Meet Our Pastor & Staff
Rev. Dr. Sandra “Sandi” Benton Plasters
Sandi grew up in Virginia Beach where her parents still live. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. She went on to Wesley Theological Seminary where she received a Master’s of Divinity in 1995 and a Doctorate of Ministry in 2011. She was ordained a deacon in 1996 and an elder in 1999.
Sandi has served churches throughout Virginia as well as serving the conference and local community. She has served as a hospital chaplain, local jail chaplain, Emmaus community spiritual director, Chrysalis community spiritual director, board member of Habitat for Humanity, district positions including president of clergy group, and Conference Board of Communications. She currently serves as a Conference Trustee.
Sandi is married to Rev. Mike Plasters who is moving to be the senior pastor at Galilee United Methodist Church in Sterling. Mike and Sandi have been married 23 years. They have a daughter, Hannah, who is currently a student at the University of New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are animal lovers. They currently have two dogs. Hannah took with her one of the family dogs, Cricket, a mini dachshund. The other fur baby is Gracie, who is a much loved, if not always well behaved, Golden Retriever.
Young Hye Min, Music Director
Ms. Min is a native of Ulsan, South Korea, began her musical training in piano and violin at an early age. Her passion for collaborative performance, particularly within the operatic genre, was cultivated through extensive work with vocalists during her academic career.
As an undergraduate student at Delta State University (2016–2020), Ms. Min accompanied for numerous operatic productions, performing in opera concerts held at the recital hall of Bologna Performing Arts Center. Ms. Min continued her studies at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, where she pursued a Master of Music degree in piano performance under the tutelage of Benjamin Pasternack and Marian Hahn. During her time at Peabody, she studied a wide range of opera music with Eileen Cornett, covering works from the classical through the contemporary era.
Currently, she is pursuing Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance at Shenandoah Conservatory under Heidi Hau. Ms. Min has continued her involvement in opera as an accompanist. Her recent credits include: Caged Birds (Fall 2023) as rehearsal accompanist, Moscow, Cheryomushki by Shostakovich (Spring 2024) as rehearsal accompanist and keyboard player, and Acis and Galatea by George Frideric Handel (Fall 2024) as rehearsal accompanist.
Kathy Summers, Administrative Assistant
Kathy worked as an Administrative Assistant for a security firm prior to becoming a stay-at-home mother. She was raised in Maryland and moved to Northern Virginia where she meet her husband Dow. They have been married for almost 20 years and they are the parents of 4 wonderful children, Corbett, Aidan, Victoria, and Logan. She also takes care of her mom Sherry that lives with them in Purcellville. They also have cute pup named Lily that the family loves completely. Kathy is active with two Masonic Youth Organizations, Job’s Daughters and DeMolay and is a member of the Eastern Star. She enjoys baking, reading, country music, and supporting her kids. There is nothing she loves more than her family and volunteering.
Stephanie Engle, Preschool Director
Stephanie Engle became Director of Bethany Preschool on July 1, 2020. She has been a teacher at Bethany Preschool for the past 7 years. Stephanie attended Catawba College in Salisbury NC where she double majored in Sociology and Psychology with a focus on Child abuse and Neglect. Stephanie has an extensive background in working with children as a trained Guardian Ad Litem in North Carolina, Youth Coordinator for Kids Are Our Concern out of Winchester VA, Sunday School teacher in Leesburg VA, and Preschool teacher. Stephanie has held various positions in the corporate world as well, working in sales and marketing, and as a corporate account executive where she participated and served on the board of APICS and worked with businesses such as Rubbermaid, Henkle Harris furniture, Garber Ice cream and General Electric.
Stephanie has a large family, with five kids of her own and three step-daughters. She is also a "Mimi" to her young grandchildren. Stephanie loves to cook, organize large events, exercise, run and spend time hiking with her husband of 21 years, Prescott.
Stephanie would like to continue to make a positive difference in the life of a child, her goal since she finished college in 1992.
Psalm 127:3 "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward."
Beverly Costello, Church Custodian
Beverly Costello has been the custodian at Bethany UMC for 19 years. Prior to working at Bethany Church and Preschool, she was a cosmetologist in her own shop for 25 years until it closed in early 2000. She feels blessed to work in a church environment.
Beverly’s family is always her main focus, she loves to share with her friends about their many achievements. She and her husband Dickie live in Round Hill with their sweet dog Noel and are the proud parents of 3 daughters with families of their own including 4 beautiful grandchildren. Beverly and Dickie take every opportunity to be involved in their family’s lives and attend many sporting events and even plan small trips to keep their family close. They have always enjoyed spending time together at Smith Mountain Lake where they love boating, water skiing, and swimming. Many wonderful memories have been made at this favorite vacation spot. Beverly and Dickie are active members of Berryville Presbyterian Church.