CENTRALFLORIDAEPISCOPALIAN NEWS FROM THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA WWW.CFDIOCESE.ORG VOLUME 116, No. 5 JULY 2014 MORE NEWS INSIDE: BISHOP’S COLUMN P.3 MORE THANKS FROM CANON BENNETT P. 4 EFM, P. 8 HISTORY OF ST. MARY, P. 30 PAGE 30 PAGE 17 CHILI CHAMPION’S CHALLENGE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, APOPKA BISHOP GREG AND LAURA LEE BREWER VISIT HISTORIC ST. MARY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH SCORES OF FRIENDS CELEBRATE AT THE REV. CANON ERNIE BENNETT RETIREMENT DINNER M ay 31 at the Winter Park Racquet Club was an especially joyous evening for friends of Canon Ernie Bennett’s who gathered to help celebrate his 46 years of ministry. Homages in song, video and testimonials rang out at the party, as old friends reminisced about their long association with Ernie. Ernie’s remarks at the retirement dinner, May 31 at the Winter Park Racquet Club I do want to say a word. And here’s the word: “thank you”! I shared earlier, I didn’t even know that I knew this many people. Much less, being able to say that I had this many friends. And that’s just really touched me deeply. I am hon- ored. I am humbled by your expressions. I can’t say anything, but “thank you”. But I’m going to say a few more words. Some people have asked me, “what is it like now to be retiring?” And I say that “I’ve actually always been retiring.” Some of you got that joke. Bishop Gregg mentioned some time ago was that one of the things he had done for me over these two years is to laugh at my jokes. So, I appreciate it when people actually do that. CONTINUED ON P. 10 Rebecca, Matt, Roz, Jenn, Andrew and Ernie Bennett at Grove Park Inn, Asheville, Christmas 2011 Spring Hill farewell party, May, 1985 Baptism in Fort Pierce, with Sharon Britcher
Transcript
CENTRALFLORIDAEPISCOPALIANNEWS FROM THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA WWW.CFDIOCESE.ORG VOLUME 116, No. 5 JULY 2014
MORE NEWS INSIDE: BISHOP’S COLUMN P.3 MORE THANKS FROM CANON BENNETT P. 4 EFM, P. 8 HISTORY OF ST. MARY, P. 30
PAGE 30 PAGE 17
CHILI CHAMPION’S CHALLENGECHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, APOPKA
BISHOP GREG AND LAURA LEE BREWER VISITHISTORIC ST. MARY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
SCORES OF FRIENDS CELEbRATE AT
THE REv. CANON ERNIE bENNETT
RETIREMENT DINNERMay 31 at the Winter Park Racquet Club was an especially joyous evening
for friends of Canon Ernie Bennett’s who gathered to help celebrate his 46 years of ministry.
Homages in song, video and testimonials rang out at the party, as old friends reminisced about their long association with Ernie.
Ernie’s remarks at the retirement dinner, May 31 at the Winter Park Racquet Club
I do want to say a word. And here’s the word: “thank you”! I shared earlier, I didn’t even know that I knew this many people. Much less, being able to say that I had this many friends. And that’s just really touched me deeply. I am hon-ored. I am humbled by your expressions. I can’t say anything, but “thank you”.
But I’m going to say a few more words. Some people have asked me, “what is it like now to be retiring?” And I say that “I’ve actually always been retiring.” Some of you got that joke.
Bishop Gregg mentioned some time ago was that one of the things he had done for me over these two years is to laugh at my jokes. So, I appreciate it when people actually do that. CONTINUED ON P. 10
Rebecca, Matt, Roz, Jenn, Andrew and Ernie Bennett at Grove Park Inn, Asheville, Christmas 2011
Spring Hill farewell party, May, 1985
Baptism in Fort Pierce, with Sharon Britcher
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14The Episcopal Church
IN CENTRAL FLORIDABased in the 15-county heart of our booming, diverse Sunshine State.
Companion to the Diocese of Honduras.
IN THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION
A global community of 70 million Anglicans in 500 dioceses. Covers 164
countries in 38 member provinces.
Archbishob of Canterbury:
IN THE UNITED STATESA community of 2.5 million
members in 118 dioceses in the Americas & elsewhere. Established in
1789.
