The Dutch organization VALK is specialized in therapy for people who have a fear of flying. It is scientifically known that fear of flying is related to other types of fear or post-traumatic stress disorder and more. Recently, the airport chaplains and volunteers have listened to a lecture given by Drs. Kelly Pex, director and health psychologist with VALK.Continue reading “Stichting VALK staat bekend om het bieden van therapie aan mensen met vliegangst”
Category Archives: Activities
Airport Chaplaincy Schiphol on it’s way to fifty-years anniversary in 2025
The Meditation Centre at Schiphol Airport has moved several times to different locations. Chaplains also, they came and the left over time. However chaplaincy care has never stopped since its flagrant beginning in April 1975. Father Jan Duin was the first priest who set foot on the airport floors and took care of passengers and families in crisis. In the same year the first prayer centre of Schiphol was opened for travellers and staff.Continue reading “Luchthavenpastoraat op weg naar 50-jarig jubileum in 2025”
Value your volunteers!
The Meditation Centre at Schiphol cannot function without its volunteers. Every year in May the board and the chaplains offer them a day away from the hastiness of the airport to relax and enjoy themselves. On May 15th, a sunny Amsterdam welcomed 30 participants – among them partners and other invitees.Continue reading “Waardeer je vrijwilligers!”
General Secretary of Protestant Church of The Netherlands visits the Airport Chaplaincy
Sunday May 5th, General Secretary of the PCN (Dutch: PKN) visited the Airport Chaplaincy. He was joined by Mrs. Hilde van Koppen, secretary of the Board of the General Synod and they both brought their spouses. They attended the Sunday Service in the Meditation Centre. Many passengers and visitors participated in the liturgy and after the service a vibrant exchange started between everyone, travelers, guests, chaplains, volunteers and board members.Continue reading “Bezoek scriba PKN aan Luchthavenpastoraat”
Christmas Eve near the Meditation Centre, behind security
For the ones who are travelling through Schiphol Airport on Christmas Eve, do not miss the opportunity to get a touch of Christmas in a short celebration in Lounge 2. This service can only be attended by checked-in passengers, passengers in transit or staff who are on duty on Christmas Eve. A selection of Christmas carols will be sung, we will read the Nativity story and a short Christmas message will be given by one of the chaplains.Continue reading “Kerstavondviering in het Meditation Centre, achter de security”
IACAC Conference in St. Louis, Missouri
‘You’re helping people to get home,’ the bus driver summarizes on his way to the conference venue. This is the work done by airport chaplains day after day. Being able to find the colleague of another airport helps, so bereaved passengers will again be assisted upon their arrival. During the last week of October, Airport chaplains from many different airports came together for their yearly conference in St. Louis.Continue reading “IACAC Conferentie St. Louis, Missouri”
A visit to the Airport Chaplaincy at Schiphol
On Saturday September 30th, a delegation of the Protestant church of Halfweg-Zwanenburg visited the Airport Chaplaincy at Schiphol. Three volunteers and one of the chaplains welcomed fifteen church committee members for an information session and a visit to the Meditation Centre behind security.Continue reading “Bezoek Protestantse gemeente Halfweg-Zwanenburg aan het Luchthavenpastoraat”
Harp music on Pentecost Sunday
This Sunday, 28th of May, the chaplaincy happily welcomes harpist Aimée van Delden in the Meditation Centre of Schiphol. In the beginning of 2023, one of the chaplains met her at a regional meeting and the plan for a combined church service was born. Harp music will attribute warmth and purity to the serenity of the Meditation Centre and will be enjoyable even more on a festive day like Pentecost.Continue reading “Harpiste Aimée van Delden musiceert op 28 mei”
Church services during the Holy Week in the Meditation Centre
The airport chaplains offer several church services during the Holy Week for checked-in passengers and airport staff in the Meditation Centre in Lounge 2, 2nd floor. On April 6th (Maundy Thursday) a celebration of the Holy Eucharist will take place at 11.00 hours.Continue reading “Paasvieringen in het Meditation Centre”
The Airport Chaplaincy organised a New Year’s Concert in the airport
On January 11th, the Airport Chaplaincy welcomed the year 2023 with a short church service, a speech by the president of the chaplaincy foundation Flip Poort and a special miniconcert. The concert was given by professional musicians in Lounge 2. It was a true highlight of the New Year’s reception.Continue reading “Luchthavenpastoraat organiseert Nieuwjaarsconcert”