In last night’s memorial service for Pastor Jeff Lilley, following his sudden death, he was described by his son, Seth as: a pastor, a chef, a handyman, a woodworker, a sailor, a therapist, a painter, a musician, a protector, a bouncer when necessary, a driver, an EMT, a mechanic, an electrician, a plumber, a photographer,… Read More Larger than life
Yesterday, the Lutheran Church of Honolulu (my former parish), posted this on their Facebook page: Many people were in shock and grieving, even those outside of the LCH family. These are some of the comments as shared on Facebook: I am shocked and in grief at the sudden passing of pastor and friend Jeff Lilley… Read More Grieving
If you haven’t been in the nave of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu lately (and who has, since in-person worship services ended mid-March of this year), you might not know that there are now two grand pianos in the nave. One grand piano, a 9′ Steinway, has been there for many years and is on… Read More The story of the Estonia piano
Yesterday I attended the spring benefit event, Kupu A‘e 2019, for the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus at the Dole Cannery, which included a buffet lunch, silent auction and entertainment by the HYOC and guests. The Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus is Hawaii’s oldest and most advanced community youth choir, offering a full spectrum of music education… Read More 58 years of teaching kids
Guiding Spirit, comfort us who grieve the death of Fritz. As he remains fresh in our love and memories, assure us that he lives, and will continue, in the heart and mind of God. Fritz’s devotions were many: to the earth and all its creatures, to the poor and vulnerable, to the arts and good… Read More A full house for Fritz
This afternoon, many of us received this shocking news from St. Andrew’s Cathedral: According to a follow-up story in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Dean Walter Brownridge said damage to two stained-glass windows was estimated at $8,000 each. “The incident marked the second apparent vandalism attack within the past few weeks. A week ago Monday, furniture and the church’s harpsichord… Read More Not “if” but “when”
Last night before the Joint Evensong with the combined St. Andrew’s Cathedral and Lutheran Church of Honolulu choirs, director Scott Fikse posted on Facebook: “Come hear two of the finest choirs in Hawaii combine forces for Evensong at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. 5:30pm.” As I listened to all those soaring sopranos and lush harmonies in the… Read More Glorious St. Paul’s Service
On Sunday night, Pastor Jeff Lilley acknowledged the congregation of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu for having the vision and then supporting the vision of a fine music program with a quality tracker organ. And in a Facebook conversation, someone marveled at the sight of the 40-year-old Beckerath — still looking fresh and new and having… Read More The Beckerath B.C. (Before Carl)
Last week after Carl returned home from the hospital, we got a message on the blog from the mother of the patient across the hall. Aloha Kathy and Carl, It was good to see [you] at Straub across the hall from my son just before the hurricane day. I’m glad to know that you are… Read More The lost returns home
It was Carl Crosier’s idea that I play Bach’s monumental six-voice chorale motet, Aus tiefer Not from the Clavierübung, Part III as the encore for my first Great Eighteen Chorales concert. In previous posts, I mentioned that this is one of my favorite pieces, and one that I wanted played at my funeral. “But Kathy,… Read More A cool encore