A native Texan, granddaughter of a Methodist circuit rider, preacher’s wife for 32 years before his death, and third-grade teacher for almost 30 years, Janice has just retired from 17 years of being a licensed local pastor in the Northwest Texas and New Mexico United Methodist Conferences.  Moving to be closer to her daughter (an educational academic advisor at EIU) , son-in-law (who is a professor at EIU) and granddaughter Ella (a 7th grader).  Most times away are spent back in TX keeping up with her TX family, including a granddaughter and husband both in graduate school and a grandson (a university student.)  She has found Wesley UMC to be a special place where her soul can be filled and where she can sing in the choir and play hand bells.  Other favorite pastimes are reading, cooking Mexican food, playing the piano, eating out with friends, and attending musical concerts and dramas.

Kait grew up in Winnebago, IL. After meeting her husband, Sam, she moved to Charleston, IL. Kait graduated from Lake Land College in 2019 with an Associates in Business Administration, and the University of Illinois Springfield with a Bachelors of Business Administration in 2020. Since 2022, Kait has volunteered with VBS and Youth Group at Wesley. She's excited that God answered a prayer and brought her to serve at Wesley as the Coordinator of Communications. Kait enjoys spending time with her husband, and raising their two boys, Grant and Will. Her family also are animal lovers having 2 German Shepherds, 2 cats, and a bearded dragon at home. 

Brock was raised in Washington, IL, and is excited his wife Betzy's call to campus ministry has led them back to Illinos again. After graduating from Illinois State University with a degree in Music Education, he obtained a teaching position, and he and Betzy met through a fellow teacher, Betzy's twin sister. Though Betzy's calling to ministry has led to many different jobs for Brock, he is excited to be able to serve the church through youth ministry again, here in Charleston, as he did in Richlands, VA, for the last four years. When he is not serving the youth of the church, Brock is likely to be caring for their two children, Benjamin and Brendan.

Sarah grew up in Coffeen, Illinois attending Coffeen United Methodist Church, serving as song leader, Community Vacation Bible School Director, and coordinating the Community-Wide Summer Food Program. Sarah moved to Charleston after graduating from Hillsboro High School in 2015. That year she started attending Wesley UMC and the EIU Wesley Foundation. She worked 6 years at Consolidated Communications while completing college courses. She is excited  that her call to ministry has led her to serving at Wesley.  She now lives in Shelbyville with her husband Brandon, their Corgi Hazel, and cat, Scout . Sarah and her husband enjoy finding time for traveling, trying new restaurants, and exploring local small-town shops.  

Michael Mellott is the adult and children’s choral director for the Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston, Illinois.  He is also the music teacher and choral director at the local middle school, where he teaches 7th and 8th grades general music, as well as conducts the middle school choir and an extracurricular acappella advanced choir.  In addition to his teaching, he is also a clinician for vocal health for educators, athletic coaches and vocalists.  

 He received both his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois, where he and his family reside.   When time permits, Mr. Mellott performs with the local community summer theatre, and enjoys woodworking and cane making, where he often donates handcrafted items to various organizations, such as Out of Darkness (a suicide prevention and awareness organization). 

Elizabeth has served for many years as an administrator and educator; as well as a pianist, singer, and actor. When not involved in church music ministry and administration, she can be found teaching music and working in local theatre as an actor and music director. She is married to actor and playwright Earl Halbe. Both Earl and Elizabeth serve on the board of the Coles County Arts Council, and are the founders and co-producers of Theatre In The Park, Charleston IL. 

Ethan Hayward comes to us from Chillicothe, IL with his higher education musical training from Millikin and EIU. Ethan’s musical experience includes serving several local churches and public schools in our area, playing for various musical theatre productions, accompanying local musicians and students, and providing private piano instruction. 

Cole Dearnbarger was raised in Charleston, Illinois. Cole started at Wesley in the summer of 2023. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors, hanging out with his 3 daughters, and riding his unicycle. He enjoys helping others which is what led him to Wesley UMC.