A Farewell
In June 2025, De Ark Haarlem celebrated its 10th anniversary with both joy and sorrow. Joy and gratitude for the ten wonderful years of warm community, friendships, and celebrating life together. At the same time, there was also sad news. Shortly before the celebration, it became clear that the new building in Bloemendaal, despite all the effort and goodwill, could not proceed. This was a great disappointment, as so much had been invested in making it happen. As a result, it was decided to gradually wind down and conclude the activities of De Ark Haarlem in its current form. A painful decision.
Over the past months, members who had been on life’s journey together for many years shared farewells. This affected everyone deeply.
In this time arose words from an unexpected source of wisdom: The ant from the well-known Dutch story collection of Toon Tellegen!
“We will miss you, but we will not forget you.”
And that is true.
“Everything we have experienced together, the memories we have shared, we carry with us on our further journey. They remain part of us.”
New Beginnings
Today, inspired by their experiences, relationships, and values as a L’Arche community over the past ten years, some members are working to co-create a new chapter. They hope to continue living, working, and celebrating together.
Visit the De Ark Haarlem website to learn more about their new initiatives:
- The housing association ‘de nieuwe ark’
- The garden ‘Tuinderij Bloemendaalse Weelde’
Light for everyone
On December 22, De Ark Haarlem commemorated this time of transition with an exchange of memories and sharing of thoughts and feelings. Using the metaphor of the biblical story of the ark, they envisioned stepping off into what is not yet known. Some onto quay, others into the next boat, while light from an Easter candle shown bright for the journey ahead.
Regional Day
This winter, the Dutch-speaking communities also gathered for their Regional Day. During this time, cards, letters, videos, and mail from L’Arche communities around the world arrived in the mailboxes of L’Arche in Antwerp, Bruges, Gent, Gouda, and Haarlem. Members from De Ark Haarlem received a package of seed cards representing the ability to continue to spread the beauty of the L’Arche experience. Together in celebration, 180 members blew forward the envisioned seed fluff of De Ark Haarlem – for forward with care and promise!
A Legacy of Gifts
In December, core members and assistants from De Ark in Flanders, Netherlands traveled to Haarlem. They visited the Pelletier home, the Tuinderij and the Workshop. Here, Bertha from the workshop shared her knowledge of garden herbs for recipes and tea “from seed to bag.”
“As long as you don’t forget, nothing is lost.”
Bertha, De Ark Haarlem
If there is one feeling that has characterized the past ten years, it is gratitude and trust. The community is grateful for the goodness experienced and confident that they will carry that goodness forward, into the journey ahead.
