A moving Anne Frank memorial service held by the Three Counties Liberal Community offered a timely message of hope and unity for these troubled times.

3CLJC, representing congregations from Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire, were joined by civic leaders, interfaith representatives, and families from across the region to reflect on the young diarist’s legacy.

Central to the service was Rabbi Anna Gerrard’s compelling and empathetic sermon. She stressed the importance of avoiding what she called: “the luxury of despair and hopelessness in the face of a world torn apart by division with war raging on three continents, and the mounting horror of daily news of famine, hardship, and grief for the suffering of Israelis and Palestinians.”

Rabbi Anna added: “Our action needs to be to keep hope alive as resistance against these horrors, just as Anne Frank managed to do during the darkest days of World War Two.”

A memorable musical performance from the Monmouth Preparatory School choir enhanced the service with their singing of “Hava NaShira,” Jacob Collier’s “Little Blue,” and “The Song Makers”.

The High Sheriff of Herefordshire Helen Bowden praised the event: “The sermon was very moving and very thoughtful, and it was lovely to understand more about your faith. I do hope by the time you come around for the next service for Anne Frank we’ll have a more stable world and more reason for hope.”

Leaders from the Herefordshire Inter-Faith Group joined a large contingent of parents and children in marking an occasion that was both solemn and uplifting.