Staff

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.

Casey Clark, Administrative Coordinator

Casey is an Asheville native, recently returned home to the mountains from Hilton Head, SC. She attended Western Carolina University and UNC-Asheville. Casey has published a Christian speculative fiction Young Adult novel and is working on 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 12 to 22. She spends her spare time writing, chasing her chihuahuas, and at the gym, camping or hiking with her husband.

Email admin@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.

Joanna Best, Music Director

Joanna Boyd Best began singing in public at age 6. Since that time, she has continued singing in various venues. The daughter and granddaughter of Presbyterian ministers, Joanna has been active in church music for all of her life. Outside church, she has fronted bands in Chapel Hill, Kansas City and Lawrence, KS - discovering the fun of old blues tunes. She has covered the waterfront in genres, but particularly enjoys the jump blues and swing tunes with an Asheville band, Virginia and the Slims. In other professional work, she also taught public school music for fifteen years. Joanna's academic credentials include a BA in Music from Davidson College and a Master of Music from Appalachian State University. Currently, Joanna is an adjunct instructor in music at AB Tech in Asheville and teaches vocals at UNC-A. She also works with K-8 students in reading and math. We welcome Joanna, with her extensive experience in churches and her master's degree in choral conducting. Email music@uccasheville.org.

Marika Straw, Organist

Marika Straw, a native of Wallowa County, Oregon, moved to the Asheville area two years ago to pursue a career in music, enjoy the mountains, and learn about the South. She is thrilled to transition from Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Woodfin to FCUCC as the accompanist/organist. Marika's musical career started in middle school as the pianist for her public school's jazz choir. In high school she became the accompanist for her grandparents' Episcopal church. Marika entered Lawrence University and Conservatory of Music in Appleton, WI in 2009 as a piano performance major, but quickly realized that she wanted to explore much more than music. She chose to study pipe organ and switched her major to anthropology, focusing on ethnomusicology with a study abroad in India. Recently, she has been focusing on combining interests in music, social justice, healing, and faith (she is also considering converting to Judaism). In the next month, she will be traveling to the Netherlands to attend a workshop put on by the organization Musicians Without Borders on how to use music for peace building, as well as releasing a single called "Waiting," featuring her songwriting for piano and voice. To learn more about her, check out her website at www.marikastrawmusic.com. Email marika.straw@gmail.com.

Anthony Sumner, Building and Groundskeeper

Anthony Sumner's work as Building and Groundskeeper 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.