Ministries at Pohick Church

Pohick parishioners find many ways to serve the Lord as they serve their fellow men and women, both within the church community and in the surrounding world.
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Acolytes. Serving as an acolyte affords our young people an opportunity to express their devotion by serving at the Altar and may be the means of creating a deeper faith in those who might otherwise have but a casual interest in the Church. Membership is open to students beginning in the 3rd grade. A period of instruction or training is conducted annually. Jim From, Acolyte Director. Go to the Acolyte Schedule. Go to the Acolyte Handbook.

Alcoholics Anonymous. This worldwide group is committed to promoting recovery for those suffering addiction to alcohol. It meets Thursday evenings at 8:30 in the Parish House Annex.

Altar Guild. The work of the Altar Guild consists of preparation for, and cleaning up after, every Eucharist celebrated at Pohick. The Altar Guild also assists with baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals. Realizing the privilege of serving at the Altar, each member dedicates herself and her work as an offering to God, to whom nothing but the best can be given. Betty Jeanne McPherson, Director. Go to the Altar Guild Schedule. Go to the Altar Guild Customary.

Brotherhood of St. Andrew. The Pohick chapter of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew is one of the nation's largest and most active groups. Its members are involved in a wide range of activities, both within the parish and beyond. The Brotherhood meets every Saturday morning, 8–9 am, for breakfast, devotions and Bible study. Ed Harvie, Director. Go to the Brotherhood Schedule. Go to the Study Leader's Guidelines.

Choirs. From the beginning of the Church's history, music played an important part in the worship of God. The Pohick Choirs seek to provide just such a ministry, rehearsing throughout the year to enhance our weekly liturgy, enjoying the company of other parishioners with similar interests, and growing both musically and spiritually in an ever deepening appreciation of worship as the center of life. Linda Egan, Minister of Music.

Coffee Hosts. Following every Sunday worship service, refreshments are served in the lower level of the parish house. Volunteer hosts and hostesses serve coffee, tea, and light refreshments for parishioners and guests who gather for fellowship. Funding for coffee is provided by the vestry and the Episcopal Church Women. Ken Evans (7:45 am), Carol Heintze (9 am) and Sandra Caesar (11:15 am), Coordinators. Go to the Coffee Host Schedule.

Cursillo is a weekend retreat for adults sponsored by Cursillo ministry of the Diocese of Virginia. These spiritual retreat weekends are held throughout the year and our parishioners are invited and encouraged to attend. Tom Bland, Coordinator.

Docents. This group of parishioners is schooled in the history of Pohick Church. Its members take turns giving guided tours of our historic building on Sunday mornings and at special events. Grant Hodges, Contact.

Episcopal Church Women (ECW). The ECW provides opportunities for all women to service both the church and the community. Much of the work of the women occurs in two guilds. Both are involved in many outreach programs and funds are raised at different activities throughout the year to support these programs. A main fund-raiser is the Christmas Mart which is held on the third Thursday in November. In the fall we join all the Episcopal Church Women in the Diocese of Virginia for our annual meeting. Vonne Troknya, Diocesan Liaison.

Episcopal Young Churchmen (EYC). Pohick has a Primary EYC for students in the fifth through sixth grade, a Jr. EYC for students in the seventh through eighth grade, and a Sr. EYC for those in ninth through twelfth grade. All three groups participate in service projects, trips, retreats, and, of course, outings that are "just-for-fun!" The usual meeting time is on Sunday evenings in the Parish House. Nicole Fluet, Christian Education Commission Co-Chair.

Flower Guild. The Flower Guild arranges for the flowers used at the Altar. This committed group is responsible for decorating the sanctuary for Sunday services, festival days, weddings and funerals. Anita Stribling, Director. Go to the Flower Guild Schedule.

Foyers Groups. Pohick Foyers groups were formed several years ago to promote fellowship among parishioners and as a way to introduce new members to those who have been here a little longer. The covered dish affairs are held at a group member's home approximately every month within each cell group. All are welcome to participate. Don and Darlene O'Connell, Coordinators.

