Beautiful Stories that Happen at St. Columba's

Associate for Liturgy and Music: Susan Bloomfield

Susan Bloomfield is a multi-faceted musician with talents as pianist, organist, vocalist, choral director, educator and composer. Susan holds a bachelor’s degree in Organ Performance with an emphasis in Choral Conducting from Pacific Lutheran University and a master's degree in Music History and Literature from Western Washington University. In addition to the degrees in classical music, Susan is trained in the application of Cross-Cultural Music and Healing through the Open Ear Center. Susan has been a sacred musician since high school, primarily in the Episcopal Church, and has served for many years on the Commission for Liturgy and the Arts for the Diocese of Olympia. Susan is passionate about the intersection of music, spirituality, and social justice, and founded The People’s Choir of Olympia to amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ singers. Susan’s work, A Mass for Healing, written for survivors of religious abuse, premiered at St. Mark’s Cathedral in 2016. Susan is excited to work for such a warm and welcoming congregation and looks forward to shared ministry with the people of St. Columba’s.

You can contact Susan at: music@stcolumbakent.org

Children, Youth, and Family Support Coordinator: Val Rawlinson

Val Rawlinson joined St. Columba’s staff in fall 2022 after attending St.  Columba’s for 7 years.  Val’s love for play, children, and this church  community led her to her current position.  Before coming on staff at St.  Columba’s Val worked in a retirement community and nursing homes as  a Registered Dietitian. She has her BS in Nutrition and Food Science.  

Val is passionate about nurturing the health of the whole body - physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  That is why she is currently working to become a professional organizer to help create joyful surroundings, studying how to practice being a Dietitian with an anti-diet focus, alongside spiritually nourishing the children and youth of St. C’s.  

Val not only brings her love of children and play, but also her openness to spirituality and her own journey where she has practiced and explored many different expressions of faith, that ultimately led her to find her spiritual home in the Episcopal Church.  This makes her equipped to help guide our children and youth as they explore their beliefs and relationship to Christianity. Also, she just really loves playing with the toys on the children’s carpets along with the other kids (and kids at heart). 

Val enjoys sharing her life with her husband Chad, their son Erik, an ancient-of-days Cairn Terrier Benson and a high energy tuxedo cat Jack Jack. You can often find her crocheting, junk journaling, doing yoga, walking or running, feeding wild birds, reading cozy mysteries, or trying new recipes and eating all the delicious things.