I was looking for something else on-line and came across Redemption Lutheran Church, my growing-up…read moreyears parish. We lived on Ripley and Large Streets, one long block away from the church, and which was the center of our lives back then. My parents (Ruth & Bill Merz) started attending in 1941 (in the annex before the current sanctuary was built in 1951), and I (Ruth D. Merz) started attending in 1945. From Sunday School classes in 1947 to leaving for a Lutheran college (Wittenberg University) in 1963, the foundation of our faith and religious lives were taught and secured by the Pastor (The Rev. Albert Shumaker), our parents and family, and all the elders and members of the Parish. My two younger sisters Barbara (in PA) and Linda (in AL) were also influenced the same way I was.
Our lives outside of school (Rhawnhurst/Wilson/N.E.) revolved primarily around the church and we were there for weekly Sunday services (sitting in "our" pew of course), weekly Sunday School, two full years of Confirmation Class, Girl Scouts (Troop 330), Jr. Choir, Luther League, Nursery helper, sports teams, special events and trips, parish dinners, etc. Our Moms served on the Altar Guild and our Dads on the Church Council and both were heavily involved over the years. I remember walking in the silent snow to Christmas eve services in the dark and always getting a new Easter outfit each year, even if we had to wear a coat over it to keep warm. The only negative was that back in those days, girls were not allowed to serve as Acolytes, a coveted position we would die for, and which only the boys were allowed to do.
Looking at the photos today of the buildings on-line showed the still same absolutely beautiful and simple sanctuary where many were baptized, confirmed, married, and brought to the Lord, and so little has changed at all. While I am now 77 years old and have lived in Hawaii for the past 43 years, Redemption will always hold a special spot in my heart. Carrying on with those early teachings, I have attend St. Peter's Episcopal Church here in Honolulu since 1980 immersing myself in all the activities of that church. But now, I also get to wonder what happened to all those folks we grew up with and loved so long ago. Thanks be to God for His many blessings.
Me ke aloha pumehana, Ruth D. Merz, Honolulu, Hawaii
