Category Archives: Pastoral Staff

Amanda McGlynn Called as Next LCH Pastor

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Amanda McGlynn and familyFollowing a unanimous vote of LCH members during a special congregational meeting, Amanda McGlynn was called and has accepted that call to become the next pastor of Lutheran Church of Honolulu.

Pastor Amanda is currently at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Oceanside, CA, where she has been serving for five years.

During a visit this month, many LCH members and attendees discovered her close ties to Hawaiʻi and familiarity with our church. Amanda was born and raised in Honolulu. She grew up as an active member of Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church. She is a Kalani High School graduate and has family on Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island. From an early age, she recognized that many of her gifts and passions were similar to her pastor. She’s felt called to pastoral ministry since age 14. LCH’s late Pastor Jeff Lilley was one of her confirmation teachers.

Pursuing her calling, Amanda attended California Lutheran University, double majored in theology and Christian Leadership and global sudies, with a music and worship minor. In her time there, she sang in all three university choirs, played in the wind ensemble, and served as a musician for many worship services on campus. She studied abroad at Oxford University, and graduated summa cum laude with university honors. In her summers, she worked at three Lutheran bible camps in Wisconsin and Texas, serving as a counselor, worship leader, ropes course director, and high school ministry coordinator.

Pastor Amanda met her husband, Cole, in college. He is also a Lutheran pastor currently serving at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and School in San Clemente, CA. He also serves as an IMA reserve chaplain in the Air Force at Joint Base Charleston. Pastor Cole is attending Officer Training School this summer, which means the McGlynns won’t be moving to Hawai‘i until September. Following OTS, Cole is taking a position as Chaplain at Pohai Nani in Kāneʻohe.

The McGlynns have two children, Rowan and Nora, whom many of us had the joy of meeting during their visit last month. They also have two rescue dogs—an Australian Shepherd named Banjo and a Great Pyrenees mix named Cricket.

Deepest thanks to the members of the LCH call committee for their hard work in identifying a pastoral candidate who we believe is an excellent fit for LCH. A huge mahalo to the members of our congregation, who demonstrated the LCH welcome so wonderfully. Also, thanks to everyone who helped organize, donate, prepare food, and clean up for the meet and greet, pūpū, ice cream social, and silent auction. The spirit of the Lord was certainly present throughout this entire process.

Silent Auction and Ice Cream Social • Sat., Jun. 13, at 4:00 pm

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All are invited to an evening of fun and fellowship Saturday evening, June 13, beginning at 4:00 pm. We begin with an opportunity to meet our pastoral candidate and their family while enjoying a fest of savory pūpū and browsing more than 100 items offered at our silent auction. Later, our Hospitality Committee will host an ice cream social

Below are several of the wonderful items being offered at the silent auction. Proceeds from the auction will support the visit by our candidate and their relocation.

glass plateGreen bowl

Stunning square glass bowl made by John Watt.
Value: $60. Opening bid: $30.
So many uses for this piece.

glass plate Glass ship on the ocean

Stunning square plate made by John Watt.
Value: $95. Opening bid: $40.
Think of the people in your life who love boats.

collageDavid Hormann original collage artwork

The process is to take colorful postcards and create landscapes.
It is amazing in a photo but even more interesting in person.
David says the value is $60. We think it is much more.

Trader Joe bagTrader Joe’s bag of goodies

The value of the treats is more than $100. Starting bid: $50.
We know in Hawai‘i that the value skyrockets as we all need a Trader Joe’s fix.

pasta makerPhillips Electric Pasta Maker (Never been used)

You could always have the most popular dish at the potluck
with this machine helping you.
Value: $300. Starting bid: $100.

Madge Tennent printPlenty Hawaiians (1965) by Madge Tennent

One hundred copies were made for the Hawaii Watercolor & Serigraph Society.
This is print number 50 and comes in a koa frame.
The value is priceless, but we’re going to start the bidding at $125.

stained glassGorgeous stained glass art made by Randy Castello

It features Manu o Kū, the beautiful white terns that often visit the church
and are featured on our new mural.
Minimum bid for this incredible work will be $600.

wood carving Wood flower carving

Check out this beautiful wood carving donated by Marlise Tellander.
Value: $200. Starting bid: $100.

koa plateKoa wood serving board created by Barry Wheeler

Note the differences in the color of the grain in the wood.
Value: $100. Starting bid: $45.

