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Organ Renovation Project Underway

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organ pipes removed for cleaningThe Organ Renovation Project began in earnest on May 12 and will continue through the first week of June. This work comes has been made possible by fundraising leading up to LCH’s 125th anniversary celebration in September. The congregation commited to raising $125,000 in time for the celebration, $65,000 for the organ renovations and $60,000 for the Mission Fund to carry out congregational mission priories.

With funds already pledged or donated for the organ renovation, technicians from Germany are giving the organ a thorough cleaning to remove any dust and debris that have accumulated over the years. The Great division, located at the top of the organ, has had all of its pipes removed and has been cleaned.

new zymbelsternAlso, a new zymbelstern was installed as the old one was not very reliable. This one has six bells and will usher in the holy spirit whenever it is on!

Work continues on the Swell division, located above the organist behind the shades. The holes are being drilled from a template for the new Salicional 8′ pipes to be installed. These 56 new holes will allow air to flow into the pipes when the key is depressed. They will sing a new string sound into the Nave and help support choral and congregational singing in a new and fitting way.

In the Pedal division, the Schalmei 4′ pipes have been removed, and soon new rack boards will be installed. These rack boards will hold the new Trumpet 8′ pipes in place. Both the pedal and swell divisions will be cleaned before any pipes go back in place.

Once the work is done, everyone is invited to a enjoy the restored and enhanced with an organ recital on Friday evening, June 6, by Dr. Barry Wenger, our director of music and liturgy and organist.

125th Anniversary Mission Fund Plans

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LCH’s 125th Anniversary celebration includes two important elements—refurbishing the organ and mission objectives that were formed through the critical input from the ‘Ohana Groups and the ongoing discussions about what is God calling us to do.

The areas the congregation identified as the most important are:

  • Welcoming and Safe Environment
  • Liturgy, Music, and the Arts
  • Silver Tsunami

The area of liturgy and music is being covered by the money being raised for the organ and a generous $79,000 bequest from the Thomas Hilgers Trust that is to be spent on the music program, but specifically for items not in the ongoing budget, such as concerts, new musical commissions, and other ways to expand the music program.

To cover the Welcoming and Safe Environment and the Silver Tsunami, we propose the following:

  • Welcoming and Safe Environment—$50,000
    • Presenting a more welcoming face to the world (cleaning up the front of the church, painting the exterior and interior of the church, removing old playground equipment, repairing the rose window)
    • Landscaping, including creating a dog run for neighbors
    • Murals to capture the spirit of the church
  • Silver Tsunami—$4,000
    • Seed money to help determine the most beneficial programs for seniors and their caregivers.
  • Tithing to the ELCA through the Pacifica Synod—$6,000
    • Yes, tithing is part of our culture.

We will create task forces to oversee these efforts and make sure the congregation is involved in the planning. If you want to be part of one of these task forces, please talk to Olivia Castro.

As of publication, we have raised $9,000 for the mission part of the 125th anniversary celebration. We narrowed the focus and are now concentrating on raising funds. If you would like to contribute, we ask that you do the following:

  • Write a check and mail it in or give as your offering. Please designate 125th Anniversary Mission Fund on the description line.
  • Contact Brenda in the church office (808-941-2566 or lch@lchwelome.org) to start initiate a monthly EFT donation to the 125th Anniversary Mission Fund through Simply Giving or to add a new donation to your current contributions via Simply Giving
  • Go to the LCH website and click the Donate link. From the pulldown menu and click on 125th Anniversary Mission Fund.

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Fastenau, Olivia Castro, or Dan Dennison.