Focusing on the Future of PLPC
An update from Tom Tozer
* It all started with last summer’s “Town Meetings” led by Pastor Ray Thomas during which many of you shared your views regarding the present and future of PLPC.
* Who are we? What do we stand for? Whom do we serve?
* Your honest input created a rich pool of Living Water filled with your concerns, hopes and dreams for our church.
* In early October of last year, a Pastor Nominating Committee began the process of selecting our next permanent pastor. Over the following two months, the committee drew wisdom from that rich pool you helped fill.
* Last December, most of you filled out a Pastoral Search Survey which kept us on track and helped us shape our criteria for what all of us wanted in a new spiritual leader.
* Our work has passed through the hands of our current pastor, Session, and the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee. Today, the official job description has been completed and is published in this week's church newsletter.
* The committee will begin work screening and interviewing the responding candidates. Hopefully we will have a new pastor within the next few months.
* We encourage you to continue to pray for our church and its future. We thank all of you for being part of this process in which you have played a vital role. With God’s guidance and your prayers, we will together embark on the next phase of this exciting, incredible, amazing journey. Thank you.
* Who are we? What do we stand for? Whom do we serve?
* Your honest input created a rich pool of Living Water filled with your concerns, hopes and dreams for our church.
* In early October of last year, a Pastor Nominating Committee began the process of selecting our next permanent pastor. Over the following two months, the committee drew wisdom from that rich pool you helped fill.
* Last December, most of you filled out a Pastoral Search Survey which kept us on track and helped us shape our criteria for what all of us wanted in a new spiritual leader.
* Our work has passed through the hands of our current pastor, Session, and the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee. Today, the official job description has been completed and is published in this week's church newsletter.
* The committee will begin work screening and interviewing the responding candidates. Hopefully we will have a new pastor within the next few months.
* We encourage you to continue to pray for our church and its future. We thank all of you for being part of this process in which you have played a vital role. With God’s guidance and your prayers, we will together embark on the next phase of this exciting, incredible, amazing journey. Thank you.
Pastor Position Description
This installed position is ¾ full time; approximately 30 hours per week.
The pastor is a minister member of the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee, and will serve as head of staff and as moderator of the session.
The pastor is a minister member of the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee, and will serve as head of staff and as moderator of the session.
Areas of Responsibility
Preach and lead worship 3-4 Sundays per month, administer sacraments, officiate at weddings and memorial services as requested, and plan for special seasonal worship services. Services specific to holidays (such as Good Friday and Christmas Eve) would be additional to the specified Sundays.
Provide pastoral care, home visits, and hospital visits as needed.Preach and lead worship 3-4 Sundays per month, administer sacraments, officiate at weddings and memorial services as requested, and plan for special seasonal worship services. Services specific to holidays (such as Good Friday and Christmas Eve) would be additional to the specified Sundays.
Reach out to prospective new members, teach Explorers Class for persons interested in membership.
Provide administrative leadership: a) foster positive and cohesive relationships with staff members and volunteers, b) weave the various gifts and talents of members and other participants into a unified whole.
Offer training opportunities for those involved in the church’s ministries and missions as well as provide church-wide educational opportunities.
Provide vision, support, and collaborative leadership as Moderator of the session.
Participate in church fellowship events.
Serve as an active member of the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee and interpret its role and relationship with the congregation.
Accountability
The Finance/Administration Committee will conduct a check-in after the first six months, followed by performance and adequacy of compensation reviews on an annual basis.
It's starting to bud!
The Lenten Tree of Life: A journey toward renewal
Our Lenten Tree of Life is slowly coming to life.
As new buds appear, we invite you to add your own prayer, hope, or reflection.
Write on a tag or stone and place it on the board as we continue our journey toward Easter.
The Larger Church, Part One
from Dave Nock
Many times, in church or in conversation we hear the “church universal” or “the holy catholic church”. These terms mean something larger than just the Priest Lake Presbyterian Church or the Priest Lake congregation. As part of being presbyterian Priest Lake Presbyterian is part of the larger community of Presbyterian Church USA or PCUSA. In the organizational structure of PCUSA we are part of the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee. The Presbytery includes 78 presbyterian churches throughout Middle and West Tennessee. The Presbytery of Middle Tennessee is a community of churches and church leaders whose role is to guide and support the work of its constituents, striving to build up the body of Christ through connections of mutual support, creating a culture of leadership development, and church transformation.
