A New Chapter Begins at Priest Lake Presbyterian Church
For nearly two years, the people of Priest Lake Presbyterian Church have faithfully prayed for God's guidance in calling a new pastor. We asked God to prepare our congregation, prepare our future pastor, and bring us together according to His plan. We are overjoyed to share that God has answered those prayers. Please join us in welcoming Rev. Derek White as the new pastor of PLPC.
Derek is a United Methodist elder who brings more than 30 years of pastoral ministry, a passion for building beloved community, and a deep belief that God’s love and grace can be discovered in wonderfully unexpected places.
He received his Master of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary in 2012 and holds a bachelor's degree in Organizational Management from Bethel University.
Throughout his ministry, Derek has served in local churches, taught in college classrooms, and led workshops on faith, tabletop gaming, and community. He has also participated in multiple documentaries exploring the connections between faith, imagination, and storytelling.
Known to many as “The Geekpreacher,” Derek is also a writer, game designer, and chaplain to the tabletop gaming community, serving at conventions across the country. At the heart of his ministry is a love for people, a commitment to hospitality, and a desire to help others recognize the ways God is already at work in their lives and communities.
Derek has shared more than 30 years of marriage, laughter, and life’s adventures with Jennifer, the love of his life and his best friend. Jennifer is a longtime public school educator who has spent more than a decade serving students in Rutherford County as an interventionist. Together, they are proud parents of two wonderful children: Laurel, a special education teacher in Davidson County, and Arthur, a senior in high school. The family makes their home in Antioch, Tennessee. Derek enjoys cooking, storytelling, and bringing people together around dinner tables and gaming tables.
Derek is excited to become part of the Priest Lake community. He looks forward to hearing your stories, sharing in your joys and challenges, and exploring together where God may be leading us next. Along the way, he hopes to build friendships, share laughter, and participate in the life and ministry of the congregation.
He received his Master of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary in 2012 and holds a bachelor's degree in Organizational Management from Bethel University.
Throughout his ministry, Derek has served in local churches, taught in college classrooms, and led workshops on faith, tabletop gaming, and community. He has also participated in multiple documentaries exploring the connections between faith, imagination, and storytelling.
Known to many as “The Geekpreacher,” Derek is also a writer, game designer, and chaplain to the tabletop gaming community, serving at conventions across the country. At the heart of his ministry is a love for people, a commitment to hospitality, and a desire to help others recognize the ways God is already at work in their lives and communities.
Derek has shared more than 30 years of marriage, laughter, and life’s adventures with Jennifer, the love of his life and his best friend. Jennifer is a longtime public school educator who has spent more than a decade serving students in Rutherford County as an interventionist. Together, they are proud parents of two wonderful children: Laurel, a special education teacher in Davidson County, and Arthur, a senior in high school. The family makes their home in Antioch, Tennessee. Derek enjoys cooking, storytelling, and bringing people together around dinner tables and gaming tables.
Derek is excited to become part of the Priest Lake community. He looks forward to hearing your stories, sharing in your joys and challenges, and exploring together where God may be leading us next. Along the way, he hopes to build friendships, share laughter, and participate in the life and ministry of the congregation.
In addition... Let's show our support for Rev. Derek.
On Saturday, November 7, the Presbytery will gather for its regular quarterly meeting at Franklin First Presbyterian Church. As part of the day's business, the Committee on Ministry (COM) will examine and vote on the approval of Derek to serve as a pastor within the Presbyterian Church (USA) and continue his ministry with the family of Priest Lake Presbyterian Church.
We would love to have a strong showing from the PLPC family to support Derek on this important day. If you are able to attend, please plan to arrive by 10:30 a.m.
Your presence will be a meaningful expression of encouragement as Derek takes this next step in his ministry with our congregation. Please keep Derek, the Presbytery, and this process in your prayers.
We would love to have a strong showing from the PLPC family to support Derek on this important day. If you are able to attend, please plan to arrive by 10:30 a.m.
Your presence will be a meaningful expression of encouragement as Derek takes this next step in his ministry with our congregation. Please keep Derek, the Presbytery, and this process in your prayers.
All Saints’ Day is a time when Presbyterians pause to remember that “saints” are not a special class of Christians, but all believers—ordinary people whose lives have reflected God’s grace across every generation. In the Reformed tradition, we give thanks for the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us and for the faithful members of our own congregation who entered their eternal home in the past year.
Priest Lake Presbyterian Church will celebrate All Saints’ Day next Sunday, November 1, during the 10:30 AM worship service. We will honor the lives of those we have lost, remembering them with gratitude and hope as part of the one communion of saints—past, present, and future.
Raising Kids
by Dave Nock
Since kids were invented, they have been a challenge. They do not come with an owner’s manual. There is a lot of learning, trial and error, and long days and nights. The long days and nights are on both sides, the kids and the parents.
Donna and I have had a framed picture hanging on the wall for years. It is titled “Children Learn What They Live”. I have grown to 100% believe this. We are all products of the environment we live in. That is not just at home, it is school, the neighborhood and the overall family. All of that interacts to develop values, beliefs and character of the person.
