Pastor Chandler is originally from Yazoo City, MS. He received his Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Mississippi State University in 2010, and his Masters of Divinity from Duke University in 2013.

Chandler has served United Methodist churches in the Central Texas and Western North Carolina Conferences.

His wife, Chelsea, is a pediatrician in Asheville. Chandler and Chelsea, along with their children, Lindley and Ellis, love to rock climb, hike, and camp, so they spend most of their free time exploring the many outdoor opportunities that the mountains of western North Carolina have to offer.

Lida Sparer became BMUMC office manager in April 2023, after six years living in Black Mountain.

Lida oversees the administrative and financial operations of the church. She enjoys supporting the church community by keeping all the gears turning smoothly in the background.

In her leisure hours she enjoys hiking, puzzles, and crafts (especially knitting, weaving, and crochet).

Nora Mosrie is the Director of Music at Black Mountain United Methodist Church and has served the church in various ways including choir, Vacation Bible School, online devotionals, church council and through mission opportunities.

Nora grew up in Rainelle, West Virginia with a strong background in the arts.  She and her family participated in many different aspects of worship at the Rainelle United Methodist Church.  It was there, at the age of five, that Nora first felt the joy of singing in a choir and also where after becoming a Vacation Bible School music/drama leader she discovered a calling to teach.

Nora Mosrie has many years of diverse professional experiences in both the visual and performing arts; including art exhibitions, educational programming, folk music, community theatre, performing and directing music as well as singing in local, national and international choral ensembles.  Nora is community oriented and dedicated to creating inclusive intergenerational programs in the arts.

In addition to serving as Director of Music at BMUMC she is the Musical Director for McDowell Children’s Theatre and maintains an art studio at The Red House in Black Mountain.  Nora is also a teaching artist for the Asheville Art Museum, McDowell Arts Council Association, McDowell Children’s Theatre and Asheville Community Theatre.

Nora received a B.A. in Education in the Arts and an M.A. in Fine Art from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.

Gregg has been the Organist at Black Mountain UMC since July 2020.  He grew up in Travelers Rest, SC and holds a Bachelor of Music (BM) degree from Furman University in Greenville, SC.

Gregg has been involved in church music since early childhood.  He became the Pianist in his home church while in the 7th Grade and has served church music programs ever since.

Gregg has served as Music Director, Organist or Pianist for churches in Greenville, SC, Spartanburg, SC, and in the Metro Atlanta area.  In addition to the music positions, Gregg also worked in Banking and Finance during his career.  He retired from Genuine Parts Company in Atlanta, GA as a Senior Business Analyst in April 2020.

Gregg and his husband Neal have lived in Maggie Valley full time since 2017.

Libby Barker, the handbell director at BMUMC since 2018, began ringing and singing at her home church, Leaksville UMC in Eden NC, more than 40 years ago. She is a former member of the James River Ringers, an auditioned community ensemble in Richmond VA, and has participated in Distinctly Bronze, an invitation-only advanced ringing workshop for ringers from around the US.

In partnership with her husband Mike, an organist and composer, she has contributed to the music programs at Trinity UMC in Durham NC, Jefferson UMC in Goldsboro NC, Bon Air UMC in Richmond, Richmond Celebration Chorus, Duncan Memorial UMC in Ashland VA, Crestwood Presbyterian in Richmond, and Black Mountain Presbyterian. She is a yearly attendee of the Swannanoa Gathering, with a special interest in Appalachian balladry and community building through corporate singing, and participates in regular local Sacred Harp and Christian Harmony sings. In addition to handbells, she plays flute, piano (quite badly) and mountain dulcimer (just barely).

Libby and Mike have three sons: Eli, Briggs and Calvin.  A graduate of Duke University with a BA in religion, she has been Donor Relations Manager, a member of the Resource Development team, at MANNA FoodBank since 2007.