Following the murder of Sir David Amess last year Love Southend held a time of prayer on Zoom for his family, friends and the, then, Borough. Helen Yousaf was commissioned to capture artistically some of the themes emerging from the prayer. Leigh Road Baptist Church made their Living Room community space (on the same road as Sir David’s constituency office) available for Helen to start the work. Helen actively engaged those who attended in creating three pieces of artwork which she completed later.
As a mark of thanks for their help in making this art work possible, a piece entitled ‘Suffering and Glory’ was presented to Jane Brookes (Pictured), Facilities Manager of Leigh Road Baptist Church on the 6 October.
The accompanying wording reads:
Suffering and Glory
Sir David Amess MP was murdered during a regular constituency surgery
At Belfairs Methodist Church on the 15th October 2021.
Two days later these inspiring words were released by his family:
‘Strong and courageous is an appropriate way to describe David.
He was a patriot and a man of peace. So, we ask people to set aside their
differences and show kindness and love to all. This is the only way forward.
Set aside hatred and work towards togetherness’.
Love Southend commissioned artist Helen Yousaf to paint what had been
expressed in a time of prayer for Sir David’s family and Southend.
In a collaborative artistic exercise held in this space the people attending participated
in a colourful abstract, imagining the possibilities of light overcoming darkness.
As she worked on the picture Helen was reminded of Romans 8:18-19.
‘I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing
with the glory that will be revealed in us.
For the creation waits in eager expectation
for the children of God to be revealed.’
In the coming weeks it is planned to donate the other two pieces of art to different groups impacted by Sir David’s death.
