POHICK POST Pohick Episcopal Church

9301 Richmond Highway • Lorton, VA 22079 Telephone: 703-339-6572 • Fax: 703-339-9884 January 2021

Expecting that From The Rector we won’t suffer finan- The Reverend cial effects from this Dr. Lynn P. Ronaldi year of social distanc- ing and shut-down is clearly unrealistic. So “May the God of hope fill you is expecting that our with all joy and peace as you trust in him, children will be back so that you may overflow with hope in school, or that we by the power of the Holy Spirit.” will be back inside our Rev. Lynn read the Christmas Story Romans 15:13 church in the next few during Pohick’s first Live Nativity. months. For some of In these early days of us who have lost loved ones, life will never return to 2021, we give thanks that the way it was. It’s unrealistic to expect that we will 2020 is over, and that we have “go back to normal” soon - if ever! a vaccine! We hope that we What is both realistic and also based on the prom- are in the final stretch of these ise of the Resurrection, is the expectation that our disruptive, Lord has, can, and will redeem disordered, our suffering and loss. A more re- downright alistic expectation is trusting that discouraging the Risen Lord is doing some- The Lewis Family portrayed times. We ex- thing new! As we trust in Him, the Holy Family during pect that the we can discover the elusive peace the Live Nativity. God of hope and joy. As we practice trusting, will fill us with joy and peace as we the Holy Spirit will fill our hearts trust in him. to overflowing with hope! Hope is often based on expecta- I wonder what would help tion. Hope is also closely connected us trust more? Perhaps it would with courage and patience. help to recall what God has al- The question is, are we patient and ready been doing at Pohick that’s courageous enough to wait for the new, life-affirming, and hope- unfolding of God’s plan in our lives building: and in our church? Are our hopeful • Thanks to the creativity and expectations reasonable, or based on fantasy? Continued on page 2 Page 2 • January 2021 Pohick Episcopal Church

From The Rector: continued from page 1 hard work of Frances and John Sessums and Rusty Booth, our first annual Live Nativity was incredibly fruitful! Nearly 200 people from the surrounding community - people who desperately needed a word of hope - found joy and a sense of Christ’s love at the event. The large number of volunteers who served at the event testified to Pohick’s resiliency and hospital- The Martha Guild held a safe, socially distanced Bake Sale in November. ity! • For almost a year, the Clergy, Vestry, Staff, and Education Ministries have worked to ensure that edu- lay leaders have been persevering and flexible in creat- cation and fellowship continue - if in a socially dis- ing new options for worship and ministry. In each of tanced way. This includes our Coffee ‘n Compline the six pillars of our ministry, we continued in new, Zoom service and confirmation and Inquirers classes “virtual” ways: in Worship and Prayer, Christian Ed- led by Clergy. Recently the EYC pulled off a virtual Christmas Tree decorating event, traveling from home to home. • Your Senior and Junior Wardens and Sexton have lead teams in supporting worship and check-in, creating sound systems, and maintaining our historic grounds. • We have proposed an extensive plan, approved by the Diocese, for “Re-Gathering in the Church,” once COVID numbers decline. • Meanwhile, the Clergy and others involved in The Martha Guild set up a drive through pickup for their successful holiday greenery sale. pastoral care continue to engage and support parish- ioners pastorally and spiritually, via phone, Zoom, or ucation, Outreach, Fellowship, Living History, and in person. I co-led a nationally streamed Webinar Evangelism. On a dime, we began live-streaming our for the Episcopal Church Foundation on Grieving Sunday services via Facebook. During the Pandemic, and we held a moving Blue • In the interest of Evangelism to newcomers Christmas service. and Outreach to shut-ins, we have planned and cre- We have adminis- ated a new Audio Visual system, which is installed tered sacraments as and ready to test! Thanks to Alex Hodge and his team, allowed: Eucharists, we now have three high-tech cameras, with excellent Baptisms, Marriag- sound, mounted discreetly inside the church. With the es, and Funerals. help of production ministry members Tom Ronaldi Recently, your and John Wooten, the A/V Team will soon be able to Stewardship Com- stream worship services with greater clarity. We also mittee and Finance thank the generous, anonymous donors of this new Committee, led by system! Fuzzy Thurston and • We planned and created a new interactive, excit- John Pasour, helped The Kniplings braved the cold temps to attend ing web page that is both engaging and easy to use, the Pohick Christmas Program on December 6. inspire an impres- thanks to the leadership of Ben Charbonneau and sive level of pledg- Carmel Hodge. ing! You have been amazingly generous. The Finance • Rev. Alex and I, your Worship Team, Communi- Committee will soon propose a budget at our an- ty of Hope, Brotherhood of St. Andrew, Young Adult Ministry, Alpha, women’s guilds, Youth and Children’s Continued on page 3 Pohick Episcopal Church January 2021 • Page 3

