00 pm - 6:45 pm

Program details, volunteer opportunities and

the Sr. High Mission Trip will be discussed
Contact Rusty Booth
for more information:
703-339-6572 or
rusty@pohick.org

Page 4 September 2016

Christian Education

Frances Sessums, Director of Christian Education

Church School registration and the Ice Cream

Social will be Sunday, September 11 after the 9:00
am service in the Common Room. Parents have
the opportunity to meet the teachers and review
the curriculum used for all classes. Please register
each child individually, as this is very important for
record keeping. If unable to attend church on registration Sunday, please register the children in the
Education office on
the first Sunday they
attend church school.
Ice cream will be
provided for the Ice
Cream Social. Donations of toppings such
as syrup, sprinkles,
cherries, nuts, and whipped cream are needed. A
sign-up sheet is posted on the downstairs bulletin
board.
The first day of classes will be Sunday, September 18. As in the past, Sunday School students will
leave the church during the Recessional Hymn and
go directly to their classes. Classes will end at 11:05
am, and a bell will be rung at that time. Parents
of preschoolers through fourth grade are asked to
pick up the children at the door of their classrooms.
Pohick is blessed to have many wonderful people who have volunteered to teach and help with
church school. A staff roster is posted on the bulletin boards upstairs and downstairs. Thanks to
all staff members for their time given to this very
important ministry. Questions can be directed to
Frances Sessums at 703-425-2857.
Pohicks Vacation Bible School was a great success. There were 56 students in the program with
39% of them from the outside community. Thirty
outstanding volunteers staffed VBS. Everyone had
a tremendous time. Thanks to everyone who worked
so hard to make the week so fun and meaningful!

Pohick Episcopal Church

EYC News

Rusty Booth, Youth Minister

It is the start of another school year and that means
the beginning of the EYC youth program at Pohick!
Pohick Church has three groups available to teens.
The 5-6 grade EYC meets three times a month on
Sunday and the Junior High and Senior High EYC
groups meet every Sunday. Pick up an EYC calendar
from either the Pohick website or the EYC bulletin
board in the Common Room and make plans to join!
The EYC Kick-Off Picnic is September 11 from
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm. All teens in grades 5-12 and their
families are invited to attend for great food and fun.
Families are asked to bring the following according to
last name: A-K brings a vegetable dish or salad and
L-Z brings chips or dessert. Hamburgers, hot dogs,
and drinks will be provided. Around 6:00 pm, the
teens will go to their respective groups and there will
be a short parents meeting to outline the program,
discuss the Senior High Mission Trip, and answer any
questions.
The 2017 Senior High Mission Trip is to Rushville, Indiana from July 8 - 15. An information packet
with an application and additional information is
available on the Pohick website and the EYC bulletin
board in the common room. All teens in grades 8-12
are eligible to go. Want to have a life changing experience? Plan to go on the Mission Trip to Indiana!
Please contact Rusty Booth at 703-339-6572 or
rusty@pohick.org with questions about the youth
programs. Hope to see everyone at the Kick-Off !

Christmas Mart Jewelry Table

Please consider donating unwanted jewelry to

the Christmas Mart Jewelry Table for the Pohick
Christmas Mart on November 17. 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.

Pohick Episcopal Church

September 2016 Page 5

The Persecution Corner

By Bob Munson
This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India
to Cush: At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, and in the third year of
his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media,
the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present. (Esther 1: 1-3, emphasis added)

So begins the book of Esther and her heroic

story with a brief mention of India to define the
eastern boundary of Xerxes kingdom. India has
not played a large role in the history of Christianity, but because of its size, diversity and long
history, it encapsulates a unique strand of the
expansion of the Christian world.
According to legend, the first group of Jews
arrived in India as merchants during the reign
of King Solomon in about 562 B.C. They settled
on the west coast in Cochin, where one can still
visit a synagogue. Subsequent Jewish groups arrived over the years, creating a very small, but
vibrant minority.
Other legends tell of the arrival of Thomas the Apostle on the western Indian coast in
about 52 A.D. He had come to spread Christianity to Indias Jews. Certainly Christianity existed in India by the 6th century through
the presence of a number of Eastern Churches,
those of ancient age we have met throughout
the Middle East in these articles. The spread of
Western Christianity began in the 16th century
with the arrival of Roman Catholicism via Portuguese, Italian and Irish Jesuits. Protestantism
arrive later in the 18th century as the European
colonial powers took to the sea, many landing
in India.
In modern India, Christianity is the third
largest religion after Hinduism and Islam.
Perhaps 2.3% of the 1.25 billion Indians are
Christian, but some estimates hold that the percentage could approach 9%. Even at the modest 2.3% estimate, India has almost 29 million
Christians - a greater number than many European nations (illustrating the strength of nonWestern Christianity merely through numbers).

