Ellen van Houten Retires After 16 Years as Elderly Pastor in Alkmaar

Ellen van Houten, a longtime pastor for the Doopsgezinde Gemeente (DG) in Alkmaar, ended her 16‑year tenure on 1 May. In her farewell, she reflected on how music has helped her find calm and silence, citing pieces such as the opening theme from Schindler’s List and the Erbarme Dich from the Matthäus‑Passion, as well as 1960s‑70s pop and folk songs. She also described her personal musical background, including guitar, piano lessons, and trombone, and how she used music to connect with the elderly members of her congregation, especially those with dementia.

Van Houten highlighted the role of musical gatherings, known as “Kringen,” in the care centre Aelsmeer, where familiar songs revive memories for residents. Her retirement marks the end of a career that combined pastoral care with the therapeutic power of music for older adults.