From the mid-nineteenth century until well into the twentieth century, Aalten had a number of church youth associations. Below are extracts from several newspaper articles about the Reformed Girls’ Association ‘Lydia’. Further information about this and other church youth associations is welcome.
25th anniversary
De Graafschapper, 7 February 1930 (Delpher):
Among the many organisations celebrating anniversaries in our day is the Girls’ Association ‘Lydia’. Yesterday, 6 February, marked 25 years since it held its first meeting in the Westerkerk under the leadership of Rev. Schouten. It had 16 members at the time, a number that has risen and fallen over the years. Youth associations naturally have a changing membership. Most members attend for only four to six years, so the total is always subject to fluctuations. This association too has followed that natural course.
Its first step along the road was a modest one, but the blessing it has brought to many women and girls should not be underestimated. Its work began in 1905 with Bible discussions on the Acts of the Apostles, while papers were also presented on sacred history. Messrs Verlaan and Gussinklo Sr later spoke on various subjects.
In those days the task of youth associations had not yet been defined as clearly as it is today; there was no programme drawn up by capable leaders, and so their activities were not yet as well developed. In this association too, however, we saw gradual progress. Around 1916 the members began studying the catechism; later, with a better understanding of their task, this developed into the study of doctrine. In 1921 the association placed itself under church supervision, and in 1922 it joined the Dutch Federation of Girls’ Associations on Reformed Principles. This last step was of great importance to the organisation celebrating its anniversary. From then on, work proceeded along clearly established lines. The programme was expanded to include social subjects, education, missions and church history, all of which naturally contributed greatly to the members’ development.
In the photograph reproduced here we see the committee and members of the association. It now has 30 members and has the privilege of celebrating its anniversary this evening under the leadership of its founder. We warmly congratulate the association on this happy occasion and hope that it will continue to be a rich blessing to many in the future.
Golden jubilee
Dagblad Tubantia, 26 February 1955 (Delpher):
Yesterday evening the fiftieth anniversary of the Reformed girls’ association ‘Lydia’ was celebrated in the Patrimonium Building. It was the first Reformed girls’ association to be founded in Aalten, as emerged from the report presented by the two secretaries; the association had by then been divided into two sections. The historical review was necessarily brief, partly because little information from the earliest years could still be found. It showed that establishing a girls’ association in Aalten had not initially been easy. It was still something new.
The anniversary evening was opened by the president, Miss A. Wevers, with a Bible reading and prayer. It was attended by representatives of several other Aalten youth associations, a fairly large number of supporters and many former members.
Miss B. Wassink gave an introduction on Ruth, followed by a tableau in seven parts, also on Ruth. The rest of the evening included an address by Rev. J. van Wijngaarden on the importance of a girl’s personal development and the need to study the Bible and the principles it contains. A choir sang several songs and a number of short sketches were performed. Mrs Wikkerink-Eppink, who had attended the association forty years earlier, recalled memories of that period, after which Rev. J. van Wijngaarden closed the gathering with a prayer of thanks.