Mirroring Indian diversity, the small Christian

minority belongs to more than 1200 denominations; this includes only a very, very small Anglican share.
India is the worlds largest democracy and
its constitution provides full religious freedom
of worship and witness for all religions. Since
ancient times, Christians have lived in relative
peace in India and not suffered under the type
of persecution so prevalent to Indias west in the
Middle East. However, the rise of Hindu extremism in the early 1990s led to a hate campaign against foreign religions, targeting first
the Muslim minority and then the Christians.
According to the president of The All India
Christian Minority Front (AICMF), the situation has worsened following the pro-Hindu
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) taking power in
2014: Some communal forces attached to the
party are creating an atmosphere of fear among
Christians by attacking them and their places of
worshipThey accuse us of wanting to convert
[people]. (barnabasfund.org).
With this in mind, the AICMF is calling
for Christians across India to gather on Saturday, October 1 for a nationwide protest over the
growing discrimination and persecution and to
call for the government to do more to protect
Christians and their places of worship.
Please join the Indian Christians in their
prayers for freedom from fear, true freedom
of religion and for the steady growth of their
churches. Pray for the Indian Christians to
have the strength of Esther as they strive to live
peaceful lives in the diverse, fascinating country
of India.

Page 6 September 2016

Pohick Episcopal Church

Update on Issues in the Anglican Communion

Don Brownlee, Member of 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.
In a surprising and dramatic vote, the Anglican

Church of Canada (ACC) voted in July to revise

its canons and allow same-sex marriages within the
church. The vote was surprising because the House
of Bishops said publicly earlier in the year that the
proposal did not have the required two-thirds majority support there, and therefore was not likely to
pass. The vote was dramatic because leaders originally said it did receive the required supermajority
from the bishops and laity, but failed by one vote
among the clergy. The next day, officials said there
was a mistake in the tally and the resolution had in
fact passed.

Approval required a two-thirds vote of all three

orders of the General Synod, bishops, clergy and
laity.
It received that supermajority from both the
bishops and laity. The vote within the clergy originally had been recorded as 51 of 77 voting in favor,
or 66.23%, just fractionally under the required twothirds, so the resolution failed.
But the next day it was discovered that that
count did not include the vote of Archdeacon Michael Thompson, the Synods general secretary.
Once his vote was added, the vote among the clergy
became 52 of 78, precisely achieving the required
two-thirds.

Embarrassed officials said the error was caused

by the way he was listed in the database used as part
of the voting process.
The resolution removes language from the Canon on Marriage which had defined marriage as the
union of man and woman, and other gender-specific language. Instead the canon will apply to all
persons who are duly qualified by civil law to enter
into marriage.
But authority to apply the new canon in each
diocese is left to the discretion of the diocesan bishop.
Unlike recent steps by The Episcopal Church
and Episcopal Church of Scotland to allow samesex marriages, the ACC did not include a conscience clause protecting priests who are theologically opposed to same-sex marriages.
The vote in July is the first step in the process
of amending the churchs canons. A second vote to
complete the process will take place in 2019. However, some bishops said they would begin allowing
same-sex marriages in their dioceses immediately.
Abp. Fred Hiltz, primate of the ACC, issued a
pastoral letter a few days later acknowledging We
have been deeply divided over the solemnising of
same-sex marriage for a very long time. That has
not changed (with the Synods vote).
He noted that the Synods theme had been
You are my witness and said, the question with
which we must now wrestle is this, For what kind
of pastoral and prophetic witness can and will we
be known?
I pray that witness not be marred by fraction
and breaking of communion with one another, but
rather that forbearing of one another in love that
eagerness to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace. More than ever we must make efforts not to turn away from one another but rather
to one another, not to ignore but to recognise one
another, not to walk apart but together. We need as
a Church to work hard at maintaining our commuContinued on page 7

