Rev. Suz is an experienced Intentional Interim Minister, having served 10 churches in her career, with membership numbers ranging from 30 to 500. She’s widely regarded for her faith, energy, and enthusiasm.

She has a process for holding small group meetings of church members in the initial weeks of her service to learn the thoughts, hopes, and insights of the congregation. She will compile and do an initial analysis of this information in preparation for a whole church meeting at which the priorities for Westbrook Congregational Church will be agreed upon and used to guide her ministry.

Suzanne earned her BA in Religious Studies from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte and her Master of Divinity from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California where she was recognized with a preaching award. She received her Basic Education in Interim Ministry as well as certifications from the Interim Ministry Network, Clinical Pastoral Education from Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, and from the Carolina School of Broadcasting in Charlotte.

Early in her ministerial career, Rev. Suz served as a Settled Pastor in Indianapolis as well as an Interim for two churches in Michigan. Since moving to Connecticut, she has been a part-time Acting Minister in Hadlyme and full-time Interim Minister for churches in Killingworth, West Haven, Middletown, Vernon, Middlefield, and most recently, Branford.

Rev. Suz is married to Reverend Ken Peterkin, who is Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Essex, UCC. Their son, Abe, is a sophomore at Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island pursuing a business degree in Digital Marketing. Suzanne and Ken reside in Essex, Connecticut.  Suzanne enjoys reading, yoga, walking, biking, theatre, Broadway music.  And, she likes to laugh!