Clearwater Deanery

CLEARWATER - It is with great sadness that the diocese shares news of the death of Sybil Howard, wife of the Rev. Canon Norman Howard on March 28, 2023. She died shortly after the Rev. Canon Norman Howard died on September 16, 2022. They are survived by their two children John Howard and Elizbeth Howard. 

The Rev. Canon and Mrs. Howard were married in London on July 28, 1959.  They had two children, twins, John, and Elizabeth Howard. 

Fr. Howard served in the Royal Air Force during World War II before graduating from the University of London, Kings College in 1957, and Seminary at St. Boniface Warminster. He was ordained in St. Paul's Cathedral, London by the Bishop of London in 1959. Through the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, he and Mrs. Howard were called to Jamacia where Fr. Howard served as Rector of St. Matthew's Church, Claremont, and its five missions. He met Fr. Redfern of St. Wilfred's, Sarasota during a delegation visit, and in 1969 he received a call to be the Vicar of St. John the Divine. He was named Rector of St. John the Divine in 1973 before being called Rector of Good Samaritan in Clearwater (1975-1992) when he retired. During his retirement, her served as Interim Rector at St. Anne of Grace, Seminole, and served as a supply priest throughout the diocese.

Mrs. Howard proudly supported Fr. Howard and the congregations they served. She shared with Diocesan House a beautiful, handwritten obituary for Fr. Howard shortly before her death. See the obituary below. 

A memorial service for the Rev. Canon Norman  Howard and Mrs. Sybil Howard will be held on Saturday, April 22 at 1 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of Ascension, 701 Orange Ave, Clearwater, FL 33756. 

PARRISH -  Please see a letter concerning the 2022 Parochial Reports below. 

PARRISH - The Council on Deacons, the leadership body of the Order of Deacons in the Diocese of Southwest Florida announces new appointments and reappointments for 2023.  

Led by Archdeacon Michael Kitt, the Council on Deacons assists in the development of candidates for the Order of Deacons, facilitates servant ministry among deacons in the diocese, is responsible for planning and facilitating annual meetings and retreats, assists in grant funding selection for the Episcopal Charities Fund and serves as counsel for Bishop Scharf concerning matters pertaining to the diaconate.