Pohick Episcopal Church

Update on Issues in the Anglican Communion,

continued from page 6

nion in Christ, for

in his reconciling
love is our hope
and our life.
He noted that
the resolution also
referred the issue
of same-sex marriages for consideration to diocesan and provincial Synods.
I call the Church to seize this opportunity, he
wrote. I will be asking the House of Bishops at
their [Autumn] meeting to consider how we encourage further consideration of the matter, and
to show strong leadership in their dioceses in hosting events, dialogues, and studies.
He told the Anglican Journal, The issue, from
my point of view, is no longer acceptance; it is no
longer inclusion - I would hope that our church has
got past that, he said. The issue now is marriage
and the longing for gays and lesbians in monogamous, lifelong relationships of faithful, covenant
love. They want equality.
He also acknowledged that he had no authority
as primate to stop bishops from allowing same-sex
marriages in their dioceses immediately.
Seven bishops issued a letter publicly dissenting from the decision. They said it is a fundamental departure from the faith and teaching held by
the majority of the Anglican Communion on the
doctrine of marriagecomplicates relationships
within the Anglican Church of Canada and as a
Province with the Anglican Communion and does
not provide adequate protection for the consciences
of dioceses, clergy and congregations.
We are concerned for all those of a traditional conscience on marriage within the Anglican
Church of Canada, they said.
They also said they absolutely condemn homophobic prejudice and violence wherever it occurs,
offer pastoral care and loving service to all irrespective of sexual orientation, and reject criminal sanctions against same-sex attracted people.

September 2016 Page 7

***
Abp. Justin Welby did not have an immediate public comment on the ACC vote. However,
he reportedly is moving forward with plans for
another meeting of the primates of the Anglican
Communion in October of next year. The web site
Anglican Ink, which has close ties to theologically
conservatives within the Anglican Communion,
reported that staff of the Anglican Consultative
Council emailed the primates to hold the first week
of October 2017 for the meeting, or in the original
British, I would be most grateful if you would now
confirm this date in your diary.
The meeting is expected to hear an interim report from the task force created by the Archbishop
of Canterbury to maintain conversation among
the primates after their last meeting in January.
GAFCON, the theologically conservative
Global Anglican Futures Conference made up
largely of Anglican provinces in Africa, responded
by saying that results from the last Primates gathering were clearly discouraging, and that the
GAFCON will take counsel and together make
a decision about the wisdom of attending future
meetings.
Elsewhere:
The California State Supreme Court has declined further review of property cases involving the
Diocese of San Joaquin. Lower courts had awarded
property and bank accounts to those who continued to be part of The Episcopal Church. A letter
from Bp. Eric Menees of the Anglican Diocese of
San Joaquin, which had sought to keep the properties after leaving The Episcopal Church, said the
decision practically speaking ends those efforts.
While defending efforts to keep the properties as
right, legally and morally, he said the courts had
decided for The Episcopal Church, so now is the
time for us to begin the process of handing over the
propertiesin as gracious and orderly a manner as
possible.
Courts in southern California have likewise
have ruled in favor of The Episcopal Church in
most property cases, but one case continues to have
Continued on page 8

Page 8 September 2016

Update on Issues in the Anglican Communion,

continued from page 7

unexpected fallout. After a long legal battle that ultimately went to the U.S. Supreme Court, efforts
by St. James the Great church in Newport Beach to
leave The Episcopal Church were rebuffed, and the
property was ruled to be owned by Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles A group that wanted to remain
with The Episcopal Church took over the church
and continued worship there.
But Bp. Jon Bruno then attempted to close the
church and sell the property. He eventually locked
the newly-formed congregation of church. But they
fought back, and filed misconduct charges with The
Episcopal Church.
A year later,
Bp. Bruno is facing an ecclesiastical trial on charges
he misrepresented
his intentions for
the property to the
congregation, clergy, and local community; failed to
get consent from the diocesan Standing Committee to sell it; falsely claimed that churchs vicar had
resigned; and abused his authority by locking out
the vicar and congregation.
Separately, a special diocesan committee has
recommended significant changes in the bishops
authority to sell church properties, including applying the same transparency and other standards
that are in place for other church finances.
It is important to remember that despite all these controversies, the work of the Church - globally, nationally, and locally - goes on. In the first six months of 2016, Pohick has donated more than three tons of food to the Lorton Community
Action Centers food pantry. This food goes to mothers, fathers,
and children who would otherwise go hungry. Over the same
period, Pohick has provided nearly 1,400 lunches to residents of
the Eleanor Kennedy Shelter located in an historic building on
Ft Belvoir grounds and run by New Hope Housing.
Through youth mission trips, food donations to LCAC, donations of school supplies and backpacks, and the Community of
Hope, Pohick continues to leak the love of God to those in need.
As Bp. Ted stated during his episcopal visit in June, the Christian lives we lead may be the only Bible some of our neighbors
ever read.

