Welcome Rev. Katherine Johnson
KPC Parrish Associate Minister, June 2026
WELCOME!! to our new Parrish Associate Minister, Katherine Johnson! Hardly a stranger to KPC, Katherine is the daughter of Ann Brown and Melissa Hicks, and mother of little Arthur whom we all take pride in calling "ours"! Three generations under one sacred church roof--how fortunate we are!
Katherine is an Asheville native, and lived in the area until she was college bound--at which point, after a two-year stint at Warren Wilson College, she elevated to the higher elevations of Boone, NC, and entered App State where she completed a bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology. Continuing her education and preparation for a theological vocation, she attended Columbia Theological Seminary where she received her MDiv and master of arts in Practical Theology, with a concentration in Christian Education. She was ordained in 2014.
Moving back to Asheville in 2018, Katherine and Garrett met through mutual friends, and the two married at the Cathedral of All Souls in 2019. Between marriage and momhood (Arthur was born in 2021), she worked with youth and young adults at Covenant Presbyterian in Buckhead, Georgia; she also worked with Raleigh, Asheville, and Cathedral of All Souls youth missions. Grace Episcopal found her a perfect fit as their wedding coordinator, and Homeward Bound employed her as a program manager for a period of time.
Regarding her call to ministry, she initially was not particularly inclined to attend seminary until, at the end of her senior year of college, a mentor questioned some of her life choices and encouraged seminary. Melissa's dad had gone to Columbia, so Katherine applied and got in, moved from Boone to Atlanta, and fell in love with seminary, and specifically with practical theology. Her background in cultural anthropology gave her deep appreciation for story telling, rituals, and the ties that bind community. Thus, she was led back to parrish ministry. She spent several years happily being a mom to Arthur once he was born, and being of support to her husband's business. But then, as she got to know Allen and others at KPC, she felt like it was the right choice at the right time. She finds KPC a good place for exploring questions without being overly burdened with "right answers." Such a place is good, too, for son Arthur.
Katherine was drawn to KPC after having worked at Grace Episcopal for several years. She found, with some determined discernment around the question of Presbyterian or Episcopalian? that the reformed tradition is open enough to accommodate a multiplicity of pieces of her life and faith--including the Episcopal tradition. KPC in particular felt inclusive and inviting.
And by the way, just exactly what is a 'parrish associate'? Parrish ministry, Katherine explained, supports not just a church but also the community that the church is a part of. Parrish ministry seeks to engage the church as well as the neighborhood or 'parrish' in which the church is situated. Perfect match for our church and neighborhood!
In terms of her goals at KPC, she hopes to preach, fill leadership roles, and be a helpful resource to the church community; as well, she hopes to work with folks who can't get to the brick-and-mortar building but need spiritual and in-the-flesh connection. She also feels privileged to be working with Reverend Allen Smith who is, according to Katherine, one of the most understated gifts in our denomination. Watching his leadership, theology, and faith journey, she's excited to work with and learn from him. "He has an amazing gift of presence," says Katherine.
Pivotal points include her move back to Asheville, her marriage, giving birth to her son, as well as officiating at her moms' wedding (Ann and Melissa) in October 2014. Hobbies include sewing, reading ("at least two books at a time"), running, working out, backpacking, gardening, going on walks with Garrett, and frequenting coffee shops.
Asked about any 'secret pleasures' she might not mind revealing, she pointed to her love for old church cookbooks, saying she'd like to try a recipe in one and, if it works out well, try to find the location of the church and write to them.
Katherine is adorned with two lovely tattoos, one on each forearm, a honey bee (in honor of her moms’ last names and previous home) on the right, and the regional rhododendron on the left. "My tattoo goal is to have a full pollinator garden on one arm!" Congregants at KPC might have the opportunity to witness this goal as it unfolds!
The prayer at Katherine and Garrett's wedding was the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi--which lays out her own goal for this lifetime. "Grant that I might not so much seek...to be loved as to love."
We at KPC couldn't be happier in welcoming Katherine to our church community! May you--and all three generations of the Johnson-Brown-Hicks family--live long and prosper, and we with you!
Celebrating Rev. Edna Banes
January 2026
It is with a significant degree of sadness that we send off our associate minister Edna Banes, who has been actively involved at KPC for the past 11 years; but it is with joy, as well, that we share in Edna's "new chapter" as more fully retired! After all, Edna came to KPC once she'd retired the first time! We're hoping that this time, retirement sticks and that she'll now be free to pursue all the creative endeavors that she hopes retired life will provide for her.