Presiding Bishop:
Bishop: The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer
The Most Rev. Justin Welby
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Continuing The Palm Branch (1894), diocese (1971)
The Rt. Rev. Gregory BrewerBishop
The Rt. Rev. John W. HoweThe Rt. Rev. Dorsey F. Henderson
The Rt. Rev. Hugo Pina-LopezThe Rt. Rev. John Said
Retired Bishops
The Rev. Canon Timothy NunezCanon to the Ordinary
The Ven. Kristi AldayArchdeacon
Joe ThomaEditor & Communications Officer
Fina FlorezDesign Editor
Erick PerezSubscription Manager
Central Florida Episcopalian
The Central Florida Episcopalian is published monthly by the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida. Submissions are welcome, but are subject to editing and use at the discretion of
the Central Florida Episcopalian.
Please submit notices two months before event to:
The Central Florida Episcopalian1017 E. Robinson StreetOrlando, FL 32801-2023
Celebrating Rev. Canon Ernie Bennett Retirement - Story on p. 10
4 More Thanks from Canon Ernie Bennett
10 Education for Ministry
10 Join Mission of Love & Hope 2015
20 Letters to the Rev. Canon Ernie Bennett
26 Ernie Bennett’s Testimonials from Friends
30 Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
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THE RT. REV. GREGORY BREWER
Bishop Greg Brewer and fellow board members of the Bishop Gray Foundation met at DaySpring Episcopal Center May 27 and 28 for their 2014 annual meeting. The Bishop Gray Foundation supports Episcopal retirees, retired clergy, clergy wives and church staff in the
Diocese of Southwest Florida, Southeast Florida and Central Florida.“We are assisting 50 people that we will continue to assist for the rest of
their lives,” said Executive Director Ginger Van Valkenburgh, who heads the organization with offices in Winter Park. Bishop Dabney Smith is president of the board, which meets quarterly. The annual meeting is the opportunity for Van Valkenburgh to report on the finances and budget of the Founda-tion, which has increased the number of residents it is assisting across its three member Dioceses.
This year, Van Valkenburgh reported that the endowment is approximate-ly $11 million, which produces approximately $560,000 to support retirees. Van Valkenburgh said that the challenge for the foundation now is not only how it can meet new needs, but also project how it can keep assisting retirees as they live longer.
At the meeting, Van Valkenburgh shared stories of thanks from those receiving help. All 50 retirees were connected with one of the three dioceses;
the oldest is 100 and lives on her own. The oldest in a life-care community is 96; she was an original resident of the Bishop Gray Inns. The sale of Bishop Gray enabled the creation of the endowment.
To qualify one must be 62 or older, be an Episcopalian from the South-east, Central, or Southwest Diocese, and have very limited assets and income. The board consists of representatives of each member Diocese and their re-spective bishop.
Van Valkenburg reported that the Foundation continues to grow in sup-port and recently had two bequests, $100,000 from the estate of Ruby Pen-nington Layton and $10,000 from the estate of Margaret McElfresh.
Representing the Diocese on the Foundation board, in addition to Bishop Smith, are Barbara Kelly, All Souls Ft. Myers; Dr. C. Thomas Gooding, Good Shepherd, Venice; Jane Boritz, St. Wilfred, Sarasota and the Rev. Bill Moyers, St. Paul’s, Naples.■
For more information, contact:Ginger Van Valkenburgh, Executive Director Bishop
Gray Retirement Foundation P.O. Box 233 Winter Park, FL 32790Phone: 407-644-9866 Fax:866-328-1520Email: [email protected]
Bishop Gray Foundation Meets in South West Florida
The Rev. Donna Dambrot, the Ven. Thomas Bruttell, Dr. Tom Gooding, Barbara Kelly, the Very Rev. Hugh McGlashon, Jane Boritz, the Rt. Rev. Dabney Smith, the Rt. Rev. Leo Frade, the Rt. Rev. Gregory Brewer, Dcn. William Moyers, Guy D. Colado, Alex Mackinnon, Executive Director Ginger Van Valkenburgh and Canon Richard Miller.
Attending but not in photo are Canon Hap Lewis and Dr. Tom Bates.
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It was a special treat to see old friends from different places I have served. My first ministry after serving as a Curate in Naples was St. Andrew’s, Spring Hill. Betty Audette and Lars Thorsen were both Senior Wardens at one time or another and their presence was a
blessing. The Molina’s and Fiona from St. Andrew’s, Fort Pierce touched me by their being there as did my former Assistant form Ft. Pierce, Rob Merola and his wife Linda. I could hardly believe my eyes when I spotted Bill and Caroline Bosbyshell – Bill was my Rector when I headed off to seminary. By the time I had graduated Bill had been replaced by Terry Jackson who was not physically up to coming but his wife, Donna and daughter Kim were there and that meant the world to me. Bishops Jay Lambert, Dabney Smith (and his Canon, Michael Durning) joined by two bosses Bishop John W. Howe and, of course, Bishop Greg Brewer. Wow!
