Leadership

Our Staff at Laurel Presbyterian

Rev. Dr. Chris Deacon

Pastor

Chris was recently called as our pastor at LPC, and we are thrilled to welcome him to our family of faith! Chris last served as the Stated Supply Pastor for Redevelopment at Northwood Presbyterian Church. Chris previously served the United Parish of Bowie as pastor from 2014 until 2022 and First Presbyterian Church of Farmington, IL as pastor from 2008 until 2014.

In the National Capital Presbytery, Chris has served as chair of the New Things team and as a member of the Church Development Committee and the Leadership Council. He served as Moderator of the presbytery for the 2023-2024 program year.

Chris received his Bachelor of Arts in Communications from University of Tennessee (2004) and his Master of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (2008). In 2022, he received his Doctor of Ministry from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary. His doctoral project was entitled “Community in a Time of Covid," focusing on how to maintain community when a congregation is unable to physically be together.

Chris is fiercely committed to living out the gospel's message of transformative love and working within the congregations he serves to manifest how this love can build communities. This commitment has led him to serve in Illinois as a volunteer firefighter and to serve as a community mentor for High School students. He is a founding board member and treasurer of the Bowie Interfaith Coalition.

Chris enjoys spending time with his family. His wife Heather works as the Director of Business Affairs for National Capital Presbytery. His daughter Hannah loves NFL football, cooking, playing the flute, and reading. Two golden retrievers, Toby and Winston, round out their family. In his spare time, Chris likes woodworking, home improvement, cooking, reading, board games, and watching movies. He especially enjoys watching his beloved Tennessee Titans, showing his belief that hope springs eternal!

Natalie Beal

Director of Music Ministries

natalie.composes@gmail.com

Natalie Beal has blessed LPC with her musical talents for over 10 years. As our Director of Music Ministries, Natalie conducts the choir and plays the organ and piano. She participates in worship planning and coordinates all special music. Natalie believes, “music is a supernal language of our Heavenly Father and by participating in good music, we can learn more about our divine nature and share God's love.” Natalie is also a gifted composer and arranger. Explore more of her work at https://bealmusic.com.

Session Members

Committee Chairs

Congregational Life

Philip Cottagiri

Communications

Jamie Albertine & Natalie Bailey

Community & Mission

Eli Hudson & Josephine Tafie

Education

Kathy Harrington

Finance & Stewardship

Scott Birdsong

Nominating

Alvine Tabe

Pastoral Care

Mary Darnell

Personnel

Randy Kleck

Property

Mike Wentling

Worship & Music

Tiffany Papanikolas