Pohick Episcopal Church

United Thank Offering (UTO)

The United Thank Offering Mission: Put gifts

into the Blue Box with thanksgiving, prayer, and
generosity. Take blessings out of the box for grants
to expand the churchs faithfulness to Gods mission.
The United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the
whole church. Through UTO, men, women, and
children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks
to God. Every penny that is collected is granted,
which has been the case for the past 125 years.
These grants support projects to confront violence and poverty in many communities in this
church and throughout the Anglican Communion through direct grants and companion grants
by offering hope and help.
The Blue UTO boxes can be found on the table
outside the Parish Office. Please take one and
start making a daily gift. All Blue UTO boxes and
UTO donations should be returned to church by
Sunday, October 9 so donations can be taken to
the ECW meeting on October 13. Checks should
be made payable to Pohick with UTO marked
on the memo line. Contact Connie Myers, jetskiing@hotmail.com, Helen Parker, helenandjeffp@
verizon.net, or Edwardene Pitcock, epitcock@
mindspring.com, with questions.

Christmas Mart
Consignment and Arts Room

Now is the time to start looking through collectibles and think about sharing them with someone
else. Items can be sold on consignment or donated with the profits going to the Women of Pohick.
Consignors receive 75% of the sale price with 25%
going to the Women of Pohick. New crafters are needed to join the group. For
anyone that knows people
that do a great job making
gifts or crafts, please provide
their contact info to Edie
Bartlett at 703-780-6809 or
redsse@aol.com.

Pohick Episcopal Church

Music Notes

Linda Egan, Minister of Music

September is a great time to become part of making music at Pohick. Here are some opportunities to
participate:
Try your hand at ringing handbells. Come to the
Pohick Bell Choir Thursday workshop, September 1,
6:15 pm - 8:00 pm in room C/D. All skill levels are
welcome. Beginners ring chimes in tandem with experienced ringers to learn techniques and strategies for
practice. All of us will be reviewing/learning bell techniques at these workshops. Then consider joining the
Bell Choir! Its fun and engaging work. We ring once
a month on the fourth Sunday at both later services.
More information from Linda Egan.
New singers are needed and always welcome in
the Choir of Pohick. Our first rehearsal of the season
is Thursday, September 8, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm in the
music room. Contact Linda Egan or any choir member for more information; let us know if you plan to
attend so we can prepare music and a chair for you.
The Pohick Early Church Music Ensemble sings
at 11:15 am services on various Sundays throughout
the year, and at the Sounds of Pohick concert. See the
director, TG Powell, for more information.
Registration for your child for the St. Francis
Choir or the St. Cecelia St. Alban Choir will be held
on Sunday, September 11 between the later two services.
The St. Francis Choir rehearses each Wednesday,
6:00-6:30 pm beginning September 18. Children in
grades K-3 have fun learning how to sing and participate together in a group activity, learning basic musicianship and church participation skills. The choir sings
the second Sunday of the month at the 9:00 am service. Its a wonderful opportunity for your young child
to contribute to worship here; they inspire us all when
they sing! Your child will learn how to sing beautifully
and will enjoy the strong group spirit great music
lessons and great fun for this age group! Contact Barb
Lynn, the director, for more information.
The St. Cecelia St. Alban Choir is composed of
students in grades 4-12, who learn sight reading, ear
training and worship participation skills, and explore
the content of hymn and anthem texts together. The
choir sings the first Sunday of the month at the 9:00

September 2016 Page 9

am service and the third Sunday of the month at the

11:15 am service. Rehearsals are also on Wednesdays,
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm. More information from Linda
Egan, director.
The Pohick Pickers are an instrumental group
that plays at the 9:00 am service on the third Sunday
of the month, and at our community events, like the
Country Fair. Come participate with other guitarists,
keyboardists, drummers, flute players and more! Speak
to John Sessums or Chris Brown about joining.

