Pastor Westphal leaves Werschenrege: A farewell with heart and faith

Pastor Westphal leaves Werschenrege: A farewell with heart and faith

On October 5, 2023, Pastor Holger Westphal was farewelled by his congregation during a thanksgiving service at Heumanns Hof in Stendorf. After almost 23 years in the Werschenreger congregation “Zum Heiligen Kreuz”, the 55-year-old is saying goodbye to his work as a pastor due to health challenges, especially due to Long Covid. He could no longer carry out the varied tasks, which range from the 40 to 50 funerals every year to baptisms and weddings.

Westphal, who spent his childhood in Lesum and attended school there, successfully completed his theology studies in various cities, including Wuppertal, Marburg and Göttingen. He started his career with a vicariate in the Reconciliation Community in Sebaldsbrück and “Our Dear Women”. Since January 1, 2003, he has led the Werschenreger community, which has over 2,100 members and is part of St. Martini Lesum. Westphal was valued in the community for his mix of tradition and modernity as well as for his commitment to supporting people at key points in life.

A pastor with idiosyncrasies and commitment

Particular highlights of his time were the village community festival he organized and numerous wonderful shared experiences, such as the gifts from volunteers. Among these was a wooden bench and a silver wedding heart, which underlines the great support of volunteer work in the community. The purchase of a new organ and the financing of events with celebrities also took place during his term of office.

But as wonderful as the experiences were, the corona pandemic posed a huge challenge for Westphal and his congregation. Many hygiene concepts had to be implemented, which was particularly stressful because the pastor himself was unable to hold a service for over two years and was on sick leave for more than a year.

The look into the future

Westphal is not taking early retirement, but will take on a new, health-related position in the Bremen Evangelical Church (BEK). The exact task is still unclear, but he can imagine numerous possibilities within the BEK. He emphasizes the importance of overcoming boundaries between parishes and intensifying cooperation. In Bremen, the independence of the communities is often an obstacle to cooperation.

With a special look at the Werschenreger community, which was founded in 1965/66 and has developed its own identity, Westphal sees the need to adapt offerings in order to keep the gospel alive. During his absence, this community received great support through voluntary support, which gave him a lot of peace during the difficult phase.

Finally, it will be exciting to see what new paths Pastor Westphal will take within the BEK. The BLV reports on his moving farewell and the last years as a pastor, during the Weser courier provides a deeper insight into his experiences and the challenges that have shaped his ministry. We wish Pastor Westphal all the best on his new path and hope that he finds the strength to continue living his passion for faith and people.