FAITH IN ACTION 29 MAY 2021 | Issue 6768 | $1.50
Te Kōhanga Manaaki: Petone Corps Plant Playground
Looking Back: the Battle of Crete
Consuming and Discarding, an Unsustainable Way of Living
Stop, Look and Listen for Love
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WAR CRY The Salvation Army
New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Julie & Mark Campbell | GENERAL Brian Peddle | FOUNDERS Catherine
& William Booth
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 Vivienne Hill | GRAPHIC DESIGN Sam Coates, Lauren Millington | STAFF WRITERS Holly Morton, Louise Parry, Bethany Slaughter | PROOF READING Major Colleen
Marshall OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street,
PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141, Phone (04) 384 5649, Email warcry@salvationarmy.org.nz, salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Resources Department, Phone
(04) 382 0768, Email mailorder@salvationarmy.org.nz, $75 per year within NZ PRINT MANAGEMENT makeready.nz | PAPER Sumo Offset
is an environmentally responsible paper produced using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) FSC® certified Mixed Source pulp from responsible sources and manufactured under the strict ISO14001 Environmental Management System.
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Coming Home to Christ We are blessed to live in such beautiful countries—New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. We are all island nations, surrounded by water and remote compared with most other nations. This has its challenges and blessings. We all have strong identities and we are proud of our individual cultural heritages. These nations are our places of belonging, and in this edition of War Cry our theme is ‘A place to belong’. In our Leadership Links on page 19, Captain Pauleen Richards highlights the Māori concept of tūrangawaewae, which translates as a place to stand, a place to belong. On page 14, the Petone Corps Plant in Wellington have created a place to belong within their community and have thoughtfully transformed a piece of land into a wonderful playground for children. On page 3, Bethany Slaughter shares with us her first trip home to Australia since the pandemic began and the thrill of seeing her family again, but contrasts this with the tragedy unfolding in India. Our place to belong may be New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga or Samoa, but, no matter how magnificent, people will still struggle with relationships, finances and sickness. A place to belong is not just a country or a house, it is a daily relationship with Christ. It is a deep awareness that the eternal realm is more real and lasting than the temporary piece of dirt we inhabit. We can come home to Christ and experience that true belonging is only found in him. Vivienne Hill Editor
Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association. 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 137 years | Issue 6768 ISSN 0043-0242 (print), ISSN 2537-7442 (online)
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Boldness enables Christians to forsake all rather than Christ, and to prefer to offend all rather than to offend him.
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Jonathan Edwards
Please pass on or recycle this magazine Read online issuu.com/salvationarmynzftwarcry
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Galatians 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Karatai 5:25 Ki te mea e ora ana tātou i roto i te Wairua, kia haere anō tātou i roto i te Wairua.
T
he announcement of the trans-Tasman travel bubble was long-awaited by many people—like myself—who had been kept apart from family since the pandemic took hold. After seeing how quickly outbreaks can (and do) pop up, I didn’t want to miss my chance to go home to Australia. But for the same reason, I was hesitant to get excited, even after I had booked flights. After praying and waiting for this bubble for so long, getting my hopes up to no avail on multiple occasions, I was careful to keep a lid on my expectations. It wasn’t until I felt the plane lift off the tarmac that I allowed myself to believe that I was, indeed, finally heading home. Despite my catastrophising all the ways the journey could go wrong, I didn’t land to find out that the country had gone into a snap lockdown, nor was I forced to turn around upon arrival because I had ticked the wrong box on one of the new border forms. After a delayed internal flight, I landed safe and sound in my home state and hugged my parents for the first time in more than 15 months. Our family dogs met me eagerly at the front door of my home and my clothes were quickly embellished by a thin layer of cat hair. I kept a necessary eye on the news, in case an outbreak might disrupt my ability to get back to work or require me to self-isolate during my precious days at home. But in New Zealand (and Australia), for the very fortunate majority of us, our biggest concerns are now increasingly about other things and less about the pandemic itself.
