Rev. Dr. Kimberleigh Buchanan, Senior Minister
Kim joins First Congregational UCC as its Senior Minister after serving 16 years as a pastor in Georgia. She is thrilled about moving to North Carolina, to Asheville, and to First Congregational UCC! Growing up Southern Baptist, where women weren’t ordained, it took Kim a while to discern her call to pastoral ministry. Her first vocation was teaching elementary school music. Then she went to seminary—to become a children’s minister (because that’s all she’d ever seen women do in the church). It was during her time at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, that Kim finally was able to respond to God’s call to pastoral ministry. Because of her own experiences of exclusion in the church and those of many others who live on the margins, Kim preaches and seeks to live the good news that God’s love is for every human being. She understands loving others to involve doing whatever is within one’s power to “act others into wellbeing.” Kim eagerly joins First Congregational UCC in its work of acting the world into wellbeing in God’s name! Joining her in the move to Asheville are Kim’s patient spouse, Allen Mullinax, and their two less-patient cats, Dayo and Gracie. Email pastor@uccasheville.org
Andrew Hoots, 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. He currently works at Mars Hill University as the Assistant Chaplain where he serves college students, faculty, staff, and administration. Email youth@uccasheville.org
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. He currently works at Mars Hill University as the Assistant Chaplain where he serves college students, faculty, staff, and administration. Email youth@uccasheville.org
Kevin Bryant, Organist & Choir Director
Kevin has been involved with music since the age of five when he started taking piano lessons at church. He started playing the organ at the age of twelve. He is a graduate of T.C. Roberson High in Asheville, Brevard College, and the University of North Carolina at Asheville. He has worked in church music since 1985, heading up music programs and playing the organ in different denominations and church sizes ranging from 100 to 5000 members. He has worked with vocal, handbell, and instrumental choirs and ensembles. He is a member and past Dean of the Western North Carolina Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. He has a passion for church music and likes to use the gifts God has given him for God's glory. Kevin has and continues to tour performing organ and piano recitals and dedications. Email music@uccasheville.org
Anthony Sumner, Building and Grounds Keeper
Anthony Sumner's work as Building and Grounds Keeper includes custodial care and maintenance of the church campus, set up and clean up for church activities, as well as safety and security for the building. Anthony will be available to assist the many
community groups who meet in the church for any emergencies or security issues. In addition to his job here at FCUCC, Anthony has his own yard and lawn service. He and his wife Krista are the very proud parents of two teenage boys, Mathew and Morgan.
He can be found in the office early every morning and in the afternoons, Monday through Thursday.
Email maint@uccasheville.org
community groups who meet in the church for any emergencies or security issues. In addition to his job here at FCUCC, Anthony has his own yard and lawn service. He and his wife Krista are the very proud parents of two teenage boys, Mathew and Morgan.
He can be found in the office early every morning and in the afternoons, Monday through Thursday.
Email maint@uccasheville.org
Nadine Hamby, Coordinator of Everything Else
Nadine has over 20 years experience organizing, coordinating and juggling a zillion different projects at the same time. While she grew up in western Washington, her roots are here in western North Carolina. She built a website about her family genealogy, writes a gardening blog and studies computer technology whenever her dog and cat will let her to sit down for a few minutes.
She is in the office from 9 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday.
Email admin@uccasheville.org
She is in the office from 9 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday.
Email admin@uccasheville.org