Edna's background is one of extraordinary achievement, in that she was called to serve the ministry in a time when the field was heavily dominated by men. After teaching elementary school, special ed, and at the junior college level, she decided to shift professional tracks by going to seminary. Attending a Catholic seminary in San Antonio, Texas, was her first step in her new calling. Once she completed seminary--and learned Greek from a Catholic nun!--she moved to Alexandria, Virginia where, in 1985, she began taking courses at Virginia Theological Seminary. Graduating in 1988, she decided her life in ministry must include returning to school at Columbia where she completed a Doctorate of Ministry. After graduation, she was called by the Old presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria to serve as associate pastor there for 13 years. A further calling took her to Richmond, Virginia, to be dean of students at Union Presbyterian Seminary. She had only one week of serving as dean when the board of UPS asked her to extend her service to include their newly established Charlotte, North Carolina, campus. Edna was busy serving both campuses until her (first) retirement in 2013, whereupon she and husband Warren moved to Montreat, a place they'd spent time in every summer for many years.
And how did she get to KPC? Once she'd moved permanently to the WNC area, she was interested in becoming involved in a diverse church with a strong interfaith and race relations focus. A spread in the Asheville Citizen-Times highlighting area churches during Easter season contained a picture of KPC, complete with pictures. There she saw the diversity she was looking for and decided KPC was worth a visit. Though she'd only intended to find a church where she could "help a little with worship," at Minister Allen Smith's suggestion, she became more than "somebody who came to help"--she became part of the Kenilworth Presbyterian Church's ministry and family.
Now, in her 2nd retirement(!), she'd like everyone to know that she and Warren will still be part of KPC, but in a different capacity, with no official duty other than "pew warmers"!
She'd also like to share that a huge piece of her life has revolved around Warren, who, though he didn't marry a pastor, has been her steadfast source of support through the years. He was always there to provide encouragement and to help navigate a world where most ministers were male and their spouses female. So not only has Edna subverted paradigms in the context of those entering the ministry during that time, so also has Warren's path been one of expanding concepts and expectations in being Minister Edna's husband! Edna is thrilled to see more women in ministry now than there were 35 years ago when she began her ministerial journey, and notes that, for both her and Warren, breaking through barriers and expectations wasn't always easy, though never was it anything less than rewarding! Edna wouldn't be where she is today if she weren't married to Warren who was always willing to stand by her side.
Future plans? "None!" says Edna with genuine conviction! Having a musical background--once in a folk-rock group, and having made her own ukelele and dulcimer--she wants to be more active with playing these instruments while continuing to be an active concert goer.
Finally, as all retiring ministers must be asked, especially those retiring ministers with a special interest in music, "What's your favorite hymn?" Without skipping a beat, Edna replied, "'I Love to Tell the Story'--it says it all!"
Edna, you'll be missed--but our hearts are glad knowing you'll still be in our midst! May the Lord bless you and keep you always!
Christmas at KPC
December 24, 2025
Christmas Eve Service at KPC culminated in all that Advent had promised: Hope, Faith, Joy, and Love. With over 120 people in attendance, we enjoyed a service of Biblical readings from both old and new testaments, completing the Christ story from beginning to end. Christmas carols abounded, sung by the congregation, KPC choir, and played in duet style by violin and piano. The festive and vibrant service ended, as all Christmas Eve services at KPC do, with lights out and candles lit person by person, while all shared in singing, "Silent Night." Refreshments followed with many warm wishes of good cheer. God seemed to be blessing our attempts at honoring the Christmas story.
Christmas Cantata
December 21, 2026
The KPC choir performed a wonderful Christmas Cantata, The Light of Christ, Born for Us. It was a morning filled with beautiful music. Many thanks to the hard working members and their leader, Chuck Lockwood. Our hearts are full of your gifts of music and joy of this season.
Annual Food Drive
Supporting Loving Food Resources
October 26- November 23
From now until November 23rd, we ask you to please bring in items to donate to the Loving Foods pantry as they prepare for their busiest season during the winter months and holidays.
Loving Food Resources Wish List
Bottle of Ketchup
Bottle of Mustard
Jar of Mayonnaise
Flavored Rice or Pasta
Box of Toaster Pastry
Jar of Jelly
Salt and Pepper
Box of Saltines
2-pound bag of Sugar
Bag of Ground Regular Coffee
Helper Meal – Beef, Tuna or Chicken
Can Corn
Can Chili, Beef Stew
Boxed Cake Mix
Boxed Corn Bread Mix
During the worship service on Sunday, November 23rd, we will have a Dedication for the food collected and Thanksgiving fellowship. Let's support our incredible neighbor and partner as they feed our community.