Meanwhile, the same news bulletins were covering the unthinkable predicament in India. The images of people laying down in front of traffic, begging doctors to find space in over-crammed hospitals for their dying family members. The numbers have exceeded 400,000 new cases in a single day. More than 3500 families losing a treasured member every 24 hours while I was reconnecting with mine. It was a shatteringly stark contrast. In the face of such distressing news, there is a propensity to panic about how this might herald another wave of worldwide pandemic pain. The recent resurgence of the virus within our territory in Fiji is another reminder that we are by no means out of the woods. I can easily slip into worrying whether it will be another 15 months until I see my loved ones again, along with many other families who are still waiting to reunite. But I’m encouraged by the early symbols of hope that God has planted in our region: the freedom with which we can currently move around Aotearoa; the quickness with which we adapt to and come out of snap lockdowns; travel bubbles. When it is discouraging to watch the disease spreading such damage from afar, maybe we can take some heart in these signs that God is calming the storms of Covid-19, and our corner of the globe is just the beginning. BY BETHANY SLAUGHTER
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Cauliflower Fried Rice ½ medium cauliflower, cut into florets Salt and pepper, to season 1½ Tbsp coconut oil 2 eggs, lightly beaten ½ Tbsp Chinese five spice powder 1 large carrot, thinly sliced 1 red onion, cut into thin wedges 1 small head of broccoli, cut into florets ¼ cup water 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated 2 spring onions, thinly sliced 2 Tbsp sesame oil
In a food processor, pulse cauliflower until it looks like rice. Microwave for 6 minutes, or until just tender, and season to taste. Meanwhile, heat a large wok on high. Add 1 teaspoon of the coconut oil and swirl wok to coat it. Add eggs and swirl wok to form a thin omelette. Cook until omelette is set and transfer to a clean chopping board. Roll tightly and cut into thin strips. Add half the remaining coconut oil to the wok. Stir-fry cauliflower and five spice powder for 2 minutes, or until browned lightly and transfer to a plate. Set aside.
WARCRYIN HISTORY On 8 Feb 1957, The Salvation Army showed off its newest set of wheels in the Southern Division, acquired to increase the Army’s efficiency in the Nightcaps district.
Source: The Heritage Centre & Archives at the Plowman Resource Centre, Booth College of Mission
Heat remaining coconut oil in the wok and stir-fry carrot and red onion for 4 minutes, or until just tender. Add broccoli and the water and stirfry for 2 minutes, or until just tender. Add garlic, ginger and half the spring onion; stir-fry until fragrant. Add cauliflower rice and sesame oil; stirfry for 1 minute, or until heated through. Season to taste. Serve immediately, topped with omelette strips and remaining spring onion.
1 Tom Kenny is most famous as the voice of what animated TV character? 2 ‘Coffee hit’ is an anagram for which TV show? 3 What is the medical term ‘epistaxis’ more commonly referred to? 4 What kind of beans are used to make baked beans? 5 What leper of Bethany entertained Jesus in his home? Answers on page 22
SALLIEOF THEWEEK
Brenda Brownlie (Westgate Corps) Brenda is a founding member of the Westgate Corps, Auckland, having been involved since it was Massey Corps Plant. Brenda has faithfully served corps and community through her commitment to the Family Store, child sponsorship, seniors ministry and other areas of corps family life. Brenda has a heart for people and for The Salvation Army’s mission in the Westgate/ Massey/Hobsonville area. Westgate just wouldn’t be the same without her! (By Captain Juanita Buckingham)
Source: countdown.co.nz
Source: Please Don’t Pray With Your Mouth Full, by Bob Swanson.
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QUIKQUIZ
Family Store Crawl in Tauranga At Tauranga Corps, on Friday 16 April, the Family Stores in the area celebrated the retirement of their business manager, Bill Morris, after three years of being in the role. Major Denise Crump, one of the corps officers, wanted to have all the staff at the Family Stores who had been involved with Bill to be able to see him off, so she planned a ‘Family Store crawl’.
Weird of the Week: San Marino, Vatican City and Lesotho are the only three countries completely enclosed within another country.
