The Hope Memorial and participation and dedication day will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at the Joplin Family Worship Center, 5290 E. 7th St. The event marks the completion of a work of art fabricated from pieces of the destroyed Salvation Army Thrift Store that was located on Main Street in Joplin in the path of the May 22 tornado.
The event will include a time of encouragement and inspiration, participation and dedication, and prayer, says Lowell Lane, community liaison/operations Joplin Family Worship Center Disaster Relief and Resource Center. "People will be encouraged to remember, but to look aheadto grieve, but to have hope. Over 1000 people are expected to attend."
SALVATION ARMY THRIFT STORE POST TORNADO
A group of Kansas City artists and creatives forming a creative arts organization called "set apart" came to Joplin a few days after the tornado to offer disaster relief in a unique way. Twenty set apartists, including several former and current Hallmark artists decided to create a 7 ft. x 14 ft. redeeming piece of art out of the debris and wreckage the tornado left behind. Calling it The Hope Memorial, they gathered wood, metal and other types of materials from the ruins of the Salvation Army Thrift Store to create an artwork featuring the Joplin skyline at daybreak with a proclamation of "Hope" across the morning sky and the city motto--"Proud of our Past - Shaping Our Future." It also quotes Jeremiah 29-11: "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope." Assisting them with the project were The Salvation Army officials in Kansas City, St. Louis and Joplin.
Even after practical needs have been met, there will be times when nothing else can sustain people but hope. We want to give them a permanent and visible reminder of that hope, says Brent Morris, executive director, artist, and founder of "set apart."
At the event, attendees will be invited to become contributing artists by leaving their mark on the Memorial and by contributing a written hope or prayer that will be encased in special transparent compartments built into the piece. Prior to the event, set apart is collecting written hopes and prayers for Joplin that also will be incorporated. They have received over 500 prayers from 36 U.S. states, 15 different countries and four continents.
"set apart" is a non-profit, creative arts organization that believes each person has been set apart for a specific purpose that is to be realized during their lifetime. They believe that these personal missions are not just to be used for individual benefit, but for the benefit of many. It helps artists and creative individuals pursue and use their creative abilities, and align their creative passions with opportunities to serve.
For more photos of the tornado-stricken Salvation Army Thrift Store go here. To leave a written hope or prayer for Joplin go to the Facebook page, "The Hope Memorial/Participation and Dedication Day or send a message by e-mail here.
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