Central Florida Episcopalian Newspaper September, 2017

CENTRALFLORIDAEPISCOPALIAN NEWS FROM THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA • WWW.CFDIOCESE.ORG • Volume 119, No. 5 • September 2017

35 Years and Counting

Cathedral Choirs Soar Under Ben Lane VBS Campers ‘Go for the Gold’ Hospitality Can Be a Sacramental Thing Bishop Brewer Visits Honduras Church Couple Heading to Southeast Asia

Special Issue

The Diocese of Central Florida The Right Reverend Gregory O. Brewer, Bishop Serving 15 counties through 86 churches and 30,000 members The Episcopal Church The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate An international community of 2.5 million Christians in North and South America, Europe and Taiwan The Anglican Communion The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury A global community of over 85 million Christians in over 165 countries around the world

Central Florida Episcopalian The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer, Bishop The Rt. Rev. John W. Howe Retired The Rt. Rev. Hugo Pina-Lopez Retired The Rt. Rev. John Said Retired The Rt. Rev. William H. Folwell Retired The Rev. Canon Timothy Nunez Canon to the Ordinary The Rev. Canon Dr. Justin Holcomb Canon for Vocations The Ven. Kristi Alday, Archdeacon Mr. Earl Pickett, Diocesan Administrator Mr. Erick Perez, Subscription Manager

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Table of Contents Bishop’s Column...................................................................................................................3 Cathedral Choirs Take Lane to Success.............................................................................. 4-5 Building Up Students in the Word of God................................................................................6 VBS Kids ‘Go for the Gold’ at St. Elizabeth’s............................................................................7 Three Diocesan Youths Receive Scholarships at Camp Wingmann............................................8 Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center Cover.......................................................................9 Canterbury Introduction by the Rev. Dr. Jon Davis.............................................................10-11 Canterbury Celebrates 35th Anniversary in Record-Setting Style...........................................12 40 Days of Funding/Becoming a Partner..............................................................................13 Meet the Staff of Canterbury................................................................................................13 A Calling for Hospitality Brings Minnesotan to Canterbury.....................................................14 Blue Corn Soap Keeps Canterbury Awash in Generosity.........................................................15 What Makes Life Worth Living..............................................................................................16 What Others Are Saying About Canterbury............................................................................17 Canterbury Guests Love Centuries-Old Cuban Dish...............................................................18 Groups Find Ties That Bind at Canterbury.............................................................................18 Ministries, Organizations Love Sacred Space at Canterbury..................................................19 Canterbury Calendar...........................................................................................................20 Bishop Brewer Travels to Honduras for Annual Convention....................................................21 Answering the Call to Minister in Southeast Asia...................................................................22 ECW Province IV Retreat Discusses Racial Reconciliation......................................................22 Diocesan Calendar of Events/Bishop Brewer Visitation Schedule..........................................23 The Central Florida Episcopalian is published by the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida through the cooperative efforts of HigherLife Publishing & Marketing in Oviedo. Submissions are welcome, but are subject to editing and use at the discretion of the Central Florida Episcopalian.

Please submit notices two months prior to event, and follow-up information as soon as possible to: The Central Florida Episcopalian 1017 E. Robinson St. Orlando, FL 32801-2023 Email: eperez@cfdiocese.org • www.cfdiocese.org Tel: (407) 423-3567 • Fax: (407) 872-0006 Or HigherLife Publishing & Marketing Editorial Director: Jeff Gardenour / editorial@ahigherlife.com Project Manager: Will Hadley / whadley@ahigherlife.com website address: www.ahigherlife.com

Clarifications

In the Central Florida Episcopalian July 2017 edition, there are two instances that need clarification: On the bottom of page 8, the photo caption should have read: Adult leaders, from left, the Rev. Deke Miller, Rev. Becky Toalster, Rev. Phyllis Bartle and Rev. Robert Dinnerville were on hand for last December’s youth event. Bartle and Miller also were on hand for New Beginnings in March.

On page 18, in the Institute for Christian Studies Courses, New Testament Survey listing, the instructor’s title should have read: The Very Rev. Dr. Reggie Kidd, Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando.

Corrections

In the Central Florida Episcopalian July 2017 edition, on page 31, Bishop Brewer’s Visitation Schedule had an erroneous date listed. Lauren Larkin’s ordination was listed as Aug. 12, 2017, but should have been Aug. 19, 2017.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

BISHOP BREWER

Canterbury: A Metaphor for Our Diocese

By Bishop Gregory O. Brewer

more than 100 people meets there.

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Back in the beginning, after we constructed the first buildings, we wondered if the retreat center would be there for the long haul. But after 35 years, I think we can say that yes, it will. We can look back and see how God has used Canterbury to change people’s lives: real conversions, deeper experiences of Christ – it’s a huge number. For lots of individuals, the retreat center is a special place of real hospitality where God has touched them in a significant way.

But Wingmann is a camp, not a conference center.

It has bunkhouses, not motel rooms. Wooden benches, not comfortable chairs. A mess hall, not a dining room.

People feel welcomed when they come onto the property. It’s a warm and inviting space. Most of all, it’s a prayed-in space, and people sense that.

Yes, smiling faces greet them, but more than that, Canterbury exudes a sense of the presence of God. That’s a huge part of what people value.

s I reflect on the 35th anniversary of the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center, I can’t help but go back to my time as a young priest right here in our diocese. I served on the Youth Ministry Commission, and back then, all overnight events happened at (Avon Park’s) Camp Wingmann: adult, youth and anything else the diocese sponsored.

So, the diocese decided to create a more conference-friendly facility. The original vision, then, was a space for every kind of conference one could imagine, whether for Cursillo, clergy conference, a diocesan conference, a vestry retreat or other Christian events, both inside and outside our denomination.

From the beginning, we saw Canterbury as a conference center alternative to youth-oriented Camp Wingmann. And in its 35 years of existence, it has become just that.

Growing in Hospitality Over the years, Canterbury has had its ups and downs. We went through a phase where lots of people used it, then a phase where not so many used it, and now, I think we’ve turned the corner.

Today, I can say with delight that Canterbury is a true place of Christian hospitality and ministry enjoyed by many. The usage calendar fills up quickly, and it’s become more than just an Episcopal facility. In fact, all sorts of Christian groups use it. For example, every Tuesday morning at 7, a non-denominational men’s Bible study of

www.cfdiocese.org

Building on Success I think every institution must think about how it can continue to be useful in the days ahead. Given who we are and where we’re located, that means upgrades: enhancing what we do, improving the quality of our accommodations and expanding our facilities. Some groups need more beds than we presently offer. We want to grow and keep the inthe-woods intimacy people love so well. In other words, we don’t want to become a hotel complex.

As we look ahead, how can we make Canterbury an even more inviting place?

I invite you to come and see what we’re doing here.

Avail yourself of the many programs. And be aware that a part of our challenge lies in our desire to keep costs down. To do that, we need a donor base of strong financial support.

Are you a believer in the ministry and mission of Canterbury? Then pray and see if God would have you help us underwrite this unique diocesan resource.

Bishop Greg Brewer

Extending the Mission In some ways, Canterbury is a metaphor for the diocese. Just as God has done great things with Canterbury, God has done great things with the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida. And just as Canterbury looks toward expanding and improving, so we are raising the caliber of what we do. We’re preparing strong clergy for the future and providing helpful programs for our local congregations so they can do an even better job.

In the past eight weeks alone, we’ve ordained 20 new people; that’s a lot. We not only have churches that are growing, but we want to plant more. And in order to do that, we need leadership. In the midst of talk about the Episcopal Church declining, we are growing.

Your diocesan staff spends a lot of its time recruiting, training, raising up and deploying clergy to serve not only our existing congregations, but new ones as well. People want to come and serve here. Just as at Canterbury, they sense the presence of God, and that’s contagious.

I invite you to join God’s work in Canterbury and throughout our diocese. I’ll be there. Will you?

Grace to You,

Bishop Gregory O. Brewer

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

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DIOCESAN FAMILY

Cathedral Choirs Take Lane to Success

Famed singers travel around the world

By Clay Rivers

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he music ministry of the Cathedral Church of Saint Luke, under the direction of Canon Benjamin Lane, Cathedral Musician, shares the Good News far and wide through its choirs, which provide opportunities for young people as well as adults to perform, and offers diverse and high-quality concert series year after year by incorporating excellent musical instruments and talented musicians from throughout the music community.

This, according to Lane, is part of the Cathedral’s mission as seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida and a member of the greater Orlando community.

Lane first learned of the then-vacant position of Cathedral Musician while teaching and directing music at Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin. Due to Florida’s hot and humid subtropical climate, he was reluctant to mail in his paperwork and a cassette in fall 1990. A few weeks later, the search committee notified Lane that he was one of three finalists chosen from 80 hopefuls.

The following January, in 0-degree weather, Lane left Milwaukee for extensive interviews in Central

The Orlando Deanery BoyChoir joined the Cathedral Choir as guest choir in the Holy Eucharist at the Cathedral in 2015.

