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.
Rev. 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.
Chuck Taft, Music Director
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Chuck is a multi-talented musician, minister, and author living, working, and learning in Western North Carolina. Chuck’s wide-ranging work includes music directing for theater and opera, conducting orchestral and choral groups, teaching university students, and performing as a singer and pianist. His Master’s research focused on exploring the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical benefits of choral participation in an aging population, with the aim of using scholarship to improve practice and, ultimately, the lives of parishioners. Guiding his work across all these disciplines is Chuck's core belief in “People over Process," a commitment to valuing the needs of the individual above those of organizations. Led by this belief, Chuck moves daily between the classroom, sanctuary, and rehearsal hall, cheerfully helping the people around him find joy and express their truth through music.
Email music@uccasheville.org. |
Casey Clark, Administrative Coordinator
Casey is an Asheville native, recently returned home to the mountains from Hilton Head, SC. While in Hilton Head, Casey worked as the Financial Secretary for St. Andrew By the Sea, UMC.
In 2013, she published a Christian speculative fiction Young Adult novel and is, currently, querying her second book with a theme focused on animal cruelty.
Casey and her husband, Andrew, have four children: Abbey, Natalie, Andrew and Elijah, ranging in age from 14 to 24. She spends her spare time writing, chasing her many pets, and at the gym, camping or hiking with her husband.
Email admin@uccasheville.org.
In 2013, she published a Christian speculative fiction Young Adult novel and is, currently, querying her second book with a theme focused on animal cruelty.
Casey and her husband, Andrew, have four children: Abbey, Natalie, Andrew and Elijah, ranging in age from 14 to 24. She spends her spare time writing, chasing her many pets, and at the gym, camping or hiking with her husband.
Email admin@uccasheville.org.
Anthony Sumner, Building and Groundskeeper
Anthony's work as Building and Groundskeeper includes 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 sons, 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 sons, Mathew and Morgan.
He can be found in the office early every morning and in the afternoons, Monday through Thursday.
Email maint@uccasheville.org.
Amanda McCauley, AV Technician
Amanda has lived in Virginia, North Carolina, and Germany, and is a graduate of the Music Tech program at UNCA. After graduation, she moved to NYC to be the lead audio engineer at a venue in Times Square. We’re delighted to welcome Amanda to First Congregational!