Meet Reverend Carter —
The dynamic, loving spirit that uplifts and inspires those around him to be a positive force in our community.
Are you in search of a spiritual home where you can grow personally and spiritually? A community that understands and is supportive when you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by our world? Reverend Michael’s thought-provoking sermons focus not only on empathetically meeting participants where they are, but on challenging our preconceived beliefs and ideas to inspire and guide you on your journey.
His mission is to help you evolve and connect with the inner peace that exists within you. He’s found his way, and he is glad to guide you on your own journey.
Listen to Rev. Carter's Sermons
Into history?
Einstein's God
Want something to make you think?
The Contradictions of Living
New to UU? Give this a listen:
What Exactly Is It That UUs Believe?
Feeling overwhelmed? This message might be for you.
Anger, Boundaries & the Word "No"
Listen to Rev. Carter's Sermons
Into history?
Einstein's God
Want something to make you think?
The Contradictions of Living
New to UU? Give this a listen:
What Exactly Is It That UUs Believe?
Feeling overwhelmed? This message might be for you.
Anger, Boundaries & the Word "No"
Minister, Father, Author,
Husband, Energy Healer
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, I was steeped in the African American Baptist Church tradition. Yet I was always curious and open to other forms of worship. So while growing up in my Baltimore neighborhood, I attended synagogues, Catholic churches, and other nearby Protestant denominations. Later, when I moved to New York, I visited mosques, Religious Science and New Thought churches. What intrigued me was what connected the many and varied religions and belief systems of the world. I participated in “A Course in Miracles” groups, went to Native American sweat lodges and pow wows, and attended Buddhist and Hindu temples along the way. And, ultimately, I departed from my traditional Christian upbringing for theological reasons.
I had moved to New York City to pursue a career in the professional theater, and for 20 years I worked as an actor. But I still—always—wanted more in my life. I wanted to serve. A friend suggested that I might want to visit a UU congregation. Prior to this I had never heard of Unitarian Universalism. After a while, I ended up attending The Community Church of New York, became a member, and the rest, as they say, is history.
It would be fair to say that from a very young age I knew that I wanted to become a minister or priest. I felt so at home in the church, no matter which one(s) I was attending at the moment. So I finally decided to leave the theater world and attend The New Seminary Interfaith Temple in New York, which trained and ordained interfaith clergy. I was ordained in 1994, and I supported myself by working as an actor for a while and, once ordained, as a professional chaplain. In 1997 I enrolled at the famous Union Theological Seminary, where I received my Masters in Divinity degree in 2000.
These two paths of my life, theater and religion, were a fortuitous combination. Comparative Religious Studies had always fed my spirit and became my area of interest in seminary, and the theater training has been a major asset in assisting me in communicating and getting a message across. Now, in my eighth year as the minister for the UUSV, my roles have merged and blended in a way I could have only imagined so many years ago in Baltimore.
Want to hear more from Rev. Carter?
Want to hear more from Rev. Carter?
UUSV Staff
UUSV Staff
Board of Trustees
Fletcher Walch
President
Having grown up as a New Englander, Fletcher made his way south to attend Wofford College, in 1972. After graduating, he began his career in the leather chemicals market later transitioning to textile chemicals, with positions in both technical sales and market development.
In 2025, it was time to retire and for the most part that is what happened; however, he still holds on to a few accounts that primarily focus on the plastic recycling market.
Fletcher has always enjoyed reading and traveling, trying to play guitar and now an interest in volunteering at UUSV.
Married for 44 years, Resa and Fletcher are thankful to have landed in Black Mountain and with their golden retriever, Murphy, believe this community has enriched their lives.
Kathy Folsom
Vice President
A lifelong Southerner and an avid lover of travel, Kathy spent many decades working as an early literacy specialist in South Carolina public schools. Her work included teaching, coaching, and leading training classes for teachers. She has also spent many years as a yoga teacher and yoga therapist. She loves to read, walk, hike, kayak, fish, and garden. She and her husband Davis have been Unitarian-Universalists since 1981 and have been actively involved in the UU community in Black Mountain since moving here full time in 2023.
Peter Howe
Treasurer
Raised in Weston, Connecticut, a small suburb an hour train ride from Manhattan, Peter spent his formative years locally, picking up early work as a grunt laborer on a crew building a high-end golf course. After graduating from Washington & Lee University (English major) and a year teaching, he returned to the golf course. Career highlights include Golf Course Superintendent and a 30-year career as Sales Manager for a prominent Indiana landscaping and property management company. Served on the Board and was President of the Associated Landscape Contractors of America. Peter and his wife Nancy, who is very active in our Social Action Committee and also plays in the Upbeats Ukulele Band, live in Black Mountain. Five kids, five grandkids. Joined UUSV just a few years ago.
Heidi Blozan
Heidi grew up in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. She came to Warren Wilson College in 1985 and made her home here ever since. She has two young adult children who grew up in the RE program at UUSV. Heidi’s proudest community achievement was being the visionary founder for our local Montessori School in 2003. Currently she is a CNA at Black Mountain Neuro Treatment Center and answers the phone for her husband’s business, Appalachian Arborists. She loves gardening and knitting.
Walter Milne
Walt grew up in North Jersey and as a youngster enjoyed playing sports and serving as an altar boy. After high school he joined the Air Force, where he served as a communications specialist until honorably discharged. He returned to school to study social sciences and earned his B.A. Walt spent most of his adult years in Florida as a construction worker, until being hired at the Parks Dept. in Gainesville, where he had a rewarding career serving that community. He retired in 2023, and as a longtime vacationer in the mountains of N.C. he relocated here and joined UUSV. He enjoys watching many sports, especially college basketball.