From The Rector: continued from From the page 2 Assistant Rector The Reverend Alex Allain nual meeting January 17. Thank you for your gen- As this year comes to a close, I give thanks for erosity and faithfulness. the ways in which Pohick has been learning to Although 2021 steward- be community in new ways. Coffee ‘n Compline ship pledges started out (via Zoom) on Wednesday nights from 7:00 pm very strong in the early Families enjoyed the petting zoo during - 8:00 pm has been a meaningful time for fellow- stages, they have slowed. Pohick’s first Live Nativity. Fuzzy and John are re- ship and prayer. It has been a chance to share and minding those who haven’t yet pledged to do so as support one another as the body of Christ. soon as possible. Likewise, Friday Fellowship for families and Senior Warden Stew Remaly, the Vestry, and I young adults has found opportunities to be to- look forward to presenting the Rector’s Report, Min- gether amid these days of social distancing. istry Reports, and Pohick’s Plan and Budget for 2021, Thanks to Jen Crump-Strawderman and Pierce at our upcoming Annual Meeting on Sunday, Janu- Prior for these events! From outdoor meet-ups to ary 17, at 11:00 am. Vestry online calls, we’ve been able to stay connected and elections and the Annual committed to our mission. We’ve even managed Meeting will take place to complete our first virtual Alpha Course, and via Zoom. I give thanks Glenn and Cristy Larkin, along with Beth and for those “rolling off ” the Bruce Baird, have done wonderful work in offer- Vestry for their steadfast service. (I hope that you ing this program. will prayerfully consid- Throughout this time apart, even when it’s er running for Vestry if been unclear and uncertain, God continues to asked!) make a way in the wilderness, and he has gathered As we trust in what us to accomplish good purposes for the kingdom. the Lord has already I look forward to the days to come, and we invite been doing and will do, I pray that our hearts will be you for ideas and insights as we prepare events filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit! I also pray and opportunities for the new year. we remain open to the way the Holy Spirit might Lastly, thank you for the prayers and support be leading us to do something new! Bolstered with throughout my mother-in-law’s time in hospice. hope, courage, and patience, I expect we will continue Kelly and I are deeply appreciative of our commu- to discover joy and peace in our community of love. nity’s care, and we were able to hold an outdoor Blessings for a happy and healthy new year! In Christ’s Love, funeral in celebration of Barbara at an Episcopal Rev. Lynn+ church in NC. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. THANK YOU! The Ann Mason Guild is happy to report that thanks to supportive Pohickians, 14 residents of Jackson-Feild Homes were given Christmas gifts. The United States Army Old Guard fife and Drum Corps recorded music Thank you for your generosity! in Pohick Church. Visit our Facebook page to watch the video! Page 4 • January 2021 Pohick Episcopal Church the Young Adult Ministry was going well and thanked Senior Warden’s Report everyone for participating in the Wednesday Evening Stew Remaly, Senior Warden Compline service and Alpha. • The Vestry approved: Happy New Year to all! I hope everyone was able - The Treasurer’s report for November. to enjoy a very blessed and Merry Christmas and had - Vestry minutes for November with changes. the chance to attend or view online our first live Na- • Mission and Outreach, Edwardene Pitcock: the tivity Services and our Christmas services. Thanks to guilds and brotherhood continue to meet virtually. all who attended these wonderful celebrations in honor Thanked all the volunteers who supported the Thanks- of the birth of our Lord and Savior. A special thanks giving Food Drive. Pohick collected over 64 baskets of goes out to some key people responsible for the success food for LCAC and donated over $1,000 in gift cards of each event: Rusty Booth, Frances and John Sessums, and cash. Working on the December drive for ACTS on for organizing all the volunteers, setting up the nativity December 19. scene, encouraging families to participate, and to Linda • Pastoral Care, Patty Mitchell: reported that Com- Egan for the wonderful music. To Reverend Lynn and munity of Hope continues to reach out via telephone to Reverend Alex for leading the services and keeping our those in need and is using Zoom to coordinate outreach. Church family together in the Body of Christ and to • Christian Education, Jen Crump-Strawderman all the volunteers who helped guide people to parking, and Andrew Choi: reported that both Frances and Rusty set up the services, decorated, and lifted our Christmas are reaching out to families and supporting at-home ed- sprits through their voices. Thanks, is not enough. Your ucation. Virtual Sunday School and Godly Play are well hard work and love helped us finish this challenging year supported by our families and volunteer teaching staff. uplifted and ready to meet new challenges in 2021! • Stewardship, Don Cooke: Thanked Fuzzy Thurston Speaking of new challenges, the Vestry wants to re- and the Stewardship Team for all their hard work on the mind everyone that the annual meeting will be held on Stewardship Drive. We have received over 80 pledges to January 17. Right now, a virtual