Pohick Post, December 2013

8/13/2019 Pohick Post, December 2013

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POHICKPOST

Let your light so shine (Matt. 5:16)

Pohick Episcopal Church9301 Richmond Highway Lorton, VA 22079

Telephone: 703-339-6572 Fax: 703-339-9884

DECEMBER2013

From Te Rector

Te ReverendDonald D. Binder, PhD

Continued on page 2

In America at least, we do not often think of LeoTolstoy around Christmastime. For that matter,when most of us think of Leo Tolstoy at all, its prob-ably to wince over the memory of suering throughthe 1000+ pages of War and Peace for some collegeLit. class. But Tolstoy also wrote short stories. And one ofthem, not well known in the US, is a tting tale for usas we enter the season of Advent. Its about a Chris-tian cobbler seeking to nd meaning at Christmas-time. His name, immortalized in the title of the shortstory, was Papa Panov. Old Papa Panov lived in a small Russian villagenear the turn of the nineteenth century. Late after-noon on Christmas eve, he stepped outside his shoe-makers shop to take in the sights and the sounds ofthat festive day. e bright lanterns and the laughter

of childrens voices reminded him of Christmases past- times when his wife was still alive and his own chil-dren still at home. But now they were gone. And so it was with some sadness that Papa Panovshuttered his shop and went back inside to warmhimself by the charcoal stove. He did not often read,but that evening he pulled down the old family Bibleand traced his ngers over the Christmas story. Heread how Mary and Joseph, tired from their journey,had found no room in the inn, so that Marys babywas forced to be born in a stable.

Oh dear, oh dear! exclaimed Papa Panov, if

only they had come here! I would have given themmy bed, and I could have covered the baby with mypatchwork quilt to keep him warm. He went on toread about how the wise men had given the baby Jesustheir splendid gifts. At that his face fell. I have nogift to give him, he thought sadly. But then his facebrightened.

He rose up from his armchair and reached highup on a shelf in his little room. He took down a smalldusty box and opened it. Inside was a perfect pair of

tiny leather shoes. Yes, he smiled. ey were as goodas he remembered - the best shoes he had ever made.I would give him these, he said out loud. He returned to his chair and picked up the Bibleagain to read. But he was tired now, and the words be-gan to dance before his eyes. Soon he was asleep. Andin his dreams, who appeared to him but Jesus himselfYou have been wishing that you could see me, Papa


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Pohick Episcopal ChurchPage 2 December 2013

From the Rector: continued from page 1

Panov, Jesus said kindly. en look for me tomorrow.It will be Christmas Day and I will visit you. But lookcarefully, for I shall not tell you who I am.

When at last he awoke, the church bells were ring-ing outside and the morning sun ltered through theshutters. It was Christmas Day! He rose up excitedlyand put on a special pot of coee for his Christmasbreakfast. As he did, he wondered about his dream.How would Jesus appear to him? How would helook? Would he be a baby, as in the Christmas story?Or would he be a grown man, a carpenter with rawhands? Or would he appear as the King of Glory? He peered out his windows as he took down theshutters. e streets were deserted, no one even stir-

ring yet. No one, that is, except the street sweeper. Hewas cold and miserable as ever, having to do such a jobin the raw cold on Christmas Day. Papa Panov openedthe shop door and called out to the man. Come in!he shouted across the street cheerily. Come in andhave some hot coee to keep out the cold! e sweeper looked up and could scarcely believehis ears. He was only too glad to put down his broomand come into the warm shop. e grateful man camein and clasped his frozen hands around the awaitingwarm mug. As he drank, the two men talked. But asthey did, Papa Panovs eyes would glance over to the

window. Are you expecting someone? the street sweeperasked. Papa Panov then told him about his dream.Well, I hope he comes, the sweeper said. Youvegiven me a bit of Christmas cheer I never expectedto have. Id say you deserve to have your dream cometrue. After he left, Papa Panov put on some cabbagesoup for his dinner. As it cooked, he went to the door

again and scanned the streets. Still it was empty. Butfrom a distance, he saw a young woman carryingsomething. As she neared, he could see that it was ababy, wrapped in a shawl. ere was a sad look in hereyes and her babys pinched face. Wont you come in,he called, stepping outside to meet them. You bothneed a warm by the re and a rest. ey came in and the woman gave a sigh of reliefas she sat near the re. Ill warm some milk for thebaby, Papa Panov said. I have children of my own, soI can feed her for you. While he fed her with a spoon,

