Golden Confirmation Reunion

Confirmands from 1961 celebrate 50 years in Toender

Ulla Hansen was confirmed on Sunday 26 March 1961. Fifty years later, on Sunday 27 March 2011, she met 27 of the 60 candidates confirmed on that day for a Golden Confirmation Reunion in  Toender Christ Church in South Jutland.

 

The confirmation reunion custom is particularly strong in South Jutland and North Schleswig, where German confirmands also meet on both sides of the border for a golden jubilee. Interestingly, there is no silver jubilee, so all the participants are well into their 60s before they are contacted by their church 6 months or so before the day of celebration. Some of the confirmands have of course passed away, others are unable to attend, but for those who haven’t seen one another in 50 years there’s a lot of catching up to do.

 

The day began with joyous reunions outside the church, followed by a procession into the the Sunday service. Pastor Kirsten Elizabeth Christensen welcomed them back to the church where as young boys and girls they had said the confession together as their confirmation rite of passage. As each name was read out, the golden celebrants stood up to receive the acclamation of the church.

 

Ulla Hansen remembers the best present she got that day – her first wristwatch – and that she had to kiss her godmother by way of a thank you. Later the watch got her into trouble, when her class were sitting an exam in total silence. At one point the invigilator demanded to know whose watch was ticking so loudly. Unfortunately it proved to be Ulla’s, so she was taken outside by the teacher and given a slap.

 

At their confirmation all confirmands in Denmark receive a specific biblical passage or hymn-lines from their pastor to guide them through life. Ulla Hansen remembers Pastor Morten Zeuthen’s words back in 1961 from a well-known hymn: “While still on earth I wander, // grant I may child-like ponder // all things with simple, pure regard!” These words have stood her in good stead for 50 years, but now along with all the other golden celebrants she has a new guideline from Pastor Kirsten Elizabeth: “Blessed are those who hear God’s word and keep it.” (Luke 11,28b) .

 

The reunion continued with a lunch at nearby Torvet Restaurant, where the boys recalled in particular the corporal punishment they had been subjected to in those far-off days. After an afternoon of reminiscing the company parted with promises to meet again in 10 years time for a Diamond Reunion.

 

Photo: Ulla Hansen in her white confirmation dress…

 

 

…and Toender Christ Church (photo: Erik Brodersen)

 

By: Edward Broadbridge

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