Joyce Gusewelle is well known in our church and in our community. She was baptized and confirmed at Eden Church. Later she moved to St. Louis, then returned with her family to Eden in 1979.

Joyce is a Registered Nurse, licensed in both Illinois and Missouri. She received her nurse's training at Deaconess, having graduated in 1965. Since graduation she has served as a nurse at Eden Village Care Center, Hospice of Southern Illinois, as well as a Home Health Nurse.

In addition to her part-time duties as the Director of Health & Wellness at Eden Church, Joyce also serves as Executive Director of Faith in Action. She began both of these positions in the spring of 1998. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Since 1996, Bill has been serving Eden United Church of Christ as organist, accompanist, and keyboardist-at-large.  He lives in Glen Carbon with his wife Cindy and his sons Chris and Nathan.

Bill began his musical training at the age of nine.  He studied piano for four years and organ for four years with Mr. Henry Engelhardt, Minister of Music at Bethel Lutheran Church in University City, MO.   At age fourteen, he began a six-year stint serving as organist at Our Lord's Lutheran Church in Collinsville, IL.

After a year as a keyboardist for a travelling road show, then several years of work in the St. Louis garment district, Bill served as organist at First Presbyterian Church in Edwardsville.  In 1989 he attended Valparaiso University, studying organ with Dr. Martin Jean.  He graduated in 1992 with a B.M. in Church Music, then studied organ with Dr. John Ditto at UMKC - Conservatory of Music.  While in Kansas City he served an internship at St. Mary's Episcopal Church under the direction of Dr. Bruce Prince-Joseph, retired organist-harpsichordist for the New York Philharmonic.

Upon his return to southern Illinois in 1993, Bill accepted a position as organist-choirmaster at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Edwardsville before bringing his considerable skills to Eden in 1996.

Sue Sperduto is our Church Secretary and the voice on the other end of the phone when you call in.  She worked for the church from 1997- 2002 and then returned again in 2006.  She and her husband Ray have resided in Edwardsville since 1989.  They have two daughters, Adrian and Rachel; son-in-law, Chris; and two grandchildren, Tess and Abram.  Sue looks forward to spending many more years here at Eden and enjoy being part of our Church Family.

Coming soon.

Ms. Emily Ottwein is a life-long member of Eden church, though she has only been on staff for one year.  She is also currently a student at SIUE in the music department.  She has been actively involved in the music program at Eden since childhood, and loves now being able to coordinate all the many faithful, talented, and committed artists that volunteer their time to make Eden's music and arts program what it is.  Emily lives in Edwardsville with her five year old son, Benjamin. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Theresa Stein is the Executive Assistant at Eden Church.  She has been ministering to Eden for the last five years.  She feels that Eden has really become family and home to her.  Married to her husband Terry for 33 years, they live in O'Fallon, IL.  They have two children and one grandchild.  When Theresa is not working, she enjoys cooking, swimming, bicycling, and spending time with her family.  She looks forward to ministering to Eden for many more years to come.

Pastor Roberts graduated from Appalachian State University (Boone, NC) in 1992 with a B.S. in Applied Physics. In 1995 he received his Master of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary (St. Louis, MO).

Born in North Carolina, Pastor Roberts was raised in his parents hometown of Landis. He graduated from high school and entered the USMC Reserves and Appalachian State University with dreams of a military service career. During college, John felt God's call to Christian ministry and moved to St. Louis to attend Eden Theological Seminary.

John completed his theological schooling in 1995 and returned to North Carolina. He was ordained at his home Church in June and began serving at Hedrick's Grove UCC in Lexington, North Carolina the same month. While serving at Hedrick's Grove, John met his wife Jami. John and Jami have three children, Emily (born 1998), Mark (born 1999) and Benjamin (born 2002).

John began his service at Eden Church in September of 2007. To read John's blog, click here.  John may be reached by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it