Senior Pastor
Rev. Richard Blount (“Pastor Richard”)
rblount@weavervilleumc.org
Favorite Verse: Deuteronomy 6:5
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
Pastor Richard is the friendly guy you’ve seen wearing a clerical collar around Weaverville or walking his lab named Maggie around downtown. He has been with us since July 2022. Richard is proud to serve a church that expresses its love for God and for this community through so many outreach programs. We thank you, Pastor Richard, for herding our barn full of ministries!
Richard grew up in Huntsville, AL, and graduated from The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. After working for several years as a graphic artist, he heeded the call to ministry and received his Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Pastor Richard was ordained an Elder in the United Methodist Church and took his first appointment in 2011. God’s call on his life has been to strengthen the churches where he serves and to leave them healthier and stronger than when he arrived. Pastor Richard and his wife of 18 years, Karen, have four children at home, as well as one cat and one dog. His favorite pastimes include playing with his kids, drawing, walking the dog, and watching movies.
Pastor of Children and Youth Ministry
Rev. Ann Owens
youth@weavervilleumc.org
Church Music Director
Charlie Harnish
music@weavervilleumc.org
Favorite Verses: 1 Cor. 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Charlie Harnish has been Weaverville UMC’s Director of Music since 2018. We are continuously blessed with his expertise as a pianist, organist, and choral director. (He also plays the flute!) But what makes us most blessed to have Charlie among us is his caring and fun personality. Charlie’s greatest joys at WUMC are directing our many talented musicians and the open and accepting nature of the congregation.
Charlie grew up in Anna Maria Island / Bradenton Beach, FL, and attended Florida State University. Nevertheless, he gave up the heat of Florida for our neck of the woods in 2017. He enjoys hiking and biking through our beautiful outdoors, but he also loves watercolor painting and gourmet cooking. Charlie has been with his partner Andy since 2012. They have a dog named Wolfgang and a cat named Clara.
Preschool Director
Holly Leavitt
preschool@weavervilleumc.org
Favorite Verse: Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Miss Holly has been our WUMC Preschool Director for almost 30 years! She is known and loved as “Miss Holly” by a substantial population of Weaverville residents since two entire generations have now gone through her preschool. Her favorite thing about her job is simply spending time with the children, and it shows in the attention she gives to the needs of each one.
Holly was born in Chicago but grew up in a suburb of Cincinnati called Loveland, Ohio. It was only a couple of years after moving to Weaverville 31 years ago that Holly began at our preschool. Since then, her two sons have grown up and are both happily married to wonderful women. Holly now has two grandsons to adore.
Holly’s hobbies include thrifting, taking walks, and reading. She has also been pivotal in our Little Pantry Ministry, taking it on by herself in the beginning and stocking it daily. It has really been a labor of love. Thank you so much, Miss Holly!
Administrative Secretary
Katharina O’Hara
office@weavervilleumc.org
Favorite Verse: Proverbs 31:25
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
Katharina has served WUMC as our Administrative Secretary since October 2022. She is that smiling face in the office that greets you when you enter the Education building next to the Sanctuary. We are so thankful for her warm and caring personality.
Katharina grew up in a very small village in Wackersberg, Germany. After getting her Associates Degree in Office Management, she moved to the Asheville area in 1980 with her husband, Jack. They have been married for 48 years! They now live with 4 cats, having already raised 3 human children. Katharina enjoys reading, hiking, knitting, and flower gardening.
Treasurer/Maintenance Director
Steve VanReenen
stevevanreenen@weavervilleumc.org
Favorite Verse: Luke 6:31
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Steve has worked for WUMC for 20 years! He wears many hats but gets paid for being the Church Treasurer and Maintenance Manager. If you have a WUMC-related question, he’ll know how to answer it or know who can. Steve loves being of service to the good people of our church. We appreciate you, Steve!
Steve was born and raised in West “By God” Virginia. He attended West Virginia University Institute of Technology and graduated with degrees in Accounting and Business Management. He and his wife of 36 years, Diane, have 3 daughters, 5 grandchildren, and one dog named Oakley. Steve’s favorite things are playing with his grandkids, fishing, traveling, hunting, and watching college sports.