Don Johnson sculptureWooden artwork made by Pastor Don Johnson

This enchanting sculpture was made by the pastor
who shepherded LCH for 30+ years.
Value: $200. Starting bid: $100.

air fryerNinja Air Fryer

Here’s your chance to join the air fryer craze.
Value $70. Starting bid: $35

Welcoming Our LCH Call Candidate

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Please mark your calendars for a series of welcome events for the LCH call candidate and their family.

On Sunday, June 7, the Call Committee will have hard copies of the candidate’s bio available in the courtyard. The candidate requests that this document not be shared in any fashion beyond LCH’s walls (social media, via email, etc.) to maintain confidentiality.

In addition, on Friday, June 12, the candidate will engage in a series of in-person and online (Zoom) small group meetings. Sign-up sheets are in the courtyard at each Sunday service and please plan to pick your meeting by June 7. In-person sessions will be held at 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 1:15, 1:45, 2:15, 3:00, and 3:30; and a Zoom session will take place at 12:30. The next day, Saturday, June 13, we’ll have another opportunity to welcome the candidate and their family at 4:00 pm during the pūpū prior to the auction.

LCH members will vote on extending a call to the candidate on Sunday, June 14 in a congregational meeting following Sunday worship at a special time, beginning at 9:00 am.

Call Committee Recommends Candidate for Our Next Pastor

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After careful consideration, the Call Committee has identified a candidate that they believe has the God-given gifts needed to partner and lead with LCH as together we grow into God’s preferred and promised future.

Members of the congregation will have opportunities to meet and greet the pastoral candidate on during their visit beginning Thursday, June 11. During the day on Friday, June 12, groups of 5–10 will meet with the candidate, and on Saturday, June 13, a larger community session will be held beginning at 4:00 pm. At 5:00 pm that day, we will held a silent auction to raise funds to relocate our new pastor, and there will be plenty of time for informal socializing with savory pūpū and an ice cream social.

Sunday morning. June 14, after worship, there will be a congregational meeting to vote on issuing a call to the candidate.

These are exciting times in the life of Lutheran Church of Honolulu as we look forward to preparing to call our 12th congregationally-called pastor in 125 years.

Please say mahalo nui loa to the LCH Call Committee. They have been an exemplary team that has done their prayerful work with diligence and discernment.

Remembering Our Baptism and Pastor Jeff • Mon., Oct, 13, in Kapi‘olani Park

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BBQ at Kaimana BeachService Project, Remember our Baptism, and Bratwurst!

Monday, October 13, is the one-year anniversary of Pr. Jeff’s passing, and we will gather as a group to remember and to give back to the community in our work and in our shared time of joy. Please bring sunscreen, a hat, a trash bag, a chair, and pūpū sides to share. Please meet near the Natatorium beside Kaimana Beach. There is a circle drive with parking. It is also a state holiday, so please consider carpooling if possible.

  • 4:00 pm—Service Project Cleaning up Queen Kapiʻolani Park. Bring a trash bag, wear a hat, and clean up the park.
  • 5:30 pm—Affirm our Baptism.
  • 6:00 pm—BBQ. Brats will be provided, share pūpū sides. Enjoy picnic fun!

Remembering Pastor Jeff Lilley • Sun., Oct. 12, during and after worship

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Pastor Jeff with RubyOn Sunday, October 12, we will give thanks to God for Pr. Jeff and his legacy as we remember the first anniversary of Pr. Jeff joining the church triumphant.

Our worship service will include some of his favorite hymns and music, and after worship, we will go outside to plant a tree to remind us of the hope and the new life we have in God.

As a community, we will add dirt and water to the hole in which the trees will be planted. Water and dirt are things that are needed for growth. In providing the tree with elements needed for growth, we give thanks and remember that Pr. Jeff’s life was dedicated to the growth of faith and the growth of the proclamation of the Gospel for all people.

After the tree planting, we will have a pet blessing for those attending worship. You are invited to bring your pet to worship that Sunday, and we will have an area that is pet-free for those that have allergies or other reasons to need those accommodations. You will be invited to bring your pet outside with you as we plant the trees in Pr. Jeff’s memory, and then we will bless your pets immediately after the tree planting.

