Last month, I briefly reported upon the setback suffered in our search over the summer for a new Minister of Music. To recap: of the two finalists recommended to me by the Search Committee, one accepted a more attractive offer while the other withdrew her name from further consideration.

Shortly after I wrote those words, the Search Committee reconvened to analyze the factors contributing to this unfortunate outcome. Mason Botts and other members of the Committee conducted post-interview discussions with the finalists, as well as with other members of the Northern Virginia music community.

The feedback we received was generally complimentary of Pohick’s music program, the congregation’s support for that program, and the demeanor of the Search Committee during its interviews. The major deficiency identified centered around the number of hours per week the position required. In short, we were told, we were advertising for a 3/4-time position while defining responsibilities that required full-time hours.

While this reflects well upon our outgoing Minister of Music’s willingness to invest the extra hours needed to expand our music program, it raised for us the need to provide adequate compensation for the demands of this position.

From its deliberations, the Search Committee recommended to the Vestry that the search be restarted only after defining and compensating the position at the full-time level. Following further vetting by the Personnel and Finance Committees, the Vestry approved this recommendation, allowing the Search Committee to begin its work again.

While I affirm the Vestry in taking this step of faith, I feel it is necessary for the congregation to understand its cost. With the Minister of Music position, we are bound to the compensation guidelines set by the American Guild of Organists (AGO). That organization recently updated its Northern Virginia salary package requirements to reflect the higher cost of living in the greater Washington area.

When that change is combined with the adjustment of the position hours, which includes the addition of a customary health and dental benefit, it results in an increase of about $27,000 per year to the total position package. Obviously, this has become the main focus of this year’s stewardship campaign, since this increase, along with cost of living increases for the rest of the staff, will represent our parish’s major new investment within the 2006 budget.

I am extremely grateful that over the four years of my tenure, the congregation has been very responsive in supporting the growth of our staff positions, as well as our attempts to keep salaries in line with both the demands of the position and the rising cost of living.

And so, four years ago we increased the Assistant’s housing allowance to a more realistic level, and brought the stipend in line with diocesan guidelines. Three years ago we added the position of Sexton at the half-time level - and last year further increased its compensation rate because John Sessum’s expertise has far exceeded what was envisioned in the original job description. Finally, two years ago we doubled the position hours of the Youth Minister from quarter to half-time.

In each case, the congregation has responded generously to the proposed increases. For this, I am exceedingly thankful. Interacting with the staff each day as I do, I can attest that all of them work their hearts out in their respective ministries at Pohick. They are deserving of all the support we can give them as they work in your service and in the service of our Lord. I trust that next year, I will be able to say the same about a newly hired Minister of Music.

And so I ask that as you consider next year’s pledge, you be as generous in your response to this ministry need as the congregation as a whole has been in its support of other growing ministry areas at Pohick over the past several years. I will add that the Personnel Committee will continue to monitor the various staff positions to ensure that each member of our staff team is receiving the support they need to be effective ministers of the Gospel. As these needs are identified, we will raise them up before the congregation.

For now, while continuing to support all of the staff, we hope to build upon the advances made within our Music program by filling the Music Minister position with a talented, highly motivated and spiritually centered individual.

Please help us to make this vision a reality.