Beckwith Board names Interim Director of Operations and 2011 Camp Director

FAIRHOPE, Alabama – The Rev. Massey Gentry has been named interim Director of Operations for Beckwith Camp and Conference Center, according to Board Chairman, Hodge Alves. The interim position is part time and Fr. Gentry will split his time between Beckwith and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Bon Secour where he is currently part-time interim rector.

“We are pleased that Fr. Gentry is willing to oversee Beckwith operations for a period of time while we transition into a full, year round conference center in addition to the annual summer camp for youth,” said Alves. “Fr. Gentry is a seasoned priest with many years of management experience.”

Fr. Massey was born and grew up in the Birmingham, Alabama area. He attained a bachelor degree in Philosophy and Religion from Birmingham-Southern College in 1967. He attained a Master in Divinity at Chicago Theological Seminary in 1970. From 1970 – 1976, he performed various ministries at United Methodist Church in Alabama. He did further graduate study at The University of the South, Anglican Studies in 1978. Fr. Massey was ordained in the Episcopal Orders in 1978.

From 1978 – 1989 Fr. Massey was Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Wetumpka, Alabama. He also became Rector of St. Francis of Assissi , Pelham, Alabama from 1986-1989. From 1989 – 1996 he was Canon to the Ordinary, Diocese of Alabama, where he was Executive to the Bishop relating to supervision of the Clergy. After that he became Rector of Christ Church, Las Vegas, Nevada from 1997-2006. More recently he was Vice Rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, one of the largest Episcopal churches in the US, from 2006-2009.

He retired from the Diocese of Texas in 2009 and moved to Fairhope with his wife Jan, where he has been providing consulting help to parishes as directed by Bishop Duncan. Fr. Massey and Jan have been married nearly 43 years. They have four children and three grandchildren.

2011 Summer Camp Director announced

The Board also announced the Summer Camp Director for 2011. Anne Ernst, a parishioner of Epiphany, Crestview will oversee Winter Woods and this summer’s camp sessions. Anne has served as recreation specialist, assisted camp director, and counselor at several camps in the United States, Japan, and Germany. She has already revamped the summer schedule and has added new programs to the sessions.

Former Beckwith camp directors include legacies of the diocese, Curt Kennington (2010) and John Talbert (2009), both of whom are sons of priests in our diocese and continue to work with youth in their professional lives.