He and Vivian met and married in 1966. Vivian is from Sanford, North Carolina. They have one child, Michael, who was born in 1969.

Before becoming a fulltime homemaker, Vivian was a professional caterer and Catering Sales Manager with the Adams Mark resorts.

Al holds AA, BS, M.Div., and Doctor of Ministry (Sewanee/Vanderbilt) degrees, plus he completed post-graduate studies in pastoral care at the Medical College of Virginia. He served briefly in the diocese of Southwest Florida, but almost all of his career has been served in the Diocese of Central Florida in one mission and two parishes under Bishop Folwell and Bishop Howe.

He has served the Diocese of Central Florida for 22 years and he has been the rector of All Saints' for 19 years. He has been active in community leadership and deanery leadership (Dean of the SW Deanery). He has also been active in the many Commissions, Committees, and special assignments in the Diocese of Central Florida (Diocesan Board twice). He presently serves Bishop's appointments to the Constitution and Canons Committee of the Diocese and the Diocesan Honduras Commission. All Saints' has a mission in Moroceli, Honduras, led by Father Carlos Alvarado. The past two Diocesan Conventions have elected Father Al to the Ecclesiastical Trial Court of the Diocese and the Standing Committee of the Diocese.

The Rev. Dr. Canon John E. Birtch was born in Woodstock, Ontario Canada in 1929. He graduated from Woodstock Collegiate and the University of Western Ontario with a BA and from Huron College, London with a BD. He earned a commission in the Canadian Army. He did postgraduate studies for a year at the Central College of the Anglican Communion in Canterbury, England. He is a graduate of Virginia Seminary with a Doctor of Ministry.

Canon John and Joanne married in 1953. Joanne is a retired Registered Nurse and a retired organist and piano teacher and choir director. They have a daughter born in 1958 and a son born in 1963.

Canon John organized and served parishes in the Diocese of Huron, Ontario and in the Anglican Church of England before accepting a call to be rector of St. Bartholomew’s, St. Petersburg and then as rector of Calvary Episcopal Church, Indian Rocks Beach in the Diocese of Southwest Florida. He has been a Dean in three different Deaneries

and he has served on a great many committees in Diocesan and National Church levels, including the AFP and as a Warden of the Order of St. Luke.

Canon John and Joanne found it a great pleasure to escort many tours and cruises overseas. They now enjoy traveling in their motor home when not caring for Joanne’s 96 year old Mother, Mildred Milburn. They both continue to enjoy photography and card games and music.


 

EPISCOPAL DEACONS

The Rev. Paula Marie Smith Beikirch, ordained an Episcopal Deacon in 2006, was born in Olean, New York, and raised in Western New York State in the home of a United Methodist Minister. She, her husband, James (now deceased), and their two children, Thomas and Betsy moved to Lakeland, Florida in 1972. Paula graduated from Polk Community College (A.S.), Florida Southern College (B.S.), the University of South Florida (M.S.), and the Institute of Christian Studies (Diaconal Preparation).

Paula, an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, began her healing ministry to homeless persons in 1992 as Administrator of the first Free Clinic in the Lakeland area at Talbot House Ministries, where she now serves as Executive Director.  Within All Saints’, she serves in worship, the Lay Eucharistic Visitor ministry, the Order of St. Luke Healing Ministry, and as a teacher in Adult Forums and the Parish Academy.

The Rev. Rick Hoover was born in Springfield, Missouri. Rick earned his BA in Writing at Southwest Missouri State University. He met his wife, Melanie, in a young adults class at church the week she arrived from Michigan for a new job. They married in 1974 and have since lived in Ohio, Illinois and Florida.

As a Christian radio broadcaster Rick visited many churches and came to love the sacramental and liturgical heritage of the Episcopal Church. He and Melanie attended All Saints' for over a decade before Rick began his studies to become a deacon. He was ordained in December of 2007.

Rick has served on the vestry, Education Council, and as a verger and Lay Eucharistic Minister. He is a member of the Order of St. Luke at All Saints'. He teaches Adult Forums, in the Parish Academy, and serves as a member of the diocesan Evangelism Commission. He has written books, articles for national publications, and produced audio and video projects.

.