Chairman Pride Amsterdam in Pride service Old Church

Pride church service about daring, letting go and choosing

In her sermon, Suzanne van de Laar is inspired by Lot's wife, who turns into a pillar of salt during her flight from Sodom when she looks back despite all the prohibitions. Van de Laar translates this Bible story into her personal history, where in her view continuous looking backwards is an obstacle to development and progress.

The Pride church service in the magisterial Oude Kerk on July 21 starts at 11 a.m. (admission with your gift). Afterwards there will be coffee and something tasty and the opportunity to chat with Suzanne van de Laar. The pastor this morning is pastor Klaas Touwen, the organist is Christiaan Winter and the occasional choir is led by Herman Mussche. The church service will be broadcast live via the OudekerkCommunity website.

Suzanne van de Laar  

Van de Laar (1976), also a photographer in daily life and a councilor for D66 in Almere, believes it is important to eliminate prejudices. Daring to be yourself, being able to let go and choosing the unknown is a guiding principle in her life.

In Almere, van de Laar was the basis for the first trans path in the world in which the city in Flevoland wants to visibly contribute to emancipation, safety and social acceptance of the LGBTI+ community. Van de Laar is also committed to removing leather from the taboo atmosphere, and in 2019 she received the title Miss Leather Netherlands.

Renovation in the oldest church building in Amsterdam

In the oldest church building in Amsterdam, the guest sermon by a prominent guest is part of the usual Bible readings and liturgy that are scheduled for that Sunday. Guest preachers process their own experiences and vision regarding Bible texts. The preacher always follows the schedule of Bible readings. With this series of guest preachers, the Oudekerk community wants to investigate the relevance of Bible texts in a new way. The series is part of a multi-year program in which (new) visitors to church services can (re)discover their shared cultural and spiritual source.

Old church community

The church community is part of the Protestant Church Amsterdam. The Oude Kerk dates from the 14th century and is the oldest church building in Amsterdam. The Oudekerk community is an open and active church, in the middle of the so-called red light district. The church has been open to people of all shapes and sizes, smells and colors for many years.