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

Florida’s balmy 80-degree climate with Cathedral clergy and choir representatives, and members of the community who participated in the Cathedral’s rich musical life. After experiencing Saint Luke’s conscientious commitment to finding a quality music director to work in both the Cathedral and the community—and the irresistible appeal of Central Florida’s subtropical winter—Lane warmed up to the idea that the Cathedral Church of Saint Luke would be an ideal fit and accepted the position.

Twenty-six years later, Lane places a laser-like focus on strong choral music, including choirs for adults that include chamber singers who sing for special events like Tenebrae and concerts, and several children’s choirs: Orlando Deanery Boychoir and Girls Choir, and the Cathedral Choristers. The key to the choirs’ success? Lane strives to create a family-style environment that emphasizes teamwork, balances fun and hard work, and values the vocal and personal contribution of each member. He lauds his choir members for checking their egos at the door and exhibiting a high level of commitment to making good music together during the 2-hour weekly rehearsals.

Lane’s musical talents and family-style approach to his choirs have helped the Cathedral achieve some impressive accomplishments.

DIOCESAN FAMILY The Orlando Deanery Choirs, located in the top right corner of the massed choir, were one of only 15 youth choirs in the U.S. to be invited to participate in the American Musical Performance National Choirs performance at Carnegie Hall in June of 2014 in New York.

Canon Benjamin Lane, Cathedral Musician, leads a performance in 2014.

The Cathedral’s choirs travel as cultural ambassadors for the city of Orlando and have performed in cathedrals around the world, including St. Paul’s Cathedral in London; Westminster Abbey, London; St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Tokyo; and Episcopal cathedrals in Munich, Vienna, and Prague.

Domestically, the choirs have performed at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, New York; Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, New York; the Episcopal and Roman Catholic Cathedrals in New Orleans; and most recently, the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., to name a few.

Involvement in the children’s choirs advanced training program prepares youth, as young as 6 years old, to sing and perform on a professional level. While the Boychoir and Girls Choir members are primarily from the community and sing for events other than Sunday mornings, the Choristers is comprised of child singers who are members of the Cathedral and sing almost exclusively on Sunday mornings.

Shepherding the Cathedral’s music ministry is not without its challenges. The music director says his biggest challenge is not to overextend himself, the staff, and the people involved in the choirs.

During their New York City Tour in 2014, the Orlando Deanery Choirs visited Top of the Rock, an observation deck located on the top of what is called the GE Building, in Midtown Manhattan.

“There’s so many potential opportunities to do different performance and projects, but we don’t have the time, the staff, or the budget,” he said.

Lane said the Cathedral’s music budget is used wisely, despite the program’s success. “There’s a misconception that our choirs operate on a lavish budget,” he said. “That’s not the case at all. What you see is created on a very small budget. So, I have to be mindful that demands of others and the demands of the Cathedral choirs’ workloads don’t become burdensome.”

When asked about his vision for the future of the Cathedral’s music ministry, Lane said “five years from now I’d like to see us involving more people outside the Cathedral in making music; instrumentalists and orchestras, which are expensive items. I’d like to increase the responsibilities of my assistants, Melissa Ramb and Michael Petrosh. Of course, I’d like to see more events that would bring in people, introducing new and different forms of

music. I’d also like to see us produce recordings of the music the Cathedral choirs make.”

As for musical inspiration, Lane thanks his parents. “Daddy was a music director and fantastic tenor in Baptist church from his college years until he died at the age of 57,” Lane said. “He studied music in college and seminary and late in life, he got ordained. I always assisted him making music. Mama was his organist and pianist. I learned a lot of lessons from both of them, as well as a love for the art.

“Daddy considered himself a minister, so he was sincere about making good music that inspired people,” Lane said. “It came from his heart and from his deep faith, and he felt a passion for sharing it. I feel that he and Mama passed all those things along to me, simply by their good example.

I think about him all the time.”

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

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CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Building Up Students in the Word of God St. Mark’s Episcopal Academy planning expansion

By Tim Ritter

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ith 60 years under its belt, the second-oldest private school in Brevard County is looking ahead to an even stronger 60 years to come.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, located in crowded downtown Cocoa, is seeking a significant expansion to its K-12 school, the similarly named St. Mark’s Episcopal Academy.

“I think it’s going to be a great thing,” said Joi Robertson, the head of the school. “We’ve literally run out of space. This allows for us to provide for the programs we have and hopefully some new ones.”

The Rev. Gary Jackson was eager to get the school’s plans fast-tracked after becoming the rector of the church last year.

“They were ready to go; they were just ready for some direction,” he said.

For the school, now celebrating its 60th year, the expansion plan is long overdue. With class sizes averaging more than 20 children and the school occasionally having to turn away potential students, the local school can now get a little space to be more inclusive and provide more comfort and resources to the students who do attend.

“It was about a desperate need,” Jackson said. “We’re about out of room for both the school and the parish. We’re practically on top of each other.”

Included in the expansion plans are additional classrooms, a

Top right: Attendees at a St. Mark’s Academy expansion presentation listen to a speaker. Middle left: A speaker makes a presentation at a St. Mark’s Academy expansion meeting recently. Middle right: A diagram of what St. Mark’s Academy will look like after expansion is presented recently at a special gathering.

multipurpose room, an art and music room, and a lab. More importantly, the expansion will allow each grade to add a second full class, which will be implemented slowly starting with kindergarten and then moving up through the grades.

The school’s plans have been in the works for more than a year, and church leaders are already talking to the city about its approach. An architect has been chosen, and a feasibility study is already underway. The expansion has the potential to bring dozens more into the expanded St. Mark’s family every year.

For Jackson, the need couldn’t be clearer.

“The academy is the primary mission of the parish,” he said. “We have lots of education in our ministry within the Episcopal Church. We strive to include the academy in all of our outreach.”

St. Mark’s Episcopal Academy in Cocoa

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

VBS Kids ‘Go for the Gold’ at St. Elizabeth’s Sebastian church campers excel in SuperKids program

By Jeff Gardenour

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ith the 2018 Winter Olympics just around the corner, leaders at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Sebastian decided to get into the spirit of things for this year’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) camp.

“Our theme was Olympic-centered with ‘Go for the Gold!’” said St. Elizabeth’s rector, the Rev. Dave Newhart. “Vacation Bible School 2017 was a week of fun, fun, and, yes – fun.”

More than 60 kids made the July 10-14 camp a rousing success as camp organizers taught important lessons from Scripture’s Super Kids’ “On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!” program focusing on the Gospel of Mark. St. Elizabeth’s divides the SuperKids program, a missionary outreach that consists of 10 summer day programs, into five days each year.

“VBS is considered by St. Elizabeth’s as one of our main outreaches,” said St. Elizabeth’s organizer Sandy van der Meulen, administrative assistant to the rector. “While some churches used a canned program, we have chosen to use the curriculum by Scripture Union, creating our own decorations, activities and crafts.

“Additionally, we do not charge to attend,” van der Meulen said. “Some families have three and four children, and even at a nominal fee of $10 dollars it might discourage some from attending due to the cost to send them all.”

St. Elizabeth’s ensured a big turnout by starting registration in mid-May before the 2016-17 school year had ended. Officials distributed flyers throughout the community and to schools in the area.

Kids of various ages enjoyed their activities in this summer’s Vacation Bible School camp at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Sebastian.

“The day of VBS opening ceremony, we had over 50 kids outside of our church family registered and ready to go,” van der Meulen said. “When we opened the doors for check-in, we had kids bringing friends, which pushed (us) over 60 for attendance.”

Campers ranging from kindergartners to middle schoolers enjoyed a full week of Bible study, music, crafts, and outdoor activities, van der Meulen said.

“They started each night in the sanctuary, where Father Dave and Jim Bonet greeted the kids with a small devotion introducing the lesson for the evening, followed up with worship music led by our talented Joanne Knott,” she said.

Youth in all four classes then went to dinner, which was run by 24 volunteers. Campers also enjoyed a dessert each night with their meal, with officials distributing a whopping 425 meals for the week.

After dinner, campers went to Bible study class to learn about the Gospel of Mark. Camp organizers then pulled each class, round-robin style, for music, crafts and outdoor activities.

“In the music class, they learned songs and movements to present at the closing ceremony,” van der Meulen said. “Crafts were based around the lessons presented. They made frames for their picture, which we took and printed for each child to take home in their beautiful names of God tote bag.

“They painted rocks to ‘Rock our community’ with the gospel,” van der Meulen said. “They also painted and colored their own pot to plant flowers to remind them later that God plants the Word in our hearts.”

In an effort to expend the kids’ energy, camp organizers also held outdoor activities each night. Camp-

ers played field hockey with pool noodles and beach balls, kickball, sharks and minnows, and “Minute to Win It” games when rain forced campers inside.

“We knew the kids loved it when one child walked up crying because she didn’t get to put panty hose with a tennis ball on her head,” van der Meulen said.

“To add to the fun, each night was themed out by what we wore. We had patriotic night, pj night, crazy hair, and team jersey night. The kids really enjoyed dressing up.”

