On Saturday 27 June, the sun had other ideas about how gently our 25th anniversary celebration should go, but nothing, not even the heat, could dampen the day. Old friends spotted each other across the room and picked up conversations years in the making. Prayer cards with thanks and hope were handed out to guests and ended up doing double duty as fans. And as the service of thanksgiving began, twenty-five years of A Rocha UK’s story, the nature reserves, the churches, the partners, the people, filled the space all at once.
It’s the kind of day that’s hard to sum up in a paragraph, so we thought we’d let you hear it in the words of those who were there.
“What a lovely event this was… so glad we were able to join you all at that magnificent venue.” — Elaine and Simon Brown
For Rachel Simonson, it was simply a pleasure and a privilege to attend. Vicky Smiley put it best, perhaps: despite the heat, it was
“a very uplifting, positive event which I thoroughly enjoyed.” — Vicky Smiley
For Pamela and Ian Gamble, the day was a chance to reconnect with people met in years gone by, in all the different places A Rocha UK’s work has taken them:
“The day was so encouraging, and we enjoyed it so much.” — Pamela and Ian Gamble
And Asha Newsum, reflecting on where we go from here, found real substance alongside the celebration, calling the strategy presentation informative and helpful on “a joyful and engaging day.” — Asha Newsum
Twenty-five years ago, A Rocha UK set out to equip Christians to protect and restore the environment, for God, nature and all people. Saturday was a reminder of just how many hands that mission has passed through since, and how many more it will need next. Thank you to everyone who travelled, who sang, who prayed, who fanned themselves with prayer cards in the summer heat, and who reminded us again why this community is worth celebrating.
