With a menu of pulled pork, smoked brisket and barbecue chicken, the Aug. 14 Back-to-School Barbecue at Grace, Port Orange, raised funds to help Canterbury Conference Center. More than 100 people attended the fundraising dinner.

Providing financial help to Canterbury is the diocesan Daughters of the King outreach project for 2021-2022, and Grace decided to join the effort. The conference center is still feeling the impact of two years without income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(L-R) Chef Bob Normington, Father Gary Jackson and Canterbury President and CEO Chalmers Morse enjoy the fundraiser. | Photo Credit: Grace Episcopal, Port Orange

Canterbury President and CEO Chalmers Morse affirmed the conference center’s urgent need for assistance. “During the shutdown, we were operating but had no revenue,” he said. “We were housing small churches that had been meeting at public schools, first responders who couldn’t go home because of the isolation, and the newly homeless who lost their homes when they lost their jobs.”

“At our vestry meeting in July, Sue McIlrath [DOK president for Grace’s chapter] brought up the subject,” said The Rev. Gary Jackson, Grace’s rector. “I threw out the idea of a Back-to-School Barbecue Bash, and Sue and the vestry ran with it.”

Vestry members provided the seed money from their own pockets to purchase the food and worked with the DOK and Junior DOK members in food preparation, set-up, serving and clean-up. “Working together, we achieved a hugely successful, fun event that raised $2,500 for Canterbury,” McIlrath said.

“We organized it in minutes and were excited even though we had less than a month to plan it,” said parishioner Nancy Fitch. “The congregation was also excited about the event. We were donating to a great cause; we had a great menu and entertainment provided by the Spruce Creek High School Jazz Trio. We are a church family that loves meaningful outreach, fellowship and good food! We have a very generous congregation and a lot of servant-hearted people here at Grace.”

DOK members served the food to the hungry crowd. | Photo Credit: Grace Episcopal, Port Orange

Parishioners and staff who had barbecue smokers prepared the meats. “We are lucky to have a professionally trained chef, Bob Normington, as a member,” Fitch said. “He volunteered his expertise for all our food events and prepared the side dishes. Chalmers Morse brought the delicious cookies they bake at Canterbury.”

Morse also gave a short talk and showed a video during the Aug. 14 combined service preceding the barbecue. He is grateful for the parish’s support, he said. “We wouldn’t be able to sustain the business and continue to do what God wants us to do without the money raised by members of the diocese.

“The financial goals at Canterbury are never-ending,” he added. “Before the pandemic, we had made many renovations to the facility. We thought it would be fine to spend that much because the bookings for 2020 were good.

“We lost a million dollars in revenue because of canceled events and refunded deposits,” Morse said. “We kept thinking that we could open in a few months, but then there would be another wave, and then the variants kept us closed.”

So far, 2023 bookings are good. “We’re trying to get the word out to the congregations that we are open and have improved the facilities,” he said.  “We’re looking forward to the parishes returning to Canterbury for retreats, meetings and conferences.”

On Oct. 22, Canterbury will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a gala. “This is a great chance to show the parishes and community all of our renovations,” Morse said.

“Canterbury is a special place for many of our parishioners,” Fitch explained. “We have had vestry retreats there, and many of our folks have attended Cursillo weekends. Grace Church is thrilled to be part of the diocesan-wide effort to help preserve this unique and special place for future generations.”