During camp, organizers also sought out feedback from parents to help ensure that VBS was fair and balanced for all. “We worked tirelessly to make sure each child didn’t just attend, but had an experience they wouldn’t forget and sent home more than coloring papers, but mementoes to remind them of God’s love,” van der Meulen said. “We like to involve our parents as much as possible, and communication was the key. We took lots of pictures and posted on our social media – with parents’ approval, of course – so our parents could see firsthand all the cool stuff their child was a part of.”

St. Elizabeth’s VBS also was unique in that this year’s camp was held in the evening, giving parents some potential time together they otherwise might not have had.

“We see it as a ministry to the whole family,” Newhart said. “One of our motivations is a statistic that 43 percent of Christians accepted Christ before they were 13 years old. Or last year, 3 million kids attended VBS nationwide, and 91,000 accepted Christ. We know at St. Elizabeth’s this year the Word of God was planted and watered in 61 kids, and we also know His Word does not return void.”

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

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CAMP WINGMANN Staff and campers pose for a shot during Camp Wingmann’s St. Peter summer session in Avon Park.

A camper is all smiles during an outdoor activity in one of Camp Wingmann’s summer camps.

Three Diocesan Youths Receive Scholarships at Camp Wingmann

By Jeff Gardenour

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aking the trek to Camp Wingmann has become a summertime tradition for many youths in the Diocese of Central Florida, and this year proved especially rewarding.

year in honor of 3-year-old Greysen, who died suddenly in 2015,” Harrity said. “His parents give $400 a year to ensure that those in need from St. Richard’s can go to Camp Wingmann or participate in other youth events.”

Three youths from St. Richard’s Episcopal Church in Winter Park won scholarships related to their participation in the 2017 Camp Wingmann summer camps, according to St. Richard’s rector, the Rev. Alison Harrity. In all, six youths from St. Richard’s attended various sessions throughout the summer during the camp’s middle and high school weeks.

Harrity herself got a meaningful experience from Camp Wingmann, where she has served as a chaplain for four years. “I appreciate the love and care and respect that is shown to all people through the week at Camp Wingmann,” she said.

One St. Richard’s youth received a scholarship from the diocese, and two others received scholarships from a special fund at St. Richard’s. “The Greysen Bernardi Youth Scholarship Fund was started last

The St. Richard’s rector also said her children are Camp Wingmann veterans. “My children have been attending Camp Wingmann since 2012,” Harrity said. “Libby is now going into ninth grade, and Spencer didn’t attend this summer as a rising 11th-grader because he has a summer job. They both have fond memories of it.”

Camp Wingmann was scheduled to hold six weeklong camps over a seven-week period in June and July. Sponsored by the Diocese of Central Florida, the Camp Wingmann summer camps have been held for almost 60 years.

Staff and counselors have fun during Dress-up Night in a Camp Wingmann summer camp.

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

Camps were held for high schoolers, middle schoolers, and thirdthrough fifth-graders. Activities traditionally include canoeing,

The Rev. Alison Harrity, rector of St. Richard’s Episcopal Church in Winter Park, has fun with the camera during a Camp Wingmann summer camp in Avon Park. Harrity served as chaplain for one of the sessions.

kayaking, sailboarding, swimming, watching movies, and more.

Father Deke Miller, director at Camp Wingmann, said the camp has been extremely popular throughout all the sessions for decades. Camp Wingmann’s summer camps have run almost nonstop since forming in 1939. There was a period of closure during property ownership transactions, but the camps have been successful otherwise.

Campers stay busy all day, beginning with breakfast, usually around 8 a.m. A morning prayer is then given by a priest, followed by a morning activity.

Lunch is then held, followed by cabin time in which campers can take a nap or rest. A one-hour programming event is then held in which a youth leader, Sunday Bible School leader or priest discusses a topic that is developed around a theme.

The programming event is followed by canteen time in which campers can buy sugar items such as sodas or sweets.

Campers then attend a fun class in which they can learn about music, swimming, or another activity.

Youths then head back to their cabins to get ready for dinner, which is usually served around 6 p.m. After dinner, an evening activity is held, followed by bedtime.

Miller said youths also engage in team building and participate in an Olympics competition at the end of camp. The Camp Wingmann director said youths from all around the diocese, as well as some from West Palm Beach, Miami and Fort Lauderdale were expected to attend this summer.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

A Sacred Space... Right in the middle of everything CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

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CANTERBURY

Canterbury Retreat: Where Hospitality Is a Sacred Thing By the Rev. Dr. Jon Davis

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hroughout the biblical narrative there are hundreds of moments of hospitality. Even today, having someone stay in your home is considered a high honor. Setting aside time to break bread and share a meal together bonds us in ways that are more meaningful and significant than texting, emailing or even casual conversation.

The Rev. Dr. Steve Brown, left, talks with Forge men’s group president Pete Alwinson.

by contributing their time, talent, and treasure for the common good. Authentic relationships, faceto-face communication, a purpose-filled mission all are needed in a world that values social media and virtual communication. Social media can be a great asset, but for it to truly be fruitful we need it anchored in real, genuine relationship.

The ritual of opening your door and welcoming a friend or a stranger can be a sacred, sacramental thing; in doing so, some have entertained angels (Hebrews 13:2).

As Christians, our ultimate destination is a feast (Matthew 22:2-10) and dwelling at our Father’s house, in which there are many rooms (John 14:1-6).

Rev. Dr. Jon Davis

These elements are not just an aspect of eternity but are meant to be lived out in true Christian community today. When we read Acts 2:42-47, we see a picture of a communal life in the early church; and specifically, in verse 46 we find: “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts.”

We are designed for this kind of life: a relational, connected community sharing life together. In many ways, we taste this life at Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center in Oviedo every day. We of-

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fer a respite to our guests in search of a bond with God and others. Some come not even knowing that is what they need, and they discover what brings meaning and purpose. As a staff, we model this connectedness. Several days a week we share a meal, laugh, pray, learn, and serve one another, as well as our guests. We open our doors to strangers who often become friends. They join us at table in fellowship and conversation as we break bread together.

This community is at the heart of the Christian mission. We invite people to join a family, to join

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

Sadly, for many this is an uncommon occurrence.

Yet it was the normative way of life in the early church; and we see clearly in Gospel accounts that Jesus not only gathered people together around a meal, but he also was often the source of the feast (feeding of the 5,000, for example). More so, he instituted the Lord’s Supper as a precursor of the heavenly feast, and in that sacrament, he provides spiritual nourishment for the journey we walk in this life.

I’ve had the experience of Christian community many times in my life, but none greater than the days I spent as a young man at Berry College (Mount Berry, Georgia). Berry has a strong Christian heritage founded by Martha Berry as a mission to mountain children, teaching them to read

CANTERBURY (so they could read the Bible). It has grown into a stellar institution on the largest college campus in the world (some 29,000 acres). It was for me a sacred space, cradling me in those important years with friends who have lasted a lifetime. I carry with me those friends and experiences every day; that spiritual, theological, personal, and relational formation changed me, and I am ever so grateful.

That spirit of community and hospitality is how we have shaped the mission and ministry of Canterbury. It begins with a welcome; and we do all we can, not just to serve our guests, but in reality, to also minister to and express to them the very love of Jesus. We feed them, lodge them, and care for their needs as they make Canterbury a temporary home, and a safe haven and harbor. Canterbury is a place to be refueled, renewed and rest in the Lord, especially in the storms of life.

Isn’t this the ministry we all have?

The Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center is a picturesque 48-acre property located in Oviedo.

Should not every church be engaged in the work of welcoming people, sharing with them the good news, and encouraging, supporting, and standing with one another? Should we not be proactive with our neighbors, co-workers, with people we meet to welcome them into true Christian community? To welcome them into our homes?

I have a friend who has initiated a simple ministry. He and his wife invite college students into their home. They call it Dine and Dive. They provide a meal and then dive into any topic (politics, culture, environment, spirituality), and together they explore, often trying to find a biblical perspective that will move the conversation forward in understanding and, at times, action.

Say what you will about Starbucks, but they have created a culture of welcome. They call you by

Teresa Harrison, artist and iconographer, left, meets with Father Jon Davis at the morning Eucharist of the annual Icon Retreat.

name. They offer something of quality. In their own description, they want to be “The Third Place” in a person’s life: home, work, Starbucks.

This billion-dollar corporation saw a need for a place where people could gather, and they created a comfortable welcoming environment that generates billions of dollars of income. They tapped into a real need and have profited from it.

I would argue that the church, not necessarily the building but rather the people, needs to be “The Third Place.” We need to offer the longed-for safety and solace in a world that has deep needs of relationship and connection. This is what we do at Canterbury. It is the heart of our mission. This is something we all can do to see his kingdom come and his will be done.

The Oviedo Ministerial Association meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:45 a.m. for prayer and fellowship.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

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CANTERBURY hanced Wi-Fi, and soon-to-be new carpet throughout the Folwell building.

Canterbury Celebrates 35th Anniversary in Record-Setting Style 200 people rejoice about retreat’s growth, enormous silent auction

By Jeff Gardenour

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f there was one takeaway from Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center’s 35th anniversary dinner, it was that the Oviedo venue is a place where the love of Jesus mediates through hospitality.

