Kathy Bryant - Administrative Assistant
I grew up in Florissant, Missouri attending High school in that area. My family and I went to Charbonier Methodist Church until it’s closing, I was confirmed there. We later transferred to St. Mark’s Methodist Church in the Florissant area.
Growing up I was involved in, swimming lessons, Girl Scouts, day camps, vacation bible school, my passion was Job’s Daughters, a Masonic organization for young girls, there I flourished. I joined at the age of 12 and served until I received my majority in 1977. I was installed as Honored Queen of Bethel #46, of Berkeley Missouri on December 28, 1974. My theme was “It’s A Small World” and my mascot was Mickey Mouse. Yes, I have a love for Disney. Ever since then I have been an avid Mickey Mouse Collector. I have a bedroom in my house that displays over 400 Mickey Mouse items. And yes, I can decorate a whole Christmas tree in Mickey Mouse ornaments.
My second passion is Dollhouses. I love to build dollhouses and make furniture for them. I currently have 7 dollhouses in my home. I love to not only build them, but I make and sell miniatures and furniture to decorate and furnish a dollhouse.
I have 2 boys, Patrick and Jonathan Sanfilippo. They are the love of my life! Both were in the Boy Scout Program. Jon made Eagle Scout in July 2000.
I started attending New Bethel UMC in November of 2004. I married David Bryant in 2005 and became a member of New Bethel on September 18, 2005. As a member, I jumped in with both feet where I became involved with many activities of the church, from Soup and Bread dinners to being in skits at worship services. What drew me here was how friendly and welcoming this church is. I have been a member of the adult choir for 8 years.
As of March 2020, I became the Administrative Assistant at New Bethel UMC. I couldn’t have found a better place to work. I love my Job and the members I work for.
Rebecca Koebbe, Worship Accompanist
Rebecca Koebbe holds a master of music degree in collaborative piano and a post-baccalaureate certificate in vocal pedagogy from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. She has been teaching piano for nearly 40 years and currently teaches both privately in her home studio and in the keyboard development program at SIUE. She frequently engages in freelance collaborative projects in the Saint Louis metro area. For her, the most satisfying aspects of her work are the one-on-one nature of teaching and vocal coaching, as well as the attentive listening and responsiveness required to support the musical needs of soloists and ensembles.
Rebecca has served on the music staff of several area universities, including SIUE, Greenville University, and McKendree University. She currently focuses her energy at SIUE where her collaborative piano, vocal coaching, and music directing skills support a wide range of opportunities with both soloists and ensembles. She previously served as director of traditional music at an area church for four years.
Her work has always been rooted in a love for both music and people. Whether teaching, accompanying, vocal coaching, or directing, she intentionally creates spaces where individuals feel welcomed, encouraged, respected, and valued. She believes music has a unique ability to foster connection while honoring the dignity of every person. She finds great meaning in building community and cultivating a supportive and joyful environment for all who participate, and she is delighted to live and work within a vibrant musical community.
Rebecca grew up in Neosho, Missouri, where she served as a church musician since childhood playing alongside her father, Wayne, who served as organist in their home church. He is the one who facilitated her early piano teaching, entrusting two of his own piano students to her when she was fourteen years old. Their favorite shared musical memory is playing piano duets together.
Her mother, Ruth, who went to be with the Lord in 2019, instilled in Rebecca a love for words and reading as well as for being still: observing the quiet, unpretentious things in life. She was a mother who listened and considered before speaking, a lesson Rebecca is still endeavoring to live up to daily. Ruth loved flower gardening, peace, serving others in quiet ways, and appreciated the refuge of home above all else.
She is the mother of three young adults: Samuel, Levi and Ellie. Cherishing them has been the greatest joy and fulfillment of her life.
Outside of music, Rebecca finds deep satisfaction in quiet reflection, listening to audiobooks, observing and listening to nature, participating in meaningful conversation and spending quality time with family and friends.
Jim Sullivan – Custodian
Hi, my name is Jim and I grew up in Belleville and now live here in Glen Carbon, going on 9 years, with my daughter, Daisy. I have another grown daughter, Lillian, who lives in Belleville with her husband and daughter. Daisy and I began attending New Bethel Church in fall of 2023 and found the church and the people and Pastor to be very welcoming. It really felt like we had found a new family and a new home. Daisy went through the Confirmation classes in early 2024 and was confirmed in the church in an amazing service here at New Bethel on May 12th. She and I were both so very excited and grateful. I joined the church myself, the next month. Since coming we have participated in so many special events like Trunk or Treat, Easter egg hunts, numerous youth activities, I’ve attended United Methodist Men’s meetings, wonderful fellowship activities, and of course, weekly worship. Just recently, I was hired as the Custodian for New Bethel and I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve in this way.
My life is dedicated to my relationship with Jesus and my family. When I’m not working, I love being involved in my younger daughter’s activities, including gymnastics at the YMCA, competitions, and generally just keeping up with her. My favorite Scripture passage is 1 Corinthians 13. I love the whole chapter and read it daily. But the beauty of this life is captured for me in the 13th verse: And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
