Click Here to Download a Copy of Canterbury Epistle 3.3
A Word From the Executive Director
Walking the grounds at Canterbury is always special for me, but I often forget to take the time and open my eyes to the beauty that surrounds me.
Recently following services one Sunday, I left St. Augustine’s Chapel and did just that. I took my time to look at the beauty that God had created. As I started to cross the bridge on the Bishop’s Walk, I looked up into the trees and noticed a beautiful red orchid; a little further along, a lovely pink one.
Doug Dill, Canterbury’s Horticulturist 
Vanda Orchid 
Cattleya Orchid
Orchids are often described as the most beautiful flowers in the world and we have them scattered throughout our campus, courtesy of board chair Doug Dill.
Unlike me, Doug has a green thumb. At times you can even find him up in the trees at Canterbury, transplanting his little beauties, giving them new life. Because of our very own “orchidologist”, my walk was that much more special, and the landscape at Canterbury even more spectacular with the added beauty of the orchids.
Thank you, Doug.
Chalmers Morse
A Return of Old Friends and New
Covid has been devastating to us all, but Canterbury has begun to see an uptick in business. Arnold Soliman, our Director of Sales & Marketing attributes the return of business to Canterbury’s recent renovations and the increase in vaccinations. “Things are on the upswing,” he said, and the sales and marketing team is aggressively pursuing new relationships with like-minded Christian organizations.
Clergy Conference – Redeeming Power
October 18 – 20, Canterbury was happy for the return of the annual Diocese of Central Florida Clergy Conference.
There were more than 80 attendees that received Canterbury’s warm hospitality. Delicious meals were served with a couple of new twists. Hors d’oeuvres on the Overlook Terrace each evening with live jazz, followed by a buffet dinner complete with a carving station. At Breakfast, an Omlette station was added to an expansive buffet.
Dr. Diane Langberg was this year’s guest speaker, globally recognized for her 49 years of clinical work with trauma victims. She has trained caregivers on six continents in responding to trauma and to the abuse of power. She also directs her own counseling practice in Jenkintown, PA.
Dr. Langberg has authored a number of books, including Redeeming Power, Counseling Survivors of Sexual Abuse, On the Threshold of Hope, In Our Lives First: Meditations for Counselors, Suffering, and the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores.
Dr. Langberg is the former Chair of the Executive Board of the American Association of Christian Counselors, former Co-Chair of American Bible Society’s Trauma Advisory Council, and formerly served on the board of GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in Christian Environments). Dr. Langberg has been awarded, the Distinguished Alumna Achievements from Taylor University, the American Association of Christian Counselors Caregiver Award, The Distinguished President’s award, and the Philadelphia Council of Clergy’s Christian Service Award.
U.S. Christian Chamber of Commerce
Business Expo: Create Kingdom Commerce
October 26-28, Canterbury hosted the inaugural U.S. Christian Chamber of Commerce – Business Expo. This national event was to further the chamber’s mission to build Kingdom, business, and community through workshops and seminars with faith-based speakers and an exhibit hall, which strengthened business owners and leaders in the marketplace.
Over the 3 days, hundreds of passionate Christian business professionals attended 12 business-critical speaker symposiums led by industry experts. Each day started with prayer in the exhibit hall before opening for shopping of more than 16 vendors.
The speakers specifically tailored their talks for modern Christian business professionals, including David Prosper, “How to Nurture Your Innovative Brain”; Joe Pici, “Priority and Time Management”; Pete Folch, “Keys to Personal Revitalization” by Pete Folch; “Rehumanizing Your Workforce, The Compounding Power of People, Process, and Parables” by Krystal Parker; “The REAP System: Building a Better Self and Society,” by Edward G. Young III; and “Everyone Does NOT Share Our Values in Cyberspace: A Practical Guide to Risk Management in an Increasing Complex Digital World” by Jeff Sauntry.