Celebrating New Members
August 24, 2025
On August 24th, KPC celebrated all the new members that have joined our church and welcomed them with a New Member Welcome Celebration. Over 30 people--new members, existing members, and friends--joined together to celebrate those who've committed to KPC membership in the past year (or so). Not only did we cover how KPC operates (Session, committees, etc.), but we also shared, and from a very deep place, individual stories of how we've all come to KPC. These stories touched and inspired all who listened, binding us deeper into community. Thanks to everyone who participated!
Blessing of the Backpacks
August 17, 2025
On August 17th, our service included the Blessing of the Backpacks. Our backpack keychain is a tree and the word "family". A good representation of what we have at KPC.
Like trees, we have deep roots, ours are rooted in faith and tradition.
We stand side-by-side with each other.
We branch out into the world.
Like trees, we bend and sometimes break but we know we can dig deep in the faithful presence of God and emerge again.
We offered a blessing for the children, the wonderful collection of school supplies contributed by the congregation and to those who will receive them.
Our family of faith is committed to love and nurture all our littles-we can't wait to see what they do this year!
Perfecta Trifecta!
June, 2025
On June 15, KPC celebrated three worthy events: Father's Day, Juneteenth, and Pastor Allen Smith's birthday!
Proving that a father's worth had little to do with amount of hair, style of clothing, or frisbee-throwing ability, Pastor Allen led us to understand the simplicity in the answer to the question, "What makes a good father?" Love.
Congregational Care Leader, Tina Joyner, provided an excellent sermon on "Juneteenth," a perfect combination of history and inspiration. A board in the sanctuary was decorated with all-things Juneteenth, and all snacks celebrated the holiday (cakes, red food/drink, watermelon, and then some!).
And to Pastor Allen, we expressed our appreciation to him for all that he does to hold and lead this congregation. We're sure glad he was born!
Celebrating Lent at KPC
April, 2025
"From ashes you have come, and to ashes you shall return"--thus began our Easter journey, starting with Ash Wednesday, followed by six weeks of Lenten contemplation. Anticipation marked the moments leading to Maundy Thursday, the Last Supper and the ultimate betrayal. With somberness we "witnessed" the Crucifixion, Good Friday. Then, three days later, we celebrated, blessed Easter, the Resurrection and Life Eternal.
KPC embraced all steps of the Easter story, culminating in celebration on Easter Sunday. Our day together began with a "Son Rise" service in the Memorial Garden, followed by a most delicious and abundant pot-luck brunch. Holding true to our own "traditions of celebration," we then shared "beach ball worship" which included a dozen beach balls whizzing and whirring through the sanctuary. Soft (and loud) POPS!, and lots of laughter, were heard as all hands kept the balls moving. Pastor Allen made sure that ALL had touched the ball, symbolic of the radical inclusiveness of God's Love.
This year, we were in for an additional treat: handfuls of confetti accompanying cascarones, or confetti-filled egg shells! As we threw the confetti high, low, and in-between, and broke our cascarones (or saved them for later), we were encouraged to celebrate this beautiful moment in time that allowed us to feel God's Love shared among all in our church family and beyond.
As we sang "Here Comes the Sun[Son]" a la George Harrison, we were feeling--and seeing in each other--the beauty of Easter.
The clean-up was another story--but the joy we shared on Easter morning was worth it!
Spring Renewal and the Many Hands
March, 2025
It was a lovely day, the cool winds of spring and all-day sun, when KPC hosted its annual grounds maintenance day on Saturday, March 22. With a record turnout, members and neighbors wheelbarrowed, raked, mulched, planted, pruned, and removed lots of debris from the KPC grounds. KPC aims to keep grounds and building finely tuned not only for its members, but also for the beautiful neighborhood of Kenilworth where KPC has had its home since 1948.
The church was gifted to have support on this work day not only from congregants but also from neighbors who are not official members. Remembering the church’s role during hurricane Helene as well as neighborhood-wide events like the kids’ Easter egg hunt on the lawn, our Solstice Labyrinth Walk, cookies and carols at Christmas—to name but a few—neighbors seem to possess genuine and kind caring for KPC. That the church is considered by friends and neighbors to be a valuable piece of the neighborhood could not make folks at KPC happier. Together, everyone makes KPC the church that it is, the “church on the hill” that tries to walk the talk of its motto, “All are welcome here!”
A BIG THANKS!! to ALL who participated in our maintenance day, a day where everyone made the church—and a little piece of the world—a better place.