You may know her as our organist at the traditional service, but Robin Risser Mundey is so much more. As the Director of Traditional Worship, Robin ensures that every detail of our traditional worship experience aligns seamlessly, creating moments of reverence and connection. Her contributions go far beyond the music you hear; she’s truly the cornerstone of our traditional worship at Central.
Along with Steve Nelson and the worship team, Robin thoughtfully selects hymns to complement the sermon’s theme. In addition, she organizes special speakers, extra music and musicians, the décor—especially for special times of the year like Christmas and Easter—and the communion table and the liturgical year hangings. Every Sunday morning, she checks in with the presiding elder, the ushers, and the media team to be sure all the slides and sound requirements are aligned to enhance the worship service.
Nearly nine years ago, Robin joined Central after a multifaceted career in both music and management. Just prior to Central, she served as the organist at the Frederick Church of the Brethren, where her husband Paul was the Senior Pastor. She also worked full-time as the Director of Resident Life and Nursing Home Administrator at a retirement community in Frederick, MD—a position she transitioned from when Paul retired, and she found the organist opportunity at Central. Her love for music and ministry, however, started long before her move to Frederick.
Robin’s passion for music began at the age of 8 with piano lessons, later adding organ lessons. Her journey in music took her to Lebanon Valley College, where she studied organ. Following graduation, she taught school for a year before pursuing a Master of Divinity at Bethany Theological Seminary in Oak Brook, IL. During her time as a summer pastor in Hagerstown, she met Paul, and their shared devotion to faith and service led them to build a life together.
Robin’s career has been as varied as it is inspiring. After marriage, she served as a chaplain at Johns Hopkins Hospital, studied organ at the prestigious Peabody Institute, and continued as a church organist. The couple next moved to the Chicago area, where Robin continued her musical journey as a director of music and organist at a United Church of Christ church, while Paul was on staff at the national headquarters for the Church of the Brethren.
Their final move brought them to Frederick, where Robin worked as a trainer at a bank for five years before taking the position at the retirement community, and served as a church organist and member of the praise band.
When Robin isn’t working, you’ll find her experimenting with new recipes, hiking, exploring downtown Frederick, or spending time with her grandchildren. She and Paul have two children: a daughter who lives in Frederick with her husband and their two boys, ages 8 and 5, and a son in Beaufort, S.C., with his wife and their 2 year old toddler.
She said as they were making decisions about moving from Baltimore to Chicago, then to Frederick and retiring from the church there after 20 years, she relied on Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
“It was always hard to leave friends and work behind for new challenges,” Robin said, “But I always knew God was leading me to where I needed to be. Central has become a real home for us, and I’m excited about the future for this church.”
Robin is a remarkable example of faith, creativity, and dedication. We’re so grateful to have her as part of our Central family, enriching our worship and inspiring us all.