he warmed her feet by the stove. She needs shoes,the cobbler said. I cant aord shoes, the woman said. Im head-ing to the next village to look for work. en PapaPanov remembered the shoes he had looked at the

night before. But he was saving those for Jesus. Helooked at the child once more and made up his mindHe pulled down the box and put the tiny shoes onthe baby girl. ey were a perfect t. You have beenso kind to us, the girl said, when she got up withher baby to go. May all your Christmas wishes cometrue! But after they left, Papa Panov began to wonderif his special Christmas wish would indeed come trueAll day long he kept looking up and down the streetbut they were people he already knew. ey nodded

and wished him a Happy Christmas. en there werethe occasional beggars passing by. He went inside toget each some soup and a chunk of bread, but alwayshurried out so that he wouldnt miss seeing his mostimportant visitor. When the end of the day came and it was too darkto see anyone, he shuttered his windows with a sighIt had just been a dream, he said. Jesus had not comeHe sat down wearily in his armchair. en suddenlyhe realized he was not alone in his room. He was notdreaming because he was wide awake. He saw beforehis eyes the long stream of people who had come tohim that day. He saw again the old road sweeper, theyoung mother and her baby, and the beggars he hadfed. As they passed, each whispered, Did you not seeme, Papa Panov? Who are you? he asked.

en another voice answered him. It was the voicefrom his dream - the voice of Jesus. I was hungry andyou fed me, he said. I was naked and you clothed meI was cold and you warmed me. I came to you today in

everyone of those you helped and welcomed. en all was quiet and still. A great peace andhappiness seemed to ll the room, overowing PapaPanovs heart until he wanted to burst out singing andlaughing and dancing with joy.

So he did come after all! was all he said.

During the coming weeks of Advent and Christmas, joinwith Papa Panov in seeing the face of Christ on those we serveat Pohicks Christmas party for New Hope Housing, Breakfaswith Santa, and Christmas Food Baskets program - as well asin individual acts of kindness and charity to those in need.


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Pohick Episcopal Church December 2013 Page 3

From Te Assistant Rector

Te ReverendDr. Ruth E. Correll, Ed.D.

THEALPHACOURSE Over the past several years, Pohick Church hasoered e Alpha Course developed by Holy Trin-ity Church, Brompton (HTB), in London. Hereswhat has made church leaders in America take noteof the success of Alpha. HTB has a great track recordat bringing people outside the church to faith. Mil-lions of people have learned the basics of Christianitythrough Alpha. In the past two decades, HTB has seen tremen-

dous growth in a country where church attendancehas been in serious decline until the past year or so.In fact, approximately one-third of the population inthe UK identify themselves as agnostics or atheists.Furthermore, an even larger fraction consider them-selves de-churched. ese people have a personalrelationship with God but negative experiences withinstitutionalized religion that keep them from enter-ing a church door. Nevertheless, Alpha has contrib-uted to the weekly Sunday average attendance of fourthousand people spread across eleven services in threelocations at HTB. e Alpha course sessions take place on weekdays,preferably in a home rather than at a church. e nor-mal sequence follows the pattern of main meal, lec-ture, dessert, and discussion. e integration of goodfood (free or by voluntary donation) with the lectureand discussion attracts hungry students, newcomers tocity life looking for friendships, and others seeking away to spend the evening away from home. Hundredsattend Alpha weekly at HTB. e lectures by barris-

ter turned vicar, Nicky Gumbel, encourage the audi-ence to consider the purpose and meaning in life thatChristian faith oers. Alpha also produces literaturethat addresses objections, issues, and questions fre-quently encountered today. At the encouragement of our rector, Lyn YoullMarshall, our previous assistant, enthusiastically in-troduced us to Alpha. She herself had attended Alphain England and had spearheaded the courses for sev-eral years in various settings before coming to Pohick.Since her departure, Bruce and Beth Baird have con-

tributed resources and scores of hours to provide forcontinuity and momentum for Alpha. Bruce gives hisreasons for investing in Alpha.

Alpha is more than just a stimulating intellectualexperience. It has revitalized and deepened my faith

in God and humanity. e Alpha talks are challeng-ing, humorous and insightful. e group discussionsare natural and deeply meaningful. In combinationwith one another they have brought me closer to Godand other people than I ever thought possible.

By the best count we can make, about thirty Po-hickians have taken e Alpha Course here previous-ly, and a half dozen have just completed the courseWhat distinguishes this group from previous classeshere is that all the members of the recent class haverecently begun attending or returned after being away

from Pohick. It is a great way to make friendshipshere.