Approximately 200 people from around the diocese, including Bishop Greg Brewer, celebrated Canterbury’s anniversary on Sunday, June 11. The Caribbean-themed event that focused on bringing in new partners was a huge success, drawing a silent auction three times the size of last year’s, according to Rev. Dr. Jon Davis, executive director of Canterbury.

Open to the public, the event has drawn many prominent Episcopal leaders, other churches and ministries such as Man in the Mirror, Northland Church, and area businesses through the years. Past sponsors include the Rotary Club, Citizen’s Bank, 4 Rivers BBQ, and the Kiwanis Club.

“Best celebration yet,” Davis said. “Amazing food. Authentic Caribbean menu. The St. John’s Steel Drum Band welcomed people with joy!”

Joy has been synonymous with Canterbury since it

Marla Glover, Canterbury Partner and member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Cocoa, speaks to the crowd.

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“These are just a few things the Lord has provided us in 2017,” Davis said. “We squeeze every dime, every dollar given to us, to do these things. As the parable says, ‘We take five talents and stretch them into 10.’”

The enhancements have helped the welcoming hospitality of Canterbury and its continuing mission to share the good news of Christ.

Attendees of the Canterbury Anniversary Dinner are all smiles.

opened its doors in 1982. Scores of visitors have made their way to the serene, 48-acre retreat for meetings, gatherings, events and more and found faith, love and peace, according to Davis.

“Canterbury, in many ways, is the common ground of the diocese where we gather for prayer, worship, spiritual growth, training, instruction, fellowship,” Davis said. “Canterbury is ministry-driven; what moves us forward is a sacramental ministry of mediating Christ to the world through a ministry of hospitality.”

Utilizing an energetic and visionary board of directors and a staff that serves guests with the love of Christ, Canterbury has been blessed with growth through the years. Just in the last four years alone, the number of people served and who have received ministry has grown 75 percent, Davis said. And more growth is still to come.

“We are projecting 20 percent growth for just 2017 alone,” Davis said. “Canterbury’s impact and reach is increasing at a phenomenal pace.

It’s a sacred and holy expansion.”

Canterbury’s improvements can be seen everywhere. There is a new hospitality bar in the living room, fresh paint, new lighting, en-

The steel drum band from St. John’s Episcopal Church of Kissimmee entertained the guests.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

Father Chris Brathwaite, rector at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Haines City, said the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center lived up to the meaning of its title during the dinner. “The annual Canterbury dinner was scrumptious with Caribbean flavors and delights, which were very close to how my mother used to fix them,” said Brathwaite, who formerly served in the Caribbean. “One could not have asked for a better way to spend a joyful evening bumping into some old friends and making some new ones. “(My wife) Genevieve and I arrived early and were able to take our time picking some fineries from the large array of items presented at the silent auction,” Brathwaite said. “The guest speaker was both funny and serious, challenging attendees to do their best for a great cause. After Father Jon and Bishop Brewer spoke to the group about the place in the church and the wider society in which Canterbury sits, it was difficult not to sign up as a Canterbury partner. I pray that others who attended can express similar sentiments.”

Others had plenty to say about the wonders of Canterbury. David Mead, chairman of the Canterbury Board, opened the event with a welcome. Canterbury partner Marla Glover, a parishioner at St. Mark’s in Cocoa, shared a testimony of how Canterbury’s ministry helped her.

The Rev. Dr. Steve Brown of Key Life ministries, a well-known speaker and

Multiple ladies enjoy the many activities at the Canterbury 35th anniversary dinner.

CANTERBURY teacher, and also a Canterbury partner and frequent guest on the Canterbury campus, was compelling as he encouraged attendees, correlating Canterbury to the Transfiguration. He made three points:

1 The disciples did not know why they were there, but Jesus was there and Jesus is at

Canterbury, and that is enough.

2 When Jesus is around, things happen, and good things happen at Canterbury every day –

lives are changed, the kingdom grows.

3 The disciples wanted to make sure they were on the right side of things, and if you are with

Canterbury, you are on the right side of a ministry making a difference in the world.

Bishop Brewer spoke on behalf of the diocese, as a member of the Canterbury Board and as a Canterbury partner, talking about the need for safe, sacred spaces – a point underscored by the fact that he had just arrived from the Pulse Memorial service at the Cathedral. In a world torn by fear and grief, and questions with few easy answers, he said, we need Canterbury as a place that mediates the love of Christ in a broken and hurting world.

To become a Canterbury partner or to learn more about Canterbury, go to:

www.canterburyretreat.org

40 Days of Funding / Becoming a Partner – Aug. 20 - Sept. 30, 2017 By the Rev. Dr. Jon Davis

T

he 40 Days of Funding/Becoming a Partner, scheduled for Aug. 20 to Sept. 30, is the third annual online campaign specifically for building the Annual Fund that supports the entire Canterbury Mission. It also is a journey celebrating faith, formation, hope, renewal in people’s lives, the mission of the church and seeing the kingdom of God manifested in the earth (specifically 48 acres of sacred space nestled in the Oviedo community).

Each day will bring an inspirational thought, a moment to reflect and fuel for a person to engage, connect and grow in understanding of what is truly valuable in life.

The focus for these 40 days will be Partnership.

Yes, we want you to become a Canterbury Partner by contributing financially to Canterbury’s mission. More so, we want to encourage all of us that God’s design for life is that it is done together. We were created to be in relationship. Partnership is a prime example of how we move forward as people and build a fruitful life, community, nation, and world.

Canterbury Partners are essential to the suc-

cess of Canterbury. We could not operate without the generous support of people who invest in this needed and important work. At its core, Canterbury is a mission seeing people formed in faith. I have a favorite quote from Mark Twain: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Canterbury is a place where every day people discover the why.

Canterbury is also a place where people are trained and equipped to serve. We support the mission of the Diocese of Central Florida with events tailored to empower and resource people for the work of the kingdom. From Youth Ministry Leader Training to Cursillo to Clergy Days & Clergy Conference to hosting groups such as Fresh Expressions, Scripture Union, Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion, Communion Partners and more, all of these are about equipping the saints for works of service for building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).

So, join us for a daily exploration of Life Together in Partnership beginning online Aug. 20th. A lot can happen in 40 days!

MEET THE STAFF OF CANTERBURY The Rev. Dr. Jon Davis

Birthplace: Ft. McPherson, Georgia Job title: Executive Director Years at Canterbury: 8 Favorite Scripture: “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Philippians 3:10-12

Mary Ann McCunn

Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri Job title: Guest Services/ Assistant to the Executive Director Years at Canterbury: 1 Favorite Scripture: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”

Philippians 4:13

Kim McCloskey

Birthplace: Kearny, New Jersey Job title: Guest Services Coordinator Years at Canterbury: 4 Favorite Scripture: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6

Sue Grosso

Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Job title: Director of Guest Services Years at Canterbury: 6 Favorite Scripture: He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 New International Version (NIV)

Sandra Roberts

Birthplace: Homestead Air Force Base Job Title: Guest Services/ Kitchen Assistant (winter staff) Years at Canterbury: 5

Tom Roberts

Birthplace: Beale Air Force Base, California Job Title: Property engineer, carpenter, plumber, mechanic (winter staff) Years at Canterbury: 5 Favorite scripture: Too many good ones to pick just one, but if you asked me what book I enjoy reading it would probably be James.

Teri Garcia

Birthplace: Newburgh, New York Job Title: Director of Hospitality Years at Canterbury: 8 this December.

Favorite Scripture: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

Deacon Dick Costin

Birthplace: Asheville, North Carolina Job Title: Deacon Years at Canterbury: 4 Favorite Scripture: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[a] for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Jim Morical

Birthplace: Bloomington, Minnesota.

Job Title: Director of Operations Years at Canterbury: 6 Favorite Scripture: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Martha Griggs

Birthplace: Sanford Job Title: Director of Finance Years at Canterbury: 3 Favorite Scriptures: John 11:5 and 3:16 and Romans 8:28.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

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CANTERBURY

A Calling for Hospitality Brings Minnesotan to Canterbury

by our church. This is where I came alive to the love of Jesus and saw my life change with new purpose. I no longer saw church as a chore, but a joyful obligation that made me want to know Jesus more and be more involved in church. I attended church every Sunday and soon after high school graduation, I became the youth director for the next few years. Through our church and Jim Morical youth program, I met my wife, Robin, and after eight years of knowing each other, we were married in 1989. We now have three grown children who are all involved in church ministry and have committed faiths in Christ. I am blessed.

Jim Morical sold his business to join his wife in serving the Lord JIM MORICAL is the director of operations at the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center in Oviedo. He has worked there since 2010, first as a volunteer and for the last five years as a fulltime employee. Recalling and expanding on his testimony about his spiritual background that he gave at Church of the Incarnation in Oviedo, Jim joined us for a Q&A about the Episcopal Church and how his faith and his wife’s call to the priesthood led him to Seminole County.

Robin Morical is currently the rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Volusia County.

Where were you born?

Bloomington, Minnesota. Lived in Lakeville until 2010.

