Staff

The Rev. Jane Gould Rector

The Rev. Jane Soyster Gould has been Rector of St. Luke’s / San Lucas since 2017. As our congregation seeks to build beloved community, she has the opportunity to use all the skills she has developed in 36 years of church and community leadership. Prior to coming to St. Luke’s / San Lucas, Rev. Gould led two Massachusetts Mill City parishes and coordinated the Technology & Culture Forum at MIT, as well as serving MIT as Episcopal Chaplain. She represented the Diocese of Massachusetts six times as a Deputy to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Community engagement is central to Rev. Gould’s ministry with more than 30 years involvement in faith-based organizing including serving on local, state, and national boards in the Faith in Action Network. She has also been Board President for a 128-unit elder housing building and an $80,000,000 community health center. Rev. Gould is a graduate of Stanford University, and a Kellogg Foundation National Leadership Fello

The Rev. Dr. Antonio Gallardo Rector Emergent

I was born and raised in Venezuela, the youngest of seven children, in a middle-class working family. Prior to pursuing Holy Orders, I was an executive in the corporate, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors. There, I led efforts that served more than one million children and families addressing issues of health, education, and access to family-sustaining jobs. In the Episcopal Church I have worked with faith communities, with the Diocese and with the Church at large in making reality the Church that Jesus envisioned for us. I bring to St. Luke’s all of what I have learned through my extensive education (five degrees, including a Ph.D.), by living in different countries, and in interacting with people from more than 170 countries. I also bring the openness to growth with you and to be challenged. I love music and travelling, and I enjoy time with my two pups (Giselle and Milo). I believe in a God that is all love and compassion, and I strive to be open to that connection every single day.

Yo nací y crecí en Venezuela, el menor de siete hermanos, en una familia trabajadora de clase media. Antes de considerar las Órdenes Sagradas, fui ejecutivo en los sectores corporativo, sin fines de lucro y filantrópico. Allí, dirigí esfuerzos que sirvieron a más de un millón de niños y familias que abordan temas de salud, educación y acceso a empleos que sustenten a la familia. En la Iglesia Episcopal he trabajado con comunidades de fe, con la Diócesis y con la Iglesia en general para hacer realidad la Iglesia que Jesús imaginó para nosotros. Yo traigo a San Lucas todo lo que he aprendido a través de mi extensa educación (cinco títulos, incluyendo un doctorado), viviendo en diferentes países, e interactuando con personas de más de 170 países. También traigo la apertura para crecer con ustedes y a ser desafiado. Me encanta la música y viajar, y disfruto del tiempo con mis dos mascotas (Giselle y Milo). Creo en un Dios que es todo amor y compasión, y me esfuerzo por estar abierto a esa conexión todos los días.

The Rev. Dean Farrar
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.

The Rev. Peter Huang Assisting Clergy

Peter Huang was born in Taiwan to Taiwanese and Japanese parents and grew up in Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and the United States. He has a co-vocational call as a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice in Pasadena, CA, as well as a priest in the Diocese of Los Angeles. Nurturing the multiple aspects of one's identity to reflect the image of God in oneself and others is at the heart of his vocations. In our Diocese, Peter serves as the Missioner for Asian American Ministries and as one of the leaders of The Gathering, a Diocesan ministry for Asian Pacific American Spirituality. He is a graduate of MIT, Fuller Seminary, and Bloy House. He enjoys cycling, watching Sumo, binge-watching Asian dramas, traveling to Asia and lives in Pasadena with his wife, Christine.

The Rev. Beryl Nyre-Thomas 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.

The Rev. Steve Alder 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.

Lamia Mazegue Operations Manager

Originally from San Diego, California, Lamia Mazegue is a classically trained operatic mezzo-soprano. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from California State University, Long Beach and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Music Industry Administration from California State University, Northridge. As a classically trained operatic mezzo-soprano, Lamia has had the opportunity to perform scene roles of Dorabella (Cosí fan tutte), Suzuki (Madame Butterfly), Carmen (Carmen), and stage roles of Lady #2 and Spirit #2 (Die Zauberflöte) with the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music.

Lamia has also performed in the choruses of Carmen with San Diego Opera and Tosca with Vineyard Touring Opera. She has participated in young artists programs with San Diego Opera and Lyric Opera San Diego and is a member of the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and the Pi Kappa Lamba Music Society. She currently performs with the Pacific Chorale and Symphony Orchestra and the Long Beach Camerata Singers and Long Beach Symphony. She is in her 7th year at St. Luke's/San Lucas!

Hektor Rivas 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!

Sean Long Bookkeeper

My name is Sean Long. I have been working in accounting and finance field for more than 22 years for non-profit organization (12 years +) and private companies (10 years+). I have lived in Long Beach for around 16-17 years so far. I am a proud father of three girls: Quinn (age 20), 2nd year student at California State University-Long Beach. She is also working part time as a Youth Educator for the Women’s Shelter of Long Beach; Victoria (age 16), 11th grade student at Poly High School. A straight A student. She is taking an internship at Grace Church-LB and also, working as an accounting assistant (paid internship) at April Parker Foundation during this summer break; and Alina (age 14), 9th grade student at Poly High School. Also, a straight A student.

Darita Seth Music Director

My name is Darita Seth (he/him), and I am honored and delighted to step into the role as your next Director of Music. I am a Cambodian-American choral conductor, singer, composer and keyboardist born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. I proudly come from a family of musicians who all currently gig, and was where I began my musical journey. I hold a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Capital University. Before that, I attended the internationally renowned Interlochen Arts Academy for composition and voice.

Currently, I am earning a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting at CSU Long Beach’s Bob Cole Conservatory of Music. Prior to moving to Long Beach, I lived nearly a decade in the Bay Area where I toured as a professional singer with the Grammy-Award-winning ensemble, Chanticleer. During my time with Chanticleer, I discovered that I very much enjoy building community and championing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. This led me to spending five years as Director of Music at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Danville, where I played organ & piano, directed three choirs, and ran the concert series that often involved volunteer parishioners, area schools, and members of the community. I enjoy honoring the rich Anglican choral tradition of the Episcopal denomination, and am very comfortable with contemporary music of all styles. I am looking forward to building a spirit-filled singing community at St. Luke’s and am grateful for the pioneers that have began the already amazing story of the music here at this amazing parish.

Victor Vento 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.