Immanuel Lutheran Writers Guild was founded by Elaine Turansky in February of 2005. The original members were Alva Hall, Karin Holldorf, Kevin Ipock, Viola Kentos, Eva LaBrozzi, Anita Paerg, Lillian Tesoriero and Adelaide Weidknecht.
Our first goal was to learn how to write our own life histories (journals, memoirs, biographies . . . you get the picture). Each week there were several handouts with tips and hints, and a writing assignment for the next session. We each read what we had written the week before and get feedback from the other members of the group. The stories evoked tears, laughter, and a deeper understanding of one another.
In the Spring of that year we compiled a little book that included at least one selection from each of our “authors,” and called it “Doing It Write! Book One.” We sold the books at church, using the income to cover our publishing costs.
Our former pastor of 37 years, Paul Weidknecht, Jr., passed away in August of 2005. He had played a formative part in all of our lives, and we used our writing skills to put together a memorial booklet of his life. We contacted parishioners, family and friends, and asked them to share any stories with us. This publication was titled “A Celebration of the Life of The Reverend Paul Weidknecht, Jr.” Copies were given to the Weidknecht family and those attending the memorial service.
2006 was an important year for Immanuel Lutheran! It was the 80th anniversary of the church’s founding. We decided to put together a historical account of those 80 years, and contacted current and former church members and previous pastors. The book includes many pictures, and wonderful memories. It was given to the Synod, local libraries, and the Lakewood Historical Society.
Researching the book, we read through tons of old church council minutes and found that in the early days these were written in German. A little later they were written in both German and English, and then just in English.
Pastor August Greve officiated at a Service of Thanksgiving for the arrival of the Graf Zeppelin in Lakehurst on Sunday, October 21, 1928. We learned that Immanuel played an important support role when the Hindenburg exploded in Lakehurst on May 6, 1937. Since many of our members were from Germany, Immanuel was contacted to provide translators for the survivors. Mary Ann Kerns joined the group, and we branched out from the historical perspective. Christmas of 2007 was coming and we decided to write a book of children’s stories that we could give to our grandchildren. We called it “Treasured Stories for Children,” and this, too, was made available for church members and nursery school parents.
Our next project, still in the works, is a mystery: The Sandcastle Mysteries; Murder at the Jersey Shore. We are in process of submitting our manuscript to various publishers. We’ll keep you posted as to our progress! In 2009 our work made the front page of the Asbury Park Press! Following this exposure, we had calls from several people interested in writing, and founded a second writing group.
We will post some of our writings here and change them from time to time, so please keep coming back to see what’s new!
Have a blessed day.