meeting is planned and date totally over 400K in pledges. the details will be sent out via Constant Contact and • Property, Clint Herbert/ Tony Harriman: posted on the website. At the meeting, we will elect four - Starting renovation of the bathrooms in December. new Vestry members, thank the outgoing Vestry for their - Continuing to work on finding an architect to com- hard work, and provide a review of the year and what we plete plans for Architectural Review Board and Fairfax can look forward to in 2021. For the first time in church County approval to install a new accessibility ramp or history, you will have the chance to attend the annual ramps on the South Door. meeting in your pajamas from the comfort of your own - Thanked Rodger Jones for all his help on numerous home! projects. Finally, at the December Vestry meeting: - Will finish work on the Courtyard light refurbish- • Reverend Lynn led the Spiritual Welfare of the ment in the Spring. Cure and prayerfully continued to uplift all those in the - Continuing to work on new signage around the parish who are sick, hospitalized or in need of prayers Parish Hall and church grounds. and continued to ask for healing of the nation and rec- - Working with Mike Wolfe to remove the Play- ognized all the health care workers and first responders ground Equipment and develop a plan for renovating during these trying times. the playground. - Reverend Lynn requested the Vestry recognize all • Resources, John Pasour: monthly giving was above the contributions made by the staff this year and asked average for November and we have a good chance of special recognition for Rusty Booth, Frances and John closing out the year with a small carryover of funding for Sessums and Linda Egan for their work on the Nativity next year. He reminded everyone that electronic giving Services. is available if you cannot get to the Church to drop off - Reverend Lynn thanked the Vestry for their hard your pledge. work and support to all the many ministries they lead. • Service and Fellowship, Micheyl Bartholomew: • The Assistant Rector, Reverend Alex, reported that Continued on page 5 Pohick Episcopal Church January 2021 • Page 5

Senior Warden’s Report, continued from page 4 Christian Education provided a report on re-gathering plans and supplies on Frances Sessums, Director of Christian Education order for promoting health and safety when attending services. In lieu of Pohick’s annual Christmas Pageant, Po- • Communication, Dru Hodges: Website is up and hick held its first Live Nativity and Christmas Pro- running well. Working on a plan to have a service pro- gram with a Petting Zoo. As with everything this year, vider support maintenance of our current website, office there were many changes to programs due to the pan- software, and email systems. demic. Although the talented and wonderful students • Invite Welcome Connect, Jen Crump-Strawder- greatly missed being able to perform the traditional man: Young Adult Ministry is going very well. Continu- pageant, it turned out to be a true gift to many people ing to meet at least once per month on Fridays. both in the congregation and the community to have • Young Adult and Family, Courtney Greathouse: the Live Nativity Christmas Program. continues to support Virtual Outreach. When the Live Nativity program was first ad- Please let the Vestry know what is on your mind and vertised to the public and the congregation, over 140 how we can better support the needs of the Parish, espe- people from the community signed up within six days. cially during these challenging times, via email, phone, Another program was added to the schedule in order Facebook messaging or texting. The Senior Warden can to accommodate Pohick parishioners. After moving be reached at 703-595-5663 or by email at remalyse@ the program from Saturday to Sunday due to weath- gmail.com. If you want to present a formal request, the er, Pohick presented four programs with almost 200 Vestry encourages you to use the Vestry Gram as a good hundred people in attendance. The date move resulted process to ensure a prompt response. in calling over 45 families from the community to let them know. While speaking with these wonderful people, so many of them told me “how thankful they Martha Guild were that Pohick was offering this event to them and The Martha Guild thanks everyone that sup- their families during this time.” They expressed how ported the Holiday Greenery and Sweet Treats sale. The kind generosity was overwhelming and grateful they were for this event, which was a remark- the profits from this event along with those from able opportunity for outreach to the community and the Thanksgiving Bake sale will allow the Guild a time to have the Parish see one another during this to continue its 2021 mission: Helping Others In very difficult period. Need. Special gratitude goes to Anita Stribling Thanks to everyone that gave their time, talents, for working and guiding the group in making the and financial contributions to a variety of events. Spe- boxwood wreaths. cial thanks to Rusty Booth who assisted in putting all The next Zoom meeting is Monday, January this together! Thanks to Adrienne, Kenny, and Calvin 11 at 7:30 pm. The link for the meeting will be Lewis who were Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus! They posted on the Pohick website in