14 Nov 2015 NZFT War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION | 14 November 2015 | Issue 6630 | $1.50

SALVATION ARMY MEETS NEED IN NEPAL

FIREZONE

Get Your

Op Shop Swagger On

WHITE RIBBON DAY: SAY ‘NO’ TO VIOLENCE RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS LEAD2GROW CONFERENCE BUY ‘JUST GIFTS’ THIS CHRISTMAS NEW CHRISTMAS SERIES BY BARBARA SAMPSON

02 WarCry 14 November 2015

Kia ora Don’t be surprised!

WAR CRY

The Salvation Army Te Ope Whakaora New Zealand, Fiji & Tonga Territory FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL André Cox TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Robert Donaldson The Salvation Army’s message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by love for God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in his name without discrimination.

War Cry exists to support and advance The Salvation Army’s message, ministry and mission.

EDITOR

Major Christina Tyson GRAPHIC DESIGN

Lauren Millington, Amber Wilkinson STAFF WRITERS

Ingrid Barratt, Robin Raymond, Vanessa Singh CONTRIBUTORS

Kris Singh (music reviewer) PROOF READING

Major Jill Gainsford COVER

Photography: Petr Janousek OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141 Phone (04) 384 5649 Fax (04) 382 0716 Email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org www.salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Resources Department Phone (04) 382 0768 Email mailorder@nzf.salvationarmy.org $75 per year within NZ PRINT MANAGEMENT MakeReady | www.makeready.co.nz

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All Bible references from the Holy Bible, New International Version, unless otherwise stated.

Articles are copyrighted to The Salvation Army, except where indicated, and may be reprinted only with permission.

Publishing for 132 years

ISSN 0043-0242, Issue 6630

This is an early shout-out that the Christian season of Advent begins soon—on Sunday the 29th of November.

Rather than having Advent sneak up and find us unprepared, I’d like to encourage our readers to plan ahead to find spiritual meaning over the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Plan now to fight against the prevailing Christmas culture of busyness so that you can more experience the grace of God in this special time of the year. Plan now to allow sufficient margin in your calendar and bank account that you are not too busy or too stressed to hear what God would like to say to your heart.

In this edition, Major Barbara Sampson—a self-confessed Christmas Grinch—sets the scene for us in the first of a threepart series. For those who already feel exhausted by even the thought of Christmas or who are worried it’s a season they can’t afford, I’d like to prescribe Barbara’s excellent series as an antidote. Rather than rail against the commercialism and trappings of Christmas, it’s possible to re-engage with its deeper meaning. To remind ourselves of what is central to Christmas —and what are its optional and even superfluous trappings.

Barbara reminds us that even if there are elements of Christmas we want to say ‘no’ to, there’s still plenty we can still say yes to. I love her reminder, for instance, that we can say yes to ‘the One who has taken on our fragility, our frailties, our failings. One who walks through the forest of our fears and frenzies, bringing healing, wholeness, restoration.’

As we prepare ourselves to say ‘yes’ to Christmas this year, we are reminded that this season is when God said ‘yes’ to us.

To a world troubled by sin, hardship and disappointments, God sent his son as the light-giving and hope-filled solution. Given this, I suppose that when we think about ‘Advent’, we could even think about the word as shorthand for ‘advantageous’. Already I’m feeling more positive and grateful!

Christina Tyson Editor

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BIBLE VERSE Lamentations 3:23 Contemporary English Version

‘The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning.’

Ngā Tangi 3:23

‘E hou tonu ana rātou i tēnei ata, i tēnei ata; he nui tōu pono.’

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God’s mercy is so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water, or deprive the sun of its light, or make space too narrow, than diminish the great mercy of God. Charles Spurgeon

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Let’s Talk | 03

BY INGRID BARRATT

A

woman came to seek help after being completely blinded.

In a violent relationship for 20 years, the woman’s partner punched her eye out, blinding her in one eye. But that wasn’t the end of it. Another partner punched out her other eye, rendering her completely blind.

Raewyn Bhana, Manager of Whānau Ora Community Clinic, knows the stories all too well. They were able to get this woman out of her abusive relationship, but Raewyn knows that this is just the beginning. ‘If a woman and her children go into a refuge, they are leaving behind everything they have known. For them, the nightmare has sometimes just begun,’ she explains. ‘If they’ve been very controlled for a long time, making decisions about what to wear or what to eat, are really difficult. They are having to re-discover their whole identity.’

If this seems all too grim, it is. But there are glimmers of hope. Several years ago, I attended a sexual violence seminar, where the woman speaking said a major problem was that men didn’t want to speak up against their mates, fearing they would be seen as ‘unmanly’ or even—unbelievably—‘gay’. She claimed that men, not women, needed to take up the cause. It seemed like a far-off and somewhat hopeless ideal.

But on 25 November we mark White Ribbon Day. It’s a campaign where men are being tasked with speaking to other men about ending family violence—in all its physical, emotional and verbal forms. In 2009, rugby league player Ruben Wiki became the first White Ribbon ambassador, using his public profile to spread the message that ‘you can stop domestic violence’.

This year, over 70 influential men have stood up to be White Ribbon Ambassadors. George Ngatai, director of Whānau Ora, is one of them. ‘I wanted to be able to speak to men, especially Māori men, about how they treat their women—their wives, sisters and daughters—and how best to deal with issues, without using any forms of violence.’

George was the youngest of eight children, and grew up in a loving household where violence was not tolerated. Even so, two of his brothers joined gangs as young men. ‘When my brothers had their own children, my parents told them that they either had to leave their gang lifestyle, or they would never raise their own children. My parents were willing to take their grandchildren themselves, rather than expose them to violence.’

George says he was never tempted to follow his brothers down that road because his parents instilled in him the importance of education. ‘They said if they could give me one gift, it would be education and a job.’

It was also their deep faith in God, which underpinned all their values. ‘Both my parents said to me, “Look, if you want to have a good life, God is the way to go,” ’ reflects George. ‘If it wasn’t for God I don’t know where I’d be.’ As a White Ribbon Ambassador, George wants to pass on the values he grew up with to men who may not have had such positive role models.

This White Ribbon Day, may we be so bold as to declare that no woman should ever be blinded by domestic violence again. And may our men not be blind to their actions, but be brave in speaking up and changing our nation.

04 WarCry 14 November 2015

Bookshelf Leadership Creativity, Inc Ed Catmull Rumour has it Bill Hybels of US mega church Willow Creek gives this book to every new staff member. It has some heavyweight credentials, written by Ed Catmull, president of Pixar and Disney Animation.

Catmull was a pioneering computer scientist who forged a partnership with director George Lucas, and founded Pixar Animation with Steve Jobs and John Lasseter. Nine years later, Toy Story was released. His book is part autobiography and part motivational. It is not so much about creativity, as it is about leading your organisation in a way that unleashes creativity. Visionary, ingenious and relatable in equal measure.

(Random House)

Playlist

Memoir Live, Love, Lead Brian Houston It’s almost impossible not to have some pre-conceived ideas about Hillsong and its worldwide leader Brian Houston—whether you see it as a megachurch, a proponent of ‘prosperity gospel’, or the most important worship movement of our time. At first glance, all those clichés are evidenced in these memoirs. But it’s at second glance that you are met with (perhaps) surprising depth and humility.

His story always comes back to reflections of faith, from ‘life in the faith lane’ to the ‘desperate days’, when his father was exposed as a paedophile. Ultimately, a genuine account of a man whose faith has shaped him. (HarperCollins)

Fiction/Church Right Color Wrong Culture Bryan Loritts This ‘fable’ tells the story of six church leaders seeking ethnic diversity within their churches. One of the protagonists, Peter, is on a quest to help churches become more multi-cultural. In real life, Loritts is a church pastor and founder of the Kainos Movement, focused on multi-ethnic ministries or churches. Loritts addresses voluntary segregation—when we choose to worship in churches dominated by one ethnicity—and moves us toward the truly Christian vision of an inclusive and vibrant multi-cultural church community.

A vital issue for our times, and well worth engaging with. (Moody Publishers)

Reel News

Pop/Rock Another Country Rod Stewart Another Country is the 29th studio album by British singer-songwriter Rod Stewart. Recorded and produced at the singer’s home, the album evokes nostalgia toward his earlier work and reflects a lot of the ‘common man’ ethic through its lyrical themes. It does tend to verge on cheesy in places, particularly tracks like ‘Walking in the Sunshine’, though Stewart’s trademark rasp contrasts well. Consistency is lacking in places, especially the reggae influenced ‘Love and Be Loved’. A bit of a mixed bag for new listeners, but fans will find plenty to like here.

Country/Pop Storyteller Carrie Underwood Carrie Underwood’s 5th studio album carries a few more rock influences than in her previous work, reflected in the more edgy vocal performance that firmly drive this record. ‘Renegade Runaway’ opens slow but hits hard, and Underwood’s voice is as commanding as ever. Her country influences poke out in tracks like ‘Heartbeat’ and the juxtaposition against the heavier tracks works well. This album is fairly formulaic, but what it lacks in musical variation it gains in consistency.

Tightly produced, with plenty to like if you’re a fan of the genre.

GIVEAWAY To win our review copy of Live, Love, Lead, tell us what inspires you in life.

War Cry Giveaway, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wgtn 6141 or email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org. Entries close 30 Nov. Exhausted to Energised winner: M Robbie

Thriller/Historical Drama Bridge of Spies Steven Spielberg / M (Violence, language) In 1957, at the height of the Cold War, insurance lawyer James Donovan was thrust onto the international stage as the US government’s pick for the job no one wanted, defending Russian spy Rudolf Abel. The job turned him into a figure of hate as he fought to give Abel a fair defence and save him from the electric chair.

Three years later, US spy plane pilot Francis Gary Powers was shot down over Russia and Donovan was dragged back into Cold War action, sent to East Berlin to negotiate swapping Abel for Powers in a dizzying cloak and dagger spy world.

In Bridge of Spies director Steven Spielberg and writers Joel and Ethan Cohen have mainly stuck to the facts, to produce a powerful true story as Donovan goes off-plan to also try and save an American university student accidentally trapped behind the Berlin Wall.