Pohick has also benetted from two other coursesproduced by Alpha. Eighteen couples have completede Marriage Course and about ve couples have tak-en e Parenting Course. During my time here, Ed-wardene Pitcock and Rita Stankwitz have presentedmouthwatering meals. Mike Elston and Dana Hut-son have also served as facilitators for the discussionsOther Alpha alumna have come a second time to behelpers and insightful listeners.

Here at Pohick, we have been less successful inbringing friends. However, our parishioners say Al-pha has revitalized and expanded their faith. BethBaird summarized her thoughts like this.

As I try to capture the essence of Alpha and whatabout it holds me, I think of the Alpha prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for the things I havedone wrong in my life. Please forgive me. I now turn

from everything that I know is wrong. Tank You thatYou died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven

and set free. Tank You that You offer me forgivenessand the gift of Your Holy Spirit. I now receive thatgift. Please come into my life by Your Holy Spirit, to bewith me forever. Tank You, Lord Jesus, Amen.

At a very personal level, with Alpha, my faith hascome more alive; it has become a real part of me that Idid not know before. My whole being has been touchedby the Holy Spirit and the love of God.

Watch your weekly tidings for details on our nextAlpha oering. Make a personal investment for longterm results!


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AGAPEWORKSMany individuals have volunteered to help

with Agape Works, however, the list needs to beexpanded. ere is a denite need for volunteersthat can provide transportation or food in an emer-gency situation. Fortunately, since beginning to or-ganize there have not been any requests. ose inneed of temporary assistance should contact HelenParker, 703-497-5927 or 703-489-9428 or JackieWells, 703-780-1472.

MUSICNOTES

Linda Egan,Minister of Music Come celebrate Linda Egans 50th anniversary as

a church musician on January 12, 2014, at 4:00 pmwhen she will play our beautiful Noack/Storey organfor an organ recital of thanksgiving. en come to areception following the recital. Linda began her career as a teenager who playedthe piano. When the organist of her church resignedin November, board members came to her and said,Look, it looks just like the piano, you can do this,to which she replied, How do you turn it on? Shewas paid $10 a week to accompany the adult choirand play for a Sunday service each week, and she gave

that $10 to her organ teacher, Dale Krider, to help herprepare for the services.

She subsequently graduated from GettysburgCollege with a double major in organ and voice, re-ceiving honors in performance and orchestration, andfrom Union eological Seminary School of SacredMusic, with honors in the Master of Sacred Musicorgan degree program. She has served churches in Maryland, New Jersey,Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Her hymn, e rst oneever, oh, ever to know appears in a number of cur-rent hymnals, including the Episcopal hymnal. She isa composer and a recitalist, presenting recitals in NY,NJ, PA, and now VA. Come hear this wonderful instrument, and help tocelebrate! Spread the word about the recital too.

COMMUNITYOFHOPECORNERJim Hayes

As the Advent season begins, there is expect-ant waiting and preparation for the celebration ofthe birth of the Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. For

most, it is a joyous time - a time spent with family andfriends at festive gatherings, dinners, and parties. econgregation worships as a community enriched bythe special liturgy and music of the season. However, there are some within the parish fam-ily for whom the Advent and Christmas seasons area time of tragedy, grief, and worry for a variety of rea-sons...loss of loved ones, physical and mental illnessand nancial hardship, to name a few. ese individu-als are suering and in need of hope and condence

Over the past year, working at the direction of theclergy, Community of Hope lay chaplains have strivedto bring the power of Gods redemptive love into thelives of those in crisis through a ministry of presence,quiet compassion, and prayer.

In preparation for the upcoming holiday seasonbe mindful of those who are in need. Consider themany blessings Pohick, as a spiritual community, en-joy, particularly the ministries, such as the Commu-nity of Hope, dedicated to helping the suering. God bless Pohick Church and its work within the

community. In this and the coming year, remain evermindful of the salvation through the coming of JesusChrist.

MARTHAGUILDe Martha Guild will be going out to dinner

for the December 4 meeting. e dinner will beheld at 6:30 pm at Firebirds Restaurant, 15100Potomac Town Place, Woodbridge, located nearWegmans/S tonebridgeat Potomac Town Center.

All Women of Po-hick are cordially invitedto join the group. If inter-ested, carpooling will beavailable - leaving the Colchester Road parkinglot at Church at 6:00 pm.

ose wishing to attend should contact Con-nie Myers, 703-455-4652, or [email protected] by Monday, December 2 so accurate reserva-tions can be conrmed.


