Rev. Karla Miller began as our settled pastor in February 2019.  She comes to First Congregational UCC with over 33 years of a variety of ministries in Florida, Asheville and Raleigh, NC and Massachusetts.  Most recently, Karla was the Minister for Community Life at Old North Church UCC in Marblehead, MA.

Rev. Miller earned a B.S. in Religious Studies from Wheaton College in Illinois and  a Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City.  Karla also has significant continuing education and professional development, including in marriage and pastoral counseling, women in ministry, suicide prevention, and ceramics in spiritual expression.

Karla is married to Dr. Anne (Liz) Thurston, who is in higher education administration, most recently as Director of Student Affairs at Harvard's Graduate School of Education.  Karla and Liz have three dogs and two cats, and are very dedicated to animal welfare.  In her free time she enjoys knitting, hiking, reading and cooking.

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Email: karla@fcchendersonville.org

Mark began his work at First Congregational in January of 2016. His primary roles include leading the Choir, serving as a pastoral presence to members of the choir and church, playing the organ, preaching, and working with various groups and work areas in the church.

 

Prior to coming to First Congregational, Mark served for 26 years as Director of Music, Worship, and the Arts at two congregations in Nashville, Tennessee. Mark also served on the faculty of Belmont University for six years, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in church music and worship.

 

Mark's  passion now lies in helping the choir and the music of First Congregational to be a light in which all people  find inspiration, joy, community, and meaning.

 

Email: mark@fcchendersonville.org