early January. All were amazing! Baby Calvin slept the entire three and women of the church are cordially invited to join! a half hours! I would also like to thank all of the other Questions? Contact Connie Myers at jetskiing@ outstanding volunteers. All of these incredible people hotmail.com or 703-201-2204. Happy New Year contributed to this successful program. A big thanks to all - please continue to stay safe and healthy. to Jane Rolander, Kathy Linville, Doug Smith, Beth Altman, Neil Hogg, Kristina Meyers, Connie Mey- ers, Tom Goeller, Emily Elston, Alex Smith, Rodger Jones, Kelsey and Richie Rodriguez, Clint Herbert, Tom Ronaldi, Linda Egan, Carmel Hodge, John Ses- sums, Davis Sessums, Alex Sessums, and Mike Mor- gan. Special thanks to Rev. Lynn and Rev. Alex for all of their support and assistance with the program! Page 6 • January 2021 Pohick Episcopal Church peratures taken, socially distanced with masks, no Music Notes bell sharing and special cleaning protocols. This al- Linda Wilberger Egan, Minister of Music lowed us to ring inside the church while the service was held outside on All Saints; to ring, a few at a What a year! We began as usual with the Choir time, for services in Advent, using Don Brownlee’s of Pohick, the Pohick Bell Choir, the Pohick Pickers, compositions; and to videotape for Christmas Eve. the St. Cecelia St. Alban Choir, the St. Francis Choir Thanks to all of you! and the Early Church Music Ensemble. For Christmas Eve, we videotaped all the music, And then, on March 15 the pandemic hit and we and it is available on the Pohick Church Ministries were into Morning Prayer with a prelude and two YouTube channel, accessible through the church’s hymns and no musical groups able to participate. We website. It included our Christmas Eve brass quar- have live streamed services using a cell phone as a tet, which came to Pohick in November in order to camera since then. Moving forward we have had vir- tape their part of the service; the Bell Choir playing tual Eucharists in addition to Morning Prayers. We my arrangement of “Of the Father’s love begotten” added a postlude; and services moved outside with sung by Carolyn Cockroft ; and Barb Lynn, who up to 50 participants through the late spring, sum- sang “Angels we have heard on high” and “Silent mer and fall; with Advent 1 we moved back inside. Night.” All this taping was done by John Egan; the Now, at the end of the year, with the installation of brass video was edited by Christopher Binder; and video cameras and microphones in the church so John Sessums prepared the audio used in the actual that our expanding online ministry can function bet- services. Thanks to them for much work done in the ter, we look forward to different technology shortly. service of music for this service. Gloria Jackson and A single hymn singer was added to services be- Don Brownlee were each scheduled to be the single ginning in July. Twelve singers from the Choir of Po- live singer permitted at any one service on Christmas hick and the St. Cecelia St. Alban Choir have sung Eve. as soloists since then. Thank you! Many thanks to Tom Ronaldi, who has been After Easter we began a Wednesday evening ser- our cameraman since March, and to John Sessums vice, Coffee ‘n Compline. People gather for conversa- who has spent many hours each week setting up mi- tion for a half hour, then we have a service of Com- crophones, speakers and audio equipment and then pline led by Rev. Alex. It’s a Zoom meeting for the taking them down each week, troubleshooting and parish, with Rev. Lynn Ronaldi and Rev. Alex Allain adapting week by week. in their homes, and with John and me in our music Rev. Lynn and Rev. Alex have continued to pro- room at home. It provides a time of quiet and con- vide us all with hope and inspiration and guidance templation in the middle of the week, with a homily during this tough time. With the coming of the vac- usually by Rev. Alex, prayers, and music. Thanks to cines, we can see the light at the end of this long Carolyn Cockroft and Chris Brown who were the tunnel! musicians when I was away. Absence has a way of making us appreciate what We’ve had Zoom rehearsals this fall, with vary- we are missing. I’m so grateful to work with so many ing success: two a month for the Choir of Pohick talented musicians on a weekly basis at Pohick. This and one a month for the St. Cecelia St. Alban Choir is a very fine congregation with wonderful musicians and the St. Francis Choir. Barb Lynn and I have who are eager to get back to the holy work of making done our best to stay in touch with all the musicians. music for worship as soon as it is possible. Thanks to Jackie Wells for keeping in touch with all I’m grateful, too, that God stays with us always of us also. and supports and cares for us. Beginning this fall, the members of the Bell Do stay safe and well, take care, and keep sing- Choir who were comfortable doing so were able to ing at home so that we are all ready to sing together rehearse twice a month using the pandemic guide- when we can gather again. lines of the Handbell Musicians of America: tem- Pohick Episcopal Church January 2021 • Page 7 A Stewardship Perspective for Changing Times: If Not Me, Then Who? They saw tongues like flame of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:3-4) Those who embraced his message were