There are great acting turns all over the place but Mark Rylance is particularly superb as Abel. And Tom Hanks gives a strong performance portraying ‘regular guy’ Donovan’s unbending determination to do the right thing, alone and under intense pressure.

Spielberg has made an art of history films (Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, Lincoln) and this is the same. It’s beautifully shot, the tiny details in sets and costumes are just right, and despite being long and slow-burning it keeps a gripping tension without needing to blow things up every five minutes.

This doesn’t hit the heights of Spielberg’s best movies, but this is still an excellent film about the great things one man achieved by doing the right thing, no matter the cost.

Feature | 05

MEETING NEED IN

NEPAL

‘One of their phrases was, “Thank you for coming to our country and feeling our pain.” ’ More than a month on from his time in Nepal responding to April’s devastating earthquake with The Salvation Army’s International Emergency Services (IES) team, the memories are still raw for Captain Ralph Hargest and Major David Bennett.

By Robin Raymond

06 | WarCry 14 November 2015

R

alph is one of three Salvation Army officers from New Zealand who were part of IES team that responded after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on 25 April, along with Major David Bennett and Captain Perry Bray.

The team’s work included delivery of food to more than 11,000 families, distributing 1000 tents, helping 300 families build rudimentary homes and looking after eight camps for displaced people. They also gave out 4000 quilts for winter, provided hygiene packs and school supplies and built septic-tanks and toilets, but Ralph and David say it was the people of Nepal who captured their hearts.

David travelled to Nepal in June, spending 11 weeks with the IES team managing logistics for the distribution of food and tents and representing the Army at some meetings with other NGOs to coordinate their work. Ralph was deployed in July and spent two months overseeing the camps for displaced people that the Army was asked to take over looking after. He also organised assessments and deliveries done by helicopter and helped with distributions.

Ralph underwent international disaster relief training with IES last year and this was his first overseas emergency work. The poverty, stories and gratitude of the people, who did not complain in the face of some appalling situations, was confronting, he says.

‘I wore sunglasses all the time, because there were some situations that brought a tear to your eye. The sunnies were there to keep the sun out sometimes, and at others to hide the emotions.’

It was David’s second overseas mission with IES; he worked with Habitat for Humanity in Samoa following its 2009 earthquake and tsunami. However, Nepal presented a whole new set of challenges including the language barrier, bureaucracy, poor infrastructure, and the heat, intense humidity and rain of the monsoon season. The complete disregard of all road rules and the lax approach some locals took to health and safety also took some getting used to, he says.

‘We had a guy who came to fill up our water tank. He had to fill it with an electric pump. He walked in with his cable and just stuck two bare wires straight into the plug!’

The IES team members slept on mattresses on the floor at a Salvation Army centre in Kathmandu where the Army supports and provides job training to women vulnerable to trafficking. They travelled widely across a country David describes as beautiful and rugged. Nepal is among the 10 poorest countries in the world, but with very resilient people who put a great emphasis on education, he says.

Serving through partnership The nine projects they worked on were decided by a team at Salvation Army International Headquarters, after consulting with staff and other agencies. They partnered with other charities on some projects and worked closely with agencies, including the United Nations, to coordinate work.

Some of their main work was to help villages near the epicentre of the earthquakes, especially providing food and hygiene kits in the early weeks. Visiting the villages was a sobering experience, David says. ‘In most of the villages near the epicentre you wouldn’t see anything standing. Most of the buildings were flattened and the ones that were standing couldn’t be used.’

Each village had to be visited to work out the needs in the area before a distribution could be organised. But because of the language barrier, getting to a village could be confusing, David says.

‘A couple of times I would look up the village on Google Maps

and then go to visit MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) and Fish Tail, who were our helicopter company. I would tell them the village and they’d say, “We can’t find a village with that name on the map.”

They’d look up the coordinates and find they had a different name.’

This also made it hard at times to get information needed for the forms they had to fill out, tracking where every item went.

On an initial visit, a team member would collect information, including how many families were in an area, what the health and hygiene situation was, if there was a school and how many children attended, and what the greatest needs were that the Army could address. Later, they worked with each Village District Council, along with the Nepalese trucking companies they hired and a local supermarket company they bought some food from, to organise the delivery location, date and time.

The huge logistical effort continued for the actual distribution, where people were divided into the wards they came from. An assigned ward leader would call a family member forward to get their supplies and sign or put a fingerprint as a receipt.

For food distributions, each family received 30 kilograms of rice, five kg of dahl, one kg of salt and three litres of cooking oil. In some places, the Army also delivered tarpaulins, hygiene kits and school supplies.

When I met the people they were all downcast, they had no shelter.

Difficult conditions Their largest food distribution was to 3000 families and took 12 large trucks to transport. Others were for anything from 100 to 1500 families, Ralph says. On some trips they had to switch to smaller trucks part way through the journey because of the road conditions. Other villages could only be accessed by helicopter, and in one case they hired a team of mules to transport the supplies.

Travelling on dirt roads in the height of the monsoon season made driving difficult. It took six hours to drive to one village 170 kilometres from Kathmandu, David says. In many places, the rain or earthquakes had caused landslides across the road and the team regularly had to help digging paths and clearing rocks. Their Nepalese truck drivers were essential to the relief effort, working hard and keeping them safe in treacherous situations, David says.

‘One time stands out. We were coming home in the dark. The drivers always wanted to be off the mountain before it was dark, but this time we were late. There were no road markings, it was dark and raining and the windscreen wipers stopped working. We were up in the clouds, so your lights reflect back at you. That wasn’t a pleasant drive back!’

Getting to the villages wasn’t just tough for the IES teams.

Ralph and David were astonished by the efforts of some Nepalese, usually women, who came from more remote villages that could only be accessed by walking. Some would walk up to four hours to a village, load up to 50kg of supplies into a sling on their back held by a strap across their forehead, and set straight off home.

On average, the camps Ralph was overseeing housed 100 families of five to six people each, but some families were blended, with parents who had lost children in the earthquake taking in orphaned children, he says.

The aim of the camp work was to ensure people had adequate food, shelter and sanitation, and get them back to their homes, or help them build semi-permanent corrugated iron and concrete

Feature | 07

shelters. ‘At one of the camps, the people I met were all downcast, they had no shelter. When we’d finished building shelters for them, they threw a party for us. There were people crying when they heard we were going. The emotion was incredible—the gratitude, I have never seen that before.’

such a help because he hadn’t had anyone to talk to. He said, “From now on, we will be brothers forever.” ’ The IES mission will end in the second week of November, but three staff will remain for three years, working with the Army in Nepal on ongoing projects.

It hit me—we’re not just here to tick boxes and give out stuff.

Resilience and gratitude Nepal is a mainly Hindu country; just over one per cent of the country is Christian. The Salvation Army has worked in Nepal since 2010, but is known there as ‘The Salvation Mission’, because there used to be a rebel group in the country that called itself ‘The Salvation Army’. The IES team always carried Red Shields on their trucks and uniforms, and Ralph says they were confused with the rebel group and threatened once.

But both men say the Nepalese were extremely grateful for the Army’s work. Some staff from the trucking and supermarket companies they worked with asked how they could join The Salvation Army in Nepal and other people they met asked to keep in touch via email and Facebook, David says. ‘Whenever we went to make a distribution, there was a ceremony. You’d get silk scarves draped round your neck and get flowers. We got so many scarves!’

For Ralph, a distribution on his second day really brought home what the work was about. ‘We had a team of six and got there before the trucks arrived. Then the trucks and all the people started arriving. There were hundreds, then thousands of people who don’t speak your language. It was mayhem. The first hour [each time] you’d start getting a little desperate. You’d take a deep breath and send up a prayer and something would happen. On this day, a teacher came and said, “I will interpret for you.”

‘Afterwards, through lots of smiling and hand gestures, we were able to talk. He dropped into the conversation that his daughter had died in the earthquake. She was only three. He said it so nonchalantly it caught me off guard. It hit me—we’re not just here to tick boxes and give out stuff.’

Brothers forever Work for the IES team began at sunrise, about 4:30 am, and finished when it got dark or sometimes long into the night, but seeing lives changed kept them energised, Ralph says. ‘It was a real privilege to be able to help people who had lost so much, being able to put a smile on their faces [and] help them get back on their feet.’

People such as a man who helped organise a food distribution and invited Ralph and the other team members for a meal afterwards, sharing his limited provisions from a shack built with wood from his destroyed home.

His voice breaking, Ralph describes the scene as they walked back to their trucks afterwards. ‘We walked past this collapsed stone structure, and three or four minutes later the guy leading us stopped. There was a burnt patch in front of us that he was staring at. That was where he’d burnt the clothes of his six-weekold daughter and his mother. They’d died in the house we’d just walked by. He shared the tradition that he’d burnt their clothes and mourned for 13 days. His wife was badly injured and in hospital in Kathmandu.

‘He’s Hindu; we’re Christian, but none of that mattered,’ Ralph adds. ‘We said to him, “We know a God who knows how to suffer,” and we prayed with him. He was really appreciative and said it was

How did the IES Salvation Army empower the people of Nepal to rebuild?

By providing: •

1000 eight-person tents and 3500 tarpaulins

•

food aid (30 kg Rice, 5 kg dahl, 3 litres oil, 1 kg salt per family, at cost of $28US)

•

kitchen, female hygiene and first-aid kits for families in camps

•

corrugated iron and other building material to fix damaged homes

•

sanitation through water purification systems and building toilet blocks with septic tanks and wash rooms

•

solar panels and solar lamps

•

education packs and water filters to schools and educational toys to children in camps

•

support for house building projects

•

street rubble clearing projects in partnership with local communities

•

women empowerment projects in the form of education and seeding small businesses

•

supporting already established Salvation Army projects to reduce human trafficking in Nepal

•

medical clinics, medicine, hygiene, mental health and first-aid training for people in camps

•

quilts, blankets, ground mats and tarpaulins for families facing winter hardship in camps or areas with severe damage

•

the comfort of a listening ear.

08 | WarCry 14 November 2015

BUDGET

LIFESTYLE

Become a ‘Buy Nothing’ Zombie

Respectful Relationships

A day of buying nothing. It’s about more than putting off your shopping for a day. It’s about slaying the giants that are turning us into consumer zombies. Now that sounds fun!

