Ron Smith is our Senior Pastor. Ron is an innovative leader with three decades of experience in telling people about Jesus and being a representative of Jesus. An exceptional communicator and teacher of the Scriptures, he is warm, engaging and personable.

Ron and his wife, Cheryl, have been married since 1975. They have been blessed with two children, David Ashley Smith and Marion Elizabeth Smith.

He enjoys traveling to third and fourth world countries to teach; days at the beach; perspiring in the fitness center; reading; watching NCIS; being with his family;

A decorated veteran, Ron served in Vietnam as an Artillery Officer with the 9th Infantry Division and also with the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

He earned degrees from the University of South Carolina, Columbia International University, Dallas Theological Seminary, Columbia Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological Seminary.

Labert Altemose is our interim Associate Pastor and is also a trained interim specialist. He is a members of the IMN – Interim Ministry Network, a national ecumenical organization of Intentional Interims. He came to this position through a friendship with former interim pastor, Dr. Jerry Iwerks, also a member of IMN.

Labert hails from Nazareth, PA, received an A.B. degree from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA and his B.D. and M.Div from Lancaster Theological Seminary. He also has an M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology from Kutztown (PA) University.

This is Labert’s return trip to Florida, having lived in Satellite Beach for six years before moving around the country doing interims (CO, PA, IN, IL). This is his fifteenth interim (four in FL – Melbourne, Altamonte Springs, Cocoa Beach, and Orange City). All of them have been in the United Church of Christ, his denomination since birth. Labert grew up in the German Reformed Church, and so has a good deal of “reformed” theology in his background. This is his first work in the Presbyterian Church USA.

“Laughter is the best medicine there is,” says Labert. Being an interim requires learning a whole new set of names and people every other year, and it requires lots of laughter and smiling when those names don’t pop into one’s head.

Labert enjoys golf, working around the house, crossword puzzles, working out (he’s preparing to run the Disney half-marathon in his 70th year – 2011), and reading.

He’s excited to be working in a congregation which takes caring about one another seriously and about working in such a great atmosphere that makes up First Presbyterian Church of Maitland.

Mary Allen Singer is our Youth Director.

After being baptized at FPCM in 1989, Mary-Allen Singer spent most of her childhood with her brother, running the halls when they should have been in Sunday school. She graduated in 2005 with a Bachelors of Arts degree from Rollins College Hamilton Holt School in Organizational Communication. Her first career was in Training, Human Resources and Organizational Development. Putting her Atlas, DISC, and DDI certifications to good use Mary-Allen had her own consulting company for several years.

Mary-Allen learned about Spiritual Direction when trying to figure out what to do when she grew up. Having a fondness for listening, and a thirst for hearing the voice of God in every day life, Mary-Allen was sold. A three year formation journey to become a Spiritual Director began in 2008 and will culminate in 2011. Having spent most of her life in church with her family, Mary-Allen was surprised to hear that the voice of God was calling, actually yelling, at her to get back to her church home and serve the youth. It took a good seven days before she found she was in love with her job, and was amazed at the presence of God in the youth and church community. Mary-Allen believes in the promise of the Holy Spirit and she believes that Christianity isn’t for sissies. It takes a lot of courage to love others when they are acting unlovable and is very thankful that God feels that way about her. She is happiest when advocating for youth and walking with others in their journey of faith. Mary-Allen has a plethora of high heels and flats to match her collection of funky glasses. When Mary-Allen isn’t crossing off the “to-do’s” in her Franklin-Covey planner, she can be found cruising around town, with NPR in the background and Annie, her 8 year old black lab in the passenger seat.

Abbie VanDenBerg is our interim Director of Children’s Ministry. She was born in Lansing, Michigan and raised in East Lansing and Okemos – both suburbs of Lansing. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications from Michigan State University. In her early career Abbie worked in television as a producer and editor. She later became co-host of a statewide PBS Outdoors show in Michigan. After her time in television she became a project manager for the non-profit professional training arm of the American Hotel and Motel Association. Her staff was responsible for creating training videos, CD’s, DVD’s and web-based applications for all levels of Hospitality Employment. This company moved her to Florida in 1999 to help establish their new headquarters in Orlando.

Abbie enjoys cooking, gardening, genealogy, music, reading, and good conversation.

Abbie is married to Barry VanDenBerg, an engineer for a local custom home theater firm.  They have two active and beloved sons Will – age 7 and David – age 2.  Barry’s father Don VanDenBerg also lives with them.  He is a retired realtor from Michigan.

Abbie’s grandfather was a graduate of Auburn Theological and was head pastor at Skaneateles Presbyterian in upstate New York for over 50 years.  She attended Eastminster Presbyterian Church in East Lansing, Michigan her entire childhood and young adulthood.  Barry and Abbie were married there in 1995.  Her Presbyterian practice is deeply engrained.

After sending Will to the CECE here at First Presbyterian Maitland, Abbie decided this was the place to seek a new church home.  In her first year Abbie joined Miriam Circle, chaired the Volunteer Ministry Group, and became a member of the Ministry for Children and Families.  In her second year she agreed to chair the MCF with an interest in promoting greater community outreach to families and children in need.  Abbie feels First Presbyterian is a wonderful place to find fellowship, support, and the spirit of our heavenly Father actively engaging and challenging us anew.

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.

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.  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.