On April 23, Edwin Barentsen received a royal decoration from the hands of Mayor Tjapko Poppens for his years of dedication to the Amstelveen and especially the Bovenkerk community.
Edwin Barentsen has been dedicated to St. Mary's Amstelland Parish since the 1990s. He was a lector, participated in prayer and ecumenical celebrations, handled communications and much more. In his speech, the mayor called Barentsen the linchpin and flying keeper in the merger of Holy Spirit Parish and St. Urban Parish with all that was involved. The mayor also dwelt on the important role Barentsen played in rebuilding St. Urbanus Church after the 2018 fire, especially in the area of fundraising and sponsorship.
In addition, Barentsen has been an active volunteer at Bovenkerk Foundation for many years, working to promote the well-being of area residents and encouraging encounters between residents with a variety of activities, such as the "Warm Room" and the "Colorful Living Café. A Parkinson's diagnosis in 2014 was no reason for Barentsen to step back. He became a driving force behind the Parkinson's Association Netherlands and, as part of that, set up the research project, the COPIED study, resulting in the book 'Ommetjes door het Parkinsonbrein'. He also educates and launched a dance initiative for people with movement limitations.
Mayor Poppens described Barentsen as an outstanding organizer and coordinator and a man with a social heart as big as the Urbanus Church itself.
Edwin Barentsen was appointed Member in the Order of Orange-Nassau.