In September, 2013, the Session of First Presbyterian Church of Rutherford established a permanent fund to memorialize the generosity of Karen Kaiser towards First Presbyterian Church. This action was prayerfully taken after reviewing various options and trying to decide how Karen might have wanted to be remembered.

Karen joined First Presbyterian Church of Rutherford in 1992 and shared her time and talents chiefly in two areas - she was an active Deacon, serving many terms on the Board of Deacons, and a devoted member of the Chancel Choir for many years. After her retirement Karen moved to Lancaster, PA, where she died in 2008.

In recognition of her interest in the music ministry of our church, Session has seeded this memorial fund with $50,000, under the direction of the Worship & Music Committee. The intent is to hold periodic musical events, particularly featuring our newly restored pipe organ, and funded by these monies as a living memorial to Karen. Any donations received through freewill offerings at these concerts will go back into the fund.

Music, as part of our worship, has become one of the central interests of our congregation. The Karen Kaiser Memorial Concert Series will serve as an extension to our music program and an outreach to the greater Rutherford community that First Pres serves. We believe that it is a fitting memorial to Karen and one she would approve of.