Polish Confirmations

LCiGB
Jul 22, 2024
4 min read

Polish Confirmations

In 1988, several Polish congregations in the north of England left the jurisdiction of the Polish Lutheran Church Abroad (PLCA) and joined the LCiGB. The PLCA had been established after the Second World War to provide a structure for fellowship between Polish-speaking Lutheran congregations scattered throughout the world. In 1990, this organisation ceased to exist after Poland returned to democracy. In 1997, they were joined by all the other Polish-speaking parishes in UK and the congregations came together in the “Association of Polish Lutheran Congregations in Great Britain” which, until 2019, received some financial help from the (Lutheran) Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland.

On the 5^th May 2024, the first Polish Lutheran confirmation in several decades took place in Edinburgh.

Lutheran services for Poles were resumed in 2007 in Edinburgh. After the Second World War, there had been two Polish Lutheran congregations, in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Unfortunately, these ceased to exist at some point in the past.

On the 5^th May 2024, the first Polish Lutheran confirmation in several decades took place in Edinburgh. Bishop Walter (who came all the way from Leeds with Pastor Krystyna!) conducted the confirmation and presided at the Eucharist with the help of Pastor Arkadiusz who also preached the sermon. It was a wonderful occasion during which Oliwia Chmiel wore a traditional Polish outfit. Polish Lutherans (and indeed some English-speaking Lutherans) are spread all over Scotland. The distances and winding, narrow roads mean that Pastor Arkadiusz sees some of his congregation members only very rarely. Parishioners live as far away in Scotland as Nairn and Oban, and some people came from as far away as Silesia.

Pastor Arkadiusz mentioned that: “Most Lutherans attend the Church of Scotland or the Free Church of Scotland during the year. I hold services by appointment (I ask people what date suits them, as there is no point holding services if someone cannot come). Services are held in East Kilbride near Glasgow at St Columba’s Lutheran Church or in Edinburgh at Laudate House, a German-speaking congregation.”

After the confirmation service there was a meal in a restaurant.

Pastor Arkadiusz hands a Bible to the confirmand. Photo by Kalina Kilanowska.

On the 26^th May, the LCiGB’s London Congregation (Christ the King) also held a confirmation service at which Bishop Paulina presided. Dean Laura Haupt preached on 1 Timothy 6.11-16 on the theme of how the Holy Spirit equips us to “fight the good fight of faith” as disciples of Jesus Christ. This was also a very joyous occasion.

Bishop Paulina adds: “The service was held on Polish Mother’s Day, 26^th May, at the German Christ Church, 18 Montpelier Place, South Kensington SW7 1HJ, where the Polish Congregation – Christ the King – worships.”

Nikola Emilia Sikora from Maidstone was confirmed with the assistance of Dean Laura, and leadership of Bishop Paulina. Rev Robert Kozak arranged and led the music for this occasion, and Rev Rebecca was present and had an opportunity to chat with our students and invite them to get to know the International Lutheran Students Chaplaincy. It was a beautiful day full of great music and emotions, attended by the local congregation and supported by Nikola’s Family and Friends from Poland (Goleszów) and her neighbours in the UK. The chairperson of the Congregation Monika Kroliczek spoke on behalf of the congregation and presented different gifts together with Bible and books. A wonderful homemade feast was prepared by Nikola’s parents and grandparents. It was indeed a blessed occasion not only for Nikola and her beloved, but for the whole church!

1 Timothy 6.11-16

“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time – God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might forever. Amen.”