Annual Pohick Church Events

The following is a partial list of the many annual activities of Pohick Church, which are in
addition to the worship services that make up our liturgical year. These last follow the
traditional Christian calendar which includes the seasons of Advent (Dec), Christmas
(Dec–Jan), Epiphany (Jan–Feb/March), Lent (Feb/March–March/April), Easter
(March/April–May/June) and Pentecost (May/June–Nov).

September

Crab Feast. Pohick Church holds its Crab Feast each year at the Parish Picnic Grounds on the Saturday after Labor Day. The menu includes: Steamed Crabs, Fried Fish, Boiled Shrimp, Hot Buttered Corn on the Cob, Potato Salad, as well as Hot Dogs for the kids. Soda and other Beverages are also on sale. The Pohick Pickers, our accomplished folk ensemble, provides sprightly entertainment for the hundreds who attend this wonderful time of fellowship, whose proceeds benefit the fund to bring County utilities onto the property.

Apple Butter. On the next-to-last Saturday of the month, the women of the church dice bushels of apples while the men build open fires under four large copper kettles arranged behind the parish house. More than a hundred parishioners participate in some fashion in the annual apple butter ritual, and it is very special to those who do. The local community is well aware of Pohick's famous apple butter, and there usually is not enough to meet the demand at the Country Fair, held the following weekend.

Country Fair. The fair is normally held on the first Saturday in October, with a rain date for the following Saturday. Held as a community event for over fifty years, the fair features games, barbecue, performances by The Pohick Pickers, and booths featuring used books, plants, baked goods, Hodge Podge and, of course, apple butter.

October

Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Convention. The members of the Pohick ECW join with women from around the diocese in the annual ECW meeting.

November

Christmas Mart. The Christmas Mart is traditionally held on the Thursday before the Thanksgiving holiday, 10 am - 2 pm. What began as a tea, accompanied by the sale of a few jams and jellies, has become a much larger event featuring rooms filled with crafts, books, baked items, casseroles, attic treasures, etc. The Crafters of Northern Virginia also participate, bringing their seasonal goods. A luncheon is served in the parish common room by waitresses in colonial attire. Docents are also available for tours of the church.

Advent Wreath Making. Near the end of November, families gather in the parish house to craft Advent wreaths for devotional use in their homes during the season of Advent.

December

Annual Parish Meeting. Each year the parish gathers on the first Sunday of this month to elect new vestry members, hear reports on the previous year's ministry, and lay out plans for the coming year.

Christmas Party for the Homeless. In early December, Pohick Church hosts a Christmas party for families living in local homeless shelters. It is an evening filled with music, laughter, good food, and even a visit from St. Nicholas, who brings gifts for all the children.

Christmas Pageant. A few weeks prior to Christmas, our young people present a re-enactment of the Christmas story, replete with costumes, staging and Christmas carols.

February/March

Diocesan Council. Clergy and lay representatives of the diocese meet for worship, workshops and consideration of resolutions addressing ministry within the church and the world.

Washington's Birthday Breakfast. On Presidents Day, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew sponsors a worship service and breakfast featuring a guest speaker who addresses an aspect of one of Pohick's favorite sons, George Washington.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner. Following the tradition that all households were to be cleared of meat and butter for Lent, on the night before Ash Wednesday, the parish features a Pancake Dinner with all the traditional side dishes. Depending on how Lent falls, this event may be in March.

March/April

St. Patrick's Day Dinner. On the Saturday nearest St. Patrick's Day, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew sponsors a traditional Irish Dinner, replete with corn beef, cabbage and potatoes.

Lenten Series Dinners and Studies. On the five Wednesdays following Ash Wednesday, the parish gathers for dinner and participation in Lenten study programs for all ages. The evenings conclude with Holy Communion.

April/May/June

Pinkard-Davis Memorial Golf Tournament. This benefit tournament is normally held at a local golf course on a date ranging from end of April to the beginning of June.

Sounds of Pohick Concert. In late May or early June, all five of our choirs preform a concert in the church in celebration of the important place of music within our worship.

Youth Sunday. The first Sunday of June, our Young People take greater leadership within the 10 am service as the culmination of their Sunday school year.

Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast. In June, the vestry hosts this breakfast as a thank-you to all the many hard-working volunteers who support the ministries of the church throughout the year.

Shrine Mont Parish Retreat. Over the fourth weekend of June, the parish holds a retreat at Shrine Mont, the Episcopal Conference Center of Virginia located at Orkney Springs. It features worship, study and fellowship in a rustic setting.

July

Vacation Church School. This event takes place every July for one week from 9:00–12:00 noon. It is a joyous time of learning that requires the efforts of many people to provide a memorable experience for all of the children who come.

EYC Mission Trip. Each July, about two dozen members of our Youth Group and their adult sponsors go on a week-long mission trip to help improve the living conditions of families facing hardship, while also sharing with them Christian devotions and fellowship. Past trips have gone to Elizabeth City, NC, Brighton, Tn, Sanford, Mi, and Smithers, WV.