Clergy

the Rev. Derek Larson, Rector


The Rev. Derek Larson, TSSF, has been serving as the Rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church since August 2024. With a deep commitment to nurturing spiritual growth and community connection, Derek brings a wealth of experience and a vibrant passion to his role.


Derek (or Father Derek/ Father Larson) holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Ministry from Southeastern University, a Master of Arts in Theology from Saint Leo University, and a Master of Divinity from Seminary of the Southwest with a concentration in Latinx Ministry. His diverse ministry background spans six dioceses and includes such roles as parish priest, school chaplain, youth minister, and music minister.


At St. Peter's, Derek’s role as lead pastor includes presiding at liturgical services, preaching, offering pastoral care, and guiding the congregation’s vision and faith formation. He works closely with the vestry, St. Peter’s lay leadership team. 


Derek is also a Franciscan and a member of the Third Order, Society of St. Francis, a dispersed Anglican/Episcopal religious order following the Gospel in the way of St. Francis. As a Franciscan, the heart of Derek’s ministry is finding the sacred in all things—especially in the natural world and the human heart. The loving presence of God is in each moment; our task is to open ourselves to that loving presence so that we might be healed in its light and shaped by its joy. 


Outside of his pastoral duties, Derek enjoys a variety of interests. He finds joy in family time, interfaith work, poetry, kayaking, hiking, juggling, unicycling, and exploring his Scandinavian heritage. Derek is married to LauraAnn, and they are the proud parents of two young sons, Barret and Alaster. Having grown up in Lakeland and Plant City, Derek has roots in the local community, including a large extended family.


You can follow Derek’s preaching and ministry on his website: www.DerekMichaelLarson.com, and you can reach him via email at rector@stpetersplantcity.com.

the Rev. Denise Healy, Deacon


The Rev. Denise Healy (Deacon Denise or Denise) was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons on June 29, 1991 along with 9 others in the Diocese of Southwest Florida. Deacon Denise completed her training for ministry in the Diocese of Hawaii where she also attended the University of Hawaii. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from UH and is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Denise also has a BA in Psychology from Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland. She was born and raised in Baltimore. Sorry Rays fans, she is a lifelong Orioles fan. Denise left Baltimore in 1983.


​Denise and her husband, Tom, who died in June of 2001, moved to Plant City and became members of St. Peter’s in 1990. St. Peter’s became her presenting parish for ordination. She served as deacon at St. Peter’s for 2 years before leaving to serve at Holy Innocents’ in Valrico. From Holy Innocents’ she went to St. Catherine’s and served for a short time only to return to Holy Innocents’ several years later. Deacon Denise was pleased to have the opportunity to return to St. Peter’s after many years. 


​Denise worked for Lifepath Hospice and Gulfside Regional Hospice for more than 16 years. She continues to work part time as a social worker for MSA Home Health where she makes home visits to assist patients with community resources and counseling.


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The Rev. Dr. John Santosuosso, Deacon Emeritus

 

John was Professor of Political Science at Florida Southern College.  He holds the M.Div. degree from the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary and the Ph.D. from the University of Florida.  John loves to teach Bible.  He is married to his wonderful, beautiful, spouse Janet, and lives with her and his faithful dog Leo in Lakeland.

Staff

Helen McCraw Jones, 

Director of Music Ministries


A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Helen began piano and organ studies at an early age, accompanying many choirs and soloists. She studied piano with Dr. David Pinnix and organ with Dr. Harold Andrews at Greensboro College, where she later graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor in Music Education.  Though she had a 35-year civil service career, she also served as a church organist and/or director.  Helen and her husband, Steve, moved to Lakeland in 1996. They have three children, two granddaughters, and one very big dog.

Sarah Dean, Parish Administrator


Sarah is a native of Plant City and resides on the property her grandfather homesteaded in the 1800s. She has two daughters and two fantastic, wonderful granddaughters.


​She received her education at HB Plant High School in Tampa, and attended the University of Florida, El Camino College, and graduated from Western University in Portland, OR.


​She is a past employee of Space Technology Laboratories, Guided Missile Research Division of the Ballistic Missile Command in Los Angeles, CA, where she worked on the development of Titan I and II, Atlas, Thor and Minuteman Missile Systems. She also worked as systems coordinator for the Clerk of the Circuit Court Data Processing, Hillsborough County, FL. More recently she was employed by Kirby Soar Insurance as comptroller. She is also a licensed insurance agent.


​Sarah is delighted to have found a wonderful job as Parish Secretary for St Peter’s. It is a great experience for her.


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Tony Wilson, Sexton

St. Peter's Vestry

Back Row: Dick Kaiser, Felix Haynes, Eda Snyder, Patti Booher (Senior Warden), Ron Everett (Junior Warden), and Patty Linder

Front Row: Carolyn Durst, Starr Anderson, and Cindy Gutowski

St. Peter’s vestry is comprised of nine elected members, serving rotating terms of three years each. The vestry shares leadership responsibilities with the rector and functions much like the board of any non-profit, with responsibility for finances and properties. St. Peter’s vestry is called to work collaboratively with each other and our rector to create a vision and plan of action to live out God’s plan for us.

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