We also hope you’ll join us on Sunday, January 23 in Minnetonka and/or on Saturday, January 30 in Minneapolis where we’ll celebrate Maria’s ministry with a blessing during worship. We’ll share photos, stories, and a whole lot of gratitude! Reception to follow Minneapolis campus worship.

Memories and Well-Wishes for Maria…

A major reason we joined Bethlehem and, despite living quite far away, have stayed with Bethlehem is the music in the service, especially Maria’s work with the organ. Her performance is uplifting and makes the experience special. Especially grateful for Maria’s sensitive role in the planning of and conduct of the funerals that have marked our family’s experience. With deep gratitude, we wish Maria well and the benefit of God’s blessings.

Joel Kvamme

Congratulations on your retirement, Maria. I just want to add my sincere gratitude and appreciation for all that you have given to make Bethlehem such a fond connection for our family. Music is such a powerful art form and your gift as music director and organist has amplified its power tenfold. Who hasn’t felt chills upon hearing the Easter morning entrance march? Thank you.

On a personal note, I will always appreciate the time you gave to our Jonathan to encourage his creative spirit with music. If you remember, he composed a small piece for the organ with your help which he performed during a youth program at Bethlehem. I believe it inspired him immeasurably as he developed his musicianship. I know that somewhere he’s got packed away an organ key you gave him.

I also want to let you know how much I enjoyed our time together in designing the Music Series brochures. Each year you challenged me with your stirring ideas and plans for the season. Every year was a gem packed with such incredible talent. You were always so open to my ideas which gave me the rare opportunity to flex my artistic abilities.

I wish you many wonderful days ahead—each filled with delight and new discoveries. You deserve it! I love you, sweet lady. God bless.

Kristi Kuder

We’ve appreciated you so much, Maria! Your leadership in worship, your skill, your connections to the area’s excellent musicians to mention but a few of the blessings you brought to us. Tom certainly enjoyed conversations with you regarding the Basilica’s organ and organists. We shall miss you and wish you all the best and God’s blessings.

Janice and Tom Hoffer

For your decades of service to Bethlehem — Thank You!

You played for our wedding at Bethlehem on August 1, 1981. We were new to the church and didn’t know you at the time, but our processional–Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”–was magnificent then, and your playing has remained so to this day. As less-than-accomplished students of the piano, we stand in awe of your skill and dedication to both piano and organ.

We wish you much joy in the next chapter of your life.

Carole and Bob Peterson

Many thanks for the years of great music and enjoyment for your skills on the organ and piano. You have enriched the lives of so many members and friends of Bethlehem and we assume you will continue your involvement with the music program that you created and have directed each year.

Paul + Ruth Hauge

Wow. What a gift you have given the Bethlehem community all these years. In so many ways, not just through your music. How does one adequately convey just how grateful they are for your faithful service of so many years? I fear there are no words that would do justice. Meister Eckhart is known for saying, “If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.” So, in that spirit, THANK YOU, Maria. May our paths cross in other ways in the future.

Diane Fleming

Thank you, thank you, Dear Maria!

Little did I know that “The Stars” were aligned to bring us together with a fun “musical friendship” when Maria and I first encountered each other as young teens (I, not the younger) at Mrs. Astroth’s, our St. Paul piano teacher. I walked to my lesson, but Maria was from MINNEAPOLIS! Times I’d be waiting for my lesson, her father and Mrs. Astroth would be in deep discussion re: Maria’s Progress, while she and I sat across from each other in silence…me, petrified as usual. That was when I came to learn that piano was “serious business,” and I better “get with The Program.” LOL

It wasn’t until twenty years later that I encountered Maria again, when daughter Katie was in 7th grade, accompanying the (Famous ; ) Southwest High Choir. Here was Maria, alternating with her on piano! Aha!, I thought this must mean Katie should take organ lessons from Maria. She was accepted, and thus continued my life of mentorship from Maria to this day, for which I am so grateful.

Wishing you much joy and many blessings as you continue with Music in your life, Maria!

Sally Thorstenson Nelsen

Best wishes on your retirement Maria! You have impacted thousands over the years with your music. What a legacy. For us personally, it was through worship services.

And through streaming, we became even more in awe of what you do. Many thanks!

Linda and Mike Korman

Thank you for sharing your gifts with us for so many years – and for helping Mark and select our wedding music over 20 years ago! We wish you all the best in your next chapter!

Chris, Mark, Phoebe & Henry Loth

Well – wishes and thanks to you Maria from the Deskin’s! You were one of those pillars in our family life of faith and love for 45 years. And a dear friend. Blessings on you in your future activities and relations. You’ll always be considered a dear friend to the Deskin’s!

Beryl Deskin

Congratulations Maria on your retirement! You have blessed countless people with your gifts! Your music has been so meaningful to your family. Playing at weddings, including mine and John’s. Playing at John’s funeral. Memories that will stay with us forever. We love you!!

Enjoy your next chapter as you continue to share your talent.

Lynn Bucka

Dear Maria,

We heard that you are retiring the end of January and wanted to add our thank you for the wonderful music you provided for us on our wedding, way back in 1985.  We wanted you to know that your graceful talent has stayed with us through the years and has given us a joy that can’t be put into words, and your music has always been in our hearts.

I was fortunate to be married to Michael Adams at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on November 23, 1985, and I walked into church on my wonderful father’s arm, in complete awe of the majestic sounds coming from your special magic.  The music you gave us has stayed with me every day since.  I remember meeting you and of course had my own thoughts of what would be beautiful (you know when you have a conventional background in music with piano lessons and of course playing in the High School MARCHING band, no less, you believe you know what you want).  I learned that day that you had a graceful and direct intuition of what we SHOULD want and you, of course, were so so right.  You “strongly” suggested Epithalame (something I was not familiar with) but you were very influential and right.  SO RIGHT!  It is a powerful piece and makes one inwardly cry as you enter the church, that now something special is about to happen and for us 36 years later I still remember that moment when you played for us.  Thank you and God bless you for your blessings to us and to your church.

We now live in Florida, where we have had opportunities to listen and watch you play the magnificent organ from the service streaming.  (Mike always comments, “Look she plays ALL 3 keyboards”).  Bethlehem is fortunate to have enjoyed your gift to the church and congregation you have served all these years.  We only wanted to thank you for the gift you gave us in 1985.

God Bless,

Mike and Elaine Adams