The Reverend Dr. Dennis Falasco has worked in pastoral ministry for over 45 years. A graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, he has had pastorates in New Jersey, Tennessee, California, Arkansas, and Idaho. He has been married to Becky for 46 years. She has been an integral part of his ministry with her education in Music. As Head of Staff, Dennis’ concept of ministry is to lead churches by developing teams for evaluating a broad range of membership opportunities and lay leadership skills. His primary focus is on Worship. He claims all a church does in programs and missions springs from Sunday Worship. His duties as interim include, but are not limited to, worship planning, facilitating all session and committee meetings as well as communication for the church to the community, and helping with the transition for the next installed pastor.

Beth has been ivolved in church music ministry for almost four decades. After her long-time church pianist retired at her home church of Calvary Baptist in Bucyrus, Ohio, Beth took over the ministry at the age of 12. She also enjoyed accompanying the children’s and youth choirs, as well. This calling began a journey in the music ministry that has spanned several years and several denominations. 

Beth was a pianist and choir accompanist at First United Methodist Church of Oneida for almost 20 years and led the children’s and youth choirs for several years while directing the GANG (God’s Awesome New Generation) program. She also cherished the time of singing with and accompanying her mother at her church, Helenwood Baptist. 

Having the privilege of attending Wayside Christian School through seventh grade, Beth loved sacred music and being involved in choir and drama programs within the school and church. After moving to Tennessee in 1986, Beth quickly got involved in music by playing in church and accompanying her high school choir at Scott High, where she graduated in 1991. Beth began teaching piano with private lessons that same year. In 1992, Oneida Special School District hired Beth as a teaching assistant for the expanding elementary music program. While in the OSSD, she worked as a teaching assistant for Kindergarten and Kinderstart, led middle and high school choir for several years, and played accompaniment for the other directors of the program. She also taught general music in middle school and then took over the entire elementary program as a paraprofessional for the last several years before the program ended in 2010. Beth began playing for Mass on Saturdays at St. Jude Catholic Church in Helenwood, Tennessee, in 2017 and still does. Although not a Catholic, Beth loves her St. Jude family and believes no church should ever be without music during worship. Music speaks to the heart of all, no matter what denomination. 

Beth has been blessed to be a part of the First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville since 2018 and considers it worship with family. The music ministry of any church should create an atmosphere of worship and praise, and Beth’s prayer is that her music offerings and leadership reflect that spirit of worship and praise needed to unite our congregation in full worship to our Lord and Savior.

Beth lives in Oneida, TN, with her husband of 30 years, Rick. She has two adult children, Hannah Nelson (and husband, Ryan of Maynardville, TN, with her grandchildren, Felicity and Lincoln) and Nathaniel Furrer of Oneida. Beth continues to provide piano instruction from her home in Oneida and plans to provide music for worship as long as she can keep the promise made to her mother as a child, who wanted her to always “play for Jesus.”

My name is Hannah Nelson, and I am the Choir Director here at First Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, TN.

 In 2019, I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance from Lincoln Memorial University. I have also been teaching private piano lessons since 2012 and am always looking for new opportunities to make music with others. 

 I currently live in Maynardville, TN with my husband Ryan, daughter Felicity, son Lincoln, and our dog Sam. We are all very happy to be a small part of this amazing congregation, and I am personally looking forward to the beautiful music that I know this church will be making in all of our groups: adult choir, youth choir, and handbells. God bless you all, and thank you for having me here!

II'm Michelle Massengale, and I am the administrative assistant and custodian. I enjoy serving the church and congregation in these capacities.  It is a little different than my “day job.” I have been a public-school teacher for 23 years and counting.  I completed my doctorate in 2014. I am married to J.C. Massengale.  Our family consists of two sons (Zack and Zander), a daughter (Mariah), my niece, who is like my daughter (McKenzie), and our family pets.  My family and I enjoy all types of sports, from basketball to NASCAR. 

My husband and I love being outdoors. I like playing card games and board games.  Reading is a favorite pastime as well.  The songs “I Am Blessed” and “Walking on Sunshine” are two of my favorites.  At some point, I would like to be a movie critic because I love to watch movies. My all-time favorite is “Gaslight” with Ingrid Bergman and Angela Lansbury.  

Most of all, I am thankful for the blessings God has given me.  I hope that when people see or think of me, they are reminded of God’s love for them.

Jason began his Christian journey right here in Knoxville, TN in ’81 at Second Presbyterian where his dad took the position as youth minister and associate pastor. In ’87 his family moved to San Diego, CA where Jason participated in the youth program going on various mission trips to Mexico to help with their Vacation Bible School and community outreach. After graduating high school from El Dorado High School in El Dorado, AR in ’98, Jason eventually made his way to Idaho Falls, ID and helped with First Presbyterians youth program while coaching gymnastics at Idaho Falls Gymnastics Training Center. 
       In ’09 Jason decided to attend The Art Institute to pursue his passion of film and photography. Since then, he has had a wonderful career working on various film sets and photographing marketing material for several companies. 

Once again, Jason calls Tennessee home and is excited to lend his efforts in building a youth program!