The problem with mentioning people by name is that you always leave out someone. I apologize for that. My good friend Chuck Robertson (Can-on to the Presiding Bishop) brought not only himself but also special letters of congratulations from Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, and Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. The party was an expression of love that I receive with gratitude. Kristi, Cindy, Tom, Little Kristi, Roz, Bishop Greg and Laura Lee, Marilyn, Joe, Beverly, Earl, Erick, Justin, Tim and so many others – you conspired to give me a gift that was full of joy and wonderful surprises. You did that in spades!
When I was presented with the purse of $21,000 I was stunned. I did not know what to say (a rarity for me). When I add that to all the little touches like special guest appearance of Gregory the Magnificent to present the check, the baseballs in a cage for the guest sign in, the flat Ernie, the bobble head Ernie, the Bennett field banner, the Braves jacket – the list can go on and on – it equals a send-off like no other that I have ever experienced.■
More Thanks from Canon ERniE BEnnEtt
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Celebrating the Reverend Canon Ernie Bennett’s Decades of Service
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1.- The Rev. Rory Harris, Canon Ernie Bennett, the Rev. Nancy Kline and her husband, Sims Kline
2- Mark Pinsky and the Rev. Canon Nelson Pinder
3- Guests Signed Baseballs for Ernie
4- Canon Chuck Robertson brings greetings from the Church Pension Fund
5.- Marilyn Lang with Meg and the Rev. Tim Nunez
6.- Ernie with Beth and the Rev. Dr. Jon Davis
7- The Rev. Tim Nunez and Archdeacon Kristi Alday
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The Rev. Ernie Bennett and family at the party
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AROUND THE DIOCESEThe Rev. Ernie Bennett receives a special gift Bennett baseball jersey
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Tom Alday, “Little Kristi” and Spenser Cheek
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Party Table Settings
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By Lisa Mouton
AROUND THE DIOCESE
For the first time in its nearly 40 year history, Education for Ministry (EfM) has totally changed their texts. Worldwide, the program has changed from using purpose written texts to using commercially avail-able books. Most groups are just finishing their first year of study using
these new materials. Locally, the response has been generally positive.Education for Ministry is a lay education program run by the University
of the South School of Theology (Sewanee). Students meet in groups of six to twelve with a trained mentor and participate in a four year course of study. There are at least four active groups in the Diocese of Central Florida – at Church of the Advent in Ocala, Church of the Resurrection in Longwood, Emmanuel in Orlando and St. James in Ormond Beach.
The first year of study in EfM concentrates on the Old Testament and the second year focuses on the New Testament. The new books for these years are actually texts written for college or graduate students. Although some EfM students have complained that the new textbooks are not as theological as they expected, they provide a solid background for understanding each book of the Bible, including the who, what and why of it being written.
The third year of study has always been the history of the Church, but with the new text that history has been expanded to include more than the West-ern Church. The study now includes the history of the Orthodox churches as
well as smaller churches worldwide, including the Church in Asia and Africa. Fourth year has, perhaps, seen the most change. While it used to be mostly a study of the major Western theologians since the Enlightenment, it now uses three books of theology, so that instead of reading about theologians, students are now actually reading theology.
The common lessons, done by all years together, have also been re-vamped. There are now two books a year read by all the students in a group, regardless of what year they are in. Sewanee also provides a study guide to be used with not only these, but also the individual year readings. Hopefully, by the time a student finishes EfM, they have learned to think theologically.
EfM is not a traditional Bible study. Not only does it encompass a bigger study area than just the Bible, but it is also a small group experience that hope-fully prepares the individual for a more active and productive life of ministry. It leads to a greater understanding and appreciation of the Bible and our tradition in our daily life and work. Although it is a four year program, students only com-mit to one year at a time. For more information, see the website at www.sewanee.edu/EfM or contact a sponsoring church to be put in contact with a mentor.
