Dear People of LCH,

This day, one long anticipated, has finally come. What a wonderful journey these past 38 years have been for me.

When I think back to the countless regular and special worship services and the many church concerts that I have been involved in, I thank God for this wonderful opportunity to work among you. The time here has truly been my life’s work.

But in addition to that I celebrate the life passages that have also occurred for me at LCH—our wedding in 1977, the funeral of our first child Courtney in 1981, our son Stephen’s baptism in 1982, Stephen’s confirmation in 1996, the conferring of the cantorate on my 25^th anniversary in 1997, and the renewal of our marriage vows in 2002 on our 25^th wedding anniversary.

I am indeed grateful for the dedicated and talented clergy with whom I have been privileged to work—Donald Johnson (the great enabler), Fritz Fritschel (the great poet), David Barber (the great reconciler), Steve Jensen (the great purveyor of life experience) and Jeff Lilley (the great virtuoso preacher). Each has brought their special gifts to this congregation and has given me a great deal of personal support.

But it has been my wife Katherine and my assistant Allen Bauchle who have joined me in shaping the music program that we now have. It has truly been this triumvirate, each bringing our own special gifts and passion that have sustained this music ministry. In recent years Vicki Gorman, Anna Womack, Teresa McCreary, Keane Ishii and John Alexander have all added their talent and dedication to the further development of this program.

And then there are the multitude of choristers who have devoted hundreds of hours each season to create the beautiful music we have in our liturgies. It has been especially gratifying for me to have had several children who have grown up in this congregation become part of our choral ensembles as young adults.

But most of all, beloved people of LCH, it is you who have given me constant support and encouragement, even when I took on seemingly impossible and impractical projects (the two Bach Passions and the B minor Mass come to mind!) These years have been an incredible gift to me, not only to grow in my personal faith life, but also to develop musical and leadership skills that I didn’t realize I had.

I will remain eternally grateful for these wonderful years spent leading the music ministry at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu.

With my sincerest thanks and deep gratitude,

Carl Crosier
Cantor

At the end of the service today, Carl was asked to say a few words. But what he did was to thank all the people who have been part of the LCH music ministry — the staff most particularly — and to give each one a special lei. The people he called up were:

Myself as organist (and long-suffering wife!) Even Carl called me a saint for putting up with him!
Allen Bauchle, assistant choirmaster (Carl’s right arm for 20 years!)
Vicki Gorman, soloist, founder of the F.R.O.G.S. choir
Anna Womack and Teresa McCreary, current F.R.O.G.S. leaders
Keane Ishii, director of the Compline Choir
John Alexander, leader/pianist of the 8:00 am ensemble
Darel Stark, concertmaster of the Bach Chamber Orchestra
Jerome Vasconcellos, choir librarian (Sooo much music to put away!) 

He then introduced the new Director of Music and Liturgy, Dr. Miguel Felipe, and everyone gave him a standing ovation! I think it was because Miguel is not only eminently qualified, but he’s already endeared himself to many people in the congregation.

Then it was Pastor Jeff’s turn to give Carl a gift from the congregation: a brand new iPad (so we don’t have to fight over mine, anymore!).

Carl then gave Mary Fastenau, president of LCH, the following letter to read aloud:

Dear Mary and people of LCH,

It is with deep gratitude and thanks for the many blessings that the music ministry of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu has provided to us over these many years that we make this contribution to the Music Fund in honor of Carl’s retirement and in memory of Kathy’s mother, Dorothy Chiu Au.

Please accept this gift of $10,000.00 to further the ministry of music at our beloved Lutheran Church of Honolulu.

Yours in Christ,
Carl and Katherine Crosier