baptized...They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and to prayer. A sense of awe came over everyone, and the apostles performed many wonderous signs. (Acts 2:41-43) From the time of the book of Acts to the was no mission trip, no country fair, no Christ- present, Christians have realized that most often mas Mart or breakfast with Santa, and no apple the work of God is preformed, not by a series of butter; but instead of giving up, Pohick took its CGI-worthy miracles, but by people like James stewardship in new and different directions. As and John, and Matthias, and yes, by you and me. we enter 2021, with control over the virus in sight, Some of you have heard the story of our first vis- we must ask ourselves how our stewardship will it to Pohick back in 1993. Pohick was the fifth now evolve to meet the needs of changing times. church we had visited looking for a church home We must first realize that the community served and we weren’t particularly impressed but when by our outreach has expanded. It can no longer be coffee hour ended, our son greeted us from Sun- defined by physical location - by a neighborhood. day School with the news that he needed to be Our virtual outreach can now serve people well back at 5:30 for EYC and yes, this was the church. beyond Lorton, or Virginia, or even the Unit- So why did we stay? In a nut shell, it was because ed States. We may even serve smaller churches, of the stewardship of a dedicated group of youth churches who lack the resources to provide things advisors who were giving of their time and talent like Blue Christmas themselves. Clearly, then, to bring young people to Christ. many of the outreach projects from this past year In the weeks leading up to Stewardship Sun- will stay with us. Others are less clear. When we’re day, you heard a series of stewardship talks - talks able to again hold Sunday School in classrooms, from long time parishioners and from newcom- what will happen to the virtual version? If we con- ers. There was one special thread that ran through tinued to do it perhaps a somewhat modified ver- each of those talks: the level of involvement by sion of Sunday School on Facebook, would it be generations of parishioners in the many missions useful to our new, expanded church family? What and activities supported by Pohick. Our color bro- about the Wednesday healing service, or vacation chure you received with your pledge pack captures bible school? We might think of the year 2021 that very succinctly - Pohick Church: Come for as a butterfly emerging from its 2020 chrysalis. the History...Stay for the Worship and Prayer, for Think of 2021 as a year full of opportunity. And the Outreach and Mission, for the Study and For- like that butterfly, or like the early Christian com- mation, for the Evangelism, for the Fellowship munity highlighted in Acts 2, we must be pre- and yes, for the Living History. Said another way, pared to spread our stewardship wings and take stay for the Stewardship. advantage of those opportunities that God has set During much of the past year, COVID-19 has before us. Are you ready? limited Pohick’s traditional stewardship. There

Send News! Annual Parish Meeting Articles for the February 2021 Save the date! Pohick Church’s Pohick Post are due by Annual Meeting is scheduled for January 15! Forward input Sunday, January 17 at 11:00 am. by email to Lori Buckius, [email protected] or The meeting will be held via Zoom. to Carmel Hodge, Meeting details will be posted on [email protected]. the Pohick website, pohick.org. Page 8 • January 2021 Pohick Episcopal Church

Update on Issues in the Anglican Communion Don Brownlee, Member of Policy and Planning Commission Last month’s Update reported that the 226th Annual Truro was one of the parishes that tried to leave the Dio- Convention of the Diocese of Virginia had voted down the cese and The Episcopal Church in 2006 over issues of human proposed 2021 budget, in mid-November, failing to pass a sexuality. It renamed itself Truro Anglican Church. After six budget for the first time in recent years of lawsuits, a Fairfax County district judge ruled in 2012 memory. that the properties belonged to the Diocese, not the individual The Executive Board had parishes. proposed a budget that assumed By then, Bishop Shannon Johnston had reached out to about 15% less giving from par- Truro’s rector, the Rev. Tory Baucum. The two began meeting ishes to the diocese, and cut staff regularly to pray together, and eventually reached an agree- and programs accordingly in order ment under which Truro began leasing its former buildings to balance it. Funding for work back from the Diocese rent-free, with Truro Anglican respon- on race and reconciliation was in- sible for maintenance and upkeep. Rev. Baucum abruptly re- creased, but most other programs were cut. A proposed cut signed in December 2019, announcing he was leaving not only in the campus ministries program garnered impassioned com- Truro but the Anglican Church in North America, and was ments from clergy and delegates gathered in a first-of-its-kind planning to be received into the Roman Catholic Church. Zoom convention. A vote by orders was requested - separate Bp. Susan said, “I believe this effort (to sell the property votes and tallies from the clergy and lay delegates - with a to Truro Anglican) embodies our diocesan