Our People & Programs
Terry Moore-Painter
Part Time Interim Pastor
Terry served for over twenty years as a chaplain at Cone Health in Greensboro, with a focus on oncology and support programs for patients with cancer. In addition to being ordained in the UCC, she is a trained spiritual director, and she has been a member for over 40 years at Congregational United Church of Christ in Greensboro. She remains active there with CUCC’s Art Committee, Board of Deacons, and Creation Justice Team.
Terry enjoys spending time at the cabin she and her husband own that is located in Banner Elk on the farm where Sankey grew up. The two of them love hiking in the woods around their cabin and on nearby trails. Terry also is an oil painter and participates frequently in the Women Writers workshops at the Valle Crucis Conference Center. Both Terry and her husband enjoy birding. They have two daughters, one living in Greensboro and the other in Asheville.
Sarah Parker
Minister to Young Adults
& Program Associate
Sarah joined the High Country UCC staff in 2019 when she followed her partner to the Boone area. Originally from Kentucky, Sarah landed in North Carolina through Wake Forest University School of Divinity, where she earned a Masters Degree in Divinity. Sarah has been doing ministry work alongside students and young adults since 2014, and she is passionate about the questions and self discovery that emerge in young adulthood.
When she’s not working, you can find Sarah outside with her partner and three dogs. She’s always up for a cup of coffee and deep conversation.
Elizabeth Buchanan
Music Coordinator & Pianist
Elizabeth has always loved music, even before she began playing the piano at the age of 9. She is never happier than when she’s at the keyboard or jamming with friends on her back porch (she’s trying hard to learn fiddle but is not ready to play that in church!).
A member of High Country UCC since its inception, Elizabeth started as a curious visitor and soon began volunteering to play hymns during worship. Currently, in addition to serving as Pianist, she coordinates our multi-faceted Worship Ensemble, comprised of flute, oboe, guitar, dobro, mandolin and bass players. She considers herself blessed to work with so many talented musicians, and especially to play the beautiful baby grand that replaced our old upright piano!
When she’s not working her day job as an ESL teacher, Elizabeth enjoys reading, dancing, riding her bike, eating good Mexican food, and cuddling her cats, Topaz and Jasper. And, she is always looking for otra persona simpática with whom to practice her Spanish!
About Our Leadership Team
We are a congregation of the people, so we rely on a Church Council to help govern our church. These folks dedicate time, energy, and talents to making sure our church is supporting our community as much as possible.