Music Schedule September 2016

Thursday, September 1
6:15 pm - 8:00 pm Bell Choir Workshop in room C/D
Sunday, September 4 Pentecost 16 Proper 18
10:00 am Choir of Pohick Men
Thursday, September 8
6:15 pm - 7:15 pm Bell Choir begins regular rehearsals
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Choir of Pohick begins regular
rehearsals
Sunday, September 11 Pentecost 17 Proper 19
9:00 am Choir of Pohick
10:15 am Register for St. Francis and St. Cecelia
St. Alban Choirs
11:15 am Offertory hymn
Wednesday, September 14
6:00 pm - 6:30 pm: St. Francis Choir begins regular
rehearsals
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: St. Cecelia St. Alban Choir begins
regular rehearsals
Sunday, September 18 Pentecost 18 Proper 20
9:00 am Choir of Pohick
11:15 am Offertory hymn
Sunday, September 25 Pentecost 19 Proper 21
9:00 am Choir of Pohick
11:15 am Offertory hymn
Sunday, October 2 Pentecost 20 Proper 22
9:00 am Choir of Pohick and St. Cecelia St. Alban
Choir
Commissioning of all Pohick Musicians, including all choirs
and musical groups. Please step forward after the Peace.
11:15 am Gloria Jackson, soprano soloist

Page 10 September 2016

Martha Guild News

Connie Myers

The Martha Guild will meet on Wednesday, September 7, in Classroom B beginning at 7:30 pm. All
Women of the Church are cordially invited to attend
for discussing plans for a very busy fall season. Any
questions, please contact Connie Myers at 703-4554652 or jetskiing@hotmail.com.

Women of the Church

Save the Date Thursday, October 13

Attention all Women of Pohick! Mark the calendar and attend the fall meeting of the Episcopal
Church Women (ECW) of the Diocese of Virginia,
which will be held on Thursday, October 13 at Aquia
Episcopal Church in Stafford.
More details including meeting agenda, program,
and registration will be posted as soon as it is available. This is an enjoyable and inspirational event, and
hopefully James Rickenbaker, who is now the Assistant Rector at Aquia, will be in attendance.

Pohick Episcopal Church

Apple Pie Baking Contest

Have a favorite apple pie recipe? The Martha

Guild will once again sponsor an Apple Pie Baking Contest at this years Country Fair. The pies
will be judged on Creativity (name the pie), Appearance, Taste, and Texture. The pies must be delivered to the Baked Goods/Country Store Booth
by 11:00 am on Fair Day, Saturday, Sepember 24.
Pies will be judged and the winners will be announced at 12 noon, and then pies will be sliced
and sold to those attending the Fair.
Fill out the entry form below or obtain an entry form from the Common Room or outside of
the Church Office at the top of the stairs. Please
return entry form to a member of the Martha
Guild or to the Martha Guild mail slot in the
Church Office by September 20. Only one entry
per person. Questions? Contact a Martha Guild
member or Connie Myers at 703-455-4652 or
jetskiing@hotmail.com.

Apple Pie Baking Contest Entry Form

The Martha Guild is sponsoring an Apple Pie Baking Contest at this years Country Fair.
Pies must be delivered to the Baked Goods/Country Store Booth by 11:00 am on Fair Day, September 24.

Apple Pies will be judged in the following manner:

Creativity (name the pie): 1-10 points Texture : 1-30 points
Appearance:
1-25 points Taste: 1-35 points

Winners will be announced at 12 noon on Fair Day. After judging, slices of the pie will be sold.
Questions: contact a Martha Guild member or Connie Myers, 703-455-4652 or jetskiing@hotmail.com

Attach this section to the bottom of pie dish.

Name: ________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone: ____________________________________________________________________________
Email: ________________________________________________________________________________
Pie Name: ______________________________________________________________________________
Return this section to the Apple Pie Baking Contest Entry form box in the Church Office
or to a member of the Martha Guild before September 20.

Name: ________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone: _____________________________________________________________________________
Email: ________________________________________________________________________________
Pie Name: ______________________________________________________________________________

Pohick Episcopal Church

TTFF - Its Apple Butter Time!

