Elders of the Session

Laura Brown, Worship

Laura grew up in New England and moved to Asheville in 1976 with her husband and first daughter. She has been at New Hope since 1992. Along the way she became the mother of four children and the grandmother of 10 very bright and beautiful grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild! She has worked in nursing for 50 years. Laura got her master’s degree in nursing education mid-career and has gone on to teach college nursing students for the past 19 years. She is loving her mostly retired life and the added time to spend with family and friends! Laura also enjoys gardening, reading, and learning to be quiet and go deeper. Contact Laura at llbrown888@gmail.com or (828) 335-6000.
Contact​ Laura. ​

Mike Garrett, Treasurer

Mike spent his early childhood living near the Indiana Dunes National Park and grew up in a Christian home. He moved to Michigan and attended Wayne State University, where he met and married Susan, his spouse of 42 years. They moved to Asheville five years ago to be near their two daughters and three grandchildren. Mike spent his career working in the healthcare organization development field. He enjoys volunteering, sailing, hiking, and playing with the grandkids. Mike loves the Lord and enjoys serving Him. Contact Mike. 

Virginia Hebert, Justice & Reconciliation

The daughter of an army officer and a K-6 teacher, Virginia is originally from “nowhere in particular” but has called North Carolina home off-and-on since 1997. A graduate of North Carolina State University and the University of the District of Columbia School of Law, she has dedicated her professional life to public service, most recently as an assistant public defender for Buncombe County. Thrilled to have landed in Asheville, she enjoys exploring the hiking trails of Western North Carolina as well as reading and hanging out with Raleigh, her mischievous chocolate lab. Finding an immediate home at New Hope, Virginia is excited to share with its members her passion for dismantling oppression. Contact Virginia.

Margaret Marsh, Congregational Life

Having grown up in Charlotte as the daughter of a Presbyterian minister, Margaret is a lifelong Presbyterian. Before moving to Asheville in 2017 to be near her son, she lived for many years in Decatur, Alabama. While there, she worked as the administrator for low income housing for the elderly, something she always felt was a ministry. In her church, she served as an elder, taught Sunday school, was actively involved in Presbyterian Women, and served on the Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry. Outside of church, she worked with the Friends of the Library as a board member and the Rotary Club. She enjoys traveling, playing bridge, reading, and being near her family. In addition to her son in Asheville, she has a son in St. Petersburg, FL. She is so glad to have found New Hope and to be serving on the Session. Contact Margaret.

Susan Maveety, Outreach

Susan and her husband have been members of New Hope since 1987. She graduated with a degree in business and economics, but many years later attended UNCA for her teaching certification. After a career as a high school math teacher, Susan now serves as Co-Moderator of the PW Microloan Task Force. Before Covid, she volunteered at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and the Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women. Now she spends her free time helping her grandson with virtual learning.  She cannot wait to get back to her volunteer routine and visiting our sister church in Guatemala. Susan is married to Jay and they have two married adult children and two grandsons. Contact Susan.

Andy Morse, Worship

After growing up in New Jersey, Andy went to college in New London, CT, where he majored in German and was active in music programs. His German studies lead him to the master’s program at Indiana University, where he met Elaine. After receiving their degrees, they moved to Atlanta, where they followed career paths in information systems in various industries over 40 years. Andy served on the Session at a PC(USA) church near their home in Tucker, GA, and was later also a deacon at a United Church of Christ congregation in the Emory area. He always sang in the choirs. After Andy and Elaine retired, they moved to Asheville to enjoy the cooler climate and slower pace of life. In addition to ensemble singing (when it’s possible) he enjoys hiking, photography, and American Sign Language. Contact Andy.

Kim Presley, Finance & Administration

Kim is an RN at a doctor’s office and is married to Stan, who is a retired firefighter. They are parents to three adult children: Elizabeth, Daniel, and David. Kim and Stan enjoy motorcycle riding and spending time with family, especially with their grandson, Warren. Prior to heading up the Finance & Administration Committee, Kim served as the chair of Worship and as a member of the most recent Pastor Nominating Committee. She enjoys straight talk about money, cooking, and following in the footsteps of her mother and chef extraordinaire, Carole Burnette. Contact Kim.

Bonnie Runkle, Personnel

Bonnie moved to Asheville from Pennsylvania in 2015 after having admired the area for many years while visiting her older son who has lived her for almost 20 years. Bonnie’s younger son lives outside Washington DC – a strikingly different pace to life than Ashville! Bonnie has 4 grandchildren; two in each city and enjoys spending as much time with them as possible. Bonnie has recently retired from The Kellogg Company after spending 20 years supporting time & attendance systems in manufacturing. Bonnie’s faithful, loving companion is Dexter the Scottie dog. Bonnie enjoys biking, cooking, gardening, knitting, sewing, and long walks with Dexter. Bonnie loves being part of the New Hope family and singing in the choir. And this year, after retirement, will branch out to a new role of lawn mower! Contact Bonnie.

*Russ Moxley, Coordinator of Faith Formation

Since Russ is an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church and cannot be elected to the Session as an elder, he is serving in the alternative role as “Coordinator” of our Faith Formation ministries, working with a team of teachers and other leaders to facilitate New Hope’s educational ministries. After first serving as Associate Pastor at University Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas, Russ’s calling then turned to leadership development, and he was trained as a facilitator by the Center for Courage & Renewal, founded by Parker Palmer. Until 2002, Russ was a senior fellow at the Center for Creative Leadership and then served as a part-time faculty member there until 2018. Russ and his wife, Jean, live at Givens. Contact Russ.

*Bunk Spann, Building & Grounds

Bunk is a native of Greenville, South Carolina, and a lifelong Presbyterian. He has served as both a deacon and an elder in two other Presbyterian churches prior to moving to Asheville in 2013. A graduate of St. Andrews Presbyterian College, the Presbyterian School of Christian Education, and the University of Texas at Austin, Bunk taught graduate students in the department of Human Development and Counseling at Appalachian State University. He and his wife Nancy live at the Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community and feel blessed to be members of the New Hope family. Bunk loves to dig in the dirt, so the Building and Grounds Committee keeps him happy. Contact Bunk.

____________________________________________________________________________________
​* Not a Member of Session