Can you give me a little insight on your spiritual background as far as what church you grew up in, and what churches or retreats you have worked?

I am a lifelong Episcopalian and became an active Christian (after) attending the youth group at St Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Bloomington, Minnesota. My spiritual journey began when I became aware of the power of the Holy Spirit and started following Jesus after a youth event called Teens Encounter Christ back in 1978, sponsored

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You were in business prior to working for the Episcopal Church. Talk about that for us.

My business background helped me formulate and provide a living for our family before coming to Canterbury. After college graduation in 1987 with a BA in speech communications (from) the University of Minnesota, I began a sales profession for a Christian company called Alpha Video, which was part of Bethany Fellowship.

Alpha Video provided professional audio and visual equipment to commercial environments and churches. It was here that I learned about the need for current technologies to help share the Gospel within a business environment. I began in sales and soon became vice president before breaking off and starting my own manufacturer representation company in 2001. My company, called Kodo James, represented commercial audio/ visual manufacturers for sales representation in the upper Midwest states of Minnesota, North and South Dakota. We represented 20 manufacturers and after nine years we were able to sell our firm to pursue new opportunities, most notably our move to Florida.

How did working at Canterbury become your calling?

While originally my wife accepted the call to ministry as the associate priest at Church of the Incarnation and assistant executive director of Canterbury, it became apparent that I too was called to a ministry to serve with the gift of hospitality. We, as a family, moved on the campus

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

in August 2010 and I began volunteering with setup, maintenance, and grounds keeping around Canterbury. I loved this oasis in Oviedo where we lived. I instantly connected with the operation and grounds of Canterbury and knew that this was the type of ministry I wanted to pursue.

Shortly after moving to the Canterbury campus, I was hired to work part time (in 2011) to assist with conferences and preparations for meetings.

A year later, I was hired as full time director of operations. I would have never guessed that this type of ministry is what I would be doing. I am thankful for the experience I have had over the years leading me out of the corporate world and into this unique ministry position.

What are some of the more enjoyable aspects of your job?

The diversity of daily work needs. From setting up for programs to organizing conferences.

Looking over all aspects of Canterbury business requirements. This includes hospitality, house cleaning, maintenance, kitchen, and daily business oversight.

What are your thoughts on how far Canterbury has come in 35 years?

I have noticed a more deliberate intention of serving the Christian ministries, not only in our diocese, but also the community of Oviedo/Orlando.

How do you feel about Canterbury being a sacred space for so many people and organizations through the years?

We try hard to preserve the quietness around Canterbury and limit modern technologies, chaos and rushing schedules. When I reflect on my Canterbury experiences over the last seven years, I’m reminded of the testimony that I shared at Church of Incarnation four years ago, which I called, “The 48 Acre Estate.” My story explained how we came to Oviedo as a family to serve in ministry at Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center. Changing environments from the frozen state of Minnesota to the always hot state of Florida was a change that was welcomed and followed as God’s call for our lives.

— Interview conducted by Jeff Gardenour

CANTERBURY Blue corn soap is a popular guest amenity at the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center in Oviedo.

Blue Corn Soap Keeps Canterbury Awash in Generosity Retreat makes history using product from the SHIMA’ of Navajoland

Rev. Canon Cynthia Hizer

By Jeff Gardenour

A

visit to Canterbury gave an Episcopal minister a sweet idea for the retreat’s hospitality division. And now guests there are awash in the clean smells of blue corn.

Thanks to SHIMA’ of Navajoland, which is part of the Episcopal Church in Navajoland Area Mission, Canterbury recently became the first retreat in the U.S. to use a blue cornmeal soap made by Native peoples in the Four Corners Region of the Southwest. The venture has become a partnership, enabling members of SHIMA’ of Navajoland to reap the benefits of a business relationship steeped in spirituality on both ends.

“One of our Navajo seminarians, Rev. Deacon Leon Sampson, went to Canterbury for a retreat,” said the Rev. Canon Cynthia Hizer of SHIMA’ of Navajoland, which is based in Arizona. “Leon is going into his second (middler) year at Virginia Seminary. The conversation started, I believe, with Leon’s blue corn project, and that we are putting the blue corn in one of our soaps. Then Rev. (Jon) Davis became interested in the soap, as the blue cornmeal was not quite ready for sale.”

Davis, who is executive director of Canterbury, quickly jumped on the idea of procuring the blue corn soaps for guests to use in lodging rooms at the Oviedo

retreat – and in the process, made history.

“We are delighted to have Canterbury be our inaugural retreat house,” Hizer said. “It was his conversation with Rev. Sampson that started the idea ticking. It is our hope that retreat houses and conference centers across the U.S. will see the ministry Rev. Davis began and will become customers and patrons also.”

In the soap-making business for only a year now, SHIMA’ offers a product that is unique in both its creation and how it is produced. The blue corn soap derives from a recipe from the ancestors of the Navajo that includes sage and other high-desert herbs, oils, and wildflowers, according to the www.shima-of-navajoland.myshopify.com website.

The deep-cleansing soap reflects the quality of ingredients the Navajo use, and is available in varying quantities to customers.

“There are many lovely soaps in the marketplace,” Hizer said. “These are lovely soaps, too. They are special for us as Episcopalians because the purchase of these soaps is a way to support one of TEC’s (The Episcopal Church’s) mission ministries, all the time getting a beautiful soap made with the world’s most luxurious ingredients, and with the addition of Navajo herbs and plants. Because we employ Navajo in the business, it builds employment, leadership training, and self-sufficiency. It builds pride.”

Davis solidified SHIMA’s partnership with Canterbury after contacting the Rev. Jabriel Ballentine, who sits on the Commission on Ministry for the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida. Ballentine put Davis in touch with Hizer, and the venture was off and running.

“It is a high-quality product,” Davis said. “They designed a soap product for us in the Canterbury lodging rooms, smaller (in size) than what they sell to individuals. By doing this, we are helping to employ people living on the margin. We pioneered this.”

SHIMA’, which is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is hoping the popularity of the soaps at Canterbury will lead to more direct sales on its website. The organization recently started making hotel soap bars, marking the first time it has concentrated on larger-sized soaps, Hizer said.

The SHIMA’ of Navajoland use real blue corn to make soap for businesses around the U.S.

Pease see BLUE CORN SOAP page 20

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

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CANTERBURY

What Makes Life Worth Living

By Dave Welday

M

ost people assume the answer to the question of “What makes life worth living?” involves having more money, more friends, more “stuff.” However, a study conducted by the respected Gallup organization in 2015 revealed that people who think their life has meaning and purpose live longer.

The study, which was part of the Gallup World Poll that was initially published in Lancet (http://www.thelancet. com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(13)61489-0/ fulltext), followed about 9,000 people over the age of 65 for more than eight years. Bottom line: people who thought what they did in life was worthwhile were happier and lived longer.

What does this have to do with Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center? Simply this: give your life to making a difference in the lives of others, and your life will be better.

Support causes you believe in. Use your time, talent, and treasure to advance God’s kingdom and make the world a better place. Live selflessly and seek the betterment of others. As you do, your own life begins to take on more joy, more satisfaction, more purpose, more meaning, and more significance.

I believe Canterbury is a ministry worth believing in and supporting. It’s so much more than some pretty, wooded

Harry and Judy Tysinger led the Rev. Dr. Jon Davis, center, to Christ when he was 13 years old. Harry passed away in April. Judy is a Canterbury partner.

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

The Revs. Stephen and Beth Pessah, from left, Canterbury partners, join Marie and Alistair Petrie, keynote speaker at the Leadership Retreat in February 2017, and the Rev. Dr. Jon Davis.

acreage that hosts a chapel, some meeting space, a dining hall, a ropes course, and lodging facilities. I think most Christ-followers understand that “church” is more than just a building, a service or even a membership. It’s a community. It’s a family. It’s a gathering of God’s people who agree to link arms and love one another, and love the world around them together.

Canterbury, much like church, is more than physical walls and windows, trees, and tranquility. It’s a sacred space where people encounter God. The early Celts had a phrase for this. They referred to it as a “Thin Place” – that mystical space where the divine and the natural intersect. People encounter God at Canterbury.

Unlike most churches, Canterbury doesn’t have a membership, but it does have partners. A Canterbury partner is someone who sees how important it is to set aside time and space to reflect, learn, grow, decide, and celebrate –and to do so within a Christian context. A Canterbury partner is someone who has made the choice to live a life of significance by giving of their time, talent, and treasure to the sacred and holy calling of seeing others blessed by their own encounters with the living God. Many folks have had high praise for Canterbury and its sacred space. Here are some

testimonials from the http://canterburyretreat.org/donation/website:

Tom Phillips Emmaus School of Biblical Studies, Executive Director

“Both times I’ve visited Canterbury, God has used my time there to bring clarity and direction for me personally, and for our ministry. Canterbury resonates in my heart as a place of decision.”

Steve Schneeberger Youth Ministry Institute, Executive Director

“Youth ministers from all over the state gather at Canterbury for monthly training. We love the food, hospitality and the contemplative atmosphere while also being minutes away from big-city amenities. When Canterbury is booked and we have to go somewhere else, there’s a lot of grumbling.”