goals of supporting majority needed in both orders to pass. The budget received and growing our priority ministries, healing across differences, a majority in neither, so it went back to the Executive Board, resourcing God’s mission, sharing the faith of Jesus with youth which has the authority to approve it without further action by and others, and honoring and caring for God’s creation.” the Convention. * * * In the weeks after the unsuccessful budget vote, diocesan The Anglican Church of Australia leadership reached out to convention delegates for feedback has become the next province in the An- and suggestions. The Executive Board then met in mid-De- glican Communion to authorize bless- cember. ing of same-sex marriages. That church’s After “deep teaching and learning” about how our Dioc- Appellate Tribunal - its highest legal/ esan ministry is financed - with income from property, church judicial body - has ruled that a service pledges, and investments - overviews of diocesan support to for blessing of civil marriages, includ- mission congregations and college ministry, and a review of ing those between same-sex couples, is comments during and after the Convention, the Board chose valid under the province’s constitution. not to adopt a full year budget. Instead, it approved a “schedule The Appellate Tribunal said the constitution allowed for forms of payments” the Treasurer is authorized to make in the first of service that had been “approved for use within the diocese three months of the year. This “schedule” gives the Treasurer by the diocesan council of that diocese,” which the service at the authorization required by our Canons to disperse diocesan issue had been. funds for the next three months. An email back to Conven- Same-sex marriage became legal in Australia in 2017. tion delegates said this schedule of included an increase cam- The ruling came in response to a question submitted by pus ministry funding, and use of reserves to support mission the then-primate of the province. congregations. While funding is greater than what the budget In response to a second question he posed, the tribunal originally proposed, neither ministry is restored to 2020 fund- said another diocese was within its rights to remove the pos- ing levels. sibility of disciplinary action against a priest who blessed, or The Executive Board will meet again in January to con- declined to bless a same-sex marriage. tinue work on the 2021 budget, and begin planning for the Anglican Communion News Service noted that in mak- 2022 budget. ing the rulings, the panel had explained that its role was to * * * adjudicate questions of law rather than make or interpret doc- One short-term way to raise revenue is to sell Diocesan trine. “The issue of approving the solemnisation of a same-sex property. Shortly after the Convention, Bp. Susan Goff an- marriage is not before the Tribunal”, it said. “All we have done nounced that for a year now, she has been having confidential is to declare that the Synod of the Diocese of Wangaratta has discussions with leaders of Truro Anglican Church in Fairfax about purchasing that property from the Diocese. Continued on page 9 Pohick Episcopal Church January 2021 • Page 9

Update on Issues in the Anglican Communion, other bishops, so the Standing Committee will assume most continued from page 8 functions of a diocesan bishop until his successor is elected, confirmed, and consecrated. not acted contrary to the Constitution nor contrary to the Bp. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson of the Diocese of Virginia scope of authority given by the General Synod. . . All of the was one of those on the disciplinary board. issues in this Reference are of a legal nature.” • The Diocese of South Carolina has asked that state’s The province’s newly-installed primate, Abp. Geoff Smith, supreme court to enforce its 2017 ruling which awarded dis- said the rulings were “an important contribution to the ongo- puted church properties to the group that wished to remain ing conversation within the Church about how to respond to part of The Episcopal Church. The court had sent the matter issues of human sexuality while reflecting God’s love for all to a district court judge to implement. After almost three years, people.” he effectively overturned that decision and awarded them to “The people of the Church hold a wide variety of opinions the group that wants to disaffiliate with the national church. on these issues, considering historical teaching of the church The diocese’s legal brief argues, “It is well beyond time for this and changes in society,” Abp. Smith said, “and some will wel- Court bring this litigation to a close by vacating the Circuit come the Appellate Tribunal’s opinion, while it will cause sig- Court’s reversal of the Supreme Court Ruling and ordering it nificant concern to others.” to enforce that Ruling, including granting Appellants’ Petition In response, the theologically-conservative group Gafcon for Execution and Petition for Accounting.” Australia said it would provide support and encouragement to • In another long-running property case, The Episcopal congregations, clergy, or groups within the country who are Church and Diocese of Forth Worth have asked the U.S. Su- considering disaffiliation from their bishops and/or dioceses. preme Court to review a state