Jenga Game 
Ovations Award 
Christian Chamber Flyer
In addition to the Clergy Conference and US Christian Chamber of Commerce, Canterbury over the past several months has had the pleasure of also serving many other old friends and new, including: Adept Leadership, American Legion, Amrit Yoga, Audire, Body Unity, Community First Grief Recovery, Cru, Daughters of the King, Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, Kiwanis, Life Generating Church, Mt. Dora Christian Academy, Orlando International Church, Oviedo City Church, Oviedo – Winter Springs Chamber of Commerce, Oviedo School of Music, Rapport Leadership, Rotary Club of Oviedo, Summit Church, The C-12 Group and Wycliff Bible Translators.
All of us at Canterbury look forward to seeing our friends again in the future and having an opportunity of also being of service to new friends who may also be looking for a tranquil escape from the ordinary.
Canterbury Honored
Canterbury was recently acknowledged as the “Honoree” by the Oviedo-Winter Springs Chamber of Commerce as being the 2021 fan favorite “BEST HOTEL”.
We are truly honored, and I am extremely proud of our employees who work hard to give wonderful and friendly service, showing the real spirit of hospitality.
Merry Christmas from the Canterbury Kitchen!
A Holiday Galette
| Ingredients: · 50g light brown soft sugar, plus extra for sprinkling · ½ lemon, zested and juiced · 1 tbsp corn flour · 1 tbsp maple syrup · 2 apples, peeled, cored, halved, and thinly sliced · 2 pears, peeled, cored, halved, and thinly sliced · 20g hazelnuts, roughly chopped · Whipped cream, to serve For the pastry: · 80g hazelnuts · 2 tbsp icing sugar · 125g spelt flour · 175g plain flour, plus extra for dusting · 150g cold butter, cubed · 1 egg, beaten |
| Instructions: First, make the pastry. Blend the hazelnuts and sugar in a food processor until finely chopped. Add the spelt and plain flours, butter, and a good pinch of salt, and blend again until all of the butter has been incorporated and the mixture is sandy. Continue blending and drizzle in 1-2 tbsp cold water until the dough forms clumps. Test the dough with your fingers – if it feels like it will come together, knead into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and chill for 40 mins. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature for 30 mins before rolling. Mix the brown sugar, lemon zest, cornflour, and maple syrup together in a large bowl. Add the apples and pears, then toss well. Set aside while you roll out the pastry. Heat the oven to 320F – 350F. Place baking parchment on a large baking sheet and dust with flour. Roll out the pastry to roughly a 12-inch circle. The pastry will crack and crumble a little as you roll it, but just keep pushing the edges back together – don’t worry if it looks rustic. Slide the pastry onto the dusted parchment-lined baking tray. Pile the apple and pear mixture into the center of the pastry circle, letting any excess syrup drip back into the bowl as you do (save the syrup for later). Be sure to leave a clear ¾ to 1-inch border around the edge. Use the baking parchment to help lift the edges of the pastry over the apples and pears, leaving most of the mixture exposed. Pinch together any cracks around the edge to give it a rustic pastry border. Brush the edge of the pastry with beaten egg, sprinkle with a little brown sugar, and scatter hazelnuts over the galette. Bake for 50-55 minutes until golden brown. Meanwhile, pour any leftover syrup from the apples and pears into a small saucepan and bring to a slight boil until syrupy. When the galette is cooked and still hot, brush the syrup over the top. Let cool for at least 30 mins, then serve with whipped cream. |
Digitally Detox at Canterbury
Picture yourself at Canterbury, a tranquil escape from the ordinary, away from everyday distractions. Imagine a place where the warm glow of the early evening sun and the rustling of the trees is your soundtrack. A place where you can look out over the gentle waters of Lake Gem without “IT”, (your cellphone and other devices).
