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June 16, 2023
St. John’s is pleased to announce the appointment of The Reverend Susan Davidson as Interim Rector. Mother Susan is a priest of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut and Licensed to serve in the Diocese of Central Florida. She was ordained to the Priesthood in 1995 and has served as Rector, Vicar, or Priest in Charge at churches in the Dioceses of Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Connecticut, and Central Florida. Susan and her husband, Dr. Jerry Davidson (Music Director of St. John’s) have two adult sons and three adult grandchildren.
May 19, 2024
Pentecost
Dear Members and Friends of St. John’s,
After 36 years of ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church, more than half (19½ years!) right here at St. John’s, Charlene and I have decided that the time has come for me to retire. I will retire effective June 30, which will be my last Sunday preaching and leading worship at St. John’s.
I discussed this with the vestry on May 16, and Canon Dan Smith from the Diocese of Central Florida also met with them that evening to begin the next steps, eventually leading to the call of a new Rector.
Accompanying this letter is a letter from Kathy Oas, Sr. Warden, with some additional information. As Sr. Warden, Kathy will become the “Ecclesiastical Authority” for St. John’s, though greatly assisted by the vestry, Canon Smith and others.
On a personal note: Some of you know that Charlene and I recently sold our home in West Melbourne and purchased a (much smaller) home in northwest Palm Bay. We intend to be in that home for the rest of our lives! So, we are staying in the area and hope that the friendships forged in our time at St. John’s will continue. However, I must also say that it will be very important that I stop being your priest. I’ll be happy to see you around town and to catch up, but do not look to me for baptisms, weddings, funerals, etc. There will be new clergy in place here at St. John’s and you will need to love them as you have loved me, and turn to them for pastoral needs.
While there are many people and relationships I will miss, I am also very excited about this new stage in life. I’m excited to have more time with Charlene, and our family! I’m excited to travel more, play my guitar more, read and relax more, and many other things. We are thankful to God for the 19½ years He has given us here and for your love, care and support! I know that you will show the same love and support to whoever God leads you to for the next chapter in the life of St. John’s!
You’ll hear much more as I wind down my time here and new things wind up. Please pray earnestly for the vestry and leaders, and give them your full support!
In Christ,
The Rev. Eric Turner
Rector
Updates will be posted to this page as they become available.