The Rev. Jon Davis named conference center director
Posted October 29th, 2009
Central Florida Episcopalian:
Around the Diocese
From left, Marc Medieros, Canterbury's director of maintenance and operations; Charlie Pierce and the Rev. Jon Davis at Canterbury.
Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center, the Diocese of Central Florida’s premier meeting place in Oviedo, is taking its next great leap forward in management with the appointment of the Rev. Jon Davis, one of Bishop Howe’s most trusted and experienced colleagues, as executive director.
The Rev. Paul McQueen, director for nearly two decades, made vast improvements to the property and its operations, but has left to become rector of Church of the Resurrection, Longwood, beginning in December.
“On behalf of all of us I want to thank Paul, again, for leading Canterbury, and extending to us and our congregations and vestries its wonderful hospitality,” Bishop Howe said in his note to the clergy Oct. 28.
As the Diocese of Central Florida’s Canon for Youth from 1991 to 2003, Fr. Davis earned a national reputation for developing programs for young people. He then served on the staff of All Saints’, Winter Park for three years before accepting the call to become vicar of a startup mission in Oviedo, Church of the Incarnation.
Canterbury’s Board of Directors, led by Incarnation member Charlie Pierce, voted Oct. 28 to appoint Fr. Davis executive director.
“Right now I’m the happiest chairman of the board there is,” Mr. Pierce said after the meeting.
Incarnation’s vestry also approved the Canterbury appointment, and Fr. Davis said a key part of the deal would be his continuation as the mission’s vicar, with the strong possibility that Incarnation would find a permanent home in Canterbury’s chapel. Incarnation has enjoyed steady growth. Average Sunday attendance is about 125, and the average age of members is 36.
"It's a very thriving mission," Fr. Davis said.
Incarnation met for its first four months on the Canterbury campus, before the Diocese was able to purchase a piece of property nearby, where mission members have converted a small house into a meeting place, while renting facilities for Sunday worship at Reformed Theological Seminary, also in Oviedo.
“Over the past month numerous conversations have confirmed that Jon should indeed be invited to accept this position, while continuing as Vicar of Incarnation, and that the possibility of sharing facilities is something to be explored with the leadership of both the mission congregation and the Board of Canterbury,” Bishop Howe said.
“I invite and request your prayers for Jon and for all the staff of Canterbury, and, indeed, for all of the members of the Church of the Incarnation and the Diocese of Central Florida as we begin to live into this new reality,” Bishop Howe said.
Fr. Davis shared his vision for Canterbury and Incarnation: “I will work to see us
live into the Great Commandment and the Great Commission -- loving God, loving each other, pro claiming this love to the world.”
“We're about advancing the Kingdom of God into the hearts and lives of men, women, children everywhere,” Fr. Davis said. “Incarnation does this through the ministry of the church: evangelism; discipleship; worship; mission; fellowship and more. Canterbury does this through training, education and hospitality becoming the ‘hub’ for Christian renewal and spiritual activity in this diocese and beyond.”
Fr. Davis also said he will work to see Canterbury become central and essential to the life of the Diocese of Central Florida, the place where the church gathers for renewal, teaching and fellowship. He also wants Canterbury to extend its reach to the greater church becoming the chosen destination for Christian conferences and retreats.
Canterbury’s grounds encompass 48 acres of Florida's natural woodlands and beautiful Lake Gem. Guests can use the center’s canoes and paddle boats for fishing or simply to enjoy sitting beside the lake. The center also offers a meditation garden, gazebo, benches on the “Bishops' board walk,” and a memorial garden for rest and reflection.
For more active recreation there is a volleyball court and a nature “fitness” trail that goes all the way around the lake, a walk of nearly a mile.
All of the spacious meeting/conference rooms offer a peaceful view of either the lake or the wooded areas. There are three main meeting/conference rooms, with the largest seating up to 150 people. The two largest meeting rooms can be split in half for additional spaces.
Included with the reservation of a meeting room is a variety of audio/visual equipment such as TV/VCR, DVD, LCD projector, microphone, overhead projector/screen, slide projector, dry erase easels, easels with paper and markers, and portable stereo. Extra office services include sending/receiving faxes; photocopies and free unlimited use of the lobby computer, with DSL fast connect.
The living room, which is always open and available to all guests, is a cozy place with overstuffed furniture and a big stone fireplace. The room also features a self-service hospitality bar which offers a variety of refreshments including coffee, tea, sodas, bottled water and whole fruit.
Each of the 45 lodging rooms has two beds, a private bath, and linens and towels. There also is a beautiful suite that overlooks the lake. The suite has a living room and dining room area as well as a kitchenette.
