Jonesboro United Methodist Church Belong to Doing Good

Belong to Doing Good

Jonesboro UMC believes that our call is to be of and for our community, showing the love of God in our daily lives. From the smallest act of kindness to the most radical transformation of our life together, God has a vision for us. That vision begins with coming together and knowing we are loved.

Jonesboro UMC especially believes we are called to offer hospitality to the seekers, questioners, and almost-believers. Wherever you are in your journey of faith, we invite you to be part of the work of God’s kingdom right here in Sanford.

Our Rhythm

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Sunday School9:00am
Sunday Worship10:00am
Wonderful Wednesdays5:30pm

Sunday worship alternates between being in a traditional sanctuary with an organ, and being in our multi-purpose Wesley center. (First time? Don’t worry, the correct door will be open for you.) Typical dress is business casual but we welcome all to come as they are comfortable.

We value the way that the grandiosity of the music, as well as the flexibility of the space, have spoken to us for a long time. Traditional service Sundays feature a choir and high liturgy. Wesley center Sundays are usually in the round, feature more contemporary music, and a more relaxed atmosphere. Both are sites of profound worship, monthly communion, and praise.

Our Staff

Pastor: Rev. Cat Clyburn

Cat Clyburn has been in ministry since 2023. She is a graduate of Warren Wilson College and earned an M.Div from Duke Divinity School. Before becoming a minister, Pastor Cat was shaped by experiences in churches whose main ministry was with homeless individuals. Her other major love is soil and the world of growing things.

In her spare time, Pastor Cat loves to work in the garden and make amateur art. Her family includes a husband and a baby daughter.

Music Minister: Danny Hester

Dr. Hester has taught music to students from pre-kindergarten to college. He
served as music specialist for J. Glenn Edwards Elementary School (K-5) in Lee County,
where he was twice honored as Teacher of the Year. He also served as lead teacher for
Lee County’s Kaleidoscope, a summer program for gifted rising sixth-grade students.
His elementary school chorus performed in the North Carolina Governor’s Mansion and
the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Also an adjunct professor of organ at
Campbell University, Dr. Hester has been a contributing writer for the North Carolina
Symphony Teacher Handbook. Other accomplishments include Orff-Schulwerk
Certifications and a research project to determine relationships among grade level,
gender, ethnicity, rhythmic aptitude and English-language reading skills of early
elementary students. Additionally, Dr. Hester was a contributing writer for the North
Carolina Music Planner published by Scott Foresman. He is the 2009 recipient of the
Maxine Swalin Outstanding Music Educator Award presented by the North Carolina
Symphony.
Dr. Hester has served as the organist for Jonesboro United Methodist Church in
Sanford, NC for 43 years where he supervised the installation of the Holtkamp Pipe
Organ in 1994. As a member of the Organ Selection Committee for Butler Chapel, he
played a major part in selecting the tonal and console design of the Stephens Pipe
Organ as well as being the featured performer for the dedication recital. More recently,
Dr. Hester was instrumental in designing the Allen Organ for the recently renovated
Hobson Performing Arts Center at Campbell University. He holds degrees in music from
Campbell University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Dr. Hester
studied organ under Susan B. Horton and Dr. Fred Hohman.

Administrator: Heidi Gibson

Having retired from a career in teaching students in Special Education, sunny Heidi has served as the administrator of JUMC since 2022.

Custodian: David Trout

Dave came to JUMC after retiring from a 40 year career as an executive in the hospitality management industry.
Dave enjoys serving the JUMC family and being a staff member.
Dave and his wife Karla enjoy time with family, reading, walking and dining out.

Stories

  • “My Church Family… that is what Jonesboro UMC is to me. We moved here because my husband was assigned to Ft. Bragg. We were welcomed openly and loved greatly.  We have moved away and back two times, and each time we were welcomed again. This church helped us raise our children and our Sunday School Class helped us get through Covid, with weekly picnic dinners out back under the pecan tree. This church is the people who are in it and I truly consider them family.”

    Marsha Moore Kenner

    History Sunday

    To celebrate 150 years of JUMC, we had a History Sunday! We reviewed our history, learned a lot, and dressed up like the ones who would have been here long […]

  • “My Church Family… that is what Jonesboro UMC is to me. We moved here because my husband was assigned to Ft. Bragg. We were welcomed openly and loved greatly.  We have moved away and back two times, and each time we were welcomed again. This church helped us raise our children and our Sunday School Class helped us get through Covid, with weekly picnic dinners out back under the pecan tree. This church is the people who are in it and I truly consider them family.”

    Marsha Moore Kenner

    Hello world!

    Our website was impacted by a denomination-wide administrative change. We are a vibrant and active church and will have a real website soon! In the meantime, keep up-to-date on our […]