White Ribbon Day, on 25 November, is promoting ‘non-violent communication’, highlighting that violence is not just physical, but can be verbal and emotional. Managing your anger is a key to respectful relationships.

International Buy Nothing Day, on 27 November, is … well … a day where you commit to buying nothing. Easy peasy. It’s a chance to celebrate the best free things in life, and make a stand against our consumer culture.

The annual day began in North America, to coincide with the postThanksgiving Day sales. Without a hint of irony, this sales day is dubbed ‘Black Friday’, because it sets up shops to make huge profits and get ‘into the black’.

News footage from recent years shows crowds literally stampeding over each other when the shops opened at 5 am. Lines of police form barriers outside, while inside, mobs riot, scream and fight over the products on sale. This year, many major chains have started their sales early to avoid these scenes. But the term ‘Black Friday’ has become eerily apt for what has to be a cultural disaster.

Buy Nothing Day, in contrast, is a simple protest against this extreme consumerism. Despite almost all the major US networks refusing to air Buy Nothing Day promotions, it has grown to over 65 countries—including New Zealand.

Adbusters magazine, promoters of the day, lays down this challenge: ‘In a world where every inch of the capitalist system is bullying you into submission, can you resist? When advertisers hound you day and night, can you escape? When they say “Buy!”, will you say “Nothing!”?’

Events will include ‘credit card cut-ups’ as a free service in shopping malls, and ‘Zombie walks’, where ‘the cheerful dead wander around malls, marvelling at the blank, comatose expressions on the faces of shoppers’.

But there are simpler ways you can slay the giants of consumerism—like a walk to celebrate the free gift of nature, or a trip to the beach (sans the ice cream). So when I say ‘Buy’, you say ‘Nothing’.

Buy Nothing! Buy Nothing!

There are many myths about anger—including that it’s good to let it out, it can’t be controlled, and it’s a way to get respect, says Help Guide, a charity promoting good mental health and wellbeing. ‘While it’s true that suppressing and ignoring anger is unhealthy, venting is no better. In fact, outburst and tirades only fuel the fire and reinforce your anger problem,’ says Help Guide. Here are four tips for managing your anger: Think about what is behind your anger: Explosions of anger can be a cover for feelings of fear, guilt or shame. If you find compromise or different opinions threatening, you could be using anger to ‘get your way’.

Pay attention to thought patterns and physical feelings: Learn the thought patterns that lead to anger, and the physical signs in your body, so you can learn how to calm yourself before your body goes into ‘flight or fight’ overdrive.

Learn ways to cool down: There are physical things you can do to help you cool down—think about how your body feels, as this helps lessen the intensity of emotion. Take some deep breaths from the abdomen. Slowly count to ten. Go for a brisk walk around the block. Massage the areas in your body that are getting tense.

Find healthier ways to express your anger: Give yourself a reality check—is it really worth getting angry about this issue, in the grand scheme? If you decide that, yes, you will get angry then pinpoint what you’re really angry about. If you’re getting heated, take five minutes out.

Approach the issue again once you’re feeling calm.

Finally, it’s okay to be upset at someone, but if you don’t fight fair, the relationship with quickly break down. Make the relationship your priority —having a respectful, loving relationship is more important than winning.

Source: www.helpguide.org

If you get down and quarrel every day, you’re saying prayers to the devil, I say. Bob Marley

Birdseed Bar This sweet bar contains many healthy and flavourful additions—serve whenever a healthy snack is required | Makes 12 slices 1 cup sesame seeds 1 cup sunflower seeds 1 cup chopped roasted peanuts 1 cup coconut, or (fine) rolled oats, or crushed cornflakes 1 cup sultanas 100g butter ¼ cup honey ½ cup brown sugar

Line the base and sides of an 18x28 cm pan with baking paper.

One variety at a time and watching carefully to prevent over-browning, lightly toast the sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, chopped nuts, coconut and rolled oats or crushed cornflakes under a grill or in a large, heavy-bottomed frypan on moderate heat. Stir so contents brown evenly and lightly. Mix together in a large bowl after they are heated and stir in sultanas.

Put butter, honey and brown sugar into large pan and heat gently until sugar dissolves, making a toffee-like mixture.

Heat until a drop forms a soft ball when dropped in cold water, then tip toasted ingredients back into the pan. Stir well to combine, then press mixture into prepared pan.

Leave until lukewarm, then turn out onto a board and, using a sharp serrated knife, cut into bars the size and shape you like.

From 100 Favourite Muffins & Slices by Simon & Alison Holst. Go to www.holst.co.nz

Lifestyle | 09

Q&A Can men and women be friends?

Dear Q&A, after your column about the woman who was in love with her male friend, I wonder, can men and women be ‘just friends’?

It’s easy to romanticise the days when a lingering look across a crowded room almost certainly meant an engagement was imminent.

But the freedom to have platonic friendships with the opposite sex can be very healthy. Having a realistic view of the opposite sex is great training for an intimate relationship.

So, yes, friendship between the sexes brings great balance—and is helpful for when you need your washing machine moved or an excuse to ‘be forced to watch Downton Abbey’.

But how deep the friendship can get is different for everyone. When a friendship becomes close—spending a lot of one-on-one time together, telling personal stories, and even sharing secrets—the boundaries can become muddied. This is when it’s more likely that one person will develop deeper feelings for the other.

While there’s nothing morally wrong with male-female friendships, there is a potential for hurt. If you are starting to feel confused, it’s a sign you’re hitting the ‘danger zone’ of intimacy.

It’s time to take a step back, clarify the situation, and spend some more time with other friends.

If you are married, include your partner in any friendships with the opposite sex. Your partner is now your primary friend and closest source of intimacy, so it’s not wise to develop deep, one-on-one friendships with the opposite sex.

If you’ve got an old friend of the opposite sex, talk to your partner about what they think is appropriate and respect their feelings. Once you’re married, protect your marriage above all other relationships.

Of course, don’t become isolated —if your partner is ‘forbidding’ friendships, controlling, suspicious and jealous for no reason, get some wise advice from trusted friends, your church family or professionals.

Testify Richard Smith was named ‘New Zealand’s most inspiring teacher’ in September.

He shares his journey back to faith.

Salvation Army officers go back three generations in my family, so God featured large in my home life. As an eight-year-old I accepted Jesus as my Saviour, but my early faith was rocky. Although I asked for God’s forgiveness and understood he loved me, I was acutely aware of my own sin and failing and often felt condemned.

As a late teen and young adult, I grew to understand that God’s love for me was unconditional, but by 28 I was disillusioned. I judged churches to be largely devoid of compassion, culturally exclusive and self-serving. But this criticism was self-serving, too—closely related to despondence with my own faith and a desire to pursue my ambitions.

I left the church and my understanding of God was reduced to a few abstract ‘ultimate values’. It was during a holiday in Rarotonga that I became more acutely aware of my spiritual poverty. In a backpacker’s lounge I picked up a book that helped bring Jesus back into focus as the son of God. I found myself really praying for the first time in years.

About two years later I met the love of my life, Kirstie. After our marriage, I began to attend church with her from time to time. Once again, I encountered God as I was reminded of his love for me. I could only respond with wonder and gratitude, asking him to become

my Lord and Saviour. Since then, God has been gently renewing me.

For lack of a better metaphor: new sap, new shoots and new buds in branches long dead.

I’d been dragging around anger and grief for years: a shadow cast by dashed hopes, loss and deteriorating family illness. Earlier this year, I laid it all out before God. In that moment I knew his presence—his love. I stood there dumbfounded, my cheeks wet with tears. I wasn’t hearing voices or convoluted arguments; I simply knew the presence of God and a sense of complete peace.

Reflecting on this, I’ve thought of Jesus’ grieving disciples who gathered after the crucifixion in distress and disarray, and then the risen Jesus says, ‘Peace be with you.’ I know that peace. I now have an understanding of what the Psalmist might have meant when he described being given

Help The Salvation Army give to those in need …

‘beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness’.

The result is I’m talking to people about my faith, about God. Christian friends in the ‘life group’ I attend have helped me approach my work as a teacher differently. To see it as mission: by serving my students, I’m serving God. This sense of service and mission has grown.

A few months ago I became aware of something my wife has known for years: God’s prompting for overseas mission work. In January we will travel to Cambodia to work as teachers. For Kirstie, this will mean working with young girls rescued from prostitution, while most of my students will be children of missionaries. We are now in the process of raising support and preparing for the shift and are excited about what God has in store for us.

Let’s Talk I would like: to explore what it means to follow Jesus information about Salvation Army worship and activities prayer for the following needs:

NAME:

… by purchasing Flaming Rhino cards from Salvationist Resources salvationarmy.org.nz/shop

ADDRESS:

Please post to: War Cry, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wgtn 6141 or email: warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org

10 | WarCry 14 November 2015

SUDOKU

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Get Into the Bible

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With a record number of Bibles distributed in 2014, it’s great to see that people are still loving the Bible’s truth and wisdom for life.

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Advice

Difficulty Medium

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Each Sudoku number puzzle has a unique solution that can be worked out logically (not mathematically). The numbers 1 to 9 appear once in every row, column and 3x3 square.

QUICK QUIZ 1 2 3 4

Who won the 2015 Rugby World Cup? J What was discovered at Kimberley, South Africa, in 1871?

What do Americans call a wardrobe?

What specialist wartime operations took place at Bletchley Park, England?

5 What does a yellow flag with red stripes mean in motor racing? (2) 6 What is the name of the next Star Wars movie?

7 Who is the President of Russia?

8 What is sericulture?

9 Which company invented the transistor radio in 1952?

10 What is the source of the saying, ‘A leopard never changes his spots’?

5 9 3 1 6 7 2 4 8

1 8 2 3 9 4 6 5 7

6 4 7 5 8 2 9 1 3

7 5 6 2 1 9 3 8 4

4 2 1 6 3 8 7 9 5

9 3 8 4 7 5 1 2 6

2 6 5 9 4 3 8 7 1

3 7 4 8 2 1 5 6 9

8 1 9 7 5 6 4 3 2

Find more Cartoons by McKerrow on www.facebook.com/cartoonsbymckerrow

The Bible is an amazing book that helps us grow as followers of Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (CEV) sums up the wonder of the Bible like this: ‘Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds.’

