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A Word From the Executive Director
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
Louie Giglio said “The word advent means expectation. What advent can do for us is create a sense of hope”. Over the past few years, many have lost hope as we dealt with covid, crime, hurricanes, inflation, fentanyl, war, and the list goes on. I’ve heard it said, that there never has been a time more than now when we didn’t need hope. Canterbury is the perfect place to find that hope. For 40 years it has been a unique place, where guests experience something extraordinary when they arrive, feeling God’s peace and knowing they are indeed on holy ground. Canterbury provides an opportunity to enrich lives through hospitality, learning and renewal. As a center for spiritual growth, we equip people with life and ministry skills, where people can come to know and grow in their knowledge and love of the Lord through sanctuary, retreats, and conferences. Not only hope, but freedom. A place where you can lay aside the weights and troubles of the world. It is a place to rest and be refreshed, finding strength for the battles ahead. And it is a place to relate, where teams can learn to trust and build friendships. In this season of giving, please consider supporting Canterbury with a Christmas gift to either the annual fund or to the Bishop Folwell Scholarship Fund, which assists those who otherwise could not participate in a program or conference. https://canterburyretreat.org/canterbury-annual-fund/ When completing the donation form, please indicate annual f und or scholarship in the “memo” box. Thank you
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
As I look forward to Advent and Christmas and reflect on the challenges and darkness we have all faced these past few years, I can take comfort in re-reading the 2019 Christmas message from our Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Michael Curry. I hope his message brings you comfort as well.
Christmas Message 2019
The Most Rev. Michael Curry
“In the first chapter of John’s Gospel. Sometimes referred to as the prologue to the gospel, sometimes spoken of as the whole gospel in miniature. The gospel writer says this, as he reflects on the coming of God into the world in the person of Jesus. As he reflects on Christmas, he says; the light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. I don’t think it’s an accident that long ago, followers of Jesus began to commemorate his coming into the world when the world seemed to be at its darkest. It’s probably not an accident that we observe Christmas soon after December 21st, the winter solstice. The winter solstice being in the northern hemisphere, the darkest time of the year.
Undoubtedly, these ancient Christians who began to celebrate the coming of God into the world, they knew very well that this Jesus, his teachings, his message, his spirit, his example, his life, points us to the way of life itself. A way of life where we will take care of each other, a way of life where we care for God’s world, a way of life where we are in a loving relationship with our God and with each other, as children of the one God who has created us all.
They also knew John’s Gospel and John’s Christmas story. Now there are no angels in John’s Christmas story, there are no wise men coming from afar, there’s no baby lying in a manger, there’s no angel choir singing gloria in excelsis deo in the highest of the heavens, there are no Shepherds tending their flocks by night. Matthew and Luke tell those stories.
In John, it is the poetry of new possibility born of the reality of God, when God breaks into the world. It’s not an accident that long ago followers of Jesus began to commemorate his birth, his coming into the world when the world seemed darkest, when hope seemed to be dashed on the altar of reality.
It is not an accident that we too commemorate his coming when things do not always look right in this world. But there is a God and there is Jesus and even in the darkest night, that light once shined and will shine still.
His way of love is the way of life, it is the light of the world, and the light of that love shines in the darkness and the darkness has not, cannot, and will not overcome it.
God love you; God bless you, and may you have a Merry Christmas and may this world be blessed, Amen.”
