OUR PASTORS
REV. DR. RACHEL MATTHEWS & REV. WILLIAM "MATT" MATTHEWS
The Pastor Nominating Committee is thrilled to introduce Rev. Dr. Rachel Matthews and Rev. Matt Matthews. The Matthews would come to us from the First Presbyterian Church in Champaign, Illinois. They have been married for over thirty years, and are the proud parents of three adult sons. Combined they bring over sixty years of experience working in PCUSA churches across Arkansas, Virginia, South Carolina, and Illinois. Their energy and enthusiasm for ministry is palpable, and their positivity and joy are infectious.
Field Russell described them best when interviewed as a reference: "Matt and Rachel would be a blessing to any church, and help make that church stronger. Calling them both to fill one position would be a win/win for them and for you. Both are delightful people, and there are few ministers I could more highly recommend. If you feel they are a good match for WPC, you would be extremely fortunate to succeed in calling them."
A word from our pastors:
Dear Friends,
We are grateful to say “Yes” to your call to us to serve as your Co-Pastors. Thank you. Thanks be to God. We write to say, “Hello!” We are eager to meet you and your family. We are eager to hear your story. We are eager to break bread with you. We are eager to arrive and shake your hands, Ciao. Bonjour. Hola. Mbote. We want to say in every language – in Italian, French, Spanish, Lingala – Hello, Hello, Hello.
We write to say, “We can’t wait.” We can’t wait to live and work among you. We can’t wait to sing with you. We can’t wait to fingerpaint with your children. We can’t wait for potlucks and pow-wows and Christmas parades. We have been crossing days off our calendars for weeks waiting for this new chapter in our
mutual lives. Today, we are one big step closer. We can’t wait.
We write to say, “Alleluia! Thanks be to God.” We thank God for calling us together. We thank God
for guiding our mutual steps. We thank God that we get to join with you in the vital work you are doing to
bear God’s love to an aching world. We thank God for both your PNC and your church staff whom we have
met and for whom we have been praying. We thank God for all the friends in ministry (that’s you!) we have
yet to meet.
The spark God lit in early conversations with your PNC has become an ample fire shedding light on a
road God has called us to share. We trust God in Christ to guide our steps by the power of the Holy Spirit.
We are eager to walk with you into a new spring, even into a new heaven and a new earth.
We say, “Hello.” We say, “We can’t wait.” We say, “Alleluia! Thanks be to God!
Blessings and peace upon you all.
Rachel and Matt Matthews
our faith journey
Rita Spivey
Laurie Nicholson
Rita Spivey
Office Manager
Rita Spivey joined WPC’s staff in June of 1996 and has just celebrated 24 years with WPC. Rita loves interacting with church members and that feeling is reciprocated. She sets aside her time and makes each and every one of us feel welcomed even when we intrude into her busy day. Although modest and humble by nature, Rit
Office Manager
Rita Spivey joined WPC’s staff in June of 1996 and has just celebrated 24 years with WPC. Rita loves interacting with church members and that feeling is reciprocated. She sets aside her time and makes each and every one of us feel welcomed even when we intrude into her busy day. Although modest and humble by nature, Rita is THE person you go to if you have a problem. We are indeed blessed to have Rita as our friend and office manager.
Jason Adams
Laurie Nicholson
Rita Spivey
Director of Christian Education
Jason Adams has 18 years of experience working with students through Christian ministry programs and federally funded educational and workforce programs. He has been at WPC since December of 2014. Jason writes: My time at WPC has been wonderful! I am amazed by the continued love, grace and support I re
Director of Christian Education
Jason Adams has 18 years of experience working with students through Christian ministry programs and federally funded educational and workforce programs. He has been at WPC since December of 2014. Jason writes: My time at WPC has been wonderful! I am amazed by the continued love, grace and support I receive from the congregation. This fellowship has taught me about the rich value of traditional congregations. During my time here I have developed a better understanding of how a church can maintain its heritage as it moves into new decades. I love interacting with students! Helping students realize the power and relevance of the Bible always excites me. Encouraging a student to wrestle with God’s plan for their future is my wheelhouse! WPC is a church for children. The children here truly understand that this church is their church. Our children enjoy the benefits of having an extremely talented and educated volunteer base. A large portion of our congregation has or had careers in education. This church will continue its tradition of serving students and has a bright future because of the youth it celebrates. What can we add to that?