Around the world, more and more people are seeking the Bible’s wisdom. Last year saw the highest number of printed Bibles ever distributed by Bible Societies.

Nearly 34 million full Bibles were distributed, a rise of six per cent over the previous year and 14 per cent higher than five years ago.

Given that increasing numbers of people are also accessing the Bible online and through apps, it’s great to see that the printed Bible is still highly valued.

Bible Society New Zealand CEO Francis Burdett says, ‘Global demand for the Scriptures remains high, and we are delighted to be able to support many Bible Societies around the world as they distribute Bibles to those who need them.’ Bible Society New Zealand is one of a partnership of 146 Bible Societies working in more than 200 countries and territories.

In total, 428.2 million scriptures were distributed by Bible Societies in 2014, including full Bibles, New Testaments, gospels and other smaller items—a seven per cent and 17 per cent increase over 2013 and 2010 respectively.

Far more Scriptures were distributed in Brazil than in any other country. Its 7.6 million full Bibles account for more than half of the total Bible distribution in the Americas, and more than a fifth of last year’s global Bible distribution. These figures were partly boosted by the many thousands of Scriptures handed out during the FIFA World Cup. Cuba’s figures tell a story of rapid church growth. The United Bible Societies’ Cuba Million Bible Mission project aims to provide one million Bibles in Cuba.

Nigeria and South Africa continue to be the distribution giants of Africa, but notable increases are taking place in smaller countries. The troubled Central African Republic, for instance, has seen its annual distribution triple.

Increases occurred in some surprising places. More than five times the number of Testaments (mainly New Testaments) were distributed in war-torn Syria in 2014 than in 2010, before the conflict began. And, in the midst of one of the most difficult years in Ukraine’s recent history, last year nearly 70,000 New Testaments were distributed—almost 50 per cent more than in 2012 and 10 times more than 2010.

Asia, the world’s most populous region, saw a six per cent increase in Scripture distribution between 2013 and 2014. India and China distributed 22 per cent and 10 per cent more in 2014 than in 2010, and Myanmar an impressive 45 per cent more.

To strengthen the work of Bible Societies around the world and access some great free resources, visit www biblesociety.org.nz

Quick quiz answers: 1 New Zealand, 2 Diamonds, 3 A closet, 4 Decoding enemy messages, 5 Track is slippery, 6 The Force Awakens, 7 Vladimir Putin, 8 Silkworm farming, 9 Sony, 10 The Bible (Jeremiah 13:23).

Close Up | 11

BY ROBIN RAYMOND

Give Just Gifts and Change Lives Kiwis are being encouraged to change lives with their Christmas presents this year.

The Salvation Army Just Gifts programme is being launched this month to give people the opportunity to give gifts that help fight poverty and injustice around the world. Just Gifts coordinator Major Helen Knowles says the programme, which used to be called Gifts of Hope, has been renamed this year to match a name used by other Salvation Army territories and to reflect the aim of bringing justice as a Christmas gift.

The gifts range from giving goats or donations to relieve hunger in famine-prone countries, to doctor’s visits, school supplies, bicycles and funding scholarships for people to attend training courses or higher education. From New Zealand, Just Gifts supports programmes in Fiji, Tonga, the Philippines, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya and Papua New Guinea. Gifts cost from $10 to $150 and Helen says that, unlike your average Christmas present, a little goes a very long way—making a lifelong change in people’s lives.

The gifts are designed as a partnership to help support long-term change, with staff in each country deciding on the gifts that will make the biggest impact there.

Last year, some Kiwis bought gifts of education packs for a remote elementary school in Papua New Guinea run by The Salvation Army Tamba Fellowship in the province of West New Britain.

Papua New Guinea Lieutenant Regina Gini wrote to thank the givers for the changes seemingly simple supplies had brought to the school.

‘Through this donation, the school was able to purchase education packs like books, pencils and scrap books. This has given hope to the children to learn and the teachers to teach the children.’

Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries Commissioner Janine Donaldson visits projects in the Phillippines each year and sees firsthand what Kiwis help support through Just Gifts. One Just Gifts gift for the Phillippines is to sponsor people who can’t afford it to go to the doctor or get medicines they need. Another is to buy a goat for a family, which for some can be a life saver.

‘It means so much! There’s so much people want their dollar to go

to now, but this really does make a difference and I see that difference every year,’ Janine says.

In Tonga, families with four to seven children sometimes can’t afford school supplies for their younger children, but a Just Gifts education pack makes sure those children have supplies and don’t miss out, Janine says. While in Fiji, scholarships for ongoing education or sewing classes can mean the difference in getting a job or education.

Unlike your average Christmas present, a little goes a very long way—making a life-long change in people’s lives.

People who buy a gift on behalf of someone else as a Christmas present for them can get a card to give them, showing what their Christmas gift bought.

Order forms and other info will arrive at corps in the next few weeks for people to see the full range of gifts and order. People can also access order forms from www salvationarmy.org.nz/justgifts

Becoming a Slow Fashionista How I stopped hitting the shops and rekindled my passion for lasting fashion.

BY INGRID BARRATT I wish I could say I did it on purpose, but I didn’t. What happened was that I moved to a small town where the only clothing store was the local op shop. I know, can you even imagine!? So, when I needed a fashion fix, I looked for buried treasure at the ‘charitable store’.

Suddenly I realised I’d spent a whole year buying only second hand beauties (except for a few important things, like what us ladeez call ‘delicates’). I decided to call my new adventure ‘slow fashion’. I like to think of it is the opposite of ‘fast fashion’.

Fast fashion Fast fashion is based on ‘high quantity/high turnover’. In other words, shops sell cheap-as clothes, and lots and lots of them. While the fashion industry used to have four seasons a year—summer, spring, winter autumn—that is sooo last century! Fast fashion turns over every week—that’s 52 ‘micro seasons’. The idea is to make you spend more, with endless, new, to-die-for pieces that you’ve just gotta

have. Topshop, for example, puts up 400 new items on its website every day—according to Huffington Post.

• if it took, say, 10 hours of labour to make, the person making the garment might have got $3 (at the most).

In New Zealand, shops like Valley Girl and Jay Jays epitomize fast fashion, with their crammed shops, constant discounts and daily new arrivals. But all shops on the main street work on the fast fashion model. In 2015, you expect to see new stuff when you hit the mall.

No one would think of changing stock just four times a year.

A beautiful Illusion

So what’s the prob?

When clothes are this impossibly cheap, it’s a sure sign the person at the bottom of the supply chain—the person making the clothes—is not getting paid enough. Here’s the math: • you pick up a funky little number for $15 • it probably cost the store no more than $7 to buy • wholesalers may have bought it off the factory for maybe $5 per garment

Fashion is a beautiful illusion—but behind the mask, it gets pretty ugly. In its article ‘Five Truths the Fast Fashion Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know,’ Huffington Post reports that garments are made to fall apart, that hazardous chemicals are regularly used (bad for us, but even worse for the workers in the factories), and perhaps most disturbing: ‘beading and sequins are an indication of child labour’.

A large study found that most of our ontrend sequins are sewn by at-home workers.

‘They live hand to mouth, presided over by middlemen, tyrannical go-betweens who hand over some of the lowest wages in the garment industry,’ says Lucy Seigle, author of To Die For. ‘Fashion is one of the dirtiest industries in the world,’ concludes the HuffPost. People making the garments we buy (and throw away) work

14 November 2015 WarCry | 13

long hours, in conditions we couldn’t even begin to imagine.

Just imagine In fact, I try my best not to imagine it, ‘cos I love Glassons and when I go there, I don’t want to think of the people who made those clothes.

I don’t want to think about their problems.

But my biggest ‘problem’ is that I’m a follower of Jesus, and I get the feeling he wouldn’t want me to ignore ‘those people’—the nameless, faceless people who make the clothes I buy.

I get the feeling Jesus wouldn’t want me to pretend it has nothing to do with me.

In fact, if I let my imagination go a little wild, I could see Jesus storming into one of my favourite shops and going all biblical on it— turning over the tables and yelling something like, ‘You’ve turned this place into a den of thieves!’ That kind of thing.

Slow fashion Slow fashion means saying ‘no’ to the modern fashion industry. It means, ‘low quantity/ slow turnover’—buying less clothes and then making them last longer. Part of becoming a slow fashionista means being dedicated to fashion that gets better with age—not buying

up large on stuff you’ll throw out next season.

Slow fashion means getting back to the days when people bought fewer clothes and made more of them. I love it when I find a beautiful vintage dress at an op shop and I know that for the original owner, it was probably their only new outfit for the year—which is why they kept it so long. Then, when I buy it, I want to give it that kind of respect.

You can decide to save your ching-chings and just buy a few special outfits a year—ones you know are made ethically—like your grandparents did. Or, like me, you can make op shops your playground.

Like hidden treasure, slow fashion needs to be searched out—it takes commitment, perseverance and creativity. Anyone can feel cool by copying the latest fashion mag. But it’s an achievement to cobble together a killer outfit from the bargain bin at your local Family Store.

Then there’s the obvious things—like it’s great for the environment. If you don’t buy fast fashion, you’re not adding to the literal pile of garbage at landfills. At the same time, slow fashion means you’re rescuing precious items from being thrown out.

Jesus wouldn’t want me to ignore the nameless, faceless people who make the clothes I buy.

Slow fashion makes you think more about how much you spend. We live in a culture that’s obsessed with accumulating possessions.

But slow fashion makes you, well, slow down.

There are not as many items to buy, not as many bargains. It takes more work and perseverance to find the perfect outfit.

My find of the year—my pride and joy—was a dress with matching belt and jacket, in a turquoise, blue and white ’60s style geometric pattern. It cost me $6. Now, when I go into a ‘normal’ shop, I can’t actually bring myself to spend a bunch of money on something that is way less quality, not nearly as beautiful and hasn’t even been loved by someone before me!

I believe that part of being a Christian means being the best person I can be. When I am being creative and giving old treasures new life, I feel like Jesus is shopping with me.

