A tribute to Helen by Hennie Johnston

Today, Helen’s Birthday, I look back to the words our friend Hennie spoke at her funeral:

I first met Helen, Peter, Esther and Jo when they moved up to Coventry from Bristol, and made their home here at Holy Trinity, when I was the curate. I can remember one of the first things that struck me, as a family, was their incredible love for Jesus, and how that love impacted their public and personal lives. Of course very soon after they arrived we were to learn about their involvement with Servants, their time living & working out in Cambodia, and Helen’s continuing work in the UK Servants role, as well as her involvement abroad. It didn’t take long for me to realise Helen’s own servant heart, and her passion and compassion for the poor and oppressed. What broke Jesus’ heart, broke hers.

And together with her heart for the poor, came her gift of welcome and Christ-like hospitality to all. What do I mean by that? I mean the house was always open — no tidying and hoovering before anyone was allowed in — a home that says, ‘find us as we are, and we will welcome you just as you are’. So you never knew who would be staying — a student, missionary friend, someone who needed accommodation, friends, family, and even four legged friends. I can remember Helen welcoming my little puppy Chanty into her home to stay when I went away, because she really didn’t mind if she dug up the garden, left dog hairs on the sofa, or a puddle on the kitchen floor. In fact I am certain Chanty had a word with Helen and persuaded her it would be good to get their own dogs, which of course they did.

We used to have some good walks and talks together, and when I moved on to my next parish in Dorridge, Helen continued to come over with the dogs, and our friendship continued. Friends & family were so important to Helen — and she had this amazing gift to make, and keep, friends from right across the world. Not only a friend to many, but as we all know, a wonderful wife and mother as well. Her love for people was expressed in so many different ways — and nothing was too much for her. She constantly walked the extra mile for others — such a generous spirit. And when we give out, so we need to receive, for we do get tired, worn out, and burned out on religion.

Jesus said, ‘Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly’.

I know these verses spoke very powerfully to Helen while she was taking time out with God on the Silent Retreat — and it is so often in the silence that He draws so very close to us — and we do recover our lives. Together with these verses of scripture, was a picture of Simon of Cyrene carrying the cross-piece with Jesus which had a huge impact on Helen. It is by a German artist called Sieger Koder, who is also a RC priest, and whose art God has used to speak very deeply into my life. So I was bowled over when Peter sent this picture accompanying this reading. It is a picture of Simon and Jesus yoked together, needing one another, walking and working together.

I will always remember Helen as someone who walked and worked with Jesus, reaching out to the poor and broken hearted — a humble servant of God; someone who definitely lived lightly and freely, loving a good laugh as well as a good cry; a woman who loved to rest with God, and with her devoted family, and friends. And my prayer is that she is now dancing with God and experiencing the unforced rhythms of grace, free, healed and at peace — Shalom.