The December Vestry meeting is probably the busiest of the Church year. Rev. Binder welcomed the newly-elected members: Stew Remaly (2010), Dana Hutson (2010), Steve Harding (2010), Don Brownlee (2010), Jeff Parker (2010), and Femi Ayorinde (2009). Many thanks to all the candidates.

Thanks for the superb service provided by the departing members of the Vestry: Edwardene Pitcock, Doug Smith, Greg Wise and Mike Wooten.

Notes from the December meeting:

• Rev. Binder reported that he concluded the adult education program, Classics of the Christian Journey. He mentioned that the search for a Priest Associate was ongoing. Six candidates have been pared down to three. The search will continue in the New Year.

• Dick Heintze is in the process of upgrading the Church computers.

• Rev. Foughty briefed that the December EYC lock-in was a resounding success. She indicated that she would be having the first EYC mission trip planning meeting this month.

• Tom Mayberry indicated that Wendy Remaly has volunteered to serve as the 2009 Pohick Country Fair Chair, and consequently, will serve as Steve Harding’s Co-Chair for this year’s fair. Mike Wooten has agreed to serve as the 2010 Fair Chair.

• Wayne Biggs, Junior Warden, indicated that new carpeting would be installed in the next two to three weeks. He mentioned that when technicians inspected the kitchen’s fire suppression system last month, they did not reconnect power to the stove and oven. As a number of parishioners recall, this made many nervous given that this occurred the weekend before the Monday Homeless Christmas Party.

• Doug Smith, Mission and Outreach, recounted an action-packed month for outreach, which included a food drive, Breakfast with Santa, the homeless gift exchange, support to LCAC, the Christmas party for the homeless, and Christmas food baskets. He indicated that he would be having an adult mission trip meeting in February following a red beans and rice fundraiser on January 20. Doug also nominated four parishioners for the St. George’s Award. The nominations were approved for this recognition of exemplary work to support Scouting.

• John Pasour, Treasurer, indicated that plate and pledge income for November was excellent, the highest percentage of budget in the last ten years - only .9 percentage points below the historic average with a year to date shortfall of $5,200. Expenses continue to be within budget. As budgeted, $15,000 was transferred from the Fair Account to the Operating Fund. The actual Fair net is approximately $16,600, which will be kept in the Fair Account.

• The Vestry also approved the expenditure of $10,000 for architectural work to commence on Phase 1A (parking, roadwork, utilities) of the Capital Campaign.

• The Vestry also approved the 2008 parish budget of $616,000. While this includes a projected shortfall of around $40,000, the Vestry is optimistic that Pohick will end the year with a balanced budget.

• Edwardene Pitcock, Stewardship, provided an update on the 2007 stewardship campaign. There are presently 146 pledges totaling $436,009. At the same point last year, the total pledge amount was $419,000.

• The meeting concluded with election of Vestry officers. Officers for 2008 are as follows: Senior Warden: Tom Mayberry, Junior Warden: Wayne Biggs, Treasurer: John Pasour, Register: Robin Teale.