
During this time, she discerned a call to ministry and earned her Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 2010. She was ordained as an elder in The United Methodist Church in 2016.
Pastor Valerie has previously served as pastor of Rush Chapel UMC in Rome and as minister of nurture at Hillside UMC in Woodstock. She is passionate about sharing her faith and helping others explore and share their faith journeys.
In her free time, you can often find Pastor Valerie working in her garden, reading a book, or taking a long walk around her neighborhood. She also loves concerts, museums and traveling. After completing her first pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2017, she’s excited about retracing parts of Paul’s missionary journeys in the next few years.



Dr. Zeller is Director of Opera and Vocal Studies at Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia, and is active throughout the country as a vocal adjudicator and clinician. Dr. Zeller trained at the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. His graduate studies were at the College-Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati, where he was awarded a MM in Voice Performance and a DMA in Voice Performance with cognate studies in Opera Directing and Musicology.
Dr. Zeller has held numerous church music positions as vocal soloist, choral conductor, and organist since beginning his church music career by substituting for the organists at First and Sunnyside United Methodist Churches in Portland, OR, at age 12. During his graduate studies, he was director of music at Mt. Auburn United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.Before relocating to Georgia, Dr. Zeller was tenor soloist and assistant to the music director at First Congregational Church (United Church of Christ) in Portland, OR.




Receptionist
Dana Holmes has been a member of Jonesboro First United Methodist Church since moving to this area in 1986. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Georgia State University. She then opened a clothing store in Atlanta, which she ran for eight years. At that time, Dana decided to further her education by attending West Georgia College and University, earning a Master’s in Special Education. She taught language arts and math in the middle school setting. Dana also created a character education curriculum, which she taught school wide. Dana is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and was named her school’s Teacher of the Year in 2000. She is listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. She retired from Henry County Schools in 2013. Dana is married to Bryan Holmes, and they have two wonderful daughters, Merrell and Rachel. Dana is thrilled to be working at her church as she loves its members and the opportunity to serve God and the community.

Building Superintendent

Housekeeper