Summer is here and as always, June will be a very busy month for Pohickians. Don’t forget that church services will be on the summer schedule as of June 6 with services at 8:00 am and 10:00 am. Upcoming events you will not want to miss this month include:

• The Sounds of Pohick Concert: June 5 at 7 pm
• Volunteer Breakfast: June 13 at 8:30 am
• Bishop’s Visit and Confirmations: June 20

Notes from the May Vestry meeting:

The Pohick Vestry met May 11. Father Binder opened the session with the Spiritual Welfare of the Cure, remembering those in our Parish that are in need of prayer.

Roberta Fede presented a report and recommendation from the Capital\Building Campaign Committee. The committee recommends that we hire a consultant to begin the process of discernment and survey. The Vestry approved the recommendation. The discernment and survey phase should begin in August of this year.

The Vestry has had a change in membership. Due to professional and other demands, Bruce Baird and Blaise Burry resigned from the Vestry. The Vestry has elected Doug Smith and Ken Evans to serve in their stead until the Parish Meeting in December. Thanks to both Bruce and Blaise for their service to the Parish during their tenures and we look forward to their continuing ministries with us in other capacities.

Father Binder reported that the organ restoration fund exceeded all goals. Part of the extra money raised will be used to add an additional row of “string” pipes. The remainder of the funds will go into the organ maintenance account. Thanks to all that contributed and organized fund raising events.

A Diocesan Task Force on Giving has been appointed by Bishop Lee pursuant to a resolution of the 209th Diocesan Council. The Task Force is seeking comment on specific issues related to financial support of the dioceses by parishes.

The issues include:

• How each parish’s obligation to support the diocese is or should be calculated;
• Whether such giving should be voluntary, mandatory, or some mix of these approaches;
• What, if any, enforcement mechanisms should be provided;
• Whether and what kind of conscience clause or alternate compliance mechanism should be provided for those parishes which have a conscientious objectionto giving to the unrestricted diocesan budget.

The Northern Virginia meeting will be held at Truro, Fairfax on June 2 at 7:30 pm.

One Vestry Gram was received in April. The Vestry Gram asked that “The Vestry consider contributing a portion of any restricted funds in the 2005 budget to the EYC annual weeklong work camp to repair homes of the elderly, destitute and disabled residents of impoverished communities.” This Vestry Gram was referred to the Finance Committee for consideration in the 2005 budget planning process.

The Junior Warden reported that the water project is on schedule. Installation should be finished in May. The traffic engineer for VDOT has reset the cycle time on the Old Colchester traffic light on Sunday mornings between 8:30 am and 11:30 am. The light should stay on longer to allow people coming out of church more time to turn onto Route 1. Thanks to all that participated in the Spring Clean Up.

Pete Kind, Treasurer, reported that plate and pledge giving continues to run ahead of budget for yet another month. Assuming this trend continues, we should be able to erase the budget deficit we had at the beginning of the year. The Finance Committee returned a recommendation that the Youth Minister position be changed from a quarter-time position to a half-time position. The Vestry approved this recommendation. Recruitment for the position continues.

Other reports of significance:

• The 2004 EYC mission trip is fully funded.
• The Wishing Well has returned to the Common Room.
• Parish Retreat: Our Parish Retreat to Shrine Mont will be held June 25 - 27, 2004, at our Diocese’s retreat center in Orkney Springs, Virginia. Please contact Tom or Susan Mayberry or Vonne Troknya if you wish to attend. Registration forms are available in the service bulletins, the June Pohick Post, and the Church office. Please note that the registration deadline is Sunday, June 20, 2004. Remember: this is a great event, but there is a limited capacity and the rooms go fast! To ensure a spot, register as soon as possible.

Feel free to contact me regarding any Pohick topics, suggestions or ideas. If you want an issue to be addressed before the Vestry, label all written or electronic correspondence “Vestry Gram.” To send a Vestry Gram, use the form on the back of the Pohick Post, e-mail me at RandyBrooks@cox.net, or catch me at coffee hour!

Randy Brooks
Senior Warden

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