Rev. Gene Derryberry, Intentional Interim Minister
Rev. Derryberry received his bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from the Vanderbilt University School of Arts and Sciences and his Master of Divinity in New Testament Studies from the Vanderbilt University Divinity School. Rev. Derryberry has completed the Interim Transitional Specialist program of the Center for Congregational Health. He has served numerous congregations as Intentional Interim Minister and as a consultant in program ministries and development. He has served in a diversity of congregations including congregations affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ.
Rev. Derryberry resides in Asheville. His wife, Virginia, is Professor Emerita of Art, UNC-Asheville. They have two children and two grandchildren. Email pastor@uccasheville.org.
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 youth@uccasheville.org.
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 admin@uccasheville.org.
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: organist@uccasheville.org or music@uccasheville.org
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 avtech@uccasheville.org.