‘Well, I was just talking with our business administrator and we decided that would be funny. Also, it was being able to include all the staff at the shops because we couldn’t close them. And so we packed little picnic morning teas for everybody … including cake for every store, but because Bill’s just finished the budgets, we made signs calling them “Bill’s budget cakes”.’ Denise, along with Captain Corryn Vemoa, assistant corps officer, decorated the van and picked up Bill to drive him to each of the three Family Stores, so they all had an opportunity to celebrate with him. The Family Stores knew they were on the way,
TOPFIVE
It may be the most frustrating letter to place on a Scrabble board, but here are five facts about the humble letter ‘Q’ (this is not an endorsement of QAnon!). 1. ‘Q’ and ‘J’ are the only two letters which do not appear on the periodic table. 2. The character of Q appears in all but three James Bond films to date, but the character does not appear in any of Ian Fleming’s novels.
3. Q is the least common letter in the English language, appearing in approximately 1 out of every 510 words. 4. In physics, a lowercase q is the symbol which represents charge. 5. Q is the only letter which does not appear in the name of any state in the USA.
but it was a great surprise for Bill with morning tea at each stop and a paper crown to wear. Denise explained, ‘I decided when you graduate from kindy you wear a crown, so why not when you graduate from a Family Store?’ As Bill moves into retirement, he is planning to work for the next three months in a part-time capacity while a new business manager is found. He is also hoping to do some volunteer service in the community and spend more time with his wife when she retires from her school. Denise shares on why it was good to celebrate Bill. ‘Corryn wrote on the van an acronym for his name: Bold, Interesting, Loud and Lovely. He was just a fun person to have around, and we appreciated his service to the corps.’
Memoir All the Young Men By Ruth Coker Burks (with Kevin Carr O’Leary), Grove Press, 2020. In 1986, Ruth Coker Burks encountered a young man dying of AIDS in hospital. Ruth sat with him for 13 hours until he passed after his mother refused to see him and the nurses wouldn’t come near. From that moment, Ruth advocated for, fed, medicated and at times buried over 1000 men with AIDS who she supported—her guys. I felt so much while reading this book: anger towards the doctors and pastors who should have helped; grief for these isolated men and for Ruth, doing what was right despite rejection from her friends, family and church; hope, when the world looked full of fear and hate. I’m not a big non-fiction reader, but All the Young Men makes me wonder what other moving stories of love and fierce faith I’ve missed. (Reviewed by Holly Morton) 29 MAY 2021 WarCry 5
Private Denis Sampson presents a cheque to Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham aboard HMS Phoebe, Alexandria, Egypt, August 1941.
In a time of relative peace, it is easy to forget the sacrifices made and lives lost in the protection of our freedom and safety. It is 80 years this May since the Battle of Crete and this is the story of one New Zealand soldier, a medic who was caught up in that event. BY MAJOR KINGSLEY SAMPSON
‘T
hey’re still waiting for their breakfast,’ said Denis Sampson as he recounted the events of Tuesday 20 May 1941. Denis, along with Hector McPherson, who were both members of the 6th Field Ambulance of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF), had been sent that morning to the 7th (British) General Hospital to help as required. This was a fully tented hospital with long marquees for wards. There was one tent for the seriously wounded and other tents for the lightly wounded, medical supplies and a pharmacy. Denis and Hector were assigned to one of the ‘lightly wounded’ wards and given the task of serving breakfast to the men. But no one received breakfast that day, as at around 7.30am German planes bombed and strafed the hospital. This was despite there being a huge Red Cross sign on the ground. At the same time, planes flew over the hospital dragging gliders with parachutists towards Maleme airport. So began the German invasion of the Mediterranean island of Crete, and the eventual capitulation of Allied forces about a week later.
Salvationist’s son Denis Wilfred Sampson (New Zealand Army Service Number 11947) was my father. He was born in Christchurch in 1915 to Salvationists George and Elsie Sampson and enlisted in January 1940, four months after the outbreak of the Second World War. He trained at Burnham Military Camp south of Christchurch and, as a volunteer, chose to serve in a medical unit. He was interested in medicine and had been a chemist’s assistant for some years during the 1930s. Assigned to the 6th Field Ambulance, he left New Zealand on 27 August 1940. He sailed via India to Egypt where he disembarked on 27 October 1940. His account of the Battle of Crete comes from unpublished personal papers and an oral history interview he gave in 2000 when he was in his 80s, just before the 60th anniversary of the battle.