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JACKSON-FEILDHOMESe Jackson-Feild Homes of Virginia treat

young girls who are victims of abuse or neglect.ey provide shelter, food, education, health care,and psychological counseling to some of Virgin-ias most disadvantaged adolescent females.

For a number of years, the Ann Mason Guildof Pohick, with generous help from the congre-gation, has supported one of Jackson-Fields cot-tages during the year and especially at Christmas,when Pohick contributes to the wish lists of about

10 girls.Please consider supporting these girls by writ-

ing a check to Ann Mason Guild with Jackson-Feild on the memo line. Con-tributions can be dropped inthe Ann Mason box in the of-ce, given to any Ann Masonmember, or added to the almsbag. e girls at Jackson-Fieldwill be so grateful!

CHRISTMASMART

To ALL the WONDERFUL people thathelped make the Christmas Mart another suc-cessful event - THANK YOU !

To all the great ladies who spent many, manyhours all year long preparing items for the Mart,for the fantastic help from the men in movingthe furniture, to all the volunteers that helpedprepare the various rooms, to the wonderful con-gregation for all the donations, to an unbelievablegroup of waitresses and kitchen crew - my sincereTHANKS.

To Greg Wilson - thank you for the use ofyour truck! A special thanks to the FANTASTICChairmen of the various rooms/functions - youare truly a blessing.

e prots from the Christmas Mart are di-vided among the Ann Mason Guild, MarthaGuild and the Women of the Church and usedby these groups in their various outreach projects,within and outside of the Church.

Sincerely, Connie Myers

THEGOLDENDOVEGIFTSHOP e Golden Dove Gift Shopocially opened on Saturday, Oc-tober 26, 2013 after months ofplanning and transforming a small

unused space of the Historic PohickChurchs 1932 Vestry House. eReverend Don Binder blessed theshop, and a ribbon cutting ceremo-ny followed. e shop was openedas a result of generous donationsfrom the congregation and will berun by volunteers. All proceeds willgo the churchs outreach ministry.Shop hours are Sundays from 9:00

am until 1:00 pm. Come visit the Golden Dovefor unusual Christmas gifts, or vol-unteer for a two hour shift: 9:00 am- 11:00 am or 11:00 am - 1:00 pmon Sundays. Its fun, and volunteers receive a 10% discount. Contact Donna Crawford or Terri Hayes if interested

Pictured from left to right are Vicki Albert, gift shop manager; the Rev. Don Binder, Terri Hayes, chair of the giftshops Board of Directors; and Mike Elston, Senior Warden at the ribbon cutting of the Golden Dove Gift Shop.


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UPDATEONISSUESINTHEANGLICANCOMMUNIONDon Brownlee

is monthly report is part of the Vestrys ongoing eort to in-form and update the Parish about the ongoing controversies withine Episcopal Church (TEC) and the Anglican Communion. esecontroversies largely involve the blessing of same-sex unions, or-dination of non-celibate homosexuals, interpretation of Scripture,and breakdown of traditional boundary lines between Provinces.

e Church of England [COE] has taken a major steptoward allowing women to be consecrated as bishops. ItsGeneral Synod voted overwhelmingly in mid-November tofast-track a plan calling for: Adoption of simple legisla-tion to allow women to be conse-crated as bishops;

A Declaration that theviews of who are opposed to thison theological grounds should beaccommodated;

Letting details on exactlyhow to do that be worked out lo-cally; and

Creating an ombudsman to resolve any disagreementsas the process plays out. e vote comes a year to the day after to a plan allowwomen bishops narrowly failed to gain the required majori-ties. Last years eort seemed to satisfy neither side. Sup-porters of ordaining women to the episcopate said it wouldhave made them second-class bishops, while opponents saidit did not provide enough protection for their point of view. Its defeat led to sharp criticism in the press and Parlia-ment, and a threat from Prime Minister David Cameronthat if the COE didnt nd a way to pass such legislation,Parliament would . e change from last years narrow defeat was dramatic.On a key test vote this year, 378 voted in favor with only25 against. Strong majorities of all three groups within theSynod - bishops, priests and laity - voted to support the

proposal; several major groups that had opposed last yearsproposals supported this one. e group Women and the Church, or WATCH,which has pushed hard for consecration of women, said thenew plan has much to encourage those campaigning for thefull inclusion of women at every level of the Church. Firstly,that the legislation put forward is simple and [reects the]General Synods desire to resolve the issue as quickly andas simply as possibleWATCH also supports the recom-mendation of the Group to legislate on this issue through aBishops Declaration, not an Act of Synod, and the whole-hearted endorsement of womens ministry in the ve guid-