Lisa Mouton has been a member of Emmanuel Episcopal church since 1994 and is finishing her 8th year as an EfM Mentor. She also works as a paralegal and can be reached at [email protected].■
Education for Ministry changing tExts
A group from All Saints Winter Park will be going on a week long mission trip next year
to El Hogar Home for Love and Hope in Honduras on April 11-18, 2015. We have
spaces for interested people. Our next meeting is Sunday July 13
in the Mary Martha Parlor, All Saints Winter Park at 4pm
7- Chuck and Carol Armstrong, with the virtual Ernie
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It’s really heartening. A lot of people have come up to say, “congrat-ulations”! And all that sort of thing. And some of you have been a little stunned, that I haven’t come back and said, “wow that’s really neat and I appreciate that.” Because I’m not quite sure how I feel about all this stuff. I mean, that’s just the honest truth. But I do appreciate (and I looked it up this week) the word congratulate, has in it, not just we’re happy for your joy, because I’m not sure about that. But here’s what I am sure about. The word also contains the sense of thanks, of gratitude. And I am so grateful to you, that I have been a source of something about God’s love in your life. And that’s very gratifying to know. So as you say “thank you” to me, please know overwhelmingly, I say, “thank you”, to you. It’s been a great treat. I’ve told many, many people, that over these past 21 years, I’ve had the best job in the church. And I really do believe that. And Tim, that’s what you’re going to inherit.
Tim Nunez and I have been working these two months, May and June. He’s learning a little from me, and I’m learning a lot from him. It’s a great treat to work alongside of him. Tim is going to make a great Canon to the Ordinary.
Thank you for this party, it’s really great. Kristi and your crew, and Little Kristi, and all of you. Gosh, this is fabulous.
When I came, I knew today was going to be something special. I knew that that’s what I would expect from you. Just the kind of thoughtful celebra-tion, and the joy that’s always a part of this thing.
You know, one of the things Bishop Dabney Smith mentioned earlier is that we talk regularly. But one of the things that we do probably more than anything else is laugh. I have gotten to the point in my life where if I can’t have fun, I don’t want to do it. I really think that for you it’s important to say that you do this because you really believe that God has called you to do it. It’s a high mission, but it’s also great fun. Look for the fun in what you do.
I want to think the staff that’s worked so well with me. You all are great. It’s a privilege to serve with each of you. Marilyn, you know how much you have meant to me, and I especially thank you for putting up with me. The times that I feel really, really good, and the times that I don’t feel so good. For being able to be patient in all of that is a great gift.
I’ll tell you this, that I’ve had the great privilege of serving two, wonderful, fine Bishops. In different times, the gifts that were required were different. It’s been a privilege to serve Bishop John Howe through some very tough times. To do that with a sense of not only integrity, but also a kind of patience through a lot of adversity, that really was special. Thank you sir, for that.
Then when Bishop Greg was elected, and I thought, “Well, we’ll see what happens.” You know I am one of the few clergy in the diocese that doesn’t have a Letter of Agreement. I’ve always known that any day he could say, “Well, it’s been good, and have a good life,” and all that sort of thing.
Greg, it was just such an honor when you said, “Will you continue with me?” It’s been a blast, it’s been wonderful. That friendship is not something that we will ever give up. So thank you, and you know you’re going to have some great times together as you build a family, the diocese. Really have a sense that it’s so wonderful to be together in service to our Lord. Thank you, Bishop Greg.
Here are a couple of other things - short. I was asked some time back in one of those conferences. You guys go to these things from time to time, right? Where they say, “Name the people that have been the most influential in your life. The person who led you to Christ,” or whatever the exercise is.
I was in this one exercise, and said, “Name some people that have been the most helpful, the most important to you. The people that you want to model your life after.” I thought about it, and I thought about a number of people. But two of the people that I thought about, and then I told them that I thought this way, was my two sons. And you saw an example of that tonight. Aren’t they great?
They taught me more than I have ever taught them. For them to be here, for their lovely wives to be here. For Sheppard to be here, it’s really touching for me. To know that my Mom and my sister, Doris and my nephew, Blaik, are here tonight as well. My Mother is a spectacular person. She is now 91. A remarkable woman! Do you know, I recently bought her a new lawn mower. I said to her, “Mom, don’t you think that we could hire somebody else to cut the grass?” She said, “No, I have my reputation to live up to.” Mom, thank you for being here. Thank you for all that you’ve done in my life.
Last, but certainly not least, my wife Roz probably has given up more, particularly in this position, than anybody probably should have to give up. She has stood by me in that, and then in the other 25 years of my ordained ministry. I can’t say anything but I love you and thank you for everything you’ve done.
46 years ago, I looked at the material that the pension fund sent. My first certificate came 45 years ago. It listed the years that I would need to serve before retirement. It was a lot of years, I thought. I honestly could not imagine what that would look like, because it would be to retire at age 65, when I was at that point 26. I thought, “Well that will never happen.”