There certainly is a lot to be said about Canterbury’s popularity. If you’ve watched television for more than a nanosecond, you’ve undoubtedly seen the American Express credit card commercial that says: “Membership has its privileges.” While being a Canterbury partner isn’t like belonging to a club or owning an exclusive credit card, there certainly are some “earthly” rewards to being a partner that are in addition to the spiritual blessing

CANTERBURY I’ve alluded to already. For example, Canterbury partners enjoy:

Access to all Canterbury facilities – No appointment necessary. Come by and walk our trails, enjoy a cup of coffee, take advantage of our free Wi-Fi. Find a quiet space to rest and reflect.

Preferred rates – Want to host a dinner party, a team-building meeting, a training event?

Consider Canterbury an idyllic option just 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport, two minutes from the University of Central Florida, and convenient to all sorts of Central Florida perks.

Priority registration – Throughout the year, Canterbury sponsors a variety of educational events focusing on many aspects of spiritual growth. As a partner, you enjoy priority registration to any of these events.

More important, the real advantage of being a Canterbury partner does not come in the form of personal benefit to you; rather, it comes in the form of that undefinable but undeniable benefit of a satisfied life. Knowing that you are being a good steward of the blessings God has given you by investing in the ministry of Canterbury is, to quote another credit card commercial, “priceless.”

So, as you evaluate where your finances are invested, where you give of your time and talent, consider sowing into the good soil of Canterbury. You’ll be glad you did … and who knows, you might just live longer as well!

— Dave Welday is the president of HigherLife Publishing & Marketing in Oviedo. dwelday@ahigherlife.com

What Others Are Saying About Canterbury ...

Bishop William Mikler

Suzanne Mattera

Communio Christiana St. Johns Abbey 21st Century Evangelism

Events/CI Coordinator

“Drawing lessons from the historic abbeys and monasteries that shaped Western civilization, Father Jon and the Canterbury team are doing something different and needed. They are transforming a retreat center into a mission outpost bent on advancing Christian faith and practice in every sector of life.”

The Rev. Dr. Gerardo James de Jesus Priest

“As Jesus commands us to pray and demonstrates so in his own moments of solitude and retreat, so must we. Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center is a haven of rest, a place of renewal, a moment to hear again. I would dare say, the very existence of Canterbury is an act of obedience.”

“Como Jesus nos manda a orar y lo demuestra en sus propios momentos de soledad y retiro, asi debemos nosotros. Me atreveria a decir, la existencia misma de Canterbury es un acto de obedencia.”

“For the past several years, the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center has been the perfect venue for our annual event. The friendly and helpful staff continuously provides exceptional service, while we thoroughly enjoy the cozy environment overlooking the picturesque lake.”

The Very Rev. Dr. G. Richard Lobs III Retired Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke’s, Orlando

“I have enjoyed the Canterbury Conference Center since the early 1980s. It has been an ongoing source of blessing to me – not least its peaceful tranquility. Canterbury is reaching new highs with Father Jon Davis at the helm. I am enthusiastic about what the Lord is doing through his leadership. Come and enjoy.”

The Rev. Jabriel S. Ballentine Priest

“As pilgrims along this Journey to the Promised Land™, it is important for each of us to find that space where we can be still and know that He Is God. Under the direction of Father Davis, Canterbury Retreat Center is poised to become a vital part of how the church in Central Florida can regain its sense of mystery so that God can be revealed to our hearts.

Amaryllis Sánchez Wohlever, M.D. Author Walking with Jesus in Healthcare

“Canterbury is a holy space … the perfect place for quiet reflection and prayerful listening to God. Come ready for excellent meals, thoughtful service by a caring staff, and comfortable meeting rooms in a peaceful setting that invites contemplation. I leave refreshed every time, and always long to return.”

“Canterbury es un sitio sagrado … el lugar perfecto para reflexionar y escuchar a Dios en silencio. Ven y disfruta de la deliciosa comida, el espíritu servicial del personal, y las facilidades placenteras en un ambiente de paz que invita la contemplación. Cada visita refresca el alma y alimenta el espíritu. ¡Por esto, siempre quiero volver!”

Mary Cooper, President Engaging Outcomes, President and Lead Guide

“I have had the pleasure of holding several professional training sessions at Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center over the last few years. From the booking process and pre-session communications to the days on-site, I could not ask for a better partner. If you are looking for a unique setting for a meeting or retreat and want a quality experience with more character than a standard hotel conference space, I recommend you use CR&CC.” Source: www.canterburyretreat.org

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

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CANTERBURY

Canterbury Guests Love CenturiesOld Cuban Dish

For folks at home wondering how to make Ropa Vieja, below is Canterbury’s recipe: Ropa Vieja, a beef-and-tomatoes based dish, served with sweet plantains is one of Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center’s most popular entrees.

Ropa Vieja, a beef and tomatoes-based creation, is big hit

By Jeff Gardenour

T

he Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center is famous for its warmth and hospitality, including the wafting aromas of delicious food.

The nine-person hospitality staff, led by Teri Garcia, has concocted some wonderful dishes through the years. Entrees at times are tied to the themes of the retreat’s many functions, with guests treated to a smorgasbord of tasty creations.

ROPA VIEJA Ingredients: • • • • •

Flank steak (about 1 ½ pounds) 2 onions chopped 1 green pepper cut into strips 4 cloves garlic Salt

Recently, Canterbury’s hospitality staff served up a Cuban dish called Ropa Vieja at Canterbury’s 35th anniversary dinner in June. Although Ropa Vieja translates to “old clothes,” according to Garcia, it is a dish that appeals to even the newest generation.

Cut meat into 4-inch-by-1-inch strips. Boil with the other ingredients until meat is tender (approximately 1 ½ hours). Strain. Shred meat as finely as possible. Puree the vegetables in food processor.

Ropa Vieja is a beef and tomatoes-based creation that is one of Cuba’s most popular dishes, according to www.daringgourmet.com. The beef is shredded and usually made from flank steak. Peppers and onions are added to the dish to give it some zest.

Sauce Ingredients:

“Many of our guests love this recipe, and I think it’s for several reasons,” said Garcia, who has worked at Canterbury for almost eight years. “First, Canterbury is known for comfort food, and I think this is a warm, unique dish. It’s also a dish that is new to many, or one that people will not take the time to make.”

The dish has a long history, dating to the Middle Ages of Spanish Sephardi (fifth century through 15th century) when people would take stew leftovers and create Ropa Vieja. Travelers eventually took the dish to Cuba, according www.daringgourmet.com.

The unique dish now has fans in North America, especially at Canterbury. “This is a fairly easy recipe to make,” Garcia said. “It just takes time for the flavors to come together. In fact, I think it tastes better the next day.”

• • • • • • • • • • •

2 tablespoons oil 2 large onions sliced 1 medium green pepper cut into strips 1 medium red pepper cut into strips 4 garlic cloves, minced 1 bay leaf ½ teaspoon ground cumin ¼ cup red wine Tomato sauce Oregano Salt and pepper

In large pot, sauté onions and peppers in oil until tender. Add rest of ingredients and cook for 10 minutes. Add shredded beef and pureed vegetables.

Cover and cook for 30 minutes over low to medium heat. Serve over white rice with sweet plantains.

Serves 6 PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHERINEMARTINELLI.COM

Groups Find Ties That Bind at Canterbury Business provides rope course challenges, more, for clients

By Jeff Gardenour

W

alking on a beam high above the ground with nothing but a ropeand-body harness takes nerves of steel, but participants know they have a team on the ground safeguarding their every step.

The ropes course catwalk is one of several high-element challenges that groups take on when they visit the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center in Oviedo. The catwalk is part of a challenge course devised

by Ties That Bind, a Titusville-based business that designs and facilitates physical and mental challenges to help build groups.

Ties That Bind, owned by Steve and Lisa Baggett, has worked with corporate clients, hospitals, universities, and religious organizations such as Canterbury since its formation in 1996. Ties That Bind has worked with Canterbury since 1997.

“Many of our clients come on an annual basis because they trust that they will experience quality programs in a safe and nonthreatening atmosphere for an affordable price,” Lisa Baggett said.

At Canterbury, groups experience low- and high-element challenges that require critical thinking, teamwork, and perseverance. Challenges include participants standing single formation on a log beam and then trying to work around one another, swinging on ropes to get tennis balls in a bucket (low element), and tackling a rope-course wall obstacle and ropecourse zip line (high element). “(The challenge course) starts on the ground with a series of challenges that have specific purposes and then continues onto the high climbing,” Lisa Baggett Pease see GROUPS FIND TIES page 20

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

CANTERBURY

Ministries, Organizations Love Sacred Space of Canterbury

FORGE of Orlando founder Pete Alwinson “Emmaus Ministries is thrilled to have completed its first year of residential programming at Canterbury Conference Center,” said Tom Phillips, executive director of Emmaus. “We had 10 students join us this year for our journey through the Bible in our residential program. The students worked hard to complete a study program that involved reading through the Bible over five times in the 10-month period. It was a rewarding year that will pay dividends for a lifetime in the lives of the students.”