Greeters. The Greeters welcome both Visitors and parishioners on Sundays, providing them with hospitality and special attention. Greeters are available to invite visitors to coffee in the Parish House, direct them to Sunday School classes, the Nursery, etc., and to introduce them to the clergy and other parishioners. Becky Wagner, Coordinator. Go to the Greeters Schedule.

Guild of the Christ Child. The Guild of the Christ Child works towards improving our nursery facilities and planning more activities for the young children and their parents. The Guild supports families after the birth of a child and at baptisms and confirmations. Jane Goeller, Guild Queen.

Historic Pohick Church Foundation. Formally known as the Pohick Church Endowment Fund Inc., this organization is a nonprofit charitable corporation that was established in 1983 for the purpose of maintaining and restoring the historic Pohick Church building. The goal of the Endowment Fund is to provide a source of funds to ensure the continued viability of Pohick Church without unduly burdening the operating funds of the parish. Bill Wrench, President.

Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs). The LEMs consist of communicants in good standing, who are approved by, and serve under the direction of the Rector. They participate regularly in the Sunday morning services, and at other times such as the Daily Offices, the Stations of the Cross, funerals, Holy Week services, and so forth. Rick Nelson, Coordinator. Go to the LEM Schedule. Go to the LEM Customary.

Lay Pastoral Ministers. This group finds its ministry in visiting those members of the congregation who are either homebound or in the hospital. Through their visits, members hope to communicate Christ's continuing presence in these individual's lives. Bill Stewart, Coordinator.

Neighborhood Lay Ministry Initiative. The entire congregation is divided into regional areas and local neighborhoods, where lay ministers help families to interact with each other in a variety of activities, depending on each neighborhood's sense of Christian calling. Doug Smith, Chair, Pastoral Care Commission.

Newcomers Group. Members of this group welcome newcomers to our congregation, introducing them to other parishioners and distributing to them packets of information about the life and worship of Pohick. Anne Poad, Coordinator.

Outreach. Through various drives and special events, the outreach ministry of the parish supports several local institutions committed to helping the needy in our community. These include the Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC), United Community Ministries (UCM) and Operation Friends. We also sponsor the Gunston Partners program, which pairs parishioners and other volunteers with students from Gunston Elementary School for tutoring sessions held on Tuesday evenings, 7-8 pm, during the school year. Susan Homar, Coordinator.

Parish Nurse. The Parish Nurse Ministry is grounded in the idea of holistic health, which implies that physical health is an integration of body, mind and spirit. The parish nurse’s role is NOT hands-on-care or duplication of other services, but to creatively bridge gaps in the health care system. The vision for the parish nurse at Pohick is to promote wellness and prevent disease in the parish community by ongoing communication with parish staff and members regarding its health needs and concerns. Such things as monthly blood pressure screenings, a blood drive, a flu shot clinic, and teaching a CPR course are being done or planned for the near future. Carol Heddleston, Parish Nurse.

Planned Giving Foundation. A branch of the Stewardship Commission, this organization seeks to educate parishioners and friends on how they might support the ministry of Pohick Church through bequests made in their wills. Doug Smith, President.

Pohick Post. The monthly Parish Newsletter, which is produced and distributed in both electronic and hard-copy forms. It contains columns from the clergy, program staff and wardens, as well as information about upcoming events. Paula Boundy, editor.

Tellers. The tellers are volunteers who take responsibility for seeing that all Sunday collections are properly accounted for and safely deposited in the bank so that they may be used for the ministries of the church. Pat Osisek, Coordinator. Go to the Tellers Schedule.

Ushers. Ushers greet arriving parishioners, direct persons to their seats, lend assistance when needed, direct the flow of communicants to and from the altar, distribute alms basins and return offerings to the altar, and answer questions about the church. These functions are performed as unobtrusively as possible with the dignity appropriate to worship and with an attitude of thanksgiving. Vern Eppley, Head Usher. Go to the Ushers Schedule. Go to the Usher's Customary.

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