Deacon Susan Werner Reiser, Parish Musician
Susan Werner Reiser relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 2015 to be near her family. A love for tracker action pipe organs led her to St. Andrew Lutheran Church, where she is blessed to play the Paul Fritts organ and a Steinway piano, as well as to direct the handbell choir. A lifelong Lutheran, Susan began her musical journey as a child singing in church and Sunday School, and took piano lessons and played clarinet from elementary school through college. She has Bachelor of Music degrees in music education and organ performance from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and a Master of Arts degree with a focus in church music, choral conducting, and organ from Valparaiso University in Indiana. She served parishes in the Chicago area and in southern Illinois for more than 40 years. She was commissioned as an Associate in Ministry in the ELCA in 1989 and is currently rostered as a Deacon in the Oregon Synod of the ELCA. Susan is a member of the Portland Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, and the Organ Historical Society. Other interests include crafting in many forms, hiking with her husband John, and looking after her dog. You can contact Susan at srwerner.reiser@standrewlutheran.com.