From Egypt to Crete In March 1941, the New Zealand Division was rushed from Egypt to Greece along with troops from Britain and Australia. Their task was to bolster the Greek army and prevent a German invasion of that country. This was ultimately unsuccessful, and when German forces broke through the Allied defences and pursued the Allied forces down the Greek peninsula, they abandoned much of their equipment and beat a hasty retreat. During the retreat, Denis hid among 29 MAY 2021 WarCry 7
bags of beans in a shop in Larissa to avoid being bombed and, later near Thermopylae, he watched bullets from strafing enemy planes hit the ground while he and many others hid in a wheat field. Some 1800 New Zealand troops were captured during the retreat and became prisoners of war, some (mainly from 6th Brigade) returned to Egypt, while around 7700 others went to Crete. Denis was part of the New Zealand forces evacuated to Crete, landing at Canea (now Chania) in Suda (now Souda) Bay in midMay 1941. He says it was ‘chaotic and crowded’ on their ship. Upon landing, they had no tents or equipment and slept under olive trees. After the terror and danger of the scamper through Greece, Denis found this was an almost idyllic existence. He was also able to help a doctor treat the wounded in a gully with a small creek.
German invasion On 20 May the invasion began, and German parachutists quickly took control of the hospital. A colleague led the walking wounded out into a slit trench to escape the attack but eventually they were captured. In the confusion, Denis found himself helping a British artillery man with a smashed ankle and the two of them were able to hide under some mattresses at the end of a ward. These mattresses protected them both when the end of that ward was bombed. They were not discovered when German soldiers checked the ward for survivors. Later, Denis was able to take the wounded soldier past a fully armed German sentry to the ‘seriously wounded’ ward and hand him over to hospital staff. He said that ‘the ward was crowded and a hive of industrious activity’. There were some caves close to the hospital and it was decided to move the men there. The caves were warm and medical operations continued. Denis was not on the staff of
AT ONE POINT THEY CAME ACROSS A CHAOTIC QUEUE OF MEN TRYING TO GET A DRINK FROM A WELL BUT THERE WAS ONLY LIQUID MUD AT THE BOTTOM. 8 WarCry 29 MAY 2021
this British hospital so he did not assist with the operations, but he accompanied a British doctor as he attended to the men scattered through the caves, lying on stretchers, groundsheets and blankets. Even some wounded German soldiers were cared for in a separate section. The doctor found a man with a damaged ankle, but when he removed the dirty bandage, he found the wound crawling with maggots. Delighted that the maggots had eaten all the pus, the doctor cleaned and re-bandaged the wound and left the man to get better. Although he had been in the medical corps for over a year, this medical work was something new for Denis. He had done very little actual medical work up to this time. While all this was happening, German planes were strafing the caves.
Long trek to Sfakia Once it was known that the Germans had taken over Crete (around 27 May), the New Zealanders working in the hospital were told to leave as they did not belong to the British Army. The plan was to evacuate as many Allied troops as possible and this happened from 28 to 31 May. The troops had to walk across the White Mountains in order to reach the port of Sfakia on the south coast. There was only one road, with the highest point being a mountain pass at 1000 metres. Denis left the caves and started walking with the hospital padre (name unknown) who was ill. They met others in their military units who demanded the ‘right of way’. Stragglers separated from their units were regarded as a nuisance and were told to ‘get out of the way’. Denis and the padre passed through a village, part of which was on fire. The local priest brought them some olives and wine, then they kept on walking. They had no water or food and just followed the crowds. At one point they came across a chaotic queue of men trying to get a drink from a well but there was only liquid mud at the bottom. On the other side of the ‘hill’, they managed to dodge Australian military police who were turning back stragglers and continued down the hill towards the beach at Sfakia. The padre became delirious at one stage, and when they rested under a cypress tree he asked Denis to pick oranges from it. Author Dan Davin wrote that the men on the march were ‘senseless to all feeling’ and Denis thought this was an apt description. The troops were just plodding along, one step after another, with no sleep. He had nothing with him apart from the uniform he was wearing. Everything else had been left at his camp when he was seconded to the British hospital.