supreme court ruling that said If enough want to disaffiliate from the national church, it said property in that diocese belonged to those who wished to leave it will ask the Gafcon Primates Council to establish and rec- The Episcopal Church. Texas courts had initially awarded ognize a parallel province in the country, as it has done in the those properties to the group that wished to remain with The United States and elsewhere. Episcopal Church. After many court hearings over a decade, The Church of Australia will likely continue working that initial decision was overturned. The Episcopal Church’s through its approach to same-sex marriages when its General legal brief says state courts have split as to whether courts Synod meets later this year. should “defer to religious bodies; resolution of internal church Elsewhere: disputes,” or apply a “neutral standard” under which churches • Last fall an Episcopal Church disciplinary panel unani- were treated the same as any other person or organization, “at- mously found that bishop of Albany, William Love, had vi- tempting to interpret deeds and religious documents ‘in purely olated his ordination vows to “conform to the doctrine, dis- secular terms.’ ” The court will likely decide early in the new cipline, and worship of the Episcopal Church,” and violated year whether to hear the case. canon law, when he refused to allow any priest in his diocese to conduct same-sex marriages. The 2018 General Convention * * * had basically said that everyone must have access to marriage It is important to remember that despite all these difficulties, and or blessing in their church, and bishops who were theologically despite the enormous disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, the work opposed must allow clergy in their dioceses to perform them of the Church - globally, nationally, and locally - continues. Pohick gave nonetheless. Bp. Love was the only bishop who refused to do twice the number of Thanksgiving food baskets to LCAC as we did so. last year. As Bp. Susan said in her pastoral address to the 226th Dioc- That same disciplinary panel was scheduled to hold a hear- esan Convention in November, “The truth is, there is no going back to ing to determine Bp. Love’s fate. Church...because we never left the Church in the first place. Worship in Before that could happen, Bp. person in our buildings has been suspended, but worship has not stopped. Love announced to his diocesan Church buildings are closed, but the Church is not closed. Ministry across convention that he and the presid- the diocese continues. Building community in Jesus’ name continues.” ing bishop had reached an agree- ment under which he will retire in February of next year. His Pastoral Happy New Year from the Directive forbidding any clergy Golden Dove Gift Shop! from officiating at a same-sex wed- We look forward to ding will lose force as of his retire- ment date. re-opening in 2021! The Diocese of Albany has no Page 10 • January 2021 Pohick Episcopal Church Saying Yes Year B Fourth Sunday of Advent Sermon to Pohick Church Luke 1:47-55 and Luke 1: 26-38 • Reverend Dr. Lynn P. Ronaldi, Rector

Ever since I was a little girl, Mary has captured my afraid. Then Gabriel explains that God is able do any- spiritual imagination. Mary was the one God chose thing with anybody, anytime, saying: “The Holy Spirit to bear his Son. And Mary was the one who said Yes. will come upon you.” Then he supports this claim, add- It could be that my fascination began on May Day. ing the shocking news that her aging cousin Elizabeth I vividly recall my first-grade class singingAve Maria is pregnant: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” and scattering flowers at the foot of Mary’s statue. Mary responds with a song of praise and thanks- Quite likely, my love for Mary was ignited as I giving. Her Magnificat recalls the countless ways God encountered the genuine devotion of my own Mother. has kept his promises, reversed people’s situations, and She taught me the prayer echoing the Angel’s mes- redeemed humanity. Mary answers her own question, sage to Mary: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is With “How can this be,” with this conclusion: God has been, Thee…Blessed art thou amongst women, and Blessed is and will always be, doing surprising things with un- the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. likely people - including herself. During a trip to the Holy Land a few years ago, As Mary realizes she has been called to exit the I visited the cave in Nazareth where the Angel Ga- realm of predictability and open herself to the un- briel spoke to Mary. Found underneath the floor of imaginable, she utters a resounding Yes!: “Here am I, the Church of the Annunciation, the Grotto is be- the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your lieved to be Mary’s childhood home, in a time when word.” Nazareth had only about 40 families. At the Grotto, Notice how Mary responds with great wisdom I came upon a young Palestinian nun oblivious to my for one so young: First she looks back to Israel’s past presence. Kneeling before that dark cave lit by a single and gives thanks for what God has already done. Then lamp, her face was transfixed. she says Yes to her future: Bearing Salvation to the Tears filled my eyes as I recognized her sacrifice World. In saying