Rev. Dr. Kendra G. Plating, Senior Pastor
Kendra Plating (pronounced like you're "plating" up a nice Sunday supper) joined the staff of First Congregational in July of 2024 with a unanimous vote of support from the congregation. She holds a bachelor's degree from Wake Forest University, a masters of divinity from Harvard Divinity School, and a doctor of ministry from Candler School of Theology. She began her ministry in chaplaincy and enjoyed the last decade serving a Baptist congregation in Greenville, SC. She's glad to be back to the mountains of North Carolina which she's considered her home since high school days. And she's excited to build ecumenical and interfaith relationships in Asheville to live out FCUCC's mission to practice radical hospitality through acts of love, mercy, peace and justice. Come meet her!
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Rev. Andrew Hoots, Children & Youth Ministry Coordinator
Andrew Hoots completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in religion, with a double major in psychology, at Campbell University in May 2010. After graduating with his bachelor’s degree, Andrew married his high school sweetheart, Valerie, who also graduated from Campbell in May 2010. He graduated from Campbell University Divinity School in May 2014 where he earned his Master of Divinity. He has also worked in the Office of the First Year Experience with first-year students at Campbell University.
Andrew has served in several churches in the area of youth ministry; FBC Erwin, The Memorial Baptist Church in Greenville, NC, and Ecclesia Baptist Church in Fairview, NC. Email [email protected].
Andrew has served in several churches in the area of youth ministry; FBC Erwin, The Memorial Baptist Church in Greenville, NC, and Ecclesia Baptist Church in Fairview, NC. Email [email protected].
Kathleen Stigmon, Ministry & Administrative Coordinator
Kathleen is a native New Englander, who lived much of the past 25 years in Arizona. She worked at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff as the Sr. Program Coordinator of the NASA Space Grant program. In addition, she provided music therapy to patients at the Flagstaff Medical Center and provided music for the Campus Ministry program and assisting with the children’s choir at their local church. Prior to Arizona, her background was in human resources at an investment company in Boston, and Ben & Jerry’s Homemade in Waterbury, VT. She and her husband John moved to the Asheville area in the summer of 2019 to be closer to their 2 sons, Ryan & Daniel.
Email [email protected].
Email [email protected].
Eric Fricke, Interim Music Director and Organist
Eric is from Scottsdale, AZ, and comes to Asheville after living in Santa Fe, NM for many years. He came to North Carolina in June 2020 to study in a graduate program for Injury-Preventive Keyboard Pedagogy at Salem College.
From 2017 to 2019, Eric was the Principal Organist of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, NM. During his time there, Eric helped prepare and performed with a 120-voice combined choir from the Santa Fe Diocese in a performance of John Rutter’s Mass of the Children at Carnegie Hall, among many other musical and liturgical adventures. While in Santa Fe, Eric performed as a pianist with the Santa Fe Opera and was the organist for the Santa Fe Symphony. Eric was the Associate Director of the St. Michael’s High School’s Choral Arts Society, which won AAA New Mexico State Champion Choir during two of his three years with them. He has appeared on the national stage as an organist since 2007, with notable appearances at Entertainment Gathering 2008 (later broadcast on TEDTalks), on NPR’s From The Top.
Eric is a chocolatier, botanical perfumer, student of African and Haitian dance, and enjoys hosting his neighborhood outdoor yoga group. He holds undergraduate degrees in Philosophy and History of Mathematics and Sciences from St. John’s College, the notorious Great Books school of Annapolis, MD.
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
From 2017 to 2019, Eric was the Principal Organist of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, NM. During his time there, Eric helped prepare and performed with a 120-voice combined choir from the Santa Fe Diocese in a performance of John Rutter’s Mass of the Children at Carnegie Hall, among many other musical and liturgical adventures. While in Santa Fe, Eric performed as a pianist with the Santa Fe Opera and was the organist for the Santa Fe Symphony. Eric was the Associate Director of the St. Michael’s High School’s Choral Arts Society, which won AAA New Mexico State Champion Choir during two of his three years with them. He has appeared on the national stage as an organist since 2007, with notable appearances at Entertainment Gathering 2008 (later broadcast on TEDTalks), on NPR’s From The Top.
Eric is a chocolatier, botanical perfumer, student of African and Haitian dance, and enjoys hosting his neighborhood outdoor yoga group. He holds undergraduate degrees in Philosophy and History of Mathematics and Sciences from St. John’s College, the notorious Great Books school of Annapolis, MD.
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Betty Dillashaw, Director of Handbell Program
Doug Williams, Building & Grounds Manager
Doug is originally from Richmond, VA and has lived here since 2012. He has a background with Virginia State Parks dealing with grounds and building maintenance. He has also worked at Biltmore with the grounds crew and with the City of Asheville in park maintenance.
He is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, camping, and fishing. He also enjoys serving as a campground host. He considers himself to be a tree-hugger and is very active with environmental causes. He decided to join the staff since they were in need of a competent building and grounds manager. He likes to see improvements throughout the church.
He also enjoys the pets in his household. Two dogs — Cory & Scrappy and a cat — Simba.
Email: [email protected]
He is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, camping, and fishing. He also enjoys serving as a campground host. He considers himself to be a tree-hugger and is very active with environmental causes. He decided to join the staff since they were in need of a competent building and grounds manager. He likes to see improvements throughout the church.
He also enjoys the pets in his household. Two dogs — Cory & Scrappy and a cat — Simba.
Email: [email protected]
L.A. Setu, AV Technician
Leivi Angelin “L.A.” Setu was born and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where from a young age she developed a passion and calling for the arts. In the Summer of 2016, she attended the North Carolina Governor’s School for Theatre to pursue her education, later moving to western North Carolina to attend UNC Asheville. L.A. graduated in December of 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Technology and was awarded distinction in her field by the University’s faculty.
L.A.’s heart is in songwriting and recording music. Though she studied live sound at UNCA, readily equipping her for the Audiovisual Technician position at FCUCC, her most treasured time in college was the hundreds of hours she spent in the on-campus studio, where she meticulously engineered tracks and projects for both students and professional musicians alike—including herself!
Email [email protected].
L.A.’s heart is in songwriting and recording music. Though she studied live sound at UNCA, readily equipping her for the Audiovisual Technician position at FCUCC, her most treasured time in college was the hundreds of hours she spent in the on-campus studio, where she meticulously engineered tracks and projects for both students and professional musicians alike—including herself!
Email [email protected].
Ashley Ford, Nursery
David Turner, Custodian
