Dr. Gerald Iwerks is the Interim Pastor at FPCM. Jerry was ordained as a Presbyterian minister when he was 24. Most of his career was spent as head of staff in large churches. In the last five years he has followed his new call to be an "intentional interim pastor." He is specially trained to be an interim and does it because God has called him to this ministry. First Presbyterian Maitland will be his fourth interim. He is often called "the church doctor."
He has been dating his wife, Dottie, since he was 15. They have two grown children: Deb and Dan. They have five grandchildren. Dottie is a successful businesswoman who is Regional Manager of CorpLogoWare. She is on the board of the Chamber of Commerce. She has been involved in Faith At Work for many years and leads women's retreats. They are both extroverts! They love to entertain and have an active social life. They have many good friends with whom they enjoy life's adventures.
Jerry has three degrees: a bachelors in business, a masters and doctorate in ministry. He is also certified as a therapist and mediator. He has specialized training as an interim pastor and hospice chaplain. He is curious, always reading and learning. Much of his study is in leadership and organizational development. He has authored a tape program and several magazine articles. He has been a board member and President of his Rotary Club, a member of the State of Minnesota Human Rights Commission, a member of the board of Nothside Mental Health, member of the board of CairFlight and many Presbytery, Synod and GA committees.
Jerry has the energy of a teenager and is a physical fitness enthusiast. He works out, bikes and kayaks every chance he gets. He looks for physical and intellectual challenges. More than anything, he loves to laugh and to find ways to celebrate the gift of life and life's most wonderful blessing, relationships. He has a deep faith in the Lord which has grown over many years.
Dr.Shepp Lawrence is the Iterim Associate Pastor of FPCM. Shepp grew up in Venice, Florida and was baptized and confirmed in the Venice Presbyterian Church. He attended 1-12 grades in the Venice school system and his two brothers and sister still reside in the same community where they grew up.< namespace="" prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xml="true">
Shepp began college as a University of Florida Gator but transferred to Presbyterian College, Clinton, South Carolina after visiting Columbia Seminary during an inquirer weekend. He graduated from the seminary in 1974 and served as Associate Pastor of the Whitefield Estates Presbyterian Church in Sarasota for four years. He spent the next 2½ years working on his Doctor of Ministry in Worship and Pastoral Care and received his degree from Boston University School of Theology in 1980.
Shepp comes to Maitland as a long-time friend and knew many of the former pastors and interims. He served as a neighboring pastor to the Rev. Ernest Flanniken in Brevard County, friends with the Scott family for 20 years, and visited the Meyers family when Dick went through bypass surgery. Shepp was the pastoral care person for ministers and their families for Central Florida Presbytery from 1995-2002. He finished three years of ministry with First Presbyterian Church, Orlando in pastoral care this past March. He continues to work with Health First hospice close to his home.
Shepp looks to help and to be helped by First, Maitland, through this transi tional period in pastoral leadership. He looks forward to working with Jerry and the staff in continuing the healing process
Sue Peterson is our Director of Children's Ministry. Suegrew up in the Bronx in New York City. She has a B.A. from Muskingum College in Ohio, a M.A. in Religious Education from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a M.A. in Family and Child Studies from Syracuse University. Sue has been a Director of Christian Education in two Presbyterian churches, started and directed a day care center, taught preschool, and taught elementary grades for Orange County Public Schools for 13 years.
Recently, Sue has taught Kindermusik classes for young children and their parents, served as a volunteer teacher of storytelling in several elementary schools with Project Imagination, been a member of Spellbinders, and completed the training to be a Commissioned Lay Pastor.
Sue is the wife of Dr. Ed Peterson, Associate Executive Presbyter of Central Florida Presbytery. They have lived in the Orlando area for 25 years and have two adult sons and four grandchildren.
Mike Goodenow is our Director of Music. Mike is a lifelong member and an ordained Elder in the PCUSA. Mike has two grown daughters, Stefani and Kristin, who are the light of his life. Both are on the staff at Clemson University in South Carolina and are about to finish their doctorate work! When Mike is not directing, playing, singing, or ringing, he enjoys bowling, water and snow skiing and swimming. Mike holds a Bachelor of Music Education with a major in organ and a minor in piano and voice from Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa. He also has a Masters of Music Education from Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, MO, where he was a graduate assistant in Choral Music and assistant director/accompanist of the University Chorale.
Mike began his career by directing concert and marching bands in public schools from 1972-1976 in Orient, Iowa. From 1976 to the present, Mike has been working as Organist/Choir Director, Director of Music or Director of Music Ministries in four congregations from Iowa, to Florida and Michigan. In Michigan he directed an adult choir, two children's choirs, 3 bell choirs and a Praise Band. Mike says: "Sacred music is the focus of my life although I am also very active with community choirs. I am...a member of Embellish, a professional community bell choir in Grand Rapids.... I see an exciting opportunity for ministry with God's people at First Pres Maitland and look forward to finding out more about your ministry." Please see our Music Page for more information.
Carolyn Hostetter is our Church Administrator. Carolyn was born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina and attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and later, the University of Louisiana at New Orleans. Prior to becoming our part-time bookkeeper in March, 2000, Carolyn spent five years as corporate property manager and administrative manager for a 22-store franchise organization headquartered Orlando. Other positions she has held over the past many years include Administrative Supervisor for the Quaker Oats Regional Office in Atlanta, Georgia, and Technical Point Person for the computer systems in the Gatorade and Breakfast Divisions of Quaker Oats Regional Offices in Atlanta. She also worked for Lipton Tea for three years after moving to Orlando with her husband in 1990. Carolyn began her journey with our church in 1998 when she joined the FPCM orchestra as a violist. She is enthusiastic about playing the fiddle, loves playing bridge, reading, and renovation and restoration of their homes, past and present. Carolyn and Milt have 4 children who live in Alabama and Atlanta, and 4 grandchildren.
Nancy Brewster is the publishing artist who designs and publishes the monthly church newsletter "Good Tidings" and the worship bulletins for Sunday Services, memorial services, and special events. She also updates this website. Born in Massachusetts, she has also lived in Ohio, Maryland and here in Florida. She has been a resident here since 1969. She graduated from Winter Park High School "after man had landed on the moon", attended the University of Florida, and the University of Central Florida back when it was Florida Technological University (FTU). She and husband Maynard were married in this church in 1982 and the family now includes two daughters. She has been working at the church since 1983, first as secretary to the pastors and now in the high-tech area of desktop publishing.
Patty McAlpin is our church receptionist. She was born in Trenton,N.J. and stayed until she met her future husband Mike when she was in Nursing School. Mike and Patty were married in Houston, Texas and lived there many years. They have lived in the Orlando area at two different times in their lives, with their current stint in Orlando dating back to 1988. Mike and Patty have two children, Nick and Natalie, that keep them very busy. Patty's educational background is as a graduate of Ann May School of Nursing and subsequent passing of her exam for a RN license. Patty's love of this church and love of helping people has brought her to this position at FPCM.