ing principles.WATCHs statement added, e appointment of an

Independent Reviewer (or ombudsman) is a new proposaand one which allows a forum for all sides to raise issues andconcerns. As a new development, it will be interesting to seehow this is received by all groups involved. e group Forward in Faith, a leading voice of thosetheologically opposed to consecration of women, was amongthose who supported the plan on this go-round. oughthese proposals are still far from what we have long said

would be ideal, a statement said, we be-lieve that they may have the potential toprovide workable arrangements for thefuture, which will ensure that our people

clergy and parishes have continued accesto a ministry that will enable us to our-ish within the structures of the Church ofEngland and make our full contributionto its life and mission. ey hold out thepossibility of bringing to a conclusion a

process that for too long has been a distraction from theChurchs mission. Much will depend on the continuance othe atmosphere of trust that has at last begun to be fosteredby the process that produced these proposals. e statement said the group was particularly pleasedthat the proposed Declaration from the House of Bishopwould recognize our position as one of theological conviction which continues to be within the spectrum of Anglicanteaching and tradition and make a commitment to provi-sion, both pastoral and sacramental, without limit of time. Britains Telegraph newspaper quoted the bishop oRochester, who steered the debate, as saying the appoint-ment of Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury last yeahad been crucial in making progress. But he also singledout Abp. Justins subsequent decision to appoint a team omediators led by Canon David Porter, a Belfast-born clericwhose talks with the IRA and Loyalist paramilitaries helped

lay the ground for the Peace Process. Abj. Justin said after the vote: Todays overwhelmingvote demonstrates the widespread desire of the Church oEngland to move ahead with ordaining women as bishopsand at the same time enabling those who disagree to our-ish...e more we learn to work together the more eectivethe church will be in meeting the huge challenges of spiri-tual renewal, and above all service to our communities, so ato both proclaim and demonstrate the reality of the love ofChrist.

Continued on page 7


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e plans have not yet actually been adopted. Rather,the General Synod approved a resolution welcoming pro-posals from a working group and Statement of Principlesfrom the churchs House of Bishops on the matter, andinviting the bishops to bring nal proposals back to theSynod in nal form in February.

* * * e Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans orFCA, held its second worldwide conference in Nairobi, Ke-nya in late October. A communique committed delegates to: Defend essential truths of the biblical faith even whenthis defence threatens existing structures of human author-ity. Arm and endorse the position of the Primates

Council in providing oversight in cases where provinces anddioceses compromise biblical faith, including the arma-tion of a duly discerned call to ministry. is may involveordination and consecration if the situation requires. Support those who in standing for apostolic truthare marginalized or excluded from formal communion withother Anglicans in their dioceses. We have therefore rec-ognized the Anglican Mission in England (AMiE) as anexpression of authentic Anglicanism both for those withinand outside the Church of England Oppose the secular tide running in favour of co-habitation and same-sex marriage. Work for the transformation of society though thegospel. We repudiate all violence, especially against womenand children; we shall work for the economic empowermentof those who are deprived; and we shall be a voice for perse-cuted Christians. Several of these commitments point to the possibilityFCA may go into Great Britain, Canada and the U.S. to or-dain priests and consecrate bishops who share its theologicalviews, even when such actions go against traditional Angli-can lines of authority and organization. e commitment torecognize the Anglican Mission in England is a direct chal-

lenge to the authority of the Church of England at home,and by extension that of the Anglican Communion. FCA was formed in 2008 to take a counter a false gos-pel which it sees as spreading through the Anglican Com-munion, taking united stand for truth against the moralcompromise, doctrinal error and the collapse of biblical wit-ness.

* * * Just before that meeting, Abp. Justin traveled to Nai-robi to be in solidarity with the Kenyan people followingthe deadly attack and siege at the Westgate shopping mall.While there, he met with several bishops and at least six pri-

mates aliated with GAFCON, part of his eort to meetwith all primates of the Anglican Communion during hirst year in oce. In his sermon at All Saints Cathedral, he said he hathought for a long time that there is a need for new struc-tures in the Anglican Communion. e current divisions telme that we need a new way of being together that reectsthe 21st century, equality, and the partnership we share inthe gospel around the world, not the old colonial structures.e statement was seen as supporting GAFCONs visionfor a renewed and restructured church. He had been invited to speak at GAFCON, but waunable to do so due to long-standing commitments, in-cluding ociating at the baptism of Prince George. Elsewhere: e bishop of Easton, on Marylands Eastern Shorehas announced his resignation, eective next July. But rathe