I blew that year off entirely, because I was having too much fun, and I felt like I could still make a difference. I’m now approaching that time, (72 is mandatory retirement), and I had an opportunity to work with Tim and know that for his family it would be great to have this transition this summer. I was thrilled to be able to do that with them. I had such great confidence in him and in his work.
Here’s the thing, when I thought about that 46 years ago, I thought, “Dog gone, that’s a long time.” Then to blow that year by. It goes by too fast. You all know that, those of you who have approached some of these golden years. You think, “Where did the time go? I don’t get it?” I’m still a young guy, and I’ve still got lots of energy and lots of things I want to do.
I am retiring, again in many ways. Good. But I ain’t done yet. I look for-ward to seeing what the Lord does to me, through me, in me, and with you all. Just a great adventure.
The summer before I went to seminary I was working with Canon Nelson Pinder. We had to do a program that was called the Southern Leadership Program, or something like that. I was one of the few non-seminarians there. They told us one thing, and that is many of you on your summer job, you’re going to go into parishes and you’re going to work with people on Vacation Bible School. Which we were.
This guy said, “I want to give you some tips on playing games with people. (Some of you have heard me tell this before.) He said the most profound thing to me, and I want to share it with you. He said, “Whenever you’re playing games, or whenever you’re working with people, always stop the game while you’re still having fun. Don’t wait until you’re cooked, until everybody’s bored, until it’s just no fun anymore.” So I am retiring, while I’m still having fun.
Thank you for coming tonight. Thank you for the great privilege of serv-ing alongside of you in this ministry which God has called us. God bless you.■
CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT COVER
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Photos of Rev. Canon Ernie
Bennett1.- The Seminarian - VTS in the 1960s
2.- Intership at the Roz’s Church, 1996 - 1997Church of the Holy Communion, Washington, DC
3.- Husband and Wife, 1968
4.- First Assignment, 1968 - 1971Trinity by the Cove, Naples, FL
5.- First Assignment, 1968 - 1971Trinity by the Cove, Naples, FL
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Photos of the Reverend Canon
Ernie Bennett
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1.- With Herbert D. Edmondson, Retired Bishop of Jamiaca 1993 in Orlando
2, 3 &4.-Ballon RideBirthday Gift from the Diocesan Staff
5.- With Archbishop George and Eileen CareyEpcot, 2003
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As a result of the recent Chili Champion’s Challenge at Church of the Holy Spirit, Apopka,
the Chili Banditos were able to present Karen Valiente,
Senior Director of Loaves and Fishes, with a check for $2,465.06.
Chili Banditos along with Victor Valiente, Assistant Director of
Loaves and Fishes, Nancy Yeager, Loaves and Fishes Volunteer, Karen Valiente, Senior Director of Loaves and Fishes and Glen Highfield, Chili
Bandito Chair.
Chili Banditos Raid Apopka
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Reverend Canon Ernie Bennett and Family
1.- Ernie vacationing with Roz
2.- First meeting with Sheppard
3.- Matt, Andrew and Ernie on Alaskan vacation
4.- Roz, Jenn, Ernie, Sheppard, Andrew, Matt & Rebecca, at Sheppard’s Baptism, Sept. 2013 in Omaha
5.- Vacationing in Panama, 2012
6.- Nap time for For Grandpa & Sheppard.
7.- Andrew, Ernie and Matt at a big game
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Photos of the Reverend Canon
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1.- Celebration of New Ministry at St. Andrew’s with Bishop William Folwell
2.- At St. Andrew’s Parish Retreat, 1980’s at River Ranch
3.-Welcome Party at Fort Pierce, May 1980
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1.- Celebration at St. Andrew’s
2.- St. Andrew’s Centennial Needlepoint Project with Jean Alderman, late 1980s
3.- Andrew and Matthew Bennett, 1986, Fort Pierce
4.- Voice of Fr. Rob Merola, former Assistant Rector in Fort Pierce, mid-1980s Parish Retreat
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Bishop William Folwell: Hey Ernie. I’m really sorry both Chris and I can’t be there to be with you and Roz tonight. I know this was a major turning point in your life. I hope that you 2 will be as happy and as contented as we are and have been for the last 24 years. If you like to travel, you won’t have a better time in your life than to do it now. We certainly highly recommend it.
Most of all, we just want you to know we’ll be thinking of you. If you ever get up this way, please don’t hesitate to call and come by. We’d love to get together with you. We’ll be thinking of you and have you in our prayers. God bless you both.
the Rev. David Johnson, Diocese of Mississippi: Ernie , I have so many fond memories of you. I celebrate with you on your retirement. I am delighted for you, but I know you are not going to go completely out to pasture. I know you well. After 46 years of ordained ministry, you’re not likely to stop.
