In the spring of 2021, Alexandra joined the ministry team of FUMC. She is a life-long United Methodist from Tennessee that found her way to North Carolina through Duke Divinity School. She finished her M.Div in 2020 and has worked in a variety of church, nonprofit, and camping ministry settings all over the United States and the world. In her free time, she loves to hike, read, garden, travel, and cuddle her rescue dog Olive. Her favorite scripture story is the story of Jubilee and Sabbath in Leviticus 25 which proclaim justice, shalom, and rest as central to the story of God's people.

Contact: alexandra@fumcgraham-nc.org or 336-226-4343 Ext. 113

Paul joined our ministry team in March 2016 as Youth Director. In February 2018, he added the duties as Contemporary Worship Leader. As he puts it: "I am, first and foremost, a follower of Jesus Christ. I am also a husband and father to the two most important people in my life, Kaitlin and little Isabella Grace. I believe that we are all born for a specific and uniquely special purpose, and yearn to see each person's individual potential realized and exemplified." In the ups and downs of life, he finds inspiration from 1 Peter 4:13 - "But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."

Contact: paul@fumcgraham-nc.org or 336-226-4343 Ext. 116

Doug joined the FUMC staff as organist in January of 1980. In September, 1992, he added the duties of Director of Music. In 2020, we celebrated 40 years of dedicated service to FUMC and declared January 12, "Doug Rayle Sunday". He works with the Chancel Choir providing music for the traditional service and special services throughout the year. He also directs the Praise Ringers and oversees the elementary music time on Sunday mornings and the Children's Christmas Pageant. Doug and wife, Susan, have two grown children, Jeff and Emily, and three wonderful grandchildren. They enjoy ballroom dancing and attending musical theatre performances. In the Psalms, David tells us to praise God with singing, dance, and the sound of instruments. Doug has spent most of his life trying to follow these instructions.

Contact: doug@fumcgraham-nc.org or 336-226-4343 Ext. 115

Susan joined our staff in the fall of 2015 after retiring from a more than 33-year career as a NC public school English teacher.  A member of this congregation since 1999, Susan is both the daughter and granddaughter of United Methodist ministers.   A lover of language, she is partial to the beauty of the Psalms, especially 8, 24, and 121, which glorify God and assert his majesty.  “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24). She loves to garden, cook, read, and visit the beach and mountains with her family:  husband Alex and children Jackson and Laura, who are also members of FUMC. 

Contact: office@fumcgraham-nc.org or 336-226-4343 Ext. 110

Lu became a member of the FUMC staff in 2003. She currently serves as our financial secretary and bookkeeper for FUMC's Church and Playschool. She likes herbal teas, chocolate, gardening, and loves her four grandchildren. She and her husband, Wayne, enjoy cooking, camping, and family time with their son and daughter and their families who live here in Graham. Lu says one of her favorite bible verses, Romans 8:38-39, is a constant reminder in an uncertain world that God keeps us in His care: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

Contact: finance@fumcgraham-nc.org

Faye has been the Playschool director since its beginning in August 1984. She feels blessed to work alongside a great staff of 13 as they educate more than 150 preschoolers. She enjoys reading, listening to music, and hiking with her husband Nelson. She is a member of the Friendship Garden Club, a mentor with Wings to Recovery, and a volunteer at ARMC Cancer Center. Hebrews 12:1 & 2 encourages her to “…run with patience the race that is set before [her], looking unto Jesus, the author and founder of [her] faith…”

Contact: playschool@fumcgraham-nc.org or 336-227-9148 (direct line) or 336-226-4343 Ext. 117