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The Rev. Dean Farrar dean90815@gmail.com
Assisting Clergy Dean Farrar, born in San Diego, is a fourth generation Californian. He graduated from U.C. San Diego in 1971 and directly began to attend the Episcopal Theological School (later named Episcopal Divinity School) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, graduating with his M.Div. in 1975. He was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Los Angeles in February 1976 and has served as assistant at St. George’s, Laguna Hills (3 years), Vicar at St. Thomas’s, Hacienda Heights (13 years), Rector of St. Francis’, Palos Verdes Estates (14 years). He retired from full-time parish ministry in 2006 and has been attending St. Luke’s ever since. He has spent many happy weeks backpacking in the wilderness, car camping, kayaking in the Gulf of California, and exploring the mountains and beaches of Hawai‘i. He is fascinated by languages, having studied Spanish, Latin, German, Italian, Greek, and Mandarin Chinese. At St. Luke’s he volunteers with the Shower Program, has helped teach the English as a Second Language Class, and serves as an usher. |
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The Rev. Beryl Nyre-Thomas reverendberyl@gmail.com
Assisting Clergy Born and brought up in England, Beryl began her life in the theatre as actress and dancer. She worked extensively in Europe and in the Middle East. She then went to Mexico where she taught English at the Anglo Mexican Institute in Mexico City. On coming to the United States in 1970 she taught Modeling and English as a Second Language through Cal State, Long Beach. She enrolled at Cal State Long Beach gaining a BA in Comparative Literature and an MA in Comparative Literature and Religious Studies. It was while attending St.Luke’s that she felt strongly called to the Priesthood and the Bishop encouraged her to attend Bloy House at the Claremont School of Theology. where she earned an MA in Theology. She was ordained in 1986 and has served at several parishes in this Diocese of Los Angeles. On retiring she was delighted to serve as Assistant Priest at St. Luke’s. |
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The Rev. Steve Alder steven.t.alder@gmail.com
Deacon Steve was born in Albuquerque, NM into an Air Force family. He has lived in Japan, Utah and Maryland, moving to his parents’ hometown, Los Angeles, to complete his college degree in 1977. After living in Long Beach for several years, Steve and his husband Richard moved to Salt Lake City in 1998 where Steve was ordained to the (permanent) diaconate in June 2006. On their return to Long Beach, he was assigned to serve at St. Luke’s in January 2014 by the Rt. Rev. J. John Bruno, Bishop of Los Angeles. His particular interests include serving with the Shower Program, convening the Peace and Social Justice Ministry, and urban gardening with the specific goal of growing fresh, organic produce for the Manna Meals Program. |
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Lamia Mazegue office@stlukeslb.org
Parish Administrator Lamia joined St. Luke's in February 2015. Originally from San Diego, California, she moved to Long Beach to attend Cal State University, Long Beach and received a degree in Music, with an emphasis in Vocal Performance and Opera. Having a passion for both music and performing, Lamia has had the opportunity to work with companies like San Diego Opera, Vineyard Touring Opera, and the Bob Cole Conservatory. Her first experience with St. Luke’s was getting the chance to sit in on several services with the choir, which she enjoyed very much. Lamia is currently a member of the Long Beach Camerata Singers and the Pacific Chorale in Orange County, as well as frequently sings with other church choirs in the Los Angeles area. |
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Hektor Rivas hrivas@stlukeslb.org
Sexton / Maintenance Manager Hektor Rivas was born and raised in Mexico. He came to the United States in 1986 as an undocumented worker (sorry Mr. Trump!). His intention was to work for a year in the States, make some money and go back to Mexico to continue his education as a Civil Engineer. That didn't happen...yet! His first job was at "Jacuzzi Inc.' in Irvine, CA making spas. He became an American Citizen in 1998, where many St. Luke's parishioners attended his ceremony. Hektor started working at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in 1992. This is his 27th year with St. Luke's! |
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Nancy Blunt finance@stlukeslb.org
Bookkeeper Nancy has worked at St Luke’s as a bookkeeper since April 2014. She was born and raised in Costa Rica. There, she worked as a brand manager for a food distribution company (PANAL) where she successfully introduced and focused on product placement in numerous supermarket chains. She also negotiated with grocery store administrators and category managers to implement marketing promotions at different points of sale, increasing sales of the products distributed by PANAL. Nancy also organized promotional events for the brand and was responsible for the creation of the brand’s marketing budget. In 1999, Nancy left PANAL and came to California with the sole purpose of developing her English language skill set while acquiring a unique cultural perspective. Since then, Nancy has dedicated herself to work in the accounting field, serving also as a bookkeeper for other non-profits. Nancy holds a Bachelors in Business Administration with emphasis in Hotel Administration from ULACIT (Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología) San Jose Costa Rica (1996) and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from ULACIT (Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología) San Jose, Costa Rica (1999). |
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Dr. Gukhui Han ghmusic@stlukeslb.org
Music Director & Organist Hello, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church family! I am very thrilled and honored to be your Music Director and Organist. Thank you so much for the warm welcome. I already feel so much love in the community, and I can’t wait to learn more about all of you. I am originally from Seoul, South Korea and I moved to the States in 2006. I studied English in Des Moines, Iowa. It was a great place to learn English and such a beautiful place to be. In 2007, I moved to Cincinnati, OH to complete my Master’s degree at University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and then came to California to pursue a Doctoral Degree at University of Southern California. Following my graduation in 2014, I have served as a collaborative pianist and a vocal coach at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music (BCCM) at California State University, Long Beach where I collaborate on numerous projects with our fabulous music faculty and students. I am a well-rounded musician, having studied piano, conducting, and music education. I started singing at a catholic church when I was 12 years old and I served as a pianist and an organist at several Presbyterian and Methodist churches. One of my favorite experiences was working at Amelia United Methodist Church in Amelia, OH where my faith grew a great deal. Since then my love of church music has inspired me to build my skills as a pianist and a conductor and to share this joy with people. Through my experience working as a pianist, an organist and an assistant director at many churches, I have built a personal appreciation for the church’s diligence and discipline as well as a respect for its deep roots in and connection to the community. I consistently try to implement the church’s values into my own teaching and life, and I have been looking for an opportunity to bring the love of Christ to the community through a church music program. I am very excited to be able to do so at St. Luke’s! If you want to know more about my professional bio, you can find me at Bob Cole Conservatory of Music website. You can also find the performance calendar if you are interested to come to our concerts. There are many that I am in as well! (wink wink) Now, Let the florid music praise! |
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Victor Vento victorvento@victorvento.com
Musica en Español Born in Lima, Peru, Victor began playing guitar at a very young age. Growing up, Victor participated in many school festivals. He recorded his first professional LP at the young age of 15, which was followed by many more musical productions. Today, he has produced several records. The most recent titled, “Amazonas” with Latin American folklore, “Unidos por la Fe” with religious themes and finally “Para ti”, an extraordinary production of Creole music. Victor has his own recording studio where he produces his recordings and teaches guitar. With more than 30 years of experience and being the musical director of PERU VISION, Victor Vento continues bringing joy to the Peruvian community with his numerous performances accompanied by important figures of the Peruvian music world. |
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