During the 2016-17 school year, Emmaus Ministries featured students from Canada, Texas, Alaska, Ohio, Colorado, and Minnesota.

Kiwanis Club Oviedo-Winter Springs

FORGE of Orlando founder Pete Alwinson Members of FORGE Bible study group get together for a meeting at the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center.

Central Florida Cursillo

The Kiwanis Club Oviedo-Winter Springs utilizes the sacred space of the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center.

Official Randy Wiseman said that the Cursillo Group has been in Orlando for approximately 40 years. The group holds retreats roughly three to four times per year.

The Rotary Club of Oviedo Members of the Central Florida Cursillo Women’s Group.

The Rotary Club of Oviedo continues to be a great partner of the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center.

Members of the Central Florida Cursillo Men’s Group.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

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CANTERBURY BLUE CORN SOAP ... continued from page 15

GROUPS FIND TIES ... continued from page 18

“We are excited about the hotel business and look forward to growing this segment,” Hizer said.

SHIMA’ currently has more than 12 employees making a variety of products, including soaps, native fleece blankets, seed and farm products, and artistic collections. Hizer is expecting the staff to grow as sales rise in the future.

“Our operations manager and soap maker (were) already on staff as our hospitality person for our own retreat centers,” she said. “We have several part-time people who come in to wrap, fulfill orders, do office work; and then we have others who just gather the plants, flowers, clays, and tree saps. We also have our farmers and beekeepers, and the harvesters and production people for those products.”

Hizer said SHIMA’ made 10,000 bars of soap in its first year of business, alone. The organization recently added honey to the packaging stage of the soap business and is looking for more scents in the future.

Canterbury’s decision to partner with SHIMA’ came after some experimentation and marketing strategy, and it has proved to be a fruitful one.

“Goodwill and a heart for ministry: this is what I experienced with Rev. Jon Davis,” Hizer said. “He was committed to work with us as we experimented with different soap sizes and packaging. We sent off package after package, to give him lots of choices. Then we had to figure out how to make the numbers work, as we are in competition with cheaply-made soap bars from other countries.

“We are never going to be able to be as inexpensive as bars from China, for example, but we are getting close,” Hizer said. “We are at least at the same price point of other luxury bars offered by wholesale hotel-supply houses. We hope the ministry component, American-made and Native-made, and the beautiful ingredients used will be enough to entice people to partner with us.”

Blue corn soap is used by guests at the Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center.

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said. “It is an orchestrated sequence designed for each group’s needs. Many of the low activities are permanent at Canterbury, and all of the high course is permanent.”

Following the challenge activities, the facilitator leads a debrief discussion so that the group has takeaways from the experience. “The activities are designed to foster such skills as leadership, trust, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, decision-making, conflict resolution and cooperation,” Lisa Baggett said.

“During these team-building activities, the participants learn from the experience of working together to overcome challenges presented by each activity.”

Sept. 14-16 Fresh Expressions

Ties That Bind has made an impression on many, no matter where challenges are held.

Oct. 5-9 Cursillo Co-Ed

“Ties That Bind has provided excellent team-building services for our school, The Master’s Academy, and for Camp Sparta, an affiliated ministry of The Master’s Academy,” said Dr. Mitchell Salerno, assistant superintendent for TMA. “The team members at Ties That Bind have a tremendous ability to motivate, encourage and challenge students. On both high- and low-rope activities, students will learn to work together, solve problems, and communicate with each other.”

Having been in ministry with Canterbury for 20 years, Ties That Bind continues to make bonding a special experience for those who come to the retreat center.

“We have been blessed to participate in the spiritual growth, hospitality, and magic of the Canterbury experience,” Lisa Baggett said. “Like the Retreat Center, the Canterbury challenge course is dedicated to creating a sacred space where people and groups can be equipped with life and ministry skills, bond, grow and meet their full potential.

“Through our collaboration, thousands of children, teens, adults, corporations, churches, and civic organizations have come onto the Canterbury property and left having shared a wonderful experience of renewal and regeneration,” Lisa Baggett said.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

CANTERBURY RETREAT & CONFERENCE CENTER

CALENDAR

Oct. 19-22 Hispanic Cursillo Oct. 23-25 Clergy Conference Nov. 18 Church of the Incarnation Holiday Bazaar Dec. 16 from 5-8 p.m. 5th Annual Holiday

Wild Game Dinner

Join us for a feast of elk, wild boar, venison, game birds and holiday favorites and fabulous desserts.

Feb. 1, 2018 Clergy Day Feb. 1-3, 2018 Fresh Expressions Feb. 22-25, 2018 Cursillo Men’s Group March 1-4, 2018 Cursillo Women’s Group March 9-11, 2018 Holy Trinity Women’s Retreat March 22-23, 2018 BACAM March 31, 2018 Annual Rotary Pancake

Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt

At Church of the Incarnation

EPISCOPAL AND BISHOP ANGLICAN BREWER NEWS

Bishop Brewer Travels to Honduras for Annual Convention Diocese of Central Florida presents special gift to Bishop Allen Staff Report

Bishop Brewer, second from left, poses for a group shot at the Episcopal Cathedral in San Pedro Sula in May.

A

trip to Central Florida’s companion diocese of Honduras, in Central America, this spring proved to be a fruitful one for Bishop Greg Brewer.

Brewer and Wes Dubic, chairman of Central Florida’s Honduras Commission, traveled to Honduras at the end of May for Honduras’ Annual Diocesan Convention. The two also participated in the Celebration of Holy Eucharist at the Episcopal Cathedral in San Pedro Sula, and visited several ministries and schools in Honduras, including the God’s Grace Linens ministry.

Additionally, Brewer and Dubic presented a custom-made vestment to the Bishop of Honduras, the Right Rev. Lloyd Allen. The Pentecost-themed vestment, which was designed and sewn by Margie Drane, a longtime parishioner at The Cathedral of St. Luke’s in Orlando, was presented as a gift from the Diocese of Central Florida.

Bishop Greg Brewer, top left in purple, poses for a group shot during his trip for Honduras’ Annual Diocesan Convention at the end of May. Margie Drane, a longtime parishioner at The Cathedral of St. Luke’s in Orlando, designed and sewed this custom-made vestment for the Bishop of Honduras, the Right Rev. Lloyd Allen. The Pentecost-themed vestment was presented as a gift from the Diocese of Central Florida in May.

The processional begins at the Episcopal Cathedral in San Pedro Sula in Honduras.

The Rt. Rev. Greg Brewer, Bishop, Diocese of Central Florida; rear right, and the Rev. Canon Connie Sanchez, Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of Honduras, check out a ministry in May in the Diocese of Honduras.

Bishop Greg Brewer of the Diocese of Central Florida participates in the Celebration of Holy Eucharist at the Episcopal Cathedral in San Pedro Sula in May.

From left, the Rev. Canon Connie Sanchez, Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of Honduras; the Rt. Rev. Greg Brewer, Bishop, Diocese of Central Florida; and the Rt. Rev. Lloyd Allen, Bishop, Diocese of Honduras.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

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REACHING OUT

Answering the Call to Minister in Southeast Asia

ECW Province IV Retreat Discusses Racial Reconciliation

By Jeff Gardenour

T

he welcoming nature of the 2017 Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Province IV Retreat helped a Central Florida member feel right at home in one of the biggest events of the year.

Danielle Rogers, a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Daytona Beach and treasurer for ECW Central Florida, was one of approximately 60 women to attend the event, held June 5-7 at Camp McDowell in Nauvoo, Alabama.

The retreat’s theme, “Building Bridges of Peace and Reconciliation,” promoted building peace in our parishes and communities with a special focus on racial reconciliation.

The Rev. Mary Catherine Akamatsu – associate rector at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in Huntsville, Alabama, and co-founder of Metagem Institute, a nonprofit organization based in Madison, Alabama – served as the keynote speaker. Metagem was founded for the purpose of teaching spiritual and integrative practices through Jesus Christ.

“This was my first time attending,” Rogers said. “I think it went well, and that was (on the conscience) of my three fellow attendees. The openness of those who attended made it special. It was, overall, welcoming.”

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By Linda Fox

H

ow can two people possibly be called to have an impact on the ends of the Earth if they are called to be right here in Central Florida?

Rogers said Akamatsu spoke on racial diversity, as did other speakers, including deacons Carolyn Foster and Tom Osbourne. “For (the deacons), it was speaking of ways to make a change and finding ways to implement those changes,” Rogers said.

The St. Mary’s church member said the theme was well-received but that reactions of those in attendance varied. “I don’t think (the organizers) received the reactions they thought they would because of the number of Northerners (in our province) who don’t feel the problems the Southerners do,” Rogers said.

Province IV, also known as the Sewanee Province, covers 20 dioceses in all or part of nine states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee Rogers said the group prayed a lot for guidance and tolerance, focusing especially on racial reconciliation in the Episcopal Church’s effort to build peace in its parishes and communities.

For more information on ECW, email Province IV President Pat Rutenberg at pbrutenberg@gmail.com or access the Province IV website at www.provinceiv. org on the internet.

