Treasurer | spumc2@raleigh.twcbc.com
Susan, her husband Matt and their two boys, Matthew and Andrew, came to North Carolina from Ohio, in what was to be a temporary move. After one winter in NC, she said she was never leaving the sunshine and warm temperatures. She and her family have been SPUMC members since 2003. Susan's involvement in serval ministries over the years has provided her an excellent way to get connected with members of the congregation. Susan graduated from The Ohio State University with a BS in Accounting and then worked for British Petroleum in Cleveland for ten years as an analyst. When they moved to NC, she became a stay-at-home mom and home-schooled their boys for six years. When they returned to high school, Susan returned to the workforce part-time as the bookkeeper at Pinehurst United Methodist Church and for a local landscape company. She is excited to become a part of the staff and all the exciting things happening at SPUMC. Outside of work, Susan is an avid Ohio State fan and, with both boys attending NC State University, is now a Wolfpack fan! She also enjoys the beach and spending time with family and friends.
ERIN SHORE,
Little People Loving and Learning Preschool Director | messhore@gmail.com
Erin Shore began her life as a "Yankee" from New Jersey. She was transplanted as a part of God's plan to North Carolina during high school. As a teenager, she became an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Brevard. She later attended Mars Hill College and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Religion and a minor in Women's Studies. Erin has spent much of her life nurturing the spiritual growth of children and youth and continues this work as the Little People Loving & Learning Pre-School Director. It is her prayer to plant seeds of Christian faith in the hearts of children so that they may someday reap a close relationship with Jesus Christ who will guide them always.
Southern Pines United Methodist Church
175 MIDLAND ROAD
SOUTHERN PINES, NC 28387
PHONE: 910-692-3518
FAX: 910-692-5875
E-MAIL: SPUMC@NC.RR.COM
Claire Butler
Director of Children's Ministry | claire.spumc@gmail.com
We are so excited to welcome Claire Butler to SoPines UMC as our Director of Children's Ministry.
Claire was born in Sanford and lived with her brother, Mom, and Dad until she enrolled at NCSU for an Elementary Education degree. After teaching for a year in Cary she moved to Southern Pines where she married Sean Butler and joined SoPinesUMC. Claire is a homeschooling mom to her children Ryder (11), Webb (8), and Maclaine (6). They live on a farm in West End where we enjoy our goats, ducks, dog Marley and all the other wonderful creatures that make their home here. She values her time outside, soaking up God’s beautiful creation!
#FOLLOWUS @SOPINESUMC
Laura Southerland
Director of Communications, Social Media, A/V Production Ops, & Still Photographer
Laura was raised in Southern Pines and has been a SoPines UMC member all her life. Her first paying job was feeding Mrs. Jane Dillon’s cat, Snickers! Laura was an active youth member, from being an acolyte, attending youth group, and singing in the youth choir. She may have even played the handbells once or twice, but being active on a local level wasn’t enough. At the state level, she represented SoPines UMC as the church’s ACS delegate and elected as an ACS youth officer multiple times. After college at UNCW, Laura spent the next 15 years in Event / Live Broadcast Operations before packing up & moving back home to Southern Pines.
“I am so excited to showcase our AMAZING church to the community, to share all our WONDERFUL acts of service, and to INSPIRE those to lead a life of discipleship and service. The church has always been there for me and now it’s my turn!”
Elias ballew
Associate Pastor | eballew@nccumc.org
I grew up in Roanoke Rapids NC and went to NC State for undergrad. After some time in the Marine Corps and working in non-profit work. I began working in ministry in 2019 as a youth pastor commuting back and for the between Cary and Sanford. I attended Duke for seminary in 2019 and graduated in 2022. I also worked at St James UMC in Raleigh during my time in seminary as a youth pastor.
I began my first appointment here in July 2022 as the associate pastor. I am excited to work with the youth group here and to shepherd them in their faith journey and to connect them to God, the church, and to the conference. I love leading worship, preaching, and presiding over the table.
In my free time, I enjoy running and working out. I also enjoy hiking, playing disc golf, and taking trips to beautiful places in the area and around the world. I have an older brother Caleb, a twin sister Olivia, and two cats Cal and Hobbes.
9AM Contemporary/Stream & 11 AM Traditional/Stream
Click to #WatchUsLive (website)
Taylor Hickey
Director of Music | taylorhickey@gmail.com
Nanette martin
Administrative Secretary | spumc@nc.rr.com
Nanette Martin was born in East Meadow, NY, but was educated here in Moore County. She has an Associate Degree from Sandhills Community College and enjoys her job as Administrative Secretary at the Southern Pines United Methodist Church.
"Working here is a blessing because I have a chance to utilize my Christian beliefs and practices. Working for SPUMC, a church that is very active in sharing Christ's Peace and Love is a wonderful experience."
alan daubenspeck
Accompanist / Praise Band |daubenspeck.alan@gmail.com
Alan has thirty plus years experience in worship Christ through music; piano, guitar, bass, organ, vocals, choral directing, arranging and composition. He graduated from Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. He earned his Master of Music/ Media degree from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida.
In addition to serving our church, Alan teaches music at Sandhills Theatre Arts Renaissance School in Vass, N.C. He also is a member of the Sandhills Community College Jazz Band, Heart of Carolina Jazz Band, Audio Engineering Society and the Vass Lion’s Club. Alan and his wife, Debra, have two children: Brandon and Bridget.
Tommy and his wife, Susan, came to Southern Pines in June, 2008 from Rosemary UMC in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., where Tommy served nine years. In addition to Rosemary UMC, Tommy has served: Littleton UMC, Hatteras Charge UMC, Edenton UMC, and First UMC Siler City. Tommy enjoys music, the outdoors, and any opportunity he gets to ride his motorcycle.
Tommy's wife, Susan, is a registered nurse and works at FirstHealth of the Carolinas Moore Regional Hospital. They have six children together and seven grandchildren: Brandon of Roanoke Rapids, NC; Laura Grace and Katie of Providence, RI; Joshua and his wife, Natalie, and granddaughters Emma Kate and Laura of Winterville, NC; Meredith and her husband, John Slazas, and grandsons John Hanes and Jackson of Cameron, NC; Alice Hope and her husband, PO3 Kevin Spragins, and granddaughters Julianne and Lynnley of Camden, NC; and Lee of Durham, NC.
As our Senior Pastor, Tommy seeks to help our congregation define and live into a bold vision for ministry. As we seek to fulfill our mission, “To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ by connecting people to God, to others and to the world.” Our belief is that God has empowered us to fling open our doors to serve our community and God’s world. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are sent out to live by faith, to be known by love and to be a light of hope!