Meet the Ministry Team
Clergy
The Reverend Mike Alford
I am blessed to serve as St. Luke’s rector. Stepping into this role was the culmination of a homecoming five years in the making and I see the hand of God in everything leading up to that moment. Having served congregations in Hickory, NC and St. Petersburg, FL, it’s great to be back in the mountains of Western North Carolina – a place we’ve called home since 2021. Whether presiding at the altar, leading formation, or simply listening over coffee, I hope to create space for healing, connection, and spiritual renewal…
The Reverend Anna C. Shine
The Rev. Anna Shine returned to St. Luke’s in July 2020, after having regularly attended as a child. She serves as St. Luke’s Missioner for Creation Care and Social Justice and as campus minister for the Presbyterian Episcopal Campus Ministry (PECM) at Appalachian State University.
Anna’s longing to learn about other faiths spurred a study of Judaism and Islam at Elon University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Religious Studies and a minor in German in 2009…
Staff
Lisa Houser
Housekeeper
Joshua White
Worship Tech Support
David Curry
Building & Grounds Supervisor
Valerie Laurencio
Dir. Children & Youth Formation
Vestry
John Whitehead
Senior Warden
Mary Williams
Co-Senior Warden
Dawn Snotherly
Junior Warden
George Harrison
Clerk
Catherine King
Vestry Member
Ellen Lewis
Vestry Member
Dave Mathews
Vestry Member
Lisa Trahan
Vestry Member
Jacque Dunbar
Vestry Member
The Reverend Mike Alford
I am blessed to serve as St. Luke’s rector. Stepping into this role was the culmination of a homecoming five years in the making and I see the hand of God in everything leading up to that moment. Having served congregations in Hickory, NC and St. Petersburg, FL, it’s great to be back in the mountains of Western North Carolina – a place we’ve called home since 2021. Whether presiding at the altar, leading formation, or simply listening over coffee, I hope to create space for healing, connection, and spiritual renewal. St. Luke’s is a faith community that welcomes everyone without reservation. Come with your questions, doubts, and curiosity. You will find a community of likeminded seekers as we ponder together what it means follow the way of Jesus. I look forward to welcoming you!
The Reverend Anna C. Shine
The Rev. Anna Shine returned to St. Luke’s in July 2020, after having regularly attended as a child. She serves as St. Luke’s Missioner for Creation Care and Social Justice and as campus minister for the Presbyterian Episcopal Campus Ministry (PECM) at Appalachian State University.
Anna’s longing to learn about other faiths spurred a study of Judaism and Islam at Elon University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Religious Studies and a minor in German in 2009.
Born to a German mother, Anna’s dual citizenship allowed her to spend a gap year studying Middle Eastern languages and cultures at the University of Tübingen in Germany. While there, she enjoyed friendships with students of many different faiths.
Anna delved deeper into Christianity upon returning to the U.S., receiving a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School in 2012. Although she identified with the narrative of Jesus, Anna struggled with the institution of the Christian Church and its past. She experienced a transformation in her faith journey while attending The Wild Goose Festival — an annual event that combines music, art, spirituality and faith-inspired social justice.
After much study, prayer and reflection, Anna answered the call to attend Virginia Theological Seminary. She earned a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in 2018, was ordained that same year and served as Curate at Church of the Holy Cross in Valle Crucis before coming home to St. Luke’s.