Presbyterians organize themselves through a connectional system—a network of councils that share authority rather than concentrating it in one person. It’s democratic, representative, and intentionally designed to balance power. Presbyterian structure is built on the belief that wisdom emerges from the gathered community, not from a single leader. It’s a system designed for accountability, discernment, and shared mission.
In the coming weeks I am going to offer a short summary of the presbyterian organizational structure.
Presbyterians organize themselves through a connectional system—a network of councils that share authority rather than concentrating it in one person. It’s democratic, representative, and intentionally designed to balance power. Presbyterian structure is built on the belief that wisdom emerges from the gathered community, not from a single leader. It’s a system designed for accountability, discernment, and shared mission.
In the coming weeks I am going to offer a short summary of the presbyterian organizational structure.
Spring Cleaning – All Hands on Deck
9:00 AM TOMORROW!
Let’s come together to freshen up our church home — inside and out!
Cleaning products will be provided. Please bring rubber gloves if you’d like them.
What’s on the list:
Cleaning products will be provided. Please bring rubber gloves if you’d like them.
What’s on the list:
- Sanctuary — Wash windows, clean pews, dust every nook and cranny, replace burned-out bulbs
- Narthex — Windows, doors, thresholds, baseboards, bulletin boards, drinking fountain
- Nursery — Deep clean
- Bathrooms (4) — Scrub corners, check bulbs
- Classrooms — Scrub baseboards, wash windows, dust blinds, discard trash, check for repairs
- Back classrooms — Need strong arms to move furniture
- Conference Room — Bleach tables, scrub chairs, wash windows, dust shelves
- Kitchen — Clean grout, fridges, freezer, cupboards (inside and out)
- Gym — Wash windows, dust walls, clean Coke machine, drinking fountain, and ice machine
- Outside — Clean entrance doors and windows, Blessing Box area (including ceiling), picnic table, pick up trash, note repairs or painting needs
- Seth has already done an amazing job on the grounds — let’s build on that momentum and make PLPC shine!
Saturday, March 28, 2026
9:00 aM
Faith in Action: PLPC’s Support of The Branch
We recently received a heartfelt note from Melissa at The Branch, reminding us just how far our generosity has reached:
“Do you realize that at least since 2018, your church has given $14,400.20 to serve neighbors in SE Nashville?
I would say that you have shown us your faith by your works.”
That’s more than a number — it’s a testament to the love, presence, and commitment PLPC has shown in our community. Every dollar has helped feed families, support neighbors, and reflect Christ’s compassion in tangible ways.
Thank you for being part of this ongoing ministry. Your faith truly makes a difference.
“Do you realize that at least since 2018, your church has given $14,400.20 to serve neighbors in SE Nashville?
I would say that you have shown us your faith by your works.”
That’s more than a number — it’s a testament to the love, presence, and commitment PLPC has shown in our community. Every dollar has helped feed families, support neighbors, and reflect Christ’s compassion in tangible ways.
Thank you for being part of this ongoing ministry. Your faith truly makes a difference.
Volunteers Needed!
Can you help hide eggs
Help little ones find eggs
Assist with taking pictures
Volunteers are ask to arrive at 8:30
Show up - Shine Bright
Help Priest Lake Presbyterian share the Joy of Easter with our community!
Holy Week ~ March 28 - April 5, 2026 Activities
April 14, 2026
MENU
Creamy Chicken Breast & Armor Dried Beef Casserole
Served with Rice, Texas Toast, Green Salad, Dessert & Drinks
There’s a seat for everyone —
come hungry, leave full, and feel the love around the table.
Creamy Chicken Breast & Armor Dried Beef Casserole
Served with Rice, Texas Toast, Green Salad, Dessert & Drinks
There’s a seat for everyone —
come hungry, leave full, and feel the love around the table.