Yes, she discovers her life’s meaning and devotion. Doubtless, like Mary, she’d had her own and purpose. life disrupted forever, when she heard a most unex- Mary’s remarkable response was echoed by the pected call. late Dag Hammarskjold, a United Nations Secretary I realized with a rush of gratitude, how many like General who wom the Nobel Peace Prize. He was her - men and women of all nations - have borne Je- killed in 1961 in a mysterious airplane crash over the sus Christ to the world during the last two thousand Congo. Found near the wreckage, Hammarskjold’s years! How many, in their own way, have felt unwor- journal contained his final entry: thy and yet followed Mary’s example of humility and “I don’t know Who – or what – put the question; I trust in God’s plan. How many have uttered that one, don’t know when it was put. But at some moment I did simple word: “Yes!” answer Yes to Someone -- or something – and from that Sounds easy, to just say an immediate Yes to hour I was certain that existence is meaningful, and that God, right? I wondered whether that young nun at therefore my life, in self-surrender, had a goal.”* the Grotto said “Yes” right away? Surely, she had her When has God nudged you to do something un- doubts, or needed more clarity. Maybe she even re- expected, unpredictable, even unimaginable? sponded like Mary does, asking: “How can this be?” There have been times Tom and I have been How can this be, that the Creator of the Universe stunned by what God was asking us to do. Shaking his would choose this tiny village? How can this be, that an head, Tom told the Commission on Ministry in Tex- angel of the Lord announces to this unwed teenage as: “I didn’t marry a priest, but today I know nothing girl she is chosen as Theotokos, as Mother of God? gives Lynn more joy than being with hurting people.” How, indeed, can this be, and how can it be that And to this day, I am still “pinching myself ” with joy, she assents? The Angel reassures Mary, telling her not to be Continued on page 11 Pohick Episcopal Church January 2021 • Page 11

Saying Yes, Advent Sermon to Pohick Church, continued from page 10 In such an ordinary room that I was called to this lively, historic Pohick Church. the angel came skidding to rest: God does have a plan for our lives’ meaning and pur- she on a bench of prayer pose. And daily, I am still learning to say Yes! he to get news off his chest. When have you struggled with saying Yes to God? You can consider this question in regard to your life’s Arriving can happen like that calling. You can also examine your responses in your daily life. on the day that you least expect Today we face all kinds of unexpected, unpre- when the washing’s on the line dictable, unimaginable circumstances. We have been and you’ve no idea what’s next. suffering nearly a year in a pandemic. We have been asked to surrender and say Yes to new and unsettling He was such a gentle angel demands over and over again. We fear for our lives with a lily in his hand, and families. And we find ourselves crying out,“How can this be?” and his eyes so meekly angled Hopefully we are looking down the final stretch of you have to understand. this global crisis. Salvation has arrived in the form of a vaccine. But we still have a few months of midwinter The King is in search of a Kingdom; bleakness to endure. How will we choose to say Yes the time to be born is soon, for the sake of the Kingdom of God? Maybe we can practice saying Yes consciously as and God want you to house him Mary did: First, giving thanks for all God has done, in the byre of your womb. then trusting what He will do. We can say… • Yes to the love, mercy and forgiveness the Lord She sat still as the chair offers unconditionally, even when we are at our worst, staring at the cool, tiled floor losing patience, losing hope. and the silence was deeper there, • Yes to taking the vaccine when it’s available, for the sake of the world. than she’d ever heard before. • Yes to social distancing. Such as persevering through home-schooling combined with tele-com- Neither knew how to break it. muting for the sake of our families. Neither was wanting to press. • Yes to caring for others, to reaching out. I know It was probably only a minute of several who have answered calls to do so. Recently a young woman in our parish shared she feels nudged but it felt like an hour to say ‘yes’. to start a Bible study for mothers juggling careers and children at home! ‘Yes’ was the shape of the farmhouse. • Yes to sacrificing in-person worship and fellow- ‘Yes’ were the trunks of the trees. ship. And ultimately, when all this is over, allowing ‘Yes’ was the gate on its hinges. God space “in our wombs” to bear Christ to the world ‘Yes’ brought the world to its knees. in unexpected ways. Presented with the unpredictable, unexpected, and unimaginable – Mary trusted and said Yes. Like Mary, I pray that you and I will continue to listen for God’s particular call to bear Christ to the world -- and an- (Beyond the Drift: New & Selected Poems, p. 173, Bloodaxe swer “Yes!” Books, 2014) I close with this poem by David Scott: *From Markings, 1964, by Dag Hammarskjold Pohick Church Non-Profit Org. 9301 Richmond Highway U.S. Postage Lorton, Virginia 22079-1519 P A I D Permit No. 2 Return Service Requested Lorton, VA

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