Resa Walch
Interim Board Member
I always thought I would retire on the coast, then I met Fletcher. After almost 40 years together he convinced me that we should retire in WNC. He was right. My heart, mind, and spirit belong to these mountains and this town.
I'm the youngest of seven children. My education, family, spouse, lifelong friends, travel, a long career in higher education, and my love of nature continue to shape my humanity and world view.
I love UUSV. It is a privilege to be a part of its mission and its congregation. I am at home here.
Carol Black
Carol grew up in NYC, where she developed her worldly views and love of the performing arts. Educated by French nuns, she married early and graduated from college while raising two children mostly on her own. Her career spanned bank secretary, biochemistry lab director, science teacher, massage therapist, and yoga instructor. Her last marriage was a blessed one, and she and her late husband traveled widely. A spiritual seeker, Carol found UUism in 1983 and has been deeply involved in every congregation since. Still an avid traveler, she considers Black Mountain her final home. Her family, now including grand and great-grandchildren, is her raison d'être.
Jonathan Braden
Gracie Novacek
After a young adulthood consumed by athletics in rural Pennsylvania, Gracie Novacek is now a Lead Software Engineer at a Fortune 500 company, where she brings a unique perspective shaped by her unconventional path into tech. Previously, she served as the Director for Students with Disabilities at a Pittsburgh college, advocating for accessibility and inclusive education. Gracie loves attending UUSV service as a part of her weekly routine, along with practicing pottery at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts and performing as a clarinetist with the Montreat Symphony Orchestra.
Resa Walch
Secretary
Reverend Carter
Minister, non-voting
Board of Trustees
Fletcher Walch
President
Having grown up as a New Englander, Fletcher made his way south to attend Wofford College, in 1972. After graduating, he began his career in the leather chemicals market later transitioning to textile chemicals, with positions in both technical sales and market development.
In 2025, it was time to retire and for the most part that is what happened; however, he still holds on to a few accounts that primarily focus on the plastic recycling market.
Fletcher has always enjoyed reading and traveling, trying to play guitar and now an interest in volunteering at UUSV.
Married for 44 years, Resa and Fletcher are thankful to have landed in Black Mountain and with their golden retriever, Murphy, believe this community has enriched their lives.
Kathy Folsom
Vice President
A lifelong Southerner and an avid lover of travel, Kathy spent many decades working as an early literacy specialist in South Carolina public schools. Her work included teaching, coaching, and leading training classes for teachers. She has also spent many years as a yoga teacher and yoga therapist. She loves to read, walk, hike, kayak, fish, and garden. She and her husband Davis have been Unitarian-Universalists since 1981 and have been actively involved in the UU community in Black Mountain since moving here full time in 2023.
Peter Howe
Treasurer
Raised in Weston, Connecticut, a small suburb an hour train ride from Manhattan, Peter spent his formative years locally, picking up early work as a grunt laborer on a crew building a high-end golf course. After graduating from Washington & Lee University (English major) and a year teaching, he returned to the golf course. Career highlights include Golf Course Superintendent and a 30-year career as Sales Manager for a prominent Indiana landscaping and property management company. Served on the Board and was President of the Associated Landscape Contractors of America. Peter and his wife Nancy, who is very active in our Social Action Committee and also plays in the Upbeats Ukulele Band, live in Black Mountain. Five kids, five grandkids. Joined UUSV just a few years ago.
Heidi Blozan
Heidi grew up in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. She came to Warren Wilson College in 1985 and made her home here ever since. She has two young adult children who grew up in the RE program at UUSV. Heidi’s proudest community achievement was being the visionary founder for our local Montessori School in 2003. Currently she is a CNA at Black Mountain Neuro Treatment Center and answers the phone for her husband’s business, Appalachian Arborists. She loves gardening and knitting.
Resa Walch
Interim Board Member
I always thought I would retire on the coast, then I met Fletcher. After almost 40 years together he convinced me that we should retire in WNC. He was right. My heart, mind, and spirit belong to these mountains and this town.
I'm the youngest of seven children. My education, family, spouse, lifelong friends, travel, a long career in higher education, and my love of nature continue to shape my humanity and world view.
I love UUSV. It is a privilege to be a part of its mission and its congregation. I am at home here.
Walter Milne
Walt grew up in North Jersey and as a youngster enjoyed playing sports and serving as an altar boy. After high school he joined the Air Force, where he served as a communications specialist until honorably discharged. He returned to school to study social sciences and earned his B.A. Walt spent most of his adult years in Florida as a construction worker, until being hired at the Parks Dept. in Gainesville, where he had a rewarding career serving that community. He retired in 2023, and as a longtime vacationer in the mountains of N.C. he relocated here and joined UUSV. He enjoys watching many sports, especially college basketball.
Carol Black
Carol grew up in NYC, where she developed her worldly views and love of the performing arts. Educated by French nuns, she married early and graduated from college while raising two children mostly on her own. Her career spanned bank secretary, biochemistry lab director, science teacher, massage therapist, and yoga instructor. Her last marriage was a blessed one, and she and her late husband traveled widely. A spiritual seeker, Carol found UUism in 1983 and has been deeply involved in every congregation since. Still an avid traveler, she considers Black Mountain her final home. Her family, now including grand and great-grandchildren, is her raison d'être.
Gracie Novacek
After a young adulthood consumed by athletics in rural Pennsylvania, Gracie Novacek is now a Lead Software Engineer at a Fortune 500 company, where she brings a unique perspective shaped by her unconventional path into tech. Previously, she served as the Director for Students with Disabilities at a Pittsburgh college, advocating for accessibility and inclusive education. Gracie loves attending UUSV service as a part of her weekly routine, along with practicing pottery at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts and performing as a clarinetist with the Montreat Symphony Orchestra.
Jonathan Braden
Reverend Carter
Minister, non-voting
Resa Walch
Secretary