Slow Fashion Shopping After a year of shopping exclusively second hand, here are my top tips on making slow fashion work for you:

styles can be revamped by taking up the hem, cinching in the waist with a belt or making it more fitted.

Adopt a shop: The fun of slow fashion is that you need to hunt out the treasures. You’ll need to find an op shop that you love, and make it your second home.

Go back every week or two— sometimes you’ll find nothing.

Every now and then, you’ll find the perfect item. And you’ll rejoice!

Find your style—even if you don’t think you have a style: Stylist Sheryn Adamson says everyone has a fashion style.

Even saying you don’t care about fashion is its own fashion statement. If practical polar fleece is your thang, you’ll find a bounty at your local Family Store. But if you’re into vintage, steampunk, ripped jeans, oversized, new-wave-gothrevival, onesies … you’ll still find a world of styles at an op shop.

Shop at the ‘House of Mum and Dad’: Don’t overlook your mum and dad’s wardrobe as a possible fashion bounty.

Even better, check out what’s at the back of your nana and grandpas’ cupboard. A tweed cap, suspenders, faux fur— there are treasures in those musty robes. Don’t worry so much about the style, look for fabulous fabrics. Most older

Love everything in your wardrobe: I’ve made it my goal to love every single item in my wardrobe. That means I’ve probably given away more clothes over the past year than I’ve bought. When I’m shopping,

I ask myself: ‘When this is hanging in my wardrobe, am I going to love it?’ Even if it’s only a dollar on Trade Me, there’s no point in adding more junk to my life. I only want to add treasure.

Buy one, give one: If for every item you bought, you gave an item away, it would stop a lot of mindless spending. If I don’t love it more than what I already have in my wardrobe, there’s no point buying it. I have a great barter system going at my local op shop—the lovely owner gives me heaps of stuff for free and happens to have a great eye for fashion. In return, I’m happy to donate stuff I no longer need.

Fight the good fight: Finally, use your passion for fashion.

Write fan letters to stores—like Cotton On—that are making

an effort to be more ethical.

And write to shops that aren’t, explaining why you’re not shopping there anymore. Use your consumer power to be a voice for the voiceless. Now, this is starting to sound a bit more like Jesus …

#OpShopSwag ROSY KEANE / UPPER HUTT CORPS 1. How would you describe your style?

Ludicrous. I’ll wear whatever I want: wedding dresses, biker vests, pearls and/or blankets.

No regrets.

2. What are your favourite places to shop?

I like to shop local—and often the smaller op shop charities have really great/odd vintage finds. Savemart and Trade Me are larger, commercial second hand operations that I find have a much wider scope of styles to choose from.

3. Biggest fashion disaster?

A goat once ate a chunk out of my skirt.

4. Why do you shop second hand?

I love beautiful things. Op shopping offers the opportunity for luxury fabrics, classic/vintage styles that suit your body shape (not just the

mannequin), and prices which won’t see you eating Mee Goreng out of a packet for the next week!

Chain stores stock cheap fabric and throwaway styles that don’t cost us much (I’m looking at you, $3 pair of shoes from The Warehouse!), but you can be sure someone vulnerable down the production line is absorbing that financial blow. Shopping second hand doesn’t guarantee you will bypass slave labour, but when you buy vintage, second hand and/or New Zealand made, you’re at least trying to be more conscious with your consumer dollar.

Plus the proceeds from most op shops go back to really great community initiatives!

5. Favourite item of clothing?

A vintage fur vest my mother bought second hand and gave to me! Second fave is a shiny silver jumpsuit (not as hideous as it sounds).

Promise.

6. Top op shopping tip?

Find items that make you feel more confident when you put them on. Clothes that are too tight, too weird or too similar to things you already own will all just end up wasting your money and time! Be bold enough to walk away and op shop another day.

OLIVIA HUSZAK / ALBANY BAYS CORPS 3. Biggest fashion disaster?

One time I was working at the Family Store and I was wearing this awesome blue and purple ’50s skirt. I popped to the loo and when I came back I could feel a breeze around my legs, I didn’t take much notice. Forty-five minutes later a lady in the shop came up to me, and said ‘I just love your skirt! But it is tucked into your undies at the back … you might want to fix that.’ I was horrified and will never wear that skirt again!

4. Why do you shop second hand?

1. How would you describe your style?

My style is probably a bit vintage/retro and very relaxed ... maybe a bit Kiwiana. I love bright retro colours, but also love black funky tops with jeans and jandals.

2. What are your favourite places to shop?

Favourite place to shop is Torbay Family Store—I am in there every week (don’t tell my husband!). I also love Junk and Disorderly in Northcote and Savemart!

I love the variety you find in op shops and the bargains you can grab. But the real reason I buy second hand is because we consume so much stuff in the western world and chuck out so many clothes that are in perfect condition but just not up to the latest trend.

Most, if not all, of the clothes we buy brand new have been produced by children or women forced to work in factories or in fields with little or no money to meet our high demand. When I see a tee in a store for $20 I always stop and think how much did the lady who made it get? The Bible says to ‘act justly, love mercy and walk humbly’ (Micah 6:8).

If we are to act justly, then there are kids, women and men being treated unfairly and we continue to support this unfairness by buying these clothes.

It’s all supply and demand: if we stop demanding, they will stop supplying. We cast a vote when we shop—and I choose to buy second hand to support the work The Salvation Army does, and to show big companies that I don’t need their unfairness!

5. Favourite item of clothing?

My favourite item at the moment is the denim jacket I got from the Browns Bay Family Store three years ago for $7, or my Oroton handbag from the same place for $12, orrrrr my wedding dress. Got it from the Torbay Family Store for $25! It needed a good wash and my grandma fixed it up a bit, but it was so cool walking down the aisle in a second hand dress!

6. Top op shopping tip?

Go to your local op shop often—the stock is always changing and if you get to know the manager they can always keep an eye of for the stuff you love. Also, if you find cheap Royal Albert tea cups, buy them!

Our Community | 15

Education and Employment Joins Forces with Māori Ministry

A pōwhiri in Whakatane last month marked The Salvation Army’s Education and Employment and Māori Ministry joining forces to support young people.

The event saw Salvation Army Māori Ministry leaders Lieutenants Tau and Trish Mataki officially welcomed to the Army’s Education and Employment (E&E) Whakatane centre at the Pukeko marae on 19 October.

The two departments have been working together more closely this year and E&E National Director Gregory Fortuin said the event was a chance to symbolically and practically open up the E&E centres around the country to the Matakis and make them feel welcome.

Whakatane was the ideal location as it is the only E&E centre hosted at a marae and has mainly Māori tutors and students. About 40 Whakatane students were at the event and 10 E&E students from Tauranga also attended the day, which helped showcase what the service is about, Gregory said. ‘It was a way of getting Trish and Tau immersed in the transformation that happens within E&E and to say, “We want to work shoulder to shoulder with you.” It was also so they could see first-hand that E&E is not just about academic performance.

It’s about doing things in a whānau, community, people-orientated way.’

Trish said it was a beautiful day and a special event that the pair wanted to thank Gregory and the E&E staff for. ‘To be pōwhiried onto a marae by the tangata whenua of the marae and the E&E students was fantastic. To see how they’re learning and growing and how successful learning can be in the marae environment was special and the tangata whenua of the marae were so embracing.’

(l–r) Lt Tau Mataki, Lt Charmaine Travis, Lt Trish Mataki, Gregory Fortuin, Major Garth Stevenson, Lynne Johnston, Julian Tunui, Major Suzanne Stevenson, Erina Mason, Jenny Punga, Charles Waterhouse.

Along with the formal events and a dinner, it was also an opportunity for the pair to speak and share their testimonies with the students as strong Māori role models. It was a privilege to share their faith, Trish said, and she also spoke to the young people about her background growing up in Otara. ‘I encouraged them that it doesn’t matter where you’re from, it’s about what you make of the opportunities you’re given.’

Gregory and Midland Divisional Commander Major Garth Stevenson also spoke at the event, and Gregory said there was a strong spiritual component to the day as the speakers laid out why The Salvation Army does what it does. ‘The young people enjoyed that. The ones from Tauranga said afterwards that they didn’t think they would enjoy it, but they had.’

E&E National Mission Director Major Glenton Waugh said the link with Māori Ministry was very important as half of E&E’s students are Māori. To help build those links Tau takes part in senior management meetings and has helped out at training days with staff discussing cultural aspects and ways to relate to Māori students.

They’re also hoping their partnership will be part of a wider move to break down the barriers between cultures and encourage understanding and stronger collaboration across the Army, Glenton said. ‘We’re wanting to demonstrate that we need to be working together for the common good of all people.’

16 | WarCry 14 November 2015

Sallies Prepare for New Health and Safety Laws Salvation Army staff will have new responsibilities to make sure they stay safe at work under recently introduced law changes. The Army is making changes to its health and safety policies to meet the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act that comes into force in April.

Salvation Army Human Resources Advisor Libby Wilson said the Army is in the process of updating its health and safety systems and the new law was a good opportunity to refresh.

‘At a local level the changes aren’t huge, but it does mean people need to fix things and make sure the processes are in place to manage risk and report on health and safety issues.’

The major changes in the law will see Salvation Army trustees become personally liable for making sure the Army follows the law. The changes were made following the Pike River mine disaster.

The trustees will be legally required to keep up to date with health and safety issues and potential risks, ensure resources are available and being used to manage those risks, make sure there is a system for reporting and responding to issues, and generally make sure the Army is following the law.

However, under the new system, Libby said everyone has a responsibility to take reasonable care for their own health and safety, and ensure they don’t cause harm to others through their actions or lack of actions. Individuals can be fined if they don’t take reasonable

care to prevent injury. The law change also means people can no longer fail to fix or manage a potential hazard because of the cost, unless the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk. This creates extra responsibility to fix things that might have been put off in the past, Libby said.

Although The Salvation Army is generally doing well compared to similar organisations, the law change presents a good opportunity to encourage people to think again about health and safety, from serious risks through to things like manual handling that leads to a lot of back injuries, Libby said.