Not wanting to be judgmental but mothers must mother. Fathers must father. Any couple can raise a child, but it takes a team to parent.
Here is the quote (it is anonymous).
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns to justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.
(He and She in this case is synonymous)
We also have another frame that is titled the “Mean Mother”. Parents need to set the ground rules. Parents should not be the child’s best friend. But if you apply the above quote there are a lot of things in this world that would be better.
Donna and I have had a framed picture hanging on the wall for years. It is titled “Children Learn What They Live”. I have grown to 100% believe this. We are all products of the environment we live in. That is not just at home, it is school, the neighborhood and the overall family. All of that interacts to develop values, beliefs and character of the person.
Not wanting to be judgmental but mothers must mother. Fathers must father. Any couple can raise a child, but it takes a team to parent.
Here is the quote (it is anonymous).
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns to justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.
(He and She in this case is synonymous)
We also have another frame that is titled the “Mean Mother”. Parents need to set the ground rules. Parents should not be the child’s best friend. But if you apply the above quote there are a lot of things in this world that would be better.
Percy's Corner: The Bonfire Boogie
I arrived at the PLPC Bonfire with a very important mission: inspect the hot dogs, sample the cookies, and make sure the s'mores met my exacting standards. Naturally, I was also keeping an eye on the rice krispy treats. A mouse has priorities, you know.
The evening was wonderful. More than 30 friends gathered around the fire for food, fellowship, and laughter. The children even convinced several adults to join a spirited game of Duck, Duck, Goose. I won't mention names, but some of those adults were surprisingly competitive.
The food was fantastic. There were hot dogs, chips, cookies, rice krispy treats, and enough s'mores to make any church mouse happy. Jodie Kloke even brought delicious slaw, giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy a proper slaw dog.
Meanwhile, Jon Loudermilk and Terry Culp conducted what they called a "scientific experiment" involving rice krispy treats and an open fire. Results were... mixed.
Seth Sadler kept the bonfire burning safely while everyone visited and enjoyed the beautiful fall evening. Overhead, a huge full moon lit the sky and made the whole night feel a little magical.
Then came the music!
When Thywill Amenya brought out the drums and started playing, I simply could not keep my feet still. Before I knew it, I had leaped onto one of the drums and invented a brand-new dance called The Bonfire Boogie. Thywill kept the rhythm, and I supplied the fancy footwork. The children gathered around to watch, and I am fairly certain I heard requests for an encore.
Some people say I was dancing. I prefer to think of it as contributing to the percussion section.
By the end of the evening, everyone had enjoyed good food, good friends, great conversations, and plenty of laughter. I'd call that a successful bonfire.
Thanksgiving turkey boxes
The Mission Committee is planning to prepare 25 Thanksgiving boxes to bless families in our community and congregation. Each box will include everything needed for a full Thanksgiving Day meal — including a turkey.
We will begin collecting donations October 11 and continue through November 20. You may donate food items or contribute financially toward the purchase of turkeys.
A donation box will be located in the narthex, along with a list of all items included in each box. You may also email the church office to receive a copy of the list.
For more information, please see Nathaniel Jennette or any member of the Mission Committee.
We will begin collecting donations October 11 and continue through November 20. You may donate food items or contribute financially toward the purchase of turkeys.
A donation box will be located in the narthex, along with a list of all items included in each box. You may also email the church office to receive a copy of the list.
For more information, please see Nathaniel Jennette or any member of the Mission Committee.
UPDATED shopping list
The shopping list for our 25 Thanksgiving food boxes is nearly complete.
*Donations of rolls and baked goods will be collected closer to packing day to ensure they are fresh and ready for the families who receive them.
TURKEY BOX SHOPPING LIST
Canned corn
Canned/Jarred gravy
Turkeys (10 – 12 lb.)
Foil roasting pan
Banker boxes (for packing)
* Rolls
* Baked Goods (pie, cake)
Canned corn
Canned/Jarred gravy
Turkeys (10 – 12 lb.)
Foil roasting pan
Banker boxes (for packing)
* Rolls
* Baked Goods (pie, cake)
The Food Donation Box is in the Narthex
Hearts and Hopes
I have continued to think about our stewardship theme, "Gathering Hearts. Restoring Hope." and this week I realized we're living it.
At the bonfire, I watched our church family gather around the fire to share food, laughter, stories, and fellowship. Hearts were gathered.
And this Sunday, we welcome Pastor Derek after nearly two years of prayer, searching, and trusting God's guidance. As we begin this new chapter together, hope is being restored.
Stewardship is about more than what we give. It's about being part of what God is doing among us. When we share our gifts, our time, and our commitment to PLPC, we help gather hearts and restore hope for the future.
At the bonfire, I watched our church family gather around the fire to share food, laughter, stories, and fellowship. Hearts were gathered.
And this Sunday, we welcome Pastor Derek after nearly two years of prayer, searching, and trusting God's guidance. As we begin this new chapter together, hope is being restored.
Stewardship is about more than what we give. It's about being part of what God is doing among us. When we share our gifts, our time, and our commitment to PLPC, we help gather hearts and restore hope for the future.