I have so many fond memories of our time together. You have been a tower of integrity to me and a great model and adviser during our 13 years of service together as canons to the ordinary in our respected dioceses. That has meant more to me than I could ever tell you.
I also have very fond memories of General Convention. I be-lieve it was in 2009 in Anaheim when we went to see the [inaudible 00:00:58] play the Yankees on that sunny Southern California after-noon. Of course, baseball is very close to both of our hearts. That is one of the many, many memories I will carry with me in the years ahead. I am thankful for your wisdom. I am thankful for your minis-try. Most of all, I’m thankful for your friendship, Ernie. Best wishes to you and all of our family.
Betty audette: Fr. Bennett came to St. Andrew’s Spring Hill in 1971. We were a small group worshiping in the little red school-house. Ernie had to bring all the things. He had to bring candles and altar and all those things for us to have the service there. It didn’t take Ernie long to get us started on our new building when the lot was chosen and with the help of the diocese and a loan from one of the lady’s of church, the building was started that would be our first church. Ernie was a hard worker and we knew that God has sent us the right man at the right time.
He was only 28 when he came to us? We always kidded him. We used to say ‘We growed you up, Ernie Bennett.’” And we did. We all mothered him because he was younger than the rest of us. We love Ernie as I know everybody does. Every Thursday the men
get together and they had a work crew to do a lot of the work around the church. Ernie loved to be in that work crew. There was more than one person who came looking for the priest of the church and Ernie would be in his old dirty shorts, in his old dirty shoes, and he’d say “I’m the priest.” Everybody loved the fact that he was out working with the guys.
Butch Wooten, Diocesan Chancellor: Ernie, congratulations on your retirement. All of us are going to miss you. Not only those here in the office but everybody throughout the diocese. You’ve been wonderful in your support of many of us on many, many issues over your long career. Excellent administrator. You’ve shared wise judgment with us on many occasions. I wish you the very best in your retirement. Although I look forward to being able to continue to talk with you about issues here at the diocese as well as baseball and other things.
Gay Jennings, President of the House of Deputies: I’ve known Ernie for at least 20 years. When we were both serving as canons to the ordinary, I was in Ohio, and Ernie was in Central Flor-ida. I also know him through his service as a deputy to the General Convention, where he served with great distinction.
When I went to work for Credo, as the associate director, I had responsibilities for faculty. Because I held Ernie in such high regard, I invited him to join the Credo faculty as a vocational faculty mem-ber. He has had a positive impact on hundreds of clergy, who have come to him at those conferences for advice and counsel on how best to serve Jesus and the church we all love.
I’ll always remember something Ernie said at the initial faculty training conference more than a decade ago. He and I were talking at a coffee break. He told me how excited he was to be joining the faculty and how much he loved what Credo was doing in offering opportunities to clergy to pay attention to their vocations and their well being. I said something like “It is great. Isn’t it wonderful that we get paid for this amazing work?” Ernie looked at me quizzically and said “You mean we get paid for this?”, which was so Ernie.
What it told me was that Ernie was willing to volunteer hundreds of hours to serve in a way that strengthened clergy and therefore the church. I’ll never forget the look on his face “You mean we get paid for this?”
the Rev. Bill Haugaard: Coming to Florida and this diocese in 1995, my wife and I found the one person who could orient us to
Ernie Bennett’s Friends Weigh In
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anything we needed to know about the church was Ernie Bennett. As a ministry developed for me in the diocese initially occasionally taking Sunday services and then later on carry on my work as a teacher in the new program at Asbury Theological Seminary, it was Ernie who was the key person throughout in relationship to the di-ocese, with the students. Ernie has been both a wise counselor and a true friend, and I look forward to our time together as two retired people in coming years.
the Rev. Canon nelson Pinder: This young, handsome man came to me after he finished University of Florida, on his way to seminary. Bishop Lauder thought he should be involved with St. John the Baptist as an exposure. He came to St. John the Baptist and worked with us, with our young people. He did a very good job with our young people, with the youth program and the inner-city program. He and Jerry Machado, and they began involvement with us and the exposure, what it would be like to begin to look at a multi-cultural situation and to be able to work within it. He stayed there with us that summer and then he entered into Virginia Theo-logical Seminary to become a priest in the Church of God.
the Rev. Renee Miller, CREDo: On to more adventures, Er-nie. Who would have thought a Floridian would be the spiritual and pastoral guide to a group of cradle participants during a snowstorm in Connecticut in February. You are a consummate priest, guide and mentor for so many of us. I am anticipating more of the same as you embark on your new “expotition,” as Winnie the Pooh would say.
