POHICK POST Pohick Episcopal Church
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
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.