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After two and a half years in the Paulus parish, he is beginning a new role as a school chaplain
Pastor Thomas Beder is leaving the St. Paul's parish in Darmstadt to become the new school chaplain at the Georg Büchner School. He will be officially bid farewell by Dean Dr. Raimund Wirth during a service at St. Paul's Church on Sunday, July 6th, at 5 p.m.
New task with old roots
“Change brings new opportunities,” says Thomas Beder about his move. He himself once attended the Georg Büchner School. Now he returns there – not as a student, but as the school chaplain. Last year he already led a graduation service there and will in the future teach Protestant religious education in grades five through twelve.
Looking back on my time in the Paulus parish
Beder had been the pastor of St. Paul's Church since the beginning of 2022. Prior to that, he had served the Swedish Church for seven years and before that, he had been a parish priest in Alsbach for 15 years. He found a large and stable congregation at St. Paul's. He particularly valued the discussions following the services – including critical feedback.
He enjoyed trying out new formats: from participatory church services and bilingual liturgies to the highly liturgical German Mass. Music was also important to him, for example at the service commemorating the 500th anniversary of the hymnal.
Openness to new things – even outside the church
Beder was committed to lowering barriers – be it through an easily accessible approach to conversation on a park bench or an additional communion table set up in the nave. He also advocated for a more child-friendly St. Paul's Church and the opening of the outdoor area.
Furthermore, he was chairman of the church council and actively promoted cooperation with neighboring parishes in the region. His goal: a merger into a single parish by 2027.
Looking ahead
He is now looking forward to "being able to share in the creativity and openness of young people." The new role is a welcome challenge, especially teaching in the upper grades. He can also imagine leading school services on other occasions, such as the memorial day on January 27th or Valentine's Day. The faculty and the religion department have given him a warm welcome.
Featured image: Photos (Copyright photos: Christa Daum)