Country Fair time has arrived! Now is the opportunity to recapture the nostalgia of visiting the farm
in the fall. The atmosphere of smoke wafting up from
cooking fires; the pleasant aroma of spices tickling the
nose; and the beautiful colors of the changing leaves
can be relived at Pohick Church on September 17 and
18 as apple butter is made for the country fair.
Apple Butter is also used as part of the welcome
package to newcomers and the Docent Guild gives
away jars as favors during their events. Apple Butter
and Pohick have a long tradition. It is Apple Butter
Time, and it will be made the Old Fashioned Way: on
open fires in 40-gallon copper kettles, the same way it
was made in the days of George Washington.
So, what does TTFF mean? It is short for Time,
Talents, Fellowship, and Fun. Time and Talents will
definitely be required as everyone will be hard at work
both days processing 50 bushels of apples into Pohicks
infamous Apple Butter - a best seller every year. Bring
a paring knife and cutting board Saturday morning,
and plan to stay all day Saturday and Sunday or just
for an hour or two! Any and all help is welcomed!
Start time is 7:00 am on Saturday and very early
on Sunday. A complete schedule is included in this
issue of the Pohick Post and will be in the Church bulletin as the event approaches. There will be plenty of
work to keep everyone gainfully employed both days;
and it is a great opportunity for Fellowship with the
parishioners of this Great Church, and a very good
chance of having just plain ol Fun.
Every available volunteer is needed and indispensable. Without volunteers it just will not happen. Please
try and find the Time to donate all special Talents,
enjoy the Fellowship and have some good old fashion
Fun. It will be a rewarding day!

2016 Christmas Mart

Thursday, November 17

Mark the calendar now for the annual Christmas Mart! More details and requests for help
will soon be making the headlines. Any questions for now,
please contact Connie Myers
at 703-455-4652 or jetskiing@
hotmail.com.

September 2016 Page 11

Walking the Mourners Path

Are you or someone you know mourning the loss

of a loved one who died recently or even long ago? Beginning on September 29, there will be a series of eight
consecutive, weekly 90 minute workshops that seek to
serve those who are seeking comfort and healing as they
continue to mourn.
The small group workshops will be held in the Vestry House on Thursday evenings from 7:30 pm - 9:00
pm. Space is limited and the group is filling quickly. For
further details, contact Rev. Ruth Correll, Mary Howard, marymargarethoward@verizon.net or 703-4071615 or Nancy Bireley 703-491-2471 or judandnance@
gmail.com.

2016 Apple Butter Schedule

Friday, September 16 - Apple Butter Setup

Noon - 5:00 pm Setup (kettles, firewood, etc.)

Saturday, September 17 - Apple Sauce Day

7:00 am - 10:00 am Wash, cut apples, and
start cooking
8:00 am - 3:00 pm Cook apples into applesauce
with many stirrers needed!
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Cleanup and setup for
next day
Sunday, September 18 - Apple Butter Day
3:00 am - 3:00 pm Cook applesauce into Apple
Butter with many stirrers needed!
10:45 am Apple Butter Eucharist
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Canning of the Apple Butter
- All Hands Needed!
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Tear down and cleanup
Friday, September 23 - Fair Setup
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Setup
Saturday, September 24 - Fair Day
5:00 am - 12 noon Cook two kettles of Apple
Butter
12 noon - 1:00 pm Canning of the Apple Butter
Sunday, September 25 - Fair Tear-Down Day
8:00 am - 11:00 am Tear down and store items
11:00 am - 1:00 pm Bratwurst Cookout

Come for an hour, a day, or a weekend!

Page 12 September 2016

Pohick Episcopal Church

A Godly Play
Training Workshop

WANTED...Adult volunteers (men OR women)

to assist with the Turkey Shoot at the annual Pohick
Church Country Fair on Saturday, September 24.
Duties include site setup and breakdown, signing up
shooters, posting targets, and/or assisting with the firing line. Familiarity with firearms in general and/or
shotguns specifically is desired, but not required. All
necessary training and equipment will be provided.
The event runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Fair
Day, and any full-time or part-time help would be
most welcome. If interested in helping, please contact
Mo Faber, mo66@cox.net, 703-440-9557.

The 25th Annual Crab Feast

The Crab Feast, sponsored by the Brotherhood of St Andrew, will be held in the Common
Room from 3:30 pm until 6:00 pm on Saturday,
September 10. The menu will include crabs, fried
fish, steamed shrimp, potato salad, pork barbecue
sandwiches, corn-on-the-cob, hush puppies, and
hot dogs for the kids. The cost is $30.00 per adult
(ages 21 and older), $15 for children ages 13-20,
and children under the age of 13 are free. The fee
includes sodas and other soft drinks, but NOT
beer and wine. Beer and wine will be available and
donations for these items will be gladly accepted.
Please contact the Church Office or members of
the Brotherhood to purchase tickets. Please direct questions to Doug
Smith, dlsmith100@
aol.com or Fred Crawford, frcrawford205@
comcast.net.

