Rev. Dr. Laurie Furr-Vancini, Transitional Pastor
Rev. Dr. Laurie Furr-Vancini is a native of north Florida. She grew up in Gainesville and then Macclenny, Florida. Following high school, Laurie attended Wake Forest University earning a B.A. with double majors in Religion and Sociology. She earned an M.A.Ed. from Virginia Tech. Upon leaving Virginia Tech, Laurie worked in offices of Student Affairs on College Campus. Laurie attended Columbia Theological Seminary, earning an M.Div. and was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament, PC (USA) in October 1999 at Hodges Boulevard Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville, FL where she served as their first Associate Pastor. She was Parish Associate at St. Giles Presbyterian Church for 3 years, before moving to Palms Presbyterian where she served in a variety of pastoral roles for 14 years. In May of 2019 she completed her Doctor of Ministry at Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
During the midst of COVID, Laurie and her husband Jeff spent a week in an Airbnb in Black Mountain and discerned a move. They built a home in Black Mountain and moved in 2022. Since arriving in Western North Carolina, Laurie has served as Transitional Pastor at First Presbyterian Church Hendersonville and as the Guest Services Manager at William Black Lodge in Montreat.
As Transitional Pastor at Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church, Laurie is looking forward to walking alongside the congregation post-Hurricane Helene in what was already a time of challenge and growth. Laurie is a certified Death Doula and has a certificate in Spiritual Formation. Beyond walking alongside the good people of Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church and Warren Wilson College for the next few season, Laurie’s current areas of interest include: REstorying for Reconciliation at the end of life for the dying and their families/loved ones, patterning daily life as liturgy/worship, mosaic as an art form that speaks to community, and how we might all heal and grow together post-Hurricane Helene. Laurie and Jeff and they have 3 children: Charlie (29)(daughter in law Chanterelle), Sam (27), and Abbie (22), who are now far flung in New York City, State College PA, and Washington DC.
Andrew Tripp, Church Administrator
Andrew was born in Georgia, where he lived until moving to Swannanoa in 2007. He comes to Warren Wilson Presbyterian from a somewhat varied career in music, education, and ministry.
When Andrew isn’t at work he likes to spend time with his grown children or with his partner and their large collection of furry companions. He also enjoys getting lost in some work of fiction or trying to remember how to play one of his too-often ignored instruments. Mostly Andrew is grateful to get to live in this beautiful area and really enjoys just appreciating the family, friends, nature, and food that are thankfully so abundant.
Ted Stewart, Interim Director of Music
Organist/Choir Director Ted Stewart retired to Swannanoa in 2016 after 40 years of music making in Independence, MO. He served there and in Kansas City as music director at Immanuel Lutheran Church, many years as a regular organ recitalist at the Auditorium, leader in the American Guild of Organist Chapter (from which he holds the AssociateAGO certificate) and being a Board member, director and teacher at Music/Arts Institute.
He has been happy to continue playing as a substitute church organist in the Asheville area. His early organ study was at Ohio State University, Southern Illinois University and post graduate work at the University of Kansas. In Swannanoa he is HOA Board President for the nearby Craggy View Cottages, and is happy to be Interim Music Director at Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church.
Barbara Escalante, Bookkeeper
Barbara Escalante has served as bookkeeper since 2017. She and her husband, Ed, have three adult children, all of whom live in North Carolina. Her five-year old granddaughter is the light of her life.
Barbara has a long interest in genealogy, and has recently become connected with Coming to the Table, an organization that addresses wounds caused by racism, rooted in the United States’ history of slavery. Barbara hopes to help individuals research their families’ histories with the intent of seeking to repair historic injustice.
Olivia Crescitelli, Chapel Crew
Olivia Crescitelli hails from Charlotte. She is a junior at WWC, working toward a major in archaeology, and a minor in history. She was drawn to the college by its emphasis on experiential learning and environmentalism. The spring of 2024 marks the end of her second year on the Chapel Crew. She credits her warm interactions with members of this congregation as part of the basis for her conversion to Christianity (most weeks Olivia worships at a Greek Orthodox church). Please thank Olivia for her loving care of our facility and community.