A YMCA conversation in Black Mountain turns into a surprisingly deep look at what makes a town feel like home. I sit down with David Carter Florence, associate pastor at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, and we trace his winding path from the Shenandoah Valley to seminary, teaching, chaplaincy, and finally ministry in Western North Carolina. The more we talk, the clearer it gets that “community” isn’t a slogan for him, it’s a set of habits: show up, partner well, and do the next tangible thing that helps someone else breathe easier.

We get specific about local service and stewardship, from a quietly coordinated parking lot flower bed makeover using native plants, to reusing materials after Helene relief work, to building practical models like brush berms and planting projects that make public spaces calmer and more beautiful. We also dig into the daily-life side of Black Mountain: biking and hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway area, gardening and sharing produce with neighbors, and the way local organizations help move food where it’s needed. One of my favorite moments is the story of refurbished bicycles being set up for Afghan refugees, because it captures how dignity often looks like something simple and useful.

We also talk about the challenges that don’t show up on postcards: housing affordability, long-distance marriage strain, and the kind of anxiety in our culture that can come out as anger. David shares how he’s learning to pace himself, including an upcoming sabbatical and a shift from “fix-it” leadership toward more contemplative listening, presence, study, and prayer. If you care about Black Mountain NC, local leadership, church outreach, community resilience, or what it takes to build trust across differences, this one will stay with you.

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