The Godly Play Training Workshop will be held

on Saturday, October 22 from 9:30 am - 5:30 pm.
The class will be taught by Kathleen Capcarak,
a certified Godly Play trainer for over 17 years.
The course is open to all the congregation. However, attendees should contact Frances Sessums
about participating. All Godly Play teachers and
doorpersons, please mark calendars and plan on
attending at least part of the day. Any questions,
please contact Frances Sessums at 703-472-5180.
71st Annual

POHICK COUNTRY FAIR

Saturday, September 24, 2016
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Pohick Church Fairgrounds

Invite friends and family to a day of fun

and fellowship at the 71st Pohick Country Fair.
Activities for all - young and old
and everyone in between:
Antique Car Show
Pony Rides Childrens Games
Moon Bounce
Turkey Shoot
Apple Butter
Refreshments - fresh BBQ,
Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Country Store
Entertainment Garden shop
VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED!
Please contact the church office at
703-339-6572 or Jeff Parker
at 703-497 5927 for more information.

September 2016 Page 13

Pohick Episcopal Church

Pohick Church Activities

SEPTEMBER 2016
Sunday

AUG 28

Proper 17c
8a HE I
8:50a Essentials of
Music Theory
10a HE II

Proper 18c
8a HE I
10a HE II

11

Activities Fair
Proper 19c
7:45a HE I
9a HE II
11:15a HE II
5p EYC Kickoff
Picnic

Monday

29

Tuesday

Wednesday

30

31

9:30a Staff Mtg

2p HE, the Fairfax 6:15p Bell

6p COH
Workshop
7:30p Healing Service 7p Boy Scouts

SEPT 1

Friday

Labor Day
Office Closed

12

9:30a Staff Mtg

13

7p BS Troop 944 9:30a Staff Mtg

7p Shepherd
9:30a Ann MaHills
son Guild Mtg
7:30p Vestry Mtg

2p HE, the Fairfax 6:15p Bell Choir

7:30p Healing Service 7p Boy Scouts
7:30p Martha Guild 7:30p Choir of

14

2p HE, the Fairfax

6p St. Cecelia St.
Alban Choir
6p St. Francis Choir
7:30p Healing Service

19

20

21

25

26

27

28

Apple Butter
7p BS Troop 944 9:30a Staff Mtg
7p Southgate
Proper 20c
7p EFM
Woods HOA
7:45a HE I
9a HE II
10:20a Alpha
11:15a HE II
6:30p EYC Fun Night
7p BS Troop 944 9:30a Staff Mtg

7p EFM

8p Sheffield
Rec HOA

2p HE, the Fairfax

6p St. Cecelia St.
Alban Choir
6p St. Francis Choir
7:30p Healing Service

2p HE, the Fairfax

6p COH/COC
6p St. Cecelia St.
Alban Choir
6p St. Francis Choir
7:30p Healing Service

