Bognor charity celebrates three decades

The event at the celebrations of 30 years of L'Arche working in the town with people who have learning disabilities involved some 200 people.

Community leader Chris Bemrose explained: "Building a community involves an enormous number of people. We felt it's a bit like making a large loaf of bread.

"Just as a loaf of bread requires flour, raisins, yeast and water, we need the support of families, friends, churches and social services '“ all mixed up by people with learning disabilities who bring us together."

The mime took place during a thanksgiving service which began the celebrations at the Bognor campus of the University of Chichester last Saturday.

They focused on the story of Zacchaeus, the name of the first L'Arche house in Bognor in 1978. Tjeerd Vonk, the leader of the house, stated: "Zacchaeus house was so named by one of the first members of the community, following the Bible story of the short man who climbed up a tree to see Jesus.

"Jesus saw him up the tree and invited him to supper. Ever since, Zacchaeus house has sought to be a place of welcome where we hope to find a sense of Jesus' presence with us."

Following lunch, those present were able to enjoy a variety of activities. They included dancing, singing, reminiscences, circus skills, It's A Knockout and arts and crafts.

A large birthday cake, made by members of the L'Arche community, was enjoyed after tea. Those who took part in the celebrations included community members and their families, local church members and representatives of other organisations concerned with people with learning disabilities.

L'Arche began in Bognor when Sister Marcella Rose opened a new house in Servite Close.

With the support of Servite Housing Association, she invited five people with learning disabilities and a similar number of students and other helpers to create a community where people could share their lives together.

The Bognor community has grown to its current size of three houses '“ two in Hawthorn Road and the Servite Close property '“ along with a workshop in Aldwick Road and a gardening project.

It has 16 residents and ten people who work in the garden and workshop weekly. They are looked after by 26 staff and many volunteers. The assistants come from ten countries to reflect L'Arche's international scope.

Bognor was the fifth L'Arche community to be established in Britain. L'Arche, or the ark in French, began in France in 1964 and now has 120 communities in 30 countries.

They are faith communities with mutual relationships between assistants and people with learning disabilities and where everyone is celebrated.

n A recent thanksgiving service for L'Arche at St Wilfrid's Church in Bognor summed up the community's religious links.

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MAP The service was led by the Anglican church's vicar, the Rev Andrew Wadsworth, with the Roman Catholic Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, Kieran Conry, giving the address and Bognor Baptist minister Graham Banks leading the prayers.

L'Arche has many plans for the future. A current fundraising target is 100,000 for a community room and there are plans for a living house for members.

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