On Sunday 7 July, Aylesford Priory hosted “A Day of Celebration”, an event to celebrate creative people who experience disability, with a theme of “Be a prophet – Go tell everyone,” organized by The Kairos Forum.

A group from our diocese travelled together to Aylesford, picking up members of the diocesan group, Hand in Hand in Brighton and Crawley, as well as the L’Arche Bognor Community Choir and Ukulele Band in Bognor Regis. The plan was to be at Aylesford Priory, near Maidstone in Kent, by 11.30am. There was some concern about whether they would make it!

Hand in Hand is a group of people with and without learning disabilities. It was founded in the early 1990s by Julia Fitzsimons, who was the first inclusion officer for the Diocese, and it was based in Bexhill- on-Sea. The group was formed to meet regularly, to spend time together praying, exploring and deepening faith; expressing and sharing their faith with others; leading others in prayer, especially using mime symbols and movement; and just enjoying each other’s company. Over the years, the group expanded to include another group meeting in the north of Sussex. Julia Harvey became Director of the group, and helped to develop the use of mime and dance to enhance worship.

L’Arche is an international organization with people with learning disabilities living in community; L’Arche Bognor has five houses. “L’Arche” means “The Ark”, a place of sanctuary. It has been in Bognor for nearly 50 years.

Together, the pilgrims to Aylesford prayed on the bus, the Brighton group leading the Rosary on the first leg of the journey, and arrived at 11.40. Coach leader, Anne Ward, reports that

“It took a while to get us all off the coach along with our belongings and musical equipment, but the start was delayed by just a few minutes and Hand in Hand were in place to lead the opening drama, supported by L’Arche. Hand in Hand performed an extract from the Cantata, “Hosanna”, which they have performed in Arundel & Brighton, and up in Warwick with the Hand in Hand group there. It tells the story of Holy Week. Jesus, played by Hannah, entered Jerusalem on a donkey and invited all to come to the table and be invited to share in the body and blood of Jesus through bread and wine.”

“After lunch with tea and cakes provided, there were workshops in art; Books Beyond Words; praying the rosary; and telling the story of the Carmelite nun Edith Stein, who suffered execution as a German Jew in Auschwitz. L’Arche’s choir entertained, singing and playing songs popular on both sides of the pond, including Simon and Garfunkel, John Denver and Rod Stewart.

“At 4pm, Mass was celebrated by Bishop Paul Hendrix, timed beautifully to coincide with torrential rain and thunder! Hand in Hand dramatized the Gospel and L’Arche members George and Tristan sang the psalm and led us in the Gospel Acclamation, based on the song ‘Green Grow the Rushes O,’ a favourite song of Tristan. We all sang and signed and in spite of the rain had a joyful celebration of Mass. The music was led by St Martha’s choir from Bexhill-on-Sea. After Mass, we ran through the rain and thunder to load the bus and head for home, arriving in Bognor in glorious sunshine, the rain a distant memory. A good time was had by all!”

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Could you be a part of Hand in Hand? Could you enable people to attend meetings by driving them, or by leading a meeting in your parish?

Contact Margaret Fraher, the Diocesan Inclusion Adviser for more information about where and when the group meets.

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Image sources: Aylesford Priory; L'Arche