than call for election of successor, as would be the normalcourse, he proposed electing a Provisional Bishop to leadthe diocese through a period of discernment about its fu-ture. is could be a chance, he wrote the diocese, for usto re-examine the oce of Bishop as well as the question Ifrequently hear, What exactly is a diocese? Having a periodof time under a Provisional Bishop would allow us the op-portunity to catch our breath and examine these questionsand not be hurried into making a decision. In the midst ofa changing Church, we do not have to be locked into doingthings the same old way; perhaps new times require newand creative approaches. One possible outcome might be amerger with the larger Diocese of Maryland, which takein all the rest of the state except Montgomery and PrinceGeorges counties.

e Diocese of Chicago has led new lawsuits at-tempting to reclaim control over property in what was theDiocese of Quincy. A majority of the priests and people inthe Diocese of Quincy voted in 2008 to leave e Episco-pal Church [TEC] and aliate with e Province of theSouthern Cone. Last year, those who wanted to remain withe Episcopal Church voted to merge the continuing TECdiocese with the larger Diocese of Chicago.

Earlier this year, a judge in Adams County, Illinois sid-ed in a property case with those who voted to leave TECe Diocese of Chicago and TEC are appealing that rulingIn November, the Diocese of Chicago and TEC led a newproperty lawsuit in another jurisdiction, Peoria County.

It is important to remember that despite all these controversiesthe work of the Church - globally, nationally, and locally - goes on.

Pohicks commitment drive this year has focused on the manyways Pohick carries out that work, and spreads the good News. Pohickcontinues to be the only Bible some people will ever read. roughPohicks donations of food and clothing to LCAC, adult and youth mis-sion trips, LCAC Backpacks drive and Community of Hope, Pohickcontinues to leak the love of God to those in need.

Update on Issues in the Anglican Communion,continued from page 6


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e people of Syria could use Jesus healing powernow. Syria, just on the edge of where Jesus walked, hasone of the longest Christian histories in the world.Estimates vary, but the modern Syrian Christian pop-ulation rests somewhere between 6% and 10% of thetotal population of about 22.5 million. ese guresare certainly in ux due to the current conict, thedeaths of over 100,000 people and the refugee ows

from the ghting into the neighboring countries.Syria was an integral part of the early Christian

world and has become home to a diverse Christianpopulation, both ancient and modern. Syrias majorChristian denominations include Roman Catholic,Greek Orthodox and Syrian Orthodox. One of theother historically important denominations is the As-syrian Church of the East (Nestorians) whose peoplestill speak Aramaic, which is close to the language Je-sus spoke. Anglicans fall far down the list with lessthan 10,000 adherents, which is somewhat more thanin Egypt. In modern Syria, Christians tend to be moreurbanized than other groups and are well-representedin Damascus and Aleppo with Homs and Latakia alsobeing important Christian centers.

e current President Bashar al-Assad took overafter his fathers death in 2000. Father and son comefrom the Islamic Alawite minority and have ruled overessentially secular regimes. ese brutal, despotic re-gimes, nevertheless, gave Christians more rights thanin most Middle Eastern countries. While living under

the same tyrannical system as all Syrians, the Chris-tians had the freedom to worship and run schools andchurches. e Arab Spring spread into Syria in 2011 withdemonstrations demanding reforms and more popu-lar participation in the government. e governmentmet the demonstrations increasingly forcefully, even-tually igniting the current civil war. As the war hasprogressed, it has taken on the character of a regionalconict and become increasing sectarian among theSyrian Muslim population. e opposition major-

ity Sunni population has received support from theWest, including the US, and other Sunni Middle Eastnations such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar. A numberof Sunni extremist groups have joined the conict toaid the secular opposition, including those claimingallegiance to al Qaeda. Russia has come out in strongsupport of the al-Assad government along with theShia nation of Iran and the Lebanese terrorist group

Hezbollah. In this civil war in Syria, which increasing lookslike a Sunni vs Shia conict, Christians have beencaught in the middle. While any general characteriza-tion is dicult to make, Christians tended to be on theside of the anti-government forces at the beginning ofthe conict. However, many other Christians tendedto support the al-Assad government due to its secu-lar stance. As the civil war has evolved and extremistsgroups have become increasingly involved, Christianchurches and people have suered many attacks basedon religion (e.g. the web site www.persecution.org de-tails many). Many Christians fear the eventuality ofan extremist Islamic faction taking power.