‘The new Health and Safety at Work Act and The Salvation Army’s mission send us a clear message. While our systems are good, we need to spend money to fix hazards and provide training so that we care for people, create safe environments, and everyone goes home from work safe.’

One area that is being worked on is dealing with aggression.

Although some sections of the Army have policies for dealing with aggressive people, there isn’t a nationwide plan and so the Human Resources and Community Ministries team is working on this at the moment, Libby said.

The HR team is also planning to start site visits next year, visiting places such as Family Stores to help managers deal with health and safety issues and train staff.

A New Way to Support the Self Denial Appeal in 2016 Salvationists in Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand have raised more than $1 million to support Salvation Army work around the world.

Across the territory people gave $1.08 million to the annual Self Denial Appeal that ran from June to August. It is the second year running that Salvationists in this territory have donated more than one million dollars SELF DENIAL The appeal encourages APPEAL 2015 Salvationists to give the equivalent of a week of their wages, which is used by the Army to support work around the world, particularly in developing nations. Salvationists are encouraged to go without extras to support others and Territorial Public Relations Director Shane Chisholm said he was delighted and proud of the dedication and generosity of people across the territory. ‘To get over the $1 million mark two years running is an extraordinarily positive thing!’

The funds raised this year will be transferred to Salvation Army International Headquarters in the next few weeks, ready to be used as part of a huge international giving effort that makes a significant difference to millions around the world, he said.

‘Self-denial is the life blood of the Army in many developing countries. Without this appeal the Army simply wouldn’t be able to exist in a significant number of countries where we’re working—and this territory makes a significant contribution to that.’

Every dollar raised is sent offshore toward work in countries like Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Cambodia and Rwanda, Shane said.

The money remains within The Salvation Army, meaning it is well accounted for under strict accounting rules, with funds spent both on social development projects and evangelical work by the Army.

Giving up a week’s wages is a significant sacrifice for people, so a new initiative is being set up to allow people to give throughout the year instead of just during the self-denial appeal period, Shane said.

The aim was to give people more options on how they could give and make donating more manageable by breaking it down into smaller contributions. It is not intended to replace a person’s regular giving to their corps, but would help avoid the pressure people can find in saving for the six weeks the appeal is on.

The system is based on an identical one already used by both Australian territories, which is popular there. It is hoped the new initiative will help the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga territory meet its Please give generously to the Self Denial Appeal.

Support the work of The Salvation Army overseas.

salvationarmy.org.nz/selfdenial

commitment to increasing the amount it gives to Self-Denial by three per cent each year.

In the next few weeks, corps receive a pamphlet with details for people who would like to become year-round supporters.

GAZETTE International Appointments Effective 7 Jan 2016: Capt Andrew Moffatt, Property Secretary, Sri Lanka Territory; Capt Rochelle Moffatt, Projects Officer, Sri Lanka Territory.

Promoted to Glory Mjr Robert (Bob) McEwen on 2 Nov from Waikato Hospital, Hamilton.

Robert Graham McEwen was born in New Plymouth on 24 Aug 1933. He entered training from Invercargill Corps in the Faithful Session. Following his commissioning on 18 Jan 1958, Robert was appointed to assist at Queenstown Corps and was then appointed to command Norsewood Corps.

On 11 Feb 1961, Robert married Capt Margaret Walker and they served at Opotiki, Waitara, Balclutha, Temuka, Spreydon, Waihi and Nelson Corps. Appointments followed as Assistants to the Addington Men’s Social Service Centre in Christchurch, Wharerangi Eventide Home in Taupo and Norman Kirk Eventide Home in Upper Hutt. In 1982, Robert was appointed Manager at the Family Care Centre in Dunedin. In 1985, Robert and Margaret were appointed to Island Bay Corps and Court and Prison ministry.

Mjrs Robert and Margaret McEwen retired from active service on 1 Feb 1990. In retirement, Robert gave oversight of Wanganui Corps in 1996.

Mjr Margaret McEwen was promoted to Glory on 14 Feb 2010.

Please uphold son and daughterin-law Lts David and Christina McEwen, Robert’s sister Mjr Marjorie McEwen and other family members in prayer.

A celebration of Robert’s life was held at Hamilton City Corps on 6 Nov, conducted by Mjr Lindsay Chisholm.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

Bereaved Cushla Lynch, mother of Col Andy Westrupp and grandmother of Lt Jordan Westrupp, from Nelson on 26 October. A private family funeral was held in Nelson on 30 Oct, led by Col Westrupp. Please remember family members in prayer in this time of loss.

Birth Congratulations to Lts Jess and Daryn Bishop on the birth of Isabelle Becky Bishop on 23 October, a sister to Kate and Wilson.

First-time Grandparents Congratulations to Capts David and Denise Daly on the birth of Noah Caleb David Bridle on 3 Nov in Auckland, a son to Melissa and Caleb Bridle.

Resignation The Territorial Commander announces with regret the resignation from officership of Capts Avis and Mark Owen, effective 22 Nov. Following their commissioning on 10 Dec 2005, Mark and Avis were appointed Corps Officers, Gore. While in Gore, Avis had the additional appointment of Director, Community Ministries, and Mark was Court and Prison Officer. Since 10 Jan 2013, Mark and Avis have been Corps Officers, Greymouth. During their time in Greymouth, their ministry has included Community Ministries and Court and Prison work. We thank Mark and Avis for their service and pray God’s continued blessing on them in the future.

Our Community | 17

Standing Together with Canterbury

A new book commemorating the work of The Salvation Army in responding to the Canterbury earthquakes has been released at a special thank-you dinner in Christchurch.

The book, titled Standing Together, was commissioned by the Army both to record the history, and to recognise and thank the thousands of volunteers and staff who took part in the huge response effort. The book was launched in Christchurch last week, at a five-year anniversary dinner to thank those involved in the response.

Southern Division Divisional Commander Major Ivan Bezzant said the dinner and the book were a way of recognising the past and celebrating the future of the Army’s work in Canterbury. The title of Standing Together was a reflection of both the work the Army had done and its commitment to Canterbury.

At the dinner, Territorial Commander Commissioner Robert Donaldson thanked the responders on behalf of the Salvation Army for their service and for bringing much-needed relief and comfort to the people of Canterbury.

The best way to thank people and to recognise their work was to share their stories, and the Standing Together book aimed to do that, as a memorial of that work, he said.

The 70-page book tells the story of the Army’s work through the eyes of more than 40 people involved, who share their first-hand experiences of the quakes and the aftermath. It was put together by Salvation Army staff writer Robin Raymond, who said the researching and writing was emotional at times as people shared stories of loss and grief. It was also inspiring to hear about the enormous amount and variety of the work the Army did and the lives changed by it, right down to today.

‘Right from the start, people were being very honest and open.

Some people even told me things they had never talked about before.

Having the people tell those stories in their own words became very important as a way to respect that and the work they did.’

The Standing Together dinner was attended by more than 300 people who shared memories and watched video accounts from volunteers about their experiences. Among the videos was the story of Jeremy, a volunteer who joined the Deliberate Acts of Love to All group, where unemployed people took part in community projects to help people post-earthquake. He shared how, through this work, he began to go to Sydenham Corps and became a Christian. Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel also spoke.

Commissioner Janine Donaldson MC’d the dinner and guests were treated to music by the Wellington City Brass Band and the Just Brass band, made up of pupils from two Christchurch primary schools who have received free music tuition through Christchurch City Corps as part of its post-earthquake school support work. Each guest received a copy of the Standing Together book and copies of the book are also being sent to the remaining volunteers who were not at the dinner.

To request a copy of Standing Together, contact Major Brenda Luscombe at Southern DHQ—p: (03) 03 377 0799 or e: Brenda_ Luscombe@nzf.salvationarmy.org. Copies will eventually also be made available through the Salvationist Resources Department.

18 | WarCry 14 November 2015

LEADERSHIP LINKS

The All Blacks are our champions!

The All Blacks have successfully completed the Rugby World Cup as champions. Those who know me will probably be aware that I’m not the greatest rugby fan—and even that is probably an overstatement of my interest. But I do admire the hard work, competence and determination of the ABs. Well done, lads!

As a nation we all vicariously feel part of this historic success, especially since ‘our boys’ reflect our attributes as a nation. So, what is it about the All Blacks that has seen them win the Webb Ellis Cup for the second consecutive time?

Certainly, the tightness of the team has been a defining factor. No one person acted as an individual. There were stars, of course, but they only appeared to be stars because of the work of the team. The All Blacks were described using terms such as ‘a finely tuned machine’ and a ‘tight unit’. When we consider how accomplished these men are as individual athletes, this is a true measure of their character. Perhaps for some, their opportunity to individually shine was sacrificed for the good of the team.

Everything about the way the ABs performed has a direct relationship with how we should be and how we should behave as the church. We are to set aside our own interests for the greater good. We are to encourage and support each other, so that together we can be the best we can be. We are charged with fighting the impacts of evil and wrong in the world—and to do this we must be tight. We must not leave any area of weakness exposed and have a responsibility to cover the backs of everyone on our team.

A darker feature of the general public engagement with sporting success for a nation is the link between domestic violence and sporting losses. I was saddened to read that this is a clear and established link. I ask the question ‘why would such a cause and effect link exist?’ and discover that this is thought to be linked to alcohol, anger management and easy targets within a family. This is a very sad and stark piece of information in this time when we are looking at the impacts of violence in our society. We are recognising White Ribbon Day soon, which highlights the ongoing challenge of violence in our society and, in particular, within families. This is a relevant social justice issue that we, as the church, need to support and stand with.

I was disappointed to hear that those who feel we handled the extended drinking hours of the Rugby World Cup well believe this should open the way to more liberal drinking laws.

In the afterglow of rugby glory, we need to remember that New Zealand still has a costly problem drinking culture. Let’s pull together as a national team to combat this culture so we can see a decrease in domestic violence, hospital admissions, deaths and road accidents. This is another victory that I believe we can one day win!

Lieutenant-Colonel Lynette Hutson Territorial Secretary for Business

Accepted for Training MESSENGERS OF THE GOSPEL SESSION —NGĀ KARERE O TE RONGOPAI (2016–2017) Beany S.W. Cho (Wellington City Corps) My name is Beany Cho. I was born in South Korea and brought up as a Buddhist. I came in New Zealand in 2006. God led me to step into The Salvation Army when I had a day off on a Sunday for the first time in my 13-year hospitality career.