Individuals also can access http://www. ecwcentralfl.org/ for information on ECW Central Florida.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

That was the question put to us, Father Loren and I, as we are great believers that we can have an impact on the ends of the Earth from right where we are. As rector of Church of Our Savior in Palm Bay, Father Fox has led the parish to put its vision of being a “church community with a heart for the world” into action, making a difference locally and in such places as Liberia and Asia.

I helped found Church of Our Savior’s Dong Team, which has built a network of churches advocating for this ethnic minority group of 3 million people, most of whom have never heard of Jesus and are unlikely to meet a Christian in their lifetime. Father Fox has now led five annual short-term friendship trips with a view toward encouraging long-term involvement with unreached people groups. Each year, more individuals and parishes get involved through prayer, financial support, or joining the trip themselves.

The Great Commission is for all of us, but many of us stop short of getting involved because we see “missions” as synonymous with “mission trip.” In reality, only a small percentage of Christians are actually called to “go.”

Learning and prayer are the two most important things we can do, and all of us can do them. And for every person God calls to go, He calls about 100 or more people to send – it’s their prayers, and financial and practical support that make it possible for the goers to fulfill their roles.

Given our commitment to equipping the local church to engage the Great Commission from home, it was a surprise to us to be called to become “goers” ourselves. TEAM, a global alliance that helps churches send missionaries to plant churches where the need is greatest, recruited us to equip members of church-planting teams in Southeast Asia for greater fruitfulness on the field. As a result, Father Fox stepped down as rector of Church of Our Savior in May so we could prepare for this new ministry.

“We’re talking about 34 million people in seven distinct ethnic minority groups who do not have the Bible in their own language, have never met a Christian in the entire history of their culture, and who are unlikely to ever meet Father Loren and Mrs. Linda Fox

DIOCESE a Christian unless the church finds ways to cross the barriers and reach them with the gospel,” Father Fox said. “Imagine if this diocese didn’t exist, there were no Bibles, and the members of your parish were the only Christians in all of Central Florida. What would you need to do so that every single person in Central Florida had the opportunity to know and follow Jesus Christ?

That’s the scope of the task we’re looking at.”

Father Loren and I were called by God to take up a new role to carry out the Great Commission. Our trip means that God is calling at least 200 people to participate in this new ministry as members of the sending team. Is God calling you to take up a new role for the Great Commission? You, too, can play a significant role in changing lives at the ends of the Earth for all eternity, from right here in Central Florida.

We have received the blessing of Bishop Greg Brewer of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida and hope you can join us.

“I am pleased to support Loren and Linda Fox in their calling to the Far East,” said Bishop Brewer of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida. “God has used them in remarkable ways in that region for some time, so it makes perfect sense to me that the Lord’s economy would include sending them there to serve full-time.

Bishop Brewer Visitation Schedule 9/16/17

Daughters of the King Annual Meeting (St. Anne’s, Crystal River)

9/17/17

Corpus Christi, Okahumpka

9/24/17

Fall House of Bishops (Fairbanks, AK)

10/15/17

Commissioning of The Rev. Loren & Mrs. Linda Fox (Cathedral, Orlando)

10/22/17

St. Stephen’s, Lakeland

“I know that many of you love and care for them and would want to join them in these efforts,” Brewer said.

“I would urge you to do so, both financially and as well as in friendship and prayer.

They are responsible for raising up their own support, and those who love them and believe in their calling should serve them.

I hope you will join me in blessing them!”

10/28/17

ECW Annual Meeting (St. Augustine of Canterbury, Vero Beach)

10/29/17

St. Augustine of Canterbury, Vero Beach

11/1/17

Trinity Preparatory School, Winter Park

11/12/17

Holy Trinity, Melbourne

11/19/17

St. Paul’s, Winter Haven

12/3/17

St. Francis of Assisi, Lake Placid

12/10/17

Good Shepherd, Maitland

12/12/17

Glennon House (All Saints, Winter Park)

To find out how you can partner with Father Loren and Linda in their new ministry, visit www.EngagingTheAdventure.org, or email them at ReachUs@EngagingTheAdventure.org for more insight.

12/17/17

St. James, Leesburg

12/24/17

Cathedral, Orlando

— Jeff Gardenour contributed to this story.

Bishop Brewer’s visitation dates are subject to change.

Please refer to www.cfdiocese.org for the most current visitation listing.

Diocesan Calendar Sept. 9, 11 a.m. – Ordination of Candidates to the Diaconate

The Rt. Rev. Gregory Brewer will ordain Karen Geddes Davenport, Sean David Duncan, Gregory Emanuel Favazza, James Andrew Flood IV, Robert Talmadge Griffith, Robert Maurice McGee, Kay Mueller, Kenneth Lee Nolen, Thomas Morgan Phillips, Robert Sean Strenth and Richard Lawrence Wilson to the Sacred Order of Deacons in Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, at The Cathedral Church of St. Luke, 130 N. Magnolia Ave., Orlando.

Sept. 12, 6-7:30 p.m. – Glennon House Healing Service

The Rt. Rev. Gregory Brewer will preach and celebrate at All Saints Episcopal Church, 338 E. Lyman Ave., Winter Park.

Sept. 13, 10 a.m.-noon – Youth Leader Meeting

Event to include lunch and to be held at diocesan office. Please RSVP to bjennings@cfldiocese.org

Sept. 14-16 – Fresh Expressions

Event to be held at Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center, Oviedo.

Sept. 16, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Daughters of the King (DOK) Assembly Event to be held at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Crystal River. Bishop Brewer will preach and celebrate at Holy Eucharist.

Sept. 23, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. – Benefit Golf Outing

The 10th Annual Church of the Ascension Golf Outing, benefiting Ms. Minnie’s Kids, at Stoneybrook West Golf Club, 15501 Towne Commons Blvd., Winter Garden.

Sept. 23, 2-4 p.m. – Tea

7th Annual St. Edward’s Tea at St. Edward’s, Mount Dora. Please RSVP by Sept. 9 by contacting Helen Beverly at 352-729-4403.

Sept. 23, 5:30 p.m. – Comedy Show

Christian Comedy Show at Holy Faith, Port St. Lucie.

Oct. 5-9 – Cursillo Co-Ed Group

Event to be held at Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center, Oviedo.

Oct. 6-8 – Middle School Event New Beginnings Weekend for middle-schoolers ages 12-15 at Camp Wingmann, Avon Park.

Oct. 14 – Camp Wingmann Run Event to be held at Camp Wingmann, Avon Park.

Oct. 15, 6 p.m. – Commissioning

The Rt. Rev. Gregory Brewer will commission the Rev. Loren and Mrs. Linda Fox at The Cathedral Church of St. Luke, 130 N. Magnolia Ave., Orlando.

Oct. 23-25 – Annual Clergy Conference

Event to be held at Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center, Oviedo.

Oct. 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. – ECW Annual Meeting

Event to be held at St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, Vero Beach.

Bishop Brewer will preach and celebrate at Holy Eucharist.

Oct. 28, 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. – Halloween Golf Tournament

Holy Trinity, Fruitland Park Halloween Howl Charity Golf Tournament. Access the website https://birdeasepro.com/HTECGolf for more information.

Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-noon – Youth Leader Meeting

Event to include lunch at diocesan office.

Please RSVP to bjennings@cfldiocese.org

Nov. 10-12 – High School Retreat “Love Your Selfie” to be held at Camp Wingmann, Avon Park.

Nov. 11, 5 -8 p.m. – Masque Ball

Social event at St. Edward’s in Mount Dora, presented by the Cursillo Commission. Attire is black, white or black and white. Masks will be available at the door for those who do not bring one. Interested persons may extend this invitation to those outside the Cursillo community to afford the opportunity to introduce them to the Cursillo family. Beer and wine, hors d’oeuvres and music will be provided.

Prizes will be presented for best dressed and best mask. A basket raffle also will be held. A $5 donation is appreciated. RSVP to Kim McMaster, 4th Day Chair, at kmcmaster1@cfl.rr.com or 386-672-5903.

Nov. 18 – Holiday Bazaar

Event to be held at Church of the Incarnation, Oviedo.

Dec. 16, 5-8 p.m. – Annual Holiday Wild Game Dinner

Event to be held at Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center, Oviedo.

CENTRAL FLORIDA EPISCOPALIAN • September 2017

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GE T MORE CFE NEWS ONLINE! Readers can get more news

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, January 26 & Saturday, January 27,

2018

49th Annual Convention

The Diocese of Central Florida Trinity Episcopal Church 2365 Pine Avenue Vero Beach, Florida 32960

CENTRALFLORIDA

EPISCOPALIAN

NEWS FROM THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA WWW. CFDIOCESE.ORG • Volume 119, No. 5 • September 2017

Three Youths Win Camp Wingmann Scholarships

Page 8

Record-Setting Crowd Feasts at Canterbury

Page 12

Blue Corn Soap Cleans Up at Retreat

Page 15

Ties That Bind Ropes in Groups

Page 18

ECW Retreat Discusses Racial Reconciliation

Page 22