One cannot easily characterize what has happenedto the Christian minority in Syria. A number havebeen killed, either directly targeted or killed by virtueof being in the wrong place, a large number have edthe country and remain in the surrounding countriesas refugees, while others have remained. Of those thathave remained, some feel they have no choice or can-

not leave while others feel called by God to continuetheir lives and their silent witness for His voice. Pleasepray for the families of those who have died or facedaily danger in Syria. Please also pray for those in therefugee camps and the Christian organizations whichminister within the country and surrounding area. e conict in Syria will likely continue into thefuture with the people facing the burden of the vio-lence. e Syrian Christians as well as the Muslimscould certainly use Jesus healing power now!

THEPERSECUTIONCORNERBy Bob Munson

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom,and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria,

and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suering severe pain,

the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.Matthew 4: 23-24


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Sunday Monday uesday Wednesday Tursday Friday Saturday

DEC 1 2 3 4 5 6 7Advent 1a7:45a HE I9a HE II10:15a Christian Ed11:15a HE I

9:30a Sta Mtg11:30a AnnMason GuildLuncheon2:30p HE/FX

6p St. FrancisChoir7p HOA7:30p HealingService7:30p MarthaGuild

6:15p Bell Choir7p EFM7:30p Choir ofPohick8:30p AA

8a Brotherhoodof St. Andrew9:15a DocentResearch10a PageantRehearsal5p Candlelight

our & Dinner

8 9 10 11 12 13 14Advent 2a7:45a HE I9a HE II10:15a Christian Ed11:15a HE II

4p ChristmasPageant

6p ShelterChristmas Party

9:30a Sta Mtg2:30p HE/FX7p Vestry Mtg

6p St. FrancisChoir7:30p BlueChristmas

Service

6:15p Bell Choir7p EFM7:30p Choir ofPohick

8:30p AA

8a Brotherhoodof St. Andrew9a Breakfast withSanta

15 16 17 18 19 20 21Advent 3a7:45a HE I9a HE II10:15a ChristianEd/FX Visit11:15a HE I12:30p YouthChoir

9:30a Sta Mtg2:30p HE/FX

6p St. FrancisChoir7:30p HealingService


8a Brotherhoodof St. Andrew9:15a RenovationCmte

22 23 24 25 26 27 28Advent 4a

8a HE I10a Lessons &Carols11:30a Youth Choir

Christmas Eve

6p Family Eu-charist10:30p CarolService11p FestivalEucharist

Christmas Day

10a HE II

7p EFM

8:30p AA

8a Brotherhood

of St. Andrew

29 30 31 JAN 1 2 3 4Christmas 1a8a HE I10a HE II

New Years Eve New Years Day7:30p HealingService


8a Brotherhoodof St. Andrew9:15a DocentResearch10a COH

4p Leon Wedding

Pohick Church Activities December 2013

Contact the Parish Secretary, Vonne Troknya, [email protected], to list group meetings or events on the calendar.

Send News!

Articles for the January 2014 Pohick Postare due no later than December 15!

Forward input by email in Word compatible format

to Lori Buckius, [email protected].

Design concerns & items for the Sunday Service Volunteers

page should be addressed to Carmel Hodge, [email protected].


10/12


SUNDAY SERVICE VOLUNEERS

Te Sunday Service Volunteers Schedule is also available at Pohick Churchs website, www.pohick.org, under Ministries.

