OUR STAFF
Trinity Staff Mission Statement
Working together, in a caring community,
we are passionately dedicated to encouraging and nurturing the people and ministries of Trinity Church.
We share the Gospel News – Love in Action – with all of God’s people.
Photo: Connie Wilson
All Staff may be contacted at (828)253-9361 or via the email in their bio.
Sharon Carleton Boone is Director of Music/Organist at Trinity. Sharon received her undergraduate (Piano Pedagogy and Organ Performance, cum laude) and Master's degree (Organ Performance) from Auburn University and did additional post-graduate study in organ and conducting at Scarritt Graduate College in Nashville, TN. She has attended Choral Institutes at Westminster Choir College and Georgia State University as well as countless other seminars, including Master Schola weeks at the Community of Jesus with the leading British conductors from King's College (Cambridge) and St John's College (Cambridge). She is Past-Dean of the WNC Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and has served on the Commission of Liturgy and Music for the WNC Diocese of the Episcopal Church. She has also taught music at Montreat College and for many years, accompanied hymn sings at the Montreat Conference Center. During the past 40 years, Sharon has directed choral and bell choirs of all ages, accompanied numerous church and civic choirs, and has taught Musikgarten and Orff classes. She is married to her husband, Gus, who is a retired member of the clergy.
Beth Chestnut
Beth is a native of Durham, N.C. and a graduate of The University of NC at Greensboro in Dance Education. She taught for several years at The Episcopal Day School in Pensacola, Fla. After many years studying dance and theater in New York, Beth put her B.S. degree in Dance to use in the Henderson County Public School System for nine years as part of an Arts integration team. She was selected as Teacher of the Year for Etowah Elementary School.
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A longtime member of Trinity, Beth helped implement and teach the Godly Play curriculum currently in use at Trinity. This volunteer work turned into a position as Director of Children's Ministries in 2001. Beth oversees all aspects of ministry related to children from birth through 5th grade and their families. Beth is a certified teacher in Godly Play. She completed the Education for Ministry program and is also a member of NAECED (National Association of Episcopal Christian Educators), now known as Forma.
Beth has been married to David Chestnut, a cradle Episcopalian, for the past 31 years and counting! They have one daughter, Zoe, a high school sophomore. If you have any questions about ministries with children at Trinity Church feel free to contact Beth. She would be glad to hear from you.
Glenn Childes
On a Tuesday in 2007, Glenn Childes came to Trinity as an employee of a sub-contractor to clean the stained glass in the church. Trinity's former Rector, Bill Whisenhunt saw his competency and attention to detail. He asked Glenn to meet him for lunch on Wednesday and by Saturday, Glenn became our new sexton.
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Glenn graduated from Asheville High where he played football with Trinitarian Jeff Covington. In his spare time, he likes to play with his son, Josiah, go fishing, camping and he enjoys cycling. His real passion is scrabble. Although a very good player, his most formidable foe has been Mrs. Ernestine Tuton. Of the fifty or so games he has played with her, he says he has only won five. Glenn keeps the physical plant and grounds clean, neat and maintained. Any questions about our physical plant should be directed to Glenn.
Debbie Cox
Debbie Cox is a graduate of The University of North Carolina-Asheville in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Psychology. She taught school for five in Atlanta, GA and Charlotte, NC and was a stay at home mom for several years. Since 2000 Debbie has been the Youth Director at Trinity church and is responsible for all ministries with youth from sixth to twelfth grade, and their families. She serves on the Camp Henry Committee and the Youth Roundtable for the Diocese of Western North Carolina.
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She was married at Trinity in 1990 to her husband, Eric Cox and her two children were baptized at Trinity; Alex and Megan. If you have any questions about youth ministries at Trinity please feel free to contact Debbie. She would be glad to hear from you.
Jan Hildebrand is a native Ashevillian and has been a member of the church since the mid-eighties. In 2020 she joined the staff as Assistant Finance Director navigating a new job during the pandemic and from home. Upon the retirement of Dillon Manly, she assumed the role of Director of Finance. Most of her career had been in public school and nonprofit finance. She resides in the Chunn’s Cove area with her husband Pete, a long-time Trinitarian having grown up in this church. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Robyn McNeal
Robyn recently retired from First Presbyterian Church where she served as the Administrator. Her duties there included overseeing the property, human resources and finance.
Other previous employment includes 10 years as the Business Manager at Central United Methodist Church of Asheville and 25 years in the Public Accounting world. Her main career focus has been accounting for non profit organizations.
Robyn serves on the Board of Youth Mission Co, served as the Treasurer for Ten Thousand Villages Asheville for thirteen years and has done years of volunteer work with the Asheville Symphony.
She enjoys her“semi-retirement” and assisting the staff of Trinity Episcopal.
Nanette Popa
Nanette Popa is thrilled to join the staff of Trinity Episcopal Church!
Nanette taught 6-12th grade Social Studies and Religion for 8 years in both Austin, Texas and Fort Myers, Florida. She grew up in Asheville and is a proud former Camp Henry camper and counselor. After graduating from Asheville High School, Nanette earned a Bachelor's degree in Religious Studies from UNC Greensboro, and a Master’s of Education in Educational Technology from the University of Florida.
Nanette is married to Dustin Popa and together they have one daughter, Eliza, and one adorable dog named Daisy.
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Jo Rice
Jo supports the ministry of the rector in his administration of the staff and in his overall responsibilities. Her duties inevitably lead her to be often the first point of contact with members of the parish and the first face you see when you arrive at Trinity during the week. Jo and her husband, Al, moved to Asheville from Oregon, and their daughter and grandchildren, who are members of Trinity. Jo is in the office Monday - Friday from 9:00a to 2:00p.
Mariah Richardson
My previous work experience includes project management positions at Lotz International LLC., an Inc. 5000 company, and Carter Chevrolet, a Shelby-local, family-owned business.
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Prior to my positions in project management, I graduated from Gardner-Webb University with a B.A. in Social Science, B.A. in Biblical Studies, M.A. in Religion, and Masters of Divinity. Using my interdisciplinary approach to team management, I seek to manage projects with a holistic, people-centered approach.
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Studies in Religion and Social Science hone critical thinking, empathy, and intercultural understanding, enabling me to navigate diverse project teams with effective outcomes. My educational background also emphasizes ethical decision-making and conflict resolution, which I apply to promote a harmonious and collaborative project environment.
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When I am not working, I enjoy time hosting board game nights with my friends, reading, rollerblading, and playing chess.
Ken came to Trinity in the early 1990s to sing in the choir. Trinity then became "home" and he is now a member of the Art and Flower Guilds, served on the Vestry and the Discernment Committee for a new priest . . . and he still sings in the choir. Ken joined the staff at Trinity after 33 years of service to UNC Asheville as Applications Programmer in the Office of Institutional Research. Ken has been web master and helped with graphic design at Trinity and is now glad to be able to apply his full attention to those as well as promote many other ideas to take Trinity to the future.