After the tree planting and pet blessing, you are invited into the courtyard for human treats (donuts, one of Pr. Jeff’s foods) and pet treats.

We hope you will join us in thanksgiving for Pr. Jeff’s life and ministry.

“In Sorrow and Joy” • Thurs. March 13, 7:00 pm

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concert graphicThe LCH Choir and orchestra present a concert in memory of Pastor Jeff Lilley Thursday evening, March 13, at 7:00 pm.

Music for the concert includes J.S. Bach’s Cantata No. 38, “Out of the Depths, I Cry to Thee” and Ruth Watson Henderson’s “From Darkness to Light.”

We mark this five-month anniversary of Pr. Jeff’s passing through the beauty of music. Please invite friends and family to this beautiful concert of music to remember our sorrow and also to remember our joy!

Welcoming Pr. Lesley Radius, Our Interim Pastor

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Pr. Lesley RadiusPr. Lesley Radius began serving as the interim pastor of LCH on March 1. We welcome her as our new shepherd and partner in ministry and look forward to all that we will do together over the next year or two. Pr. Lesley, who will be living at Luther Place, will be jumping right into her new call and preaching on March 2. Her email is pr.lesley@lchwelcome.org.

We ask everyone to remember that Pr. Lesley is severely allergic to scented flowers, incense, and perfumes. She has been in the Emergency Room in anaphylaxis, so all are asked to honor her allergy issues whenever you come to the LCH campus.

Pastor Lesley Radius grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and attended Hope Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. When she was 13, “Mr. Lesley Radius” was invited to attend a program that fast tracked participants through high school, college, and seminary. With her invitation to that program,Lesley received a brochure entitled “So, you want to be a pastor!” Oddly enough, when Lesley was packing for Lutheran School of Theology, 30 years after she had received the brochure, she found the brochure in the very bottom of the last box she was sorting. This reinforced for Lesley her call to pastoral ministry, even if it took her a long time to know her call and be in a denomination that would allow her to be a pastor.

Lesley is trained in interim ministry, church planting, and church redevelopment. She has served churches in Missouri, Kansas, Tennessee, Maryland, Texas, and now Hawai‘i.

Lesley is very excited to be on this journey with LCH as we discover together what God is up to in our church, the greater community, the state, the nation, and the world. “God is loose in the world,” as Peter Mayer sings. During this transition time, we get the privilege to discern how we will be about doing God’s work, with our hands. May God bless our time together and continue the work of transformation each and every day in each of us. Always remember, Jesus loves you.

On the Passing of Pr. Jeff Lilley

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I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.—2 Timothy 4:7–8

Pr. Jeff on their boatAs many of you know, Pastor Jeff Lilley passed away unexpectedly Sunday morning, [October 13,] before services. The congregation of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu is grieving, while providing support for Jeff’s wife Jean, and their children Seth and Meghann and family. Jeff had served this congregation for more than 16 years and was beloved both within and outside the church. Please keep his loved ones in your prayers and thoughts during this most difficult time.

As Bishop Dave Nagler told your church council Sunday morning, Pastor Jeff was one of a kind. We all have stories that bears this out and we will expect to hear and capture many others to honor his life in the coming days and weeks.

First and foremost, we need to support Jean, Seth, and Meghann and family through this very difficult time. The council has established a support committee for this purpose. The Lilley children, Seth and Meghann, will arrive on Monday. The council has decided that LCH will cover their housing during their stay and will also waive the rent for the pastor’s Luther Place apartment as long as Jean needs it.

We also need to be with one another in our grief. We have both in-person and virtual options for pastoral care or grief counseling below and hope to provide additional opportunities to you early this week.

In the meantime, Pastor Margarethe will join Thursday bible study at 10:00 am and Pastor Ruth will be at Choir Practice on Thursday at 7:00 pm.

We are receiving tremendous support from the Pacifica Synod, from the Hukilau Conference, and from the Council of Bishops.

We firmly believe Pastor Jeff would want our congregation to continue providing the spiritual sustenance, community outreach and goodwill, and special events that LCH is well known for.

Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones during this especially difficult time, and do not hesitate to contact another member of the LCH family or a council member if you feel the need to just talk.

And while we all grieve, please give the Lilley family time and space to do so in their own time and way.

On behalf of the LCH Council,
Dan Dennison