It’s Shrine Mont time again! All parishioners are strongly encouraged to attend the annual parish retreat June 20 - 22, 2008 at the Diocese’s retreat center in Orkney Springs, Virginia. This is a great opportunity to unwind and get to know each other a bit better. Reverend Binder has a great program in store for the adults, which includes free babysitting and a number of activities planned for the kids. Please look for the registration form in this edition of the Post or in the Sunday bulletin. For those that have never been to Shrine Mont and would like more information, please call Tom or Susan Mayberry.
            May Vestry meeting:

            • The annual boundary walk of the Church property was conducted. There was one tree down, and one probable original growth poplar damaged by lightning. There were no new illegal deer stands. There were lots of mosquitoes and ticks.
            • Jud Sage, Cemetery Warden, provided an update on the future of the cemetery. There are presently fewer than 100 plots for general use. Jud recommended against expanding the cemetery since it would entail tying up land that would not be available for other purposes. Without expansion, interments will be limited to cremated remains. Jud discussed options to build a columbarium as a method to expand cemetery space. Given space constraints -- there is no room in the cemetery for such a structure -- and cost, he recommended against the construction since the memorial gardens should meet all future needs. 
            •Tim Wahlers and Rob Carter, Orr Associates, Inc., next briefed the Vestry on the key findings and recommendations regarding their campaign feasibility study for the Church. This study was based on an examination of Pohick’s financial records, and a comprehensive survey directed at 20 parishioners. The main points:

• The congregation is capable of successfully raising as much as $3,000,000 for a Phase One campaign to be conducted over three years after addressing a number of survey-identified obstacles.
  
  
• The Church is not ready to launch a $5,400,000 campaign for both Phase One and Two renovations.
  
  
• Obstacles consistently mentioned by those surveyed: ecclesiastical concerns with the national church; lack of growth; confusion regarding the architects plan.
  
  
• Nearly half (47%) of those surveyed felt that the $5,400,000 goal could be reached.
  
  
• No one stepped up to the plate to serve as the lead gift giver with a contribution of $1,000,000. Such a gesture usually brings in significantly more money. On a positive note, several parishioners are willing to give gifts in the six-figure range.
  
  
• Current leadership is committed to the campaign and support in the range of $171,000-$312,500. This should represent 10-20% of the total campaign gifts and is below expectations for a $5,400,000 campaign.

From Reverend Binder:

• Reverend Binder indicated that 13 adults and 19 youth will be received, confirmed, or baptized during Bishop Lee’s visit on June 15.
  
  
• He has received five resumes for the assistant rector’s position. His first round of interviews will begin within the week. He will then convene the selection committee for a second round of interviews.
  
  
• Rusty Booth will serve as the Youth Administrator at one quarter time until the end of July.

            • Reverend Foughty indicated that the EYC yard sale netted $1,380. This will help defray the cost to send the 20 youths and five adults on the mission trip to Savannah, Georgia. The last EYC function for this year is a Road Rally with picnic that will be held on June 8.
            • Wayne Biggs, Junior Warden, indicated that it will cost between $5,500 and $8,500 to repair the pipes between the boiler room in the Parish Hall and the Church.  Work is currently underway.
            • Susanne Leon/Susan Pehrrson, Service and Fellowship, could not attend this month’s meeting but provided email input. A parishioner sent an email suggestion to resurrect the annual parish picnic. This proposal will be studied in committee. Planning is underway for the annual volunteer breakfast on June 8 and the Bishop’s reception on June 15. A request to sponsor a weekly bridge night by one of the parishioners was also referred to the Service and Fellowship commission.
            • John Pasour, Treasurer, reported that plate and pledge income for April was 1.6% ($9,400) below expectations. The operating deficit for the month increased due to several large quarterly expenses - pensions and insurance. The year to date income is 31.8% of the total, which is well within the range of 30 - 33.8%. John also provided a report from the April 16 finance committee. The committee has some reservations about the percentage of the Church budget going to personnel costs. There was some discussion on subscription options in the Virginia Episcopalian. They also discussed a proposal to ramp up the Capital Repairs Fund and the Building Fund. The Building Fund reserve is too low ($30,000) to allow movement to the next steps in the building program. $100,000 is needed for engineering and land use legal work.
            • Wayne Biggs and Jeff Parker, Property, provided an estimate from Dorset Sound & Communications for the installation of a sound system in the Church building. The Vestry voted unanimously to install the system. Many thanks to Bill Wrench and the Historic Pohick Church Foundation (Pohick Inc.) for their work in making this happen. The Building Committee also met on April 30. They reviewed feedback collected at the parish forum and discussed the merits of the engineering proposals received to date. The Vestry next approved Austin Gastrell’s Eagle Scout project proposal to improve lighting along the walkways and steps in the vicinity of the Vestry House. Jeff Parker also reviewed the mission and goals of the Renovations Committee. They have received or are receiving bids for painting, carpeting, and soundproofing.
            • Don Brownlee, Planning and Policy, indicated that his commission has completed its preliminary review for the youth representative for the Vestry. More to follow soon.
            • Femi Ayorinde, Mission and Outreach, is looking for new members for his Mission and Outreach Committee. He currently has seven members. Per discussion with Reverend Binder, his commission, in conjunction with the Communications Commission, will be studying ways to reach out to the surrounding neighborhoods. Femi also briefed that Pohick has furnished the Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) with 825 pounds of food thus far this year.
            • Robin Teale, Pastoral Care, briefed that 34 units of blood was collected during the last blood drive. The blood mobile will return for the annual Church fair in October.
            • Dana Hutson, Christian Education, indicated that the Church school year is coming to an end and volunteers are committed to fill all the teaching positions for next year.
            • Stew Remaly, Stewardship, briefed that the stewardship pledge numbers and total amount, $450,000 are at the same point that they were in April with no new pledges. The activities fair went well. Edwardene Pitcock has put together the Wishing Well items, which appear in this issue of the Pohick Post. The Stewardship Commission is focusing on this year’s brochure, a draft Vestry stewardship statement, and a series of Post articles that will run in concert with this year’s campaign.
             • Steve Harding and Joe Moran, Communication, indicated that they will commence planning this year’s pictorial directory, which is published every three years.  They will be approaching parishioners who have been vital to this effort in previous years for assistance.

Volunteer Breakfast

On Sunday June 8, 2008, the Vestry is happy to invite all volunteers to a breakfast to thank them for the many hours of devotion to Pohick Church. Church services will be on the summer schedule at that time. The breakfast will begin at 8:45 am after the 8:00 am service and before the 10:00 am service.

Please sign up for this event and pick up free tickets  at the table set up during the coffee hours. Last minute attendees will also be welcome. For any questions, please call Susan Pehrsson or Susanne Leon. Looking forward to a great turn out in honor of the wonderful Pohick volunteers!