My name is Clara Birkel, and out of all of the current staff at St. Olaf, I am the one with the longest history. For as my position, I am the pianist/organist.  I play for most of the worship services, work with the Sunday School, work with any special music, serve on the Music, Worship, Arts Committee, work with the Altar Guild for changing the paraments, decorate the church for special services/seasons, instruct new acolytes (hopefully, get back to this after the Pandemic), and work with the Pastor on the music for services.

My husband, George, and I built and moved into our home, which is three miles from St. Olaf in May 1969. In October 1969, George, our four-month-old son Todd, and myself became members of St. Olaf.  Fast forward many years.  We now have two children, Todd and Tiffany.  Todd is married to Cindy, and they have three (3) children: Trent (age 21), Ariel (age 19) and Ethan (age 16). Todd was confirmed at St. Olaf and attends special services at St. Olaf.  Ariel was also confirmed here. Tiffany is married to Jeff Brewer, and they have two (2) sons; Austin (age 23) and Zachary (age 20). Tiffany was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. Olaf.  Jeff became a member when they were married in 1995. Both boys have been baptized and confirmed at St. Olaf and remain members.

I began playing as a substitute musician at St. Olaf in 1977. This led into becoming the only musician in 1980. From 1980-2000, I was the musician for all services which had grown to three services a week, worked with the choir, later handled special choirs, played for Sunday School, etc. There was a brief time, from 2000-2005, where I played for other churches.  In 2005, I again became a substitute musician for St. Olaf.  In 2008, I once again became the primary pianist/organist, and I’m still here (in 2022).  I now have been joined by a Praise band, a Youth band, and Steve Stretz and Pastor Tom as guitarists.

As a retired paraprofessional from the Hartford Joint 1 School District, my free time is spent with many friends and my FANTASTIC family, along with my St. Olaf family.  I like to read, walk, and bake.  I’m also on the Board of the Richfield Historical Society where my family’s heritage lies.  As a family, we like to attend old time tractor shows and thresherees.  We also enjoy watching Austin, Trent, Zach, and Ethan play and/or coach baseball and basketball and Ariel perform in band and in dance recitals.

God bless you all!