NEW Full-Time Chaplain starting August 3, 2026 – WELCOME, Chaplain Morrow!

 If you, your faith group or organization have any inquiries about how be involved with Ministry of Hope’s efforts in serving the WCCW community, please leave message on Chapel’s voicemail, 828-596-6079, or email us HERE

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I am excited and grateful to be joining the team at WCCW. For the last 20+ years I have served various communities as an Episcopal Priest and social worker. My goal is to support individuals, families, and community members navigating grief, discernment and life transitions. My background in community-based social work with victims of violence, family systems and caregivers and pastoral care along with extensive training in Internal Family Systems, shapes my trauma-informed and strength-based approach to how I support those that seek care and connection. I’m committed to helping people make meaning out of suffering and integrate their valuable experiences, while honoring the systems, communities, and moral frameworks that shape their lives.

I care for my wellness through belonging to a strong system of friends and engaged community. I love live music, reading and cooking and being curious about the world around me. I am thrilled to be joining the community at WCCW and I am very curious and eager to learn and grow with you. Thank you for the opportunity to offer my skills and energy as your chaplain.

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Chaplain Shannon Spencer is the founder and director of Asheville Poverty Initiative. She has a BS in Special Education from Appalachian State University and an M.Div from Duke Divinity School.  She finished her Doctorate at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA and graduated in Dec. 2017.

After coaching at the Div. I level in women’s basketball, Shannon finally gave into her call to ministry.  She has served churches in Illinois, California and North Carolina.  In California, she started a jail ministry team at her church that led to serving as the chaplain for the Santa Cruz Co. Sheriff’s Dept.  She says of both ministerial locales: “I have had many teachers along the way – some living in gated communities while others behind the gates of prisons and jails.  It’s been a beautifully broken journey framed by abundant grace and radical love.”    

Shannon loves to travel and has lived in South Africa, traveled to Central America 9 times, backpacked across Europe, and believes Western North Carolina is as beautiful as any place she’s ever been. 

She is mom to two beautiful and rambunctious girls.

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2026 Board

• Cari Barcas, Chair 
• Kathryn Wilson, Vice Chair 
• Gordon Hamlin, Treasurer
• Paul Grass, Secretary
• Suzette Armatas 
• Sharon Fender
• Katie Hay
• Margo Mullinax
• Cindy Walton

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Support Staff

• Lauronda Morrow Teeple,
Executive Director 
• Susan Noblitt,
Administrative Assistant
to Chaplains & Board
• Cara Jenkins,
Transitional Mentoring
• Kelly Wortman,
Bookkeeper

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