From the Canterbury Kitchen
Turkey Pot Pie
| The age-old question of what to do with the leftover turkey? There is nothing better than Turkey Pot Pie. Here is quick and easy recipe you are sure to enjoy whether in Florida or snuggling in front of a warm fire on a cold winter up north. Guests have been known to enjoy some around the firepit. |
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Ingredients:
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| Instructions: 1. Set oven to 375 degrees. 2. Melt the butter in a large pot over medium- high heat, then add the onion, carrots, and celery. Stir until the onions turn translucent, about 3 minutes. 3. Stir in the turkey and then sprinkle the flour over the top and stir until combined with the vegetables. Cook for 1 minute, then pour in the chicken broth (and wine if using) and stir it letting it thicken. 4. Once it starts to thicken add the turmeric, salt, pepper, and thyme. 5. Add the cream, then stir the mixture and let it bubble up, about 3 minutes. If it seems overly thick, splash in a little more broth and turn off the heat. 6. Pour the filling into a 2-quart baking dish. Roll out the pie crust on a floured surface and lay it over the top of the dish. Press the dough so that the edges stick to the outside of the pan. Use a knife to cut little vents here and there in the surface of the dough. 7. Mix the egg with 2 tablespoons water and brush it all over the surface of the crust. (You will have some egg wash left over.) 8. Place the pie on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the crust is deep golden brown, and the filling is bubbly. To prevent the crust from getting too brown, you might want to cover it lightly with foil for the first 15 minutes of baking time. 9. Serve and enjoy. |
Thoughts From Our Chaplain
The Reverend Tom Phillips
When was the last time you heard good news? In a world full of bad news, and amidst a church culture distracted into giving mostly good advice, sometimes we just need to hear some good news. If you’ve made it this far into the Canterbury Epistle, I’m assuming you’re a part of this Christian story, so this good news is for you: Your creator and God loved you even when you couldn’t possibly love him back. Romans 5. He set his affections upon you because he’s good and faithful, not because you were, are, or will be. He made you alive through Christ when you were hopelessly dead in your sins. He filled you with his Spirit, guaranteeing your place in heaven. Ephesians 1-2. Your life is headed towards an eternity of peace, joy, goodness, and beauty that will exceed your every expectation. 1 Cor. 15. You didn’t earn this; you don’t deserve it; you can’t sin it away. And until it is fully yours, God wants to fill your life so fully with this radical hope that you’ll have other worldly peace no matter what happens in the meantime. Philipp. 4. That’s really good news. I’ll steal this last line from Steve Brown: “Now you think about that.”
Past Events & Happenings
The past few months have been busy ones at Canterbury, as we welcomed many old friends who had not been back since before the pandemic. One of the groups, was the annual Clergy Conference of The Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida. While conferences were held in 2020 and 2021, they had been mostly virtual. This year the majority of the clergy were in attendance, and it was Canterbury’s chance to shine. And shine we did, showing off the many facility improvements as well as an upgrade in food and service, since the start of the pandemic. The comments ranged from “wow, what change” to “we were treated like royalty”. In a letter from Bishop Brewer, he remarked: “Please extend my heartfelt gratitude to the entire team who made the gathering possible…..our every need was anticipated and tended to.” In addition to the Diocese of Central Florida, Canterbury was honored to host the following groups over the past few months. Adept Leadership, American Holistic Nurses Association for Clinical Pastoral, Audire, Be Broken, Body in Unity, C12 Group, Church of Incarnation, Common Grounds Adventures, Crossover Mission, First Presbyterian Church of Columbia SC, FL Fish & Wildlife, Florida National Guard, I AM Education, I Dignity Inc., Global Ministries Center, GOSHRM, I AM Education, Java with Judith, Jesus Film Project, Kiwanis, Mankind Project, Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, Oviedo Winter Springs Chamber, Resonate Global Mission, Rotary Club of Oviedo, Reform Theological Seminary, Senior Resource Alliance, SIL International, Skills USA Florida, The Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, Trinity Prep, UCF College of Communication, Victory Christian Academy.
To book an event, or to learn more about Canterbury Conference Center, please contact us through our website at:
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After two years, a welcome gathering -
Chef Cass O’Donnell’s lavish dessert buffet -
Welcome gathering -
Bishop Wells guides clergy through Ephesians 3:14-21 -
Bishop Brewer delivers his Lambeth report -
Holy Eucharist and the renewal of vows at St. Augustine’s Chapel