Get to know some of the people behind St. Peter the Fisherman who are committed to passionately serving the mission and vision of our church.
Father Peter is coming to us from the Cathedral Church of St. Luke in downtown Orlando where he has served for the last 3 years. He was the outreach pastor in charge of missions, outreach, and evangelism. He accomplished the launch of their live streaming services, was in charge of teaching the Alpha course at the Cathedral, and in charge of their Sunday evening service, increasing attendance dramatically in his time at St Lukes.
Father Peter grew up in a missionary family. His father was a missionary in Mexico and Spain. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History and a minor in Portuguese and Computer Science. He then served in the US Army. In response to the 9/11 attacks, he served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Qatar, overseeing the redeployment and re-integration of two companies. He also served in South Korea as a Captain overseeing the Human Resources, Chaplain, Medics, and Legislative Administration of a 700 man Battalion as the aide to the Battalion Commander.
After serving in the military, Father Peter received a Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Theology at Wycliffe Hall, a theological college at Oxford University, Oxford, England.
Prior to serving at St. Lukes he served as an Associate Pastor at First Assembly Deland, Associate Pastor at Latimer Minster in the UK, and Chaplain to undergraduate students at the historic St. Aldates Church, Oxford, England.
Father Peter considers himself a bit of an extrovert, telling us that he recharges around other people. He is fluent in Spanish and proficient in Portuguese, Italian, and Greek. His hobbies include playing the guitar, running, reading, learning foreign languages, and traveling.
Father Peter desires to pastor a church that makes Disciples of Christ. He has wonderful gifts to share and said one of his greatest privileges is to help others develop their spiritual and ministry gifts. Father Peter is very enthusiastic about our 3 Eucharistic services on Sunday, stating he loves the idea of the community beach service and in his words “bringing the church outside the walls.”
Claire Odell works with our youngest Church members as the Sunday School Director. She handles ordering curriculum, the Sunday school schedule and teaching. If you have any Sunday School-related questions please feel free to contact her at (386) 428-7383 or claire@stpetersnet.net. Claire also works as Saint Peter's Financial Assistant. If you have questions about pledging, giving statements or other financial matters she is available at the church office on Mondays and Thursdays or you can email these financial questions to her at claire@stpetersnet.net.
Chloe is in charge of all office duties. She manages the work of the church office and administers communications of the church through correspondence, newsletters and electronically. She is our interims office assistant and receptionist and is eager and willing to answer any of your questions. Chloe comes to us from a background in customer service and hospitality. Chloe is available at (386) 428-7383 or office@stpetersnet.net.
Dana is in charge of the maintenance of the church, Parish House and the memorial garden. His job covers a lot of ground so you might find him on any day reviewing the function of security and mechanical systems on St. Peter's campus, coordinating logistics of lighting or acoustics for an upcoming event at church or just making sure the building looks its best for service the following Sunday. Dana is available at (386) 428-7383 or dana@stpetersnet.net.
Music plays an integral part in the liturgical life of a congregation. Vocal and instrumental music enhance worship and inspire the congregation in glorifying God. Britney Beck leads this ministry under the direction of the rector.