Denis Wilfred Sampson.
FOR HIS SERVICE, DENIS WAS MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES IN APRIL 1944, IN RECOGNITION OF HIS ‘GALLANT AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST’. When Denis and the padre reached the beach at Sfakia, he was fortunate to meet a New Zealand corporal he knew. This man pushed him and the sick padre into a queue of men going down to the water’s edge to await rescue. They were taken by small boats out to the Australian cruiser HMAS Perth where they were put into the captain’s cabin and served sandwiches and cocoa, their first food and drink since that given by the priest. The ship came under attack on the journey to Alexandria in Egypt and suffered a direct hit. Immediately the sailors stopped serving the food, manned the anti-aircraft guns and, once the attack had ceased, returned to their task. Once in Egypt, the New Zealand troops regrouped and were re-enforced. The 6th Field Ambulance had lost up to two-thirds of its men in Greece and Crete, but once re-enforced, was involved in a number of the North Africa desert battles. These included Sidi Rezegh in late 1941, where it lost all its equipment, again. It was during this battle that Denis, along with about 1000 New Zealanders, became prisoners of war for a few days when their positions were overrun. Later, Denis was put in charge of the operating theatre and spoke highly of the medical work being done by his unit. Sometimes they worked for 24 hours without a break.
Home to New Zealand Denis returned to New Zealand with the 1943 furlough draft, married soon after and, in early 1944, was graded medically unfit and discharged from the Army. For his service, Denis was mentioned in despatches in April 1944, in recognition of his ‘gallant and distinguished service in the Middle East’. In recognition for what the Royal Navy had achieved in rescuing the troops from Crete, the New Zealand Division took up a collection for the Royal Navy welfare fund. A cheque for £820 (about $77,000 in today’s money) was duly presented
in a ceremony on the HMS Phoebe, in Alexandria Harbour on 5 August 1941. One rank from each unit was invited to be present and Denis was chosen to represent the medical corps. He also gave a speech, broadcast throughout the ship in which he expressed the deep appreciation of the entire NZEF for the navy’s effort in evacuating so many men from Crete. After his speech, Denis handed the cheque to Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham. Denis said he enlisted because he thought ‘it was the right thing to do’ and that he was ‘proud to have served on Crete’. Arising from his medical work in the 6th Field Ambulance, he began studying to become a doctor but this proved unsuccessful. He was a representative for a pharmaceutical company for a few years in the 1950s, and eventually found success from the 1960s as a life assurance agent. Information from his oral interview was included along with the memories of other Crete veterans in A Unique Sort of Battle, edited by Megan Hutching, published in 2001. Denis died in 2002 and was interred in the returned services section of Whenua Tapu Cemetery, Porirua. Information from Denis Sampson’s oral interviews used with permission of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Wellington. 29 MAY 2021 WarCry 9
’Tis the Season As we move into winter, plenty of people mention how the lack of sunshine and shortened daylight hours cause them to feel a bit down. However, Seasonal Affective Disorder is a mental health concern which seriously affects people every year. The symptoms mirror those of depression and can range from mild to severe—fatigue, sadness, losing interest in things you normally enjoy, difficulty concentrating or sleeping (or, conversely, excessive sleeping), disrupted eating patterns, rapid weight gain/loss, feelings of despair and even suicidal thoughts. What differentiates Seasonal Affective Disorder from depression is how these symptoms parallel a particular season—most commonly in winter or autumn; however, it can occur in summer months as well. If you have noticed this pattern in your own life and are approaching the wintry months with a sense of dread, here are some ways you can plan ahead to manage your mental wellbeing.
YOU DON’T NEED TO GRIT YOUR TEETH FOR THREE MONTHS…
1. Experience as much (day)light as possible. Get outside, even when it is cloudy, or join an outdoor sports team (which also keeps you active). Read, eat or study outside, or set yourself up next to a window. Pursuing light therapy is another option if you are not getting enough light from the sun itself. 2. Spend time with loved ones and avoid social isolation. Pets are also great for a healing cuddle.