You know from my wild and crazy life, that I believe not only in the ontology of priesthood, but in the reality that priesthood can and should be exercised in all places and in all kinds of ways. Diocesan ministry has had you for many years. Now the rest of the planet gets a chance to experience you.
I’m so grateful for all you have taught me. You know that I love you.
the Rev. Steve Harper: My friendship with Ernie Bennett has been rich and enjoyable. Ernie is the kind of guy who can take you to an Atlanta Braves, Spring Training baseball game, or take you to the table of the Eucharist. Who could ask for a better friend than that, he and Ross his friendship with Julie and me has been a trea-sure for this past 15 years.
the Rev. Lee Powers: I started serving on Credo in 2000, one of the first four teams, and as I got to know Ernie when I was in the di-ocese, and they were looking to expand the number of teams, I rec-ommended him, and of course they were very glad to add him on. He and I served together on Team Miller, headed by Renee Miller. I was one of the finance faculty and he was the vocational faculty.
In February 2003, we were scheduled to do a conference at the Trinity Conference Center in West Cornwall, Connecticut, which is up in the northwest corner of Connecticut near Albany. Only a bunch of people from Memphis would think it’s smart to sched-ule something in the northwest corner of Connecticut in February. Snow is just an all-year time there, and they had a pretty good top-ping of snow just before we got there.
Ernie, not very much accustomed to cold weather, had to borrow some clothing from some friends so that he could stay warm while he was there. The layout was that the main building where all the rooms were, the housing and stuff like that and the dining hall and every-thing were on one side of the road, and then across the road and over a railroad bridge was where we had the plenary room, and Ernie was coming out one morning to go bring his stuff across to get ready to lead his session, and he stepped out of the door to the chapel right after morning prayer with all this stuff in his hands, and he stepped outside and he went, “Whoah, I think I just lost my manhood.” I said, “Not to worry. They’ll come back down in the spring.”
the Rev. Rob Merola: A lot of things I do today, I consciously do because Ernie talking to me. I mean, many of the best things that I do today, are practices that I learned from Ernie, 28 years after serv-ing as his assistant, I still remember them like they were yesterday, and they’re still very, very helpful to me and to the life of my parish.
the Rt. Rev Jay lambert: Hi Ernie, I have to say I owe you so much. I’m so appreciative of the good things you have done for me. You were instrumental in getting me to St. James Leesburg. You’ve been more instrumental in getting me to the be the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Eau Claire.
I wish you well in that endeavor. Again, thanks for everything you’ve done for me and for my family. You’ve been a great help to us. God bless you in retirement.
Bill Craddock, director of CREDo: Ernie, I just don’t believe the word retiring is in your vocabulary. You have too much energy, with humor and chutzpah, to say you’re retiring. I think it’s more like re-streaming, and I wish you luck in your retiring, re-streaming age. I hope you can continue with CREDO. You mean so much, to so many people, and touching their lives and their direction. Good luck, and I’m going to be doing the same thing next year so maybe we can spend some time together.
Mark Pinsky: When I think about Ernie, I think this. That in all the time I’ve worked with him both as a journalist and as a friend and a frequent lunch partner and a reader of my book manuscripts. My feeling about him is that Ernie is always part of the solution and never part of the problem. He always looks for and generally finds a way to solve or resolve situations.■
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the Young Fr. Bennett in Spring Hill with Friends and Family
1.- Betty Audette
2.- The Rev. Girard and Ruth Rubino, Spring Hill, 1985
3.- Norman and Pearl Hill, Spring Hill, 1985
4.- Ernie with son Matthew, 1973
5.- Roz and Ernie at housewarming
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AROUND THE DIOCESE
Correction on caption: On page 6 of the March Central Florida Episcopalian, under the headline, “A Communique from Krisita,” the wrong picture was shown for the admission of three new Daughters of the King from Church of the Advent, Dunnellon on Nov. 17, 2013.
The photo above shows the new daughters -- Evelyn Exell, Elizabeth Herrick and Shirley Peloquin, with the President of Advent Chapter, Diane Victor.
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Bishop Greg and Laura Lee Brewer visited St. Mary’s, Daytona Beach, on Sunday, June 1, for a baptism, confir-mations and reaffirmations.
The reaffirmations included Vestry member Mrs. Fran Dunn, who also is President of the Northeast Deanery.