The fact that cell phones have changed our lives is both good and bad, as we find ourselves being conditioned to the “urgency” of life. “IT” (the cell phone) will pull you out of the most peaceful moment, and from watching the sun dip below the lake through the screen. A cellphone or other device just doesn’t compare to experiencing a beautiful sunset. They connect us to the world, yet leave us feeling disconnected from each other, ourselves, and nature. At Canterbury, we purposely do not have TVs in the rooms, and we invite you to break the pattern and unplug in a tranquil lake setting with a “digital detox.” Being tied to our devices has become the norm in recent years, but it’s more than just the norm: It should be a wake-up call to experience the moment as it truly is, without stressing over what you’re missing elsewhere. Here’s how to get and stay present during your visit to Canterbury and beyond.
The Benefits of a Digital Detox
Stash “IT” (your devices) and experience the pure freedom of being away from all the technology.It is a proven fact that there are a number of benefits to taking a mindful and intentional break from technology.
- The habit of checking your phone increases stress levels, so taking a digital detox can help you chill out, especially while enjoying Canterbury’s tranquil setting.
- Scrolling social media has also been linked with having a poor mood, giving you another reason to take a break from “IT”.
- Constantly refreshing your email and checking for messages has also been identified as a determinant of how you perceive your work-life balance, so being over-connected to the office while trying to unplug is a surefire road to burnout.
- The tech screens are notorious for disrupting sleep, so a digital detox can help you catch a higher quality of rest.
The lesson is this: While technology can do many wonderful things for us, the occasional break can help you feel less stressed, better rested, and more content.
How to Do a Digital Detox
Of course, breaking the pattern is easier said than done. The good news? The beauty of a digital detox is that you can design it around what works for you. If you want to go cold turkey, you can choose to forego all tech devices for a few days; however, you can still reap the benefits with a less extreme version of a digital detox.
Perhaps you’ll want to check for messages only one time each day while on your Canterbury retreat, or only use your phone for listening to music or podcasts. Maybe phone calls with family and close friends, but NOT social media and texting. It’s all about setting boundaries that feel refreshing and realistic for your lifestyle.
Once you’ve decided when you’re going to do your digital detox, set yourself up for success by removing all temptations. While Wi-Fi is of course available to all of our guests at Canterbury, you may choose not to connect and set your phone on airplane mode. You may also decide to delete specific apps that you’re trying to avoid, turning off all notifications and stashing “IT”. Avoid feelings of tech withdrawal by choosing to do something for you, rather than answering texts and looking at a screen. A few of our favorite things to do at Canterbury are settling in with a good book on one of our docks or spending time with God in the prayer garden. Enjoy a peaceful time kayaking on Lake Gem. Perhaps pumping your heart by partaking in the para course around the lake or prayerfully following the stations of the cross.
Canterbury is a place where you feel God’s presence. It is a place to find Freedom to lay aside the weights and troubles that bind you. A place for restoration, to rest, be refreshed and find strength for the battles ahead. Come to Canterbury, the perfect place to reset, exhale, and enjoy your digital detox with no stress and no regrets.
From Our Chaplain, The Reverend Tom Phillips
It’s stewardship season in the Episcopal church; time for a little annual investment advice from the best financial adviser of all time, Jesus. Here’s the advice: everything we horde we lose, anything we give we keep forever. “Don’t store up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasure in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20). Someone once asked John D. Rockefeller’s accountant how much Mr. Rockefeller left behind when he died. The accountant wisely, and probably somewhat sarcastically remarked, “all of it sir, he left all of it.” You can’t take anything with you, but it certainly seems that you can send it on ahead. Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 amount to the best insider trading investment advice anyone could ever get. He offers all of us a way to take the temporal treasure that we will all lose in its entirety and transfer it into an asset that will grow and flourish for eternity. What a wise and joyful thing giving becomes when we think about it that way. I’m encouraged by the famous missionary Jim Elliot’s words just before his death. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, gaining what he cannot lose.” Please consider Canterbury as you make plans to generously give in the months ahead.