At the time, I was experiencing hardships in my life. I began to look for God so that I could to repent, as I realised these hardships were the result of my sinful choices. Yet, instead, God sought and found me while I was at an early-morning prayer service at the Auckland City Korean Corps. I remember thinking, ‘God loves me a lot—no matter how bad I am, no matter who I am!’ After this, I pledged myself to give the rest of my life to The Salvation Army and to serve God as an officer.

God honoured my promise and led me to transfer to Wellington City Corps in 2013. I have since learnt more about the Army through the godly Salvationists in this corps, and this has confirmed my call to apply for Salvation Army officership.

I have pledged my life for The Salvation Army and God’s Kingdom. This is a second chance in my life, but it is the very best choice I can make. A verse that means a lot to me is 2 Corinthians 5:15, ‘And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.’

At the moment I am working as a handyman, fixing and painting old and broken houses to make them new and pleasing for their owners. But in the future I am looking forward to becoming a handyman for God’s glory, so that I may please him.

Following the Call An officer is a senior soldier who has responded to a calling from God to devote all their time and energies to the service of God. The road can be hard, but it brings incredible joy and immense fulfilment.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST Speak to your local Divisional Candidates Secretary or talk to your corps officer. The application process that follows gives time and space for God’s will to be tested and confirmed.

Go to www salvationarmy.org.nz/officership for more info

Mission Matters | 19

BY HEATHER RODWELL

Leaders Learning Together New Salvation Army conference focuses on helping leaders grow stronger corps.

Some people are surprised to discover that The Salvation Army is a Christian church and not simply a social services provider. Conversely, Salvationists are often puzzled that people are surprised by that! At our best, the provision of the care that thousands receive every year and the transformation of life circumstances that is enjoyed is closely linked with the faith we declare as followers of Jesus Christ.

Salvation Army corps (church) buildings are an integral part of many communities and not only as places of gathering for Christian worship. So much more happens in these buildings, including programmes for children, young people and the elderly, and staff teams working to respond to needs that local people come in with. Our corps congregations meet week by week in these buildings, and from these meetings we continue into our regular workaday lives, strengthened by God’s presence and the fellowship we share with each other.

If you were to come into a Salvation Army church for a Sunday worship service, you might be surprised that numerically the number of people is not large. Of the 110 Salvation Army corps (churches) throughout New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, 44 of these have an average congregational strength of 50 or less people. As that number also includes children, you probably get the idea that our public profile is far greater than this—we certainly punch above our weight! Our considerable impact in the community is made possible because of the hundreds of other people who support Salvation Army mission as employees and volunteers. We are so grateful for this!

Every Salvation Army corps matters because each is a visible expression of our availability within our communities. We want to ensure that every corps grows to be a vibrant expression that not only meets human need in God’s name, but also provides a good place where people can hear the gospel of Jesus and be assisted with their own spiritual journey.

We need strong, healthy corps that are loving and serving their communities and seeking to bring healing to others. We also want our corps to be places where people who may have been previously hurt in some way by the church or a previous unhelpful religious experience can have their faith restored.

Recently, an inaugural Lead2Grow conference was held in Wellington, where the focus was on some of the factors that need to be in place to grow our corps. This was organised by the Territorial Mission Resources Department in partnership with the each of the New Zealand divisions. Corps officers and local leaders from 14 corps accepted the invitation to come to Lead2Grow and engage with the programme of teaching and sharing for two days.

The conference opened with a keynote address from Lieut-Colonel

Rod Carey (Territorial Secretary for Programme) based on the words of Jesus: ‘I will build my church.’ In recognising that Christ said he will do the building, delegates were reminded that as leaders in that church they also had their part to play in helping to bring this about. Captain David Daly (Divisional Secretary for Programme, Central) led a session the next morning on the necessity of having a compelling vision and teaching about every corps being at a certain point in its lifecycle.

We need strong, healthy corps that are loving and serving their communities …

For corps to grow, it is imperative leaders lead through others. This was the core message of a session by Major Ivan Bezzant (Divisional Commander, Southern). Ivan’s leadership over his 35 years of officership exhibits a strong investment in raising up other leaders, a number of whom are now officers and were present at the conference.

Alastair Kendrew (Territorial Mission Consultant) was responsible for shaping the Lead2Grow programme, and his leadership of a session focused on the need for great communication and preaching in our corps provided great keys to making messages memorable and life-changing.

In a session on creating a culture of invitation in our corps by Jono Hesp from Alpha New Zealand, the reluctance of people to invite people to their corps events was explored, and also ways in which we can improve effectiveness in this area. A focus on children and family ministries followed, with a presentation about ‘The Gathering’ at Hamilton Corps, which is effectively reaching new families.

Integral within the Lead2Grow experience was daily worship and biblical reflection. Singing was led by Kris Singh (Territorial Creative Ministries), with biblical reflections from Major Heather Rodwell (Territorial Secretary for Corps Growth and Spiritual Life Development). Growing healthy corps requires spiritual leadership that is constantly going deeper in God—a constant challenge for corps leaders in these busy days.

Everything within the Lead2Grow experience reinforced the need for intentionality in the way things happen in our corps. All delegates went away with ‘next steps’ to action. The conference provided an intense two days of interactive learning and sharing where leaders were inspired by what they heard was happening in corps in other places. We firmly believe that our corps can grow as we partner with God in fulfilling our mission.

Major Heather Rodwell is Territorial Secretary for Corps Growth and Spiritual Life Development

20 | WarCry 14 November 2015

The Vulnerability of Christ’s Coming PART ONE OF THREE

Barbara Sampson considers the deeper meaning of the Advent season.

I need to start with a confession: I don’t do Christmas. I apologise to all you Christmas-tree fanatics, but there’s no easier way to say this. I dislike Christmas with a passion—but I do love Advent. Okay, so I have become a Grinch, a grouch, a Grandma Grumpy, a Christmas wet blanket.

It seems to me Christmas is such an unthinking, unreflective time.

There is so much to do, finish, accomplish, list, tick off, prepare, cook, clean, buy, wrap, tie, tag, post, pay off, eat, worry about, collapse from …

Every year I determine to do Christmas in a different way. Not get caught up in the rush. Not get enticed by the ads on TV. Stay out of the shopping malls. But it is like swimming upstream against a very strong current. Is this what a salmon feels like? I wonder. Once again, this year I’m determined to say: No to overeating—at the risk of being a health nut.

No to overspending—at the risk of being stingy.

No to all those extra Christmas break-ups—at the risk of being a party-pooper.

No to commercialism—at the risk of being out of step.

No to triviality—at the risk of being a snob.

No to exhaustion on Christmas Day—at the risk of being boring.

This year I’m striking out again, but trying to be a bit more proactive in my protest. I’m lighting a candle for Advent: Christ’s coming. How sweet that sounds: Jesus came, he comes, he will come again. The flicker from the candle I have lit has shed light on three aspects of his coming that I pray will transform, or at least touch in a deep way the true meaning of this season: The vulnerability of his coming The value of his coming The vitality of his coming Think of all the circumstances of Jesus’ birth that were vulnerable.

Politically it was a vulnerable time. Palestine was under the rule of the Roman Empire, with pagan emperor Caesar Augustus in charge.

Considered by many to be a god, Augustus stands at the head of this story as a symbol of military might and power, in stark contrast to a helpless new-born baby.

Practically it was a vulnerable time. Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth yet had to travel 70 miles to Bethlehem, a three-day journey away, for the Roman census and payment of taxes.

Personally it was a vulnerable time. For Joseph, the news of Mary’s pregnancy sent shock waves through his ordered world. A righteous man, zealous in keeping the law, he resolved to sign the necessary legal papers to cancel his betrothal with Mary, but to do so in such a way as to protect her from the condemnation of the community.

It was only through the intervention of angels and a series of strategically timed dreams that Joseph found the courage to continue with the betrothal and to stand alongside Mary during this testing time.

For Mary herself, just a teenager in today’s terms, the news that

catapulted her onto centre stage was earth-shaking, incomprehensible, inconvenient. ‘But how …?’ she stammered.

If that angel had tried to make an appointment She might have said Sorry, I’m busy Out of town Diary’s full Call me back some other time But he didn’t so she couldn’t.

If that angel had phoned to talk over what was on his mind She might have said You’re having me on You can’t be serious Pick someone else Try the girl next door But angels don’t make appointments They don’t phone to talk over what’s on their mind.

He came silent as gossamer wings Soft as a daydream Straight from the heart of God Caught her in a moment of weakness and vulnerability Or was it strength?

And she said yes Yes! Think of all the things around the birth that could have gone wrong, from miscarriage of the baby to exhaustion of the mother from the journey to Bethlehem. Had the manger been scrubbed, the straw sterilised? With no midwife in attendance, who cut the umbilical cord—carpenter Joseph, more used to cutting wood?

This is the season of Advent, the celebration of the incarnation of God in Christ, who came among us …

Every aspect of this God-staged drama was fragile, vulnerable— from the conception to the birth and then to the family’s early years as refugees, on the move, led on by angelic prompting through dreams.

No wonder Mary pondered. Hers, in fact, would be a lifetime of pondering. During the Nazareth years (Luke 2:51). At a wedding in Cana (John 2:5). Standing near the cross (John 19:25).

This is my call, our call this Christmas, to ponder the ponderous, the heavy, vulnerable things of the Saviour’s coming, just as Mary did.

We look for a Saviour with strength—but we find one who spoke of surrender, self-denial, sacrifice.

We look for one who will conquer the evil in men’s hearts—but we find one who captures our hearts and calls us to be his agents of grace in the world.

We look for one who will wage warfare against sin—but we find a

Soul Food | 21

wounded healer who calls us to lay down our own agenda and follow his.

We search for fullness of life and in the most unexpected places we find One who has taken on our fragility, our frailties, our failings.

One who walks through the forest of our fears and frenzies, bringing healing, wholeness, restoration. This is why Jesus came and this is why I am saying: Yes to Advent Yes to his coming Yes to his purpose Yes to Christ being born in me Yes yes yes!