The St. Mary’s family refers to their various ministries as “boats.” One of the those boats is fo-cused on maintaining the historic buildings, which have been occupied for most of the 137 years of continued worship at St. Mary’s.
Here is a recent report from Building & Grounds “Boat Captain” Marge Underwood:
I have been reflecting a lot about the wonders of the Easter Season and realizing how grateful and blessed I am to be a part of our wonderful St. Mary’s family. After 63 years here, I am still awed by what we can accomplish when we join together for His glory. Many of you delight in believing that I was here when the cornerstone was laid, but ac-tually I missed it by five years
The cornerstone for our church building was laid in 1883, which means we have been worship-ing in our present location for 131 years. A great testimony to the many faithful believers who pre-ceded us with their care and love which has now passed on to us. The vestry is currently seeking a proposal for all the wood repair work that needs to be done on the west side of the church.
We have a great deal of wood rot and possibly the problem may be more serious than expected which could end up being a major project – not only labor-wise, but also financially. Maintaining our aged building is a never ending project. We will keep you informed as we move forward with this project. May the Spirit of Easter be with you today and every day, Fran Dunn, I wish to thank those who toiled in the dirt for St. Mary’s.
We accomplished so much in raising our “curb appeal”. As the spring and summer prog-ress we will see all the colorful additions that were made to the Ridgewood Ave. side of the Church and in St. Mary’s Garden area. I know many have
also noticed the damage to the siding. Let me take a moment to fill you in on our “boo-boos.”
As we all know, age has a way of changing how we appear to those who look at us. It is a natural process. No one looks forward to it but it happens all the same. The first time we look in the mirror we see what we want to see, but as the years roll on creases, cracks and crevices begin to take their toll. We patch, powder and fuss but somehow it is hard to accept that our life within us is still young and vibrant, but others see us as aging.
St. Mary’s Church is just like the life within us: young, vibrant, creative, hopeful and teaming with life. We may show our wrinkles to the world but our heart is still young and happy. It has be-come time to look in the mirror and fix what the world sees. We, as a vestry, have struggled over the mandate you have given us to be frugal but grow. Our dear Andy Maxwell loved this church so much that he left us a love offering to help us in what ever way it most benefitted the place he loved so dearly.
Historic St. Mary’s, Daytona: Challenges and Opportunities Come With Age
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Bishop Gregory Brewer & Frank B. Gummey III
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Our original siding is Cypress board and bat-ten and has stood the test of 130 years. But there comes a time when reality invades. The cypress is wicking water into the heart of the structure. We will not be able to determine the extent of any damage internally until we see what lies beneath. Hence the debate began…patch and pray or fix and pay. We still have the issues before us of the integrity of the lanai, and the wall to the narthex, which has rotting supports.
The ongoing leaking east wall of Palmer Hall, and many smaller but festering (in a sense) age re-lated issues. I thank God every day for his blessings and the strength he gives us to face living with a full heart. I, myself, thank God for St. Mary’s and our church family who have given us love and strength to endure. By the time this is published, the deci-sion will be made and the result will be, we pray, in the best interest of Church and congregation.
Please pray for us as a vestry and to God to show us all the ways that we, as living members of Christ, can contribute to the life and maintenance of our beloved church with emotional, spiritual and physical support. Any idea, vision, or creativ-ity whether by our talents or time that we give to this beautiful “old lady” will be a life giving blood for her survival. God Bless us all.
STEWARDSHIP NOTESWe are continually reminded that stewardship is an everyday concern. We acknowledge that a
large percentage of our budget is invested in pres-ervation of a 130-year-old historic frame structure that lives in a climate that is not friendly to that type of construction. Our building and grounds committee has done an outstanding job of inves-tigating and quantifying some of the projects that need to be done to preserve the integrity of our church. Our first obligation, as parish members is to fulfill the pledges that we made at the beginning of 2014.
Then we must look to other means to support our physical plant. The vestry intends to apply for grants from the Diocese and other sources. We may have to have a capital campaign to raise funds for special projects. This report is just to make the parish aware that the vestry is doing everything that it can to play catch up with repairs that should have been done it years past, but due to lack of funds and/or lack of awareness of the severity of the issues, many things were not addressed. We are thankful for your faithfulness and your sup-port. Together, with God’s help, we will overcome these issues and the beauty and structural integrity of St. Mary’s will be preserved.■
CHURCH STAFFThe Reverend Dr. Joy A. Rose, RectorMrs. Terri Malia, Deacon-in-Training
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