Pohick
8:30p AA

15

6:15p Bell Choir

7p Boy Scouts
7:30p Choir of
Pohick
8:30p AA
Pohick Post
Deadline

Saturday

8a Brotherhood
of St. Andrew
9a Renovation Cmte
1p Docent Tour

8:30p AA

18

Proper 21c
7:45a HE I
9a HE II
10:20a Alpha
11:15a HE II

Thursday

10

16

17

Apple Butter

Fair Work Day

8a Brotherhood of
St. Andrew
10a Region VI
Youth Mtg
3:30p Crab Feast

Apple Butter

8a Brotherhood
of St. Andrew

22

23

24

29

30

OCT 1

6:15p Bell Choir

7p Boy Scouts
7:30p Choir of
Pohick
8:30p AA

6:15p Bell Choir

7p Boy Scouts
7:30p Choir of
Pohick
7:30p Walking the
Mourners Path
8:30p AA

10a Country
Fair
2p Southpointe
HOA

8a Brotherhood
of St. Andrew
1p Docent Tour

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

Page 14 September 2016

Pohick Episcopal Church

SUNDAY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS

4 SEPTEMBER
7:45
9:00
11:15

8am MikeZane
Don Cooke

10am Bill Patton

Tom Bland
Chris Brown
Hal Yarwood

11 SEPTEMBER 18 SEPTEMBER 25 SEPTEMBER

Tony Marsico
Becky Wagner

Dan Derbes
Beth Altman
Jim Foster
Kathy Kirkland

Hank Foresman
Paul Walden

7:00

H. Parker

TBD

1:00

R. Heddleston

TBD

12:15 Kirkland/Hoffheins

TBD

AM

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

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

TBD

TBD

AM

7:45 8a M/M Biddlecomb

9:00 10a M/M Edgemon
11:15 TBD

M/M Remaly

Rodger Jones
Stew Remaly

Mike Vaughn
Becky Wagner

Don Cooke
Mike Zane

Rita Smith
Mike Wooten

Angela Edgemon
Steve Edgemon

Dave Billingsley
Bill Bland

Dru Hodges
Dennis Myers
Fuzzy Thurrston
Greg Wilson

OPEN - UP

TBD

C. Knipling
D. Hamly

Edwardene Pitcock
Brent Goeller
Matt Gurrola
Pehr Pehrsson

Mo Faber
Tom Bland
Grant Hodges
John Pasour

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

TBD

BJ McPherson
A. Powell, J. Schmid
M. Tonkin
S. Caesar
E. Pitcock
A. Marsico
M. Yezek

BJ McPherson
A. Powell, J. Schmid
M. Tonkin
S. Caesar
E. Pitcock
A. Marsico
M. Yezek

J. Sunderland
N. Bireley
C. Heddleston
J. MacDonald
R. Teale
B. Wagner

TBD

TBD

TBD

M/M Bryant

M/M Sunderland

M/M Jones

TBD

TBD

TBD

LOCK - UP
TELLERS
ALTAR GUILD

FLOWER GUILD
COFFEE HOUR

Activities Fair/Docents M/M Herbert

Doug Smith
7:45 8a Maria Holmes
9:00 10a Darling/Antonelli Bland/Girten
Beth Atkinson
11:15

9:00 10a Tom Bland

11:15

USHERS

2 OCTOBER

GREETERS

Cudzik/Turner

M/M Myers

Becky Wagner

M/M Rodger Jones

Stew Remaly

M/M Bill Poad

C. Hodge

Leslie Aqueron

M/M Tom Bland

DOCENTS
H. Parker

G. DeLaune

M/M Mason Botts

BJ McPherson
T. Costa

Schmid/Pasour

F. Crawford

D. McHugh

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

Pohick Episcopal Church

September 2016 Page 15

Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, October 2 4:00 pm

Parishioners and
members of the
community are invited
to gather at Pohicks
Dogwood Chapel
for a service celebrating
all of Gods creation.

Pohick History
The Docent Guild

The dimensions of the bricks to be made

and used to build Pohick Church were specified in the agreement with the contractor,
Daniel French. This was recorded in the Vestry minutes of April 7, 1769: ...built of good
bricks well burnt, of the ordinary size, that is,
nine inches long, four and a half inches broad
and three inches thick... That was the normal
size for the time but larger than modern wall
bricks which are: 7 and 5/8 inches long, 3 and
5/8 inches broad and 2 and 1/4 inches thick.

THANKS to all who supported the Golden Dove during

the Summer Sale! All proceeds go back to Pohick toward
outreach projects.

Provided by Fred Crawford and Bill Bland

Visit the Golden Dove Gift Shop!

Shop for cross necklaces and bracelets,

musical earrings, crystal necklaces and bracelets, coloring books for children and adults,
inspirational plaques, Pohick tote bags, notecards and mugs, Rev. Dons CDs, and a variety
of sale items.
Volunteers are also needed to help once a
month or even less. Hands-on training is provided, a board member works with each volunteer, schedules are flexible,
and it is a stress-free, fun way
to give back to Pohick! Interested? Please contact Pamela
Nelson or Donna Crawford.

Blood Drive at Country Fair

INOVA Blood donor services will be at

the Country Fair this year. Please sign up and
come by to donate the gift of life between
10:00 am and 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 24.
Sign up online at
INOVA Blood donor services or contact
Leslie Schwoppe at
Schwoppe@verizon.net
or call: 703-590-1248
or 703-408-6233.

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
Fred Crawford
Dan Derbes
Susan Pehrsson
Amanda Choi,
Caroline Cockroft,
Isabel Hogg, Kathy Kirkland,
Helen Parker,
Edwardene Pitcock,
Doug Smith, Eric Thorson,
Fuzzy Thurston

Pohick Church Vestry

The Revd Donald

Sr. Warden:
Binder, PhD
Jr. Warden:
The Revd Dr. Ruth Treasurer:
E. Correll, Ed.D.
Register:
Wesley Arning
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