Laurie Nicholson
Laurie Nicholson
Laurie Nicholson
Director of Music
Laurie Nicholson has served as a church musician (director or organist) for a total of 17 years. She came to Waldensian in August of 2018, partly drawn here by her own Waldensian heritage. When asked what attracted her to WPC she states “the strength of the music program throughout the church’s history, the genuine we
Director of Music
Laurie Nicholson has served as a church musician (director or organist) for a total of 17 years. She came to Waldensian in August of 2018, partly drawn here by her own Waldensian heritage. When asked what attracted her to WPC she states “the strength of the music program throughout the church’s history, the genuine welcome of those I first met here, the commitment to include children and youth in worship and the continued respect for the history of Waldensians through use of the French hymns .”
Laurie states that the “social aspects of gathering and caring about one another as we learn, and "practice" makes the musical offering to God in worship or concerts even more meaningful to me”. The vision Laurie has in nurturing a new generation of young musicians at WPC will undoubtedly come about because of her excellent leadership and, in fact, has already started through the increasing attendance of both youth and adults at the Montreat Worship and Music Conference. We are blessed to have Laurie as our Music Director at WPC; for her energy, her leadership and her love that enriches an already solid program.
Carla Sperry
Carla Sperry
Laurie Nicholson
Organist
Carla Sperry has been playing the organ in churches since she was 21 years old. She has a BMus from Houghton College and an MMus. from Westminster Choir school. Carla feels a calling to serve the Lord by helping congregations and choirs to lift their voices in praise. WPC and the Valdese community benefit immensely by her beauti
Organist
Carla Sperry has been playing the organ in churches since she was 21 years old. She has a BMus from Houghton College and an MMus. from Westminster Choir school. Carla feels a calling to serve the Lord by helping congregations and choirs to lift their voices in praise. WPC and the Valdese community benefit immensely by her beautiful and elegant playing of our Letourneau organ. Paired with Laurie, we simply could not ask for a better for our choirs.
Coron Jordan
Carla Sperry
Coron Jordan
Kitchen Coordinator
Coron has been our Kitchen Coordinator since May 2019 after teaching in the Burke County Public Schools for almost 30 years. Coron is married to her husband Jake with two daughters attending state universities; one a senior at UNCG, the other is a junior at NCA&T. After retiring from the school system, Coron wanted
Kitchen Coordinator
Coron has been our Kitchen Coordinator since May 2019 after teaching in the Burke County Public Schools for almost 30 years. Coron is married to her husband Jake with two daughters attending state universities; one a senior at UNCG, the other is a junior at NCA&T. After retiring from the school system, Coron wanted to remain active by seeking a part time job. Luckily, she landed at WPC. Although Coron states we have given her a new community to enjoy and have added to her Christian outlook, our congregation members are the ones who have actually benefited the most. We all have enjoyed her delicious meals and recipes, her giving ways and, of course, her warm smile rules the day.
Kela Cannon
Carla Sperry
Coron Jordan
Financial Secretary
Kela has been with us a little over a year since the summer of 2019. WPC is a very diverse church financially. We support mission ministries both local and international, we have over 15 committees whose books need to be kept in order, countless line items on in the budget, the constant inflow and outflow of pledges
Financial Secretary
Kela has been with us a little over a year since the summer of 2019. WPC is a very diverse church financially. We support mission ministries both local and international, we have over 15 committees whose books need to be kept in order, countless line items on in the budget, the constant inflow and outflow of pledges and funds that need to be accurately accounted for and the list goes on. The requirements of our financial secretary are exacting and precise. We cannot think of anyone better in this position than Kela for whom we are grateful to have with us.
Interested in Volunteering?
Interested in Volunteering?
Interested in Volunteering?
At Waldensian Presbyterian we believe all are called to ministry, either through our church pantry, working with children and youth, participation in fellowship and worship, or a host of other outreach activities that we are involved in each week. We hope you will find your place serving beside us. Contact the church office during business hours.