One Sunday before Advent just a few years ago, I was on welcome duty at church as people began to arrive for the service.

Young mum Rachael hurried in with her two daughters and her son Pete. Although five years old, Pete was the size of a three-year-old.

He had multiple health problems and had recently had major surgery on his only kidney. He was a quiet little boy with a slightly lop-sided look, but as cute as they come.

John was there with his two little boys, Brad and Jeremy. Their baby sister, born weeks too early, was still in hospital, struggling to gain weight. Once she got to four kilos, she would have corrective surgery on her tiny heart and that would help, but in the meantime every day was a struggle.

Carer Treena arrived with her two usual charges, one on each arm. They were simple, uncoordinated men who loved coming to the service. Bill introduced himself to me, pointing with pride to his colourful tie and his flash waistcoat. Barry shook my hand and beamed a toothless smile.

The service had just started when Jenny and her mum arrived.

Mum was puffing, but that was as much about keeping up with Jenny as anything else.

On the platform, a rough stable was in place with hay bales for seats, and costumes hanging over benches to one side. As the Christmas story was read, people from the congregation were invited to come up and take the part of a particular character, and to dress accordingly. Before long, there was a prophet parading around the hall, holding aloft a placard announcing that light was coming into the darkness. A grandmother as Mary sat on a hay bale in the centre of the platform, her two granddaughters dressed as angels by her side, each holding a baby doll. I didn’t realise Mary had twins!

When shepherds were called for, Bill and Barry were on their feet at once, pulling Treena to come with them. All three dressed up in shepherd’s cloaks then stood at the back of the stage and swayed together as carols were sung.

Brad wanted to be a shepherd too, but found himself in an angel costume, complete with halo. He sat by the manger and scarcely took his eyes off the doll in the manger who would have been about the same size as his tiny baby sister in her hospital incubator.

When other angels were invited to join the scene, Pete and his Mum and sisters all responded. Jenny ran up, her Mum in tow. Dressed in a

gown and halo, Jenny sat on a hay bale by the manger and didn’t move.

‘Now that’s another Christmas miracle!’ I thought to myself.

By the end of the story, the stage was full. A host of angels, a train of wise men, a flock of shepherds, and Mary guarded by a couple of Josephs. As I looked at the group, I was touched by the fragile nature of each person. Everyone had a story of vulnerability to tell, but they were all there, gathered around the cradle, vulnerability meeting vulnerability.

And Mary sang: Who is this in cattle stall Child so beautiful, so small?

He’s my son, O wondrous story Holy One, the King of glory At his feet, I too shall fall Crown him, crown him Lord of all So he comes again this Advent: the Vulnerable One to all the vulnerable ones—the Petes, the Brads, the Bills and Barrys of this world. And to you and me as well in our vulnerability, our weakness, our fragility.

Preparing for Christmas is far more than ‘waiting for gifts’ or even ‘waiting for the baby Jesus’. This is the season of Advent, the celebration of the incarnation of God in Christ, who came among us, pitched his tent of ‘flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood’ (John 1:14, The Message). It is far more than giving, getting, gaining, gorging, grumping. Underneath the tinsel there’s a treasure to be found. Beyond the commercialism that bombards, blinds and blackmails us, there is a story to be told, a song to be sung, a lifesaving, world-changing event to celebrate once again.

I started with a confession. Now I sign off with a plea: Don’t water down Christmas Don’t overdo it, sell it short Don’t flash around your credit card or spend more than you ought Advent is here and now his coming sets us free God’s Treasured One is to be found beyond the Christmas tree

For Reflection 1. What are you watching, waiting, working towards this Christmas?

2. What heavy matter might God be calling you to ponder? Let it tumble around in your mind and heart like clothes in a dryer. Let it become your prayer.

3. What stories do you need to pass on?

4. What might God be inviting you to say ‘Yes’ to this Advent?

5. Look for examples of vulnerability in yourself in the coming weeks.

How can you reach out to someone else in their vulnerability and need during this season?

22 | WarCry 14 November 2015

CALENDAR NOVEMBER 16: Youth and Children’s Quality Improvement Working Party / Wellington 16–19: Territorial Business Conference / Wellington 20–22: Candidates Assessment Weekend/ Booth College of Mission 21: Volleyball Championship / Northern Division 30: Westland Anniversary

DECEMBER 3: Officers Councils / Fiji Division 4: Covenant Day / Fiji Division 5: Commissioning and Ordination Service / Suva Central Corps 6: Commissioning Weekend Celebration Worship / Suva Central Corps 4–6: Youth Councils / Tonga Region 9: Territorial Executive Conference 10: Covenant Day / Booth College of Mission 11: Booth College of Mission Graduation / Hutt City Corps 11–13: Mini Youth Camp / Fiji Division 12: Commissioning and Ordination Service / Wellington City Corps

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS Commissioners Robert (Territorial Commander) and Janine Donaldson (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 11-15 November: Overseas Development Trip to the Philippines (TPWM) 15 November: Hibiscus Coast Corps (TC) 16–19 November: Programme Resources Consultancy Group, London (TPWM) 17–30 November: Governance Review visits to Switzerland, USA East (New York) and London (TC) 3–6 December: Fiji Commissioning Colonels Willis Howell (Chief Secretary) and Barbara Howell (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries) 14 November: Silver Star Luncheon, Hamilton (TSWM) 18 November: Business Conference, Wellington City (CS) 29 November: Tawa Corps 3–6 December: Fiji Commissioning

PRAYER FOCUS Please pray for: Hibiscus Coast, Hutt City, Invercargill, Johnsonville and Kapiti Corps, Tonga Regional Headquarters, The Salvation Army in India.

2015

Messengers of

Commıssioning New Zealand, Fiji & Tonga

& Ordination

Light Fiji

“You are the light of the world … … let your light shine before others.”

Matthew 5:14-16

Saturday 5 December, 4 pm

WE WANT TO SEE YOU AT THE

2016 National Māori Ministry Hui Queen’s Birthday Weekend 3–6 June

TAURANGA, BAY OF PLENTY (marae to be confirmed) These are exciting times for Māori Ministry, and it’s a great time to come together to korero about how we can meet our visions and aspirations and to celebrate the inroads that have already been made.

More details to come soon, but please get in touch NOW to register your interest in what’s sure to be a watershed weekend for Māori Ministry. Contact national Māori Ministry leaders Lieuts Tau and Trish Mataki. Email: maori_ministry@nzf. salvationarmy.org.

International Bible Reading Challenge WEEK 46 1 Peter 4–2 Peter 3 WEEK 47 1 John 1–1 John 5 Go to www.salvationarmy.org/biblechallenge for daily reading guides and more.

Do you know these people?

KEITH, Alan Ross, born 1968/69 in Wellington HODGSON, Beverly Anne, born 1958 in Waipukurau CUTHBERT-DAVIES (EXPOSITO, ESPOSITO, VORTMAN), Louis Reginald, born 1944 in London PRITCHARD, Whakaotinga Patricia (Patsy), born 1970 in Paterangi McBRIDE, Marion Norma (previously Pratt, nee Wall), born 1930 in Wellington DUNN, Doreen Veronica (nee Dangen, Harnett), born 12 April 1934 in Whangarei

Help us find these missing people and bring peace of mind to their families p: (04) 382 0710 | e: family family_tracing@nzf.salvationarmy.org salvationarmy.org.nz/familytracing

Commissioning & Ordination Service Suva Central Corps, 52 MacGregor Rd

Sunday 6 December, 11 am Celebration Worship Suva Central Corps, 52 MacGregor Rd

New Zealand Friday 11 December, 7 pm Booth College of Mission Graduation Hutt City Corps, Cnr Cornwall St & Kings Cres, Lower Hutt

Saturday 12 December, 2:30 pm

Subscribe today!

Commissioning & Ordination Service Wellington City Corps, 92 Vivian St

War Cry … DIRECT to your door

Sunday 13 December, 10 am

Annual subscription (including p&p) $75 (within NZ). To subscribe, contact Salvationist Resources, p: (04) 382 0740, e: mailorder@nzf.salvationarmy.org

Celebration Worship Wellington City Corps, 92 Vivian St

let’s get Ready for Christmas!

Fun4Kids | 23

The Christian season of Advent ends on Christmas Eve. This is an exciting time when we wait to celebrate Jesus’ birth!

To help you make the most of the four weeks before Christmas Day, here’s an idea for a home-made Advent calendar.

1

Cut out the activity strips (on the right). If you would like a pattern on the back of the strips (rather than War Cry’s back cover), stick this page onto the back of a piece of patterned paper before cutting out the strips.

2 Using reuseable adhesive, attach a pom pom to the end of each activity strip.

3 Cut out the label below and stick it onto the jar with glue.

4 Put all the pom poms into the jar. Starting on 1 December, remove a pom pom from the jar each day and complete the activity.

If you don’t want to use pom poms, you could place the activity strips into balloons.

Insert each strip into a balloon then blow it up. Just pop the balloon when you’re ready to complete an activity.

You could also try putting the activity strips into socks or envelopes. Hang 25 socks up on a piece of string using pegs or stick the envelopes to a wall.

read it But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary. God is very pleased with you. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You must call him Jesus.”

(Luke 1:30–31, NIRV)

Let’s Talk Advent is a special season for the church as we wait for Christmas, when Jesus Christ was born. It’s a time to celebrate

that Jesus came to bring salvation into our world, and also to look forward to when Jesus will return for a second time.

Christmas can be a very busy time, with school finishing and extra outings, getting ready for holidays, and perhaps family arriving or travelling to visit family.

Sometimes it can get so busy that we forget to take time to think about Jesus, who is the reason we celebrate.

We need Jesus to be present in our world because there are lots of messed-up things happening. We know we need God to put things right and to make us better.

Advent is a great time that helps us prepare for Christmas by making room for Jesus. It also reminds us how much better our lives and our world are with Jesus in them!

Let’s Pray Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus into our world. I’m so looking forward to celebrating his birth this Christmas. Help me to stay thankful for the gift of Jesus over the next few weeks. Amen.