1 DECEMBER 8 DECEMBER 15 DECEMBER 22 DECEMBER 29 DECEMBER

7:45 Rodger Jones

Mike Zane

ony Marsico

Stew Remaly

Alan Mayberry

Mike Vaughn

8am Rodger Jones

Becky Wagner

8am Stew Remaly

Mike Zane9:00 John Pasour

Pehr PehrssonEdwardene PitcockFuzzy urston

Mo FaberSantos Garcia

John GodleyGrant Hodges

Wes SpeerDan DerbesBill PattonCamela Speer

om Bland10am Don Cooke

Jim FosterJan Hoheins

10am Chris BrownMatt Gurrola

Jim HellerDennis Myers

11:15 Angela EdgemonSteve Edgemon

Bill BlandDon Homar

Kathy KirklandDave Billingsley

7:00 R. Wyllie C. Herbert R. Stankwitz J. Pasour N. Sunderland

1:00 . Buckner K. Myers J. Bireley K. Kirkland . Marsico

12:15 M/M Myers Faber/Hoheins M/M urston Remaly/Bartlett Kirkland/Hoheins

AM J. WellsN. Sage

J. BuckleyC. FosterH. ParkerR. Stankwitz

J. WellsN. Sage

J. BuckleyC. FosterH. ParkerR. Stankwitz

BJ McPhersonA. Marsico, E. PitcockA. Powell, J. SchmidM. onkinD. russellM. Yezek

BJ McPhersonA. Marsico, E. PitcockA. Powell, J. SchmidM. onkinD. russellM. Yezek

J. SunderlandN. Bireley, A. CannonC. Heddleston

J. MacDonaldM. HartigR. Teale, B. Wagner

AM J. Brimmer T. Stankwitz S. Homar BD BD

7:45 M/M Jones M/M Altman M/M Jones M/M Bireley Wagner/Byrne

9:00 M/M Schow M/M Harding M/M Myers Arnhart/Duggin M/M From

11:15 M/M urston M/M Yezek M/M Yezek K. Kirkland M/M urston

7:45 Doug Smith M/M Ken Evans Becky Wagner Marleen McCabe M/M Rodger Jones

9:00 M/M Fred Crawford John Dwyier M/M Jud Sage M/M Bob Armstrong M/M Chris Brown

11:15 M/M Rick Nelson M/M Don Homar M/M Haufe C. Hodge Leslie Aqueron

9:00 C. Knipling C. Heddleston . Hayes P. Kind E. Pitcock 11:15 Clark/Wells L. Kittle S. Costa M/M Foresman B. Bland

7:45 Springer (R)Sunderland (P)

Elston (R)orson (P)

Hayes (P)Springer (R)

8am Pasour (R)orson (P)

8am Springer (P)Sunderland (R)

9:00 Faber (R)Cockroft (P)

Nelson (P)Ayorinde (R)

Pasour (P)Cockroft (R)

Lessons & Carols 10am Poad (R)Sage (P)

11:15 Sage (P)Poad (P)

M. Booth (P)R. Booth (R)

S. Harding (R)M. Harding (P)

11:30am Ayorinde (P)Elston (R)

No Late Service

OPEN - UP

LOCK - UP

TELLERS

ALTAR GUILD

FLOWER GUILD

COFFEE HOUR

USHERS

GREETERS

DOCENTS

LAY READERS


11/12


Join The Celebration At PohickSunday, December 22 8:00 am: Holy Eucharist 10:00 am: Lessons and Carols

Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24 6:00 pm: Family Holy Eucharist 10:30 pm: Carol Service11:00 pm: Festival Holy Eucharist

Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25 10:00 am: Holy EucharistSunday, December 29 8:00 am and 10:00 am: Holy Eucharist

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION TOWARDS THEPOINSETTIAS AND GREENS THAT DECORATE THE CHURCH AT CHRISTMAS TIME.

Given By:______________________________________________________________________________

In Memory or Tanksgiving: (Written the way you wish it to appear in the Christmas Bulletin.)

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Please make checks payable to Pohick Church Designate for Christmas FlowersTe price is $11.00 Te deadline is December 15

is form with check may be returned to the desk of the Church Secretary or dropped in the alms basket.

Christmas Flowers"


12/12

Pohick Church

9301 Richmond Highway

Lorton, Virginia 22079-1519

Return Service Requested

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

P A I DPermit No. 2Lorton, VA

Te Purpose of Pohick Church is to be a nourishing community where Christs love is experienced and taken beyond its walls

Pohic

kChurchStaff

Rector:

eRevdDonald

Binder,PhD

Assistant:

eRevdDr.Ruth

E.Correll,Ed.D.

Seminarian:

eRevdKenneth

J.Katona

MinisterofMusic:

LindaEgan

Directorof

ChristianEd:

FrancesSessums

YouthMinister:

RustyBooth

Parish

Secretary:

VonneTroknya

FinanceAdmin:

MikeMorgan

Sexton:

JohnSessums

Telephone:703-339-6572

Fax:703-339-9884

ChurchOfceEmail:[email protected]:www.pohick.org

Poh

ickChurchVestry

Sr.Warden:MikeElston

Jr.W

arden:NeilSunderland

Treasurer:JohnPasour

Reg

ister:

KathyKirkland

Members:

JudBireley,DonBrownlee,

TomBuckner,

ReedHeddleston,

ClintHerbert,TonyMarsico,

KristinaMyers,StewRemaly,

TomRivenbark,GrantSmith,

RitaStankwitz,RussWyllie

VESTRY

GRAM

To:eVestry

D

ate:_____________________Subject:_____________________

From:

Documents

Pohick Post, December 2013