3. Keep active. This does not only involve exercise, as you need to keep your mind engaged as well—try joining a group like a choir or book club. Having planned, enjoyable activities can help to lessen your symptoms. 4. Eat well—especially over winter. Embrace warm comfort foods that are also nutritional—hearty soups, roast vegetables, warm bread and delicious curries. Eating well will give you the right energy, plus yummy meals provide something to look forward to (especially if you enjoy the process of cooking). 5. Seek professional help. If your symptoms increase in severity, find external help from a mental health professional or resource. This can have long-term benefits as well as providing short-term strategies. If your Seasonal Affective Disorder becomes hard to manage alone, don’t downplay how you are feeling. You don’t need to grit your teeth for three months—look for ways that can ease your discomfort in the here and now.
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SUMMERTIME SADNESS While Seasonal Affective Disorder is most common in winter, summertime blues are possible too—typically for people who live closer to the equator—and often cause people to feel more isolated, because they feel like they should be having a great time and can’t reason why not. Some potential explanations for why people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder through summer include:
longer days; increased heat and humidity losing hours of sleep as the days lengthen out a disrupted schedule over the summer months (when businesses may close and schools are shut) financial worries about paying for things like holidays, activities or childcare increased pressure on body image increases in the pollen count. Source: American Psychological Association (www.apa.org)
TESTIFY! Maxine Baker of Invercargill Corps shares her story of growing up with blindness, her love of music and giving everything a go. I was born in Gore, in 1966, very premature—22 weeks and only 1lb 8oz (680g). My mother was told that I probably wouldn’t live, but I was a fighter. I was put in an incubator for three weeks; they reckon too much oxygen in the incubator made me go blind. An ophthalmologist said I also had a disease which affects babies in the womb. I remember going to kindergarten, learning to walk, all the normal things little children do. When I was five, I went to Homai Campus School for the blind, in Auckland, and learnt how to be independent, read braille and cope with my blindness. I was young to be away from home, but I coped alright. After primary school, I went to the local high school; we were mainstreamed and only had one teacher in the blind students’ resource room. We never had anyone taking notes for us. Music is a big part of my life. My dad plays the piano and guitar. I started to learn piano at Homai, but the teacher was too bossy. I told her I would teach myself, and that’s what I did. At high school I learnt flute and was the only blind person in the orchestra. In 1991, I went around New Zealand and Australia for six weeks, playing flute with the Continental Singers and Orchestra. At Sydney Zoo, they handed me a koala and it peed all down my jacket! High school became a bit much and I became quite unwell. I lived at home for a while, then I went to Auckland to an independent rehab unit for blind people where I was taught how to cook and clean house. For a few years, I worked in hospital x-ray departments. I moved into Bainfield Park, Invercargill, 26 years ago. It’s a residential care home for people with many different disabilities.
I CAN TURN MY SPIRITUAL EYES TOWARDS JESUS BY PRAYING, WORSHIPING AND KEEPING FOCUSED ON THE LIGHT OF SALVATION. Bainfield was the old Karitane Hospital where I spent time as a baby, so I’ve come full circle. I went to an Anglican church and gave my life to Jesus when I was 14. There was a service and the speaker was disabled. He had been down a path similar to mine, and it resonated with me. About 12 years ago, I decided to take a taxi and go along to The Salvation Army. I felt like no one talked to me, but I decided I would go back, and I
have been part of the corps ever since. It was a proud day when I was enrolled as a senior soldier. I play in the music team and band, and I also go to a Bible study. I have a braille Bible. I can’t take all of it to church—I’d need a supermarket trolley because it’s all in separate books! I do Bible readings at church and devotions at music team. I enjoy life. I went through a phase when I wanted to end my life, but I know that life is precious to God. I have to take each day and live it as it’s happening. God only sees the good. He doesn’t judge you because of your disability. In the Bible, there is a story where the disciples ask Jesus why a man was born blind. Jesus says it is because God could work in him a miracle. I think that’s what God’s doing in my life—not by regaining my sight, but to be an inspiration to others. I can turn my spiritual eyes towards Jesus by praying, worshipping and keeping focused on the light of salvation. When I get to heaven, I am going to see Jesus’ face. I’ve never seen a person’s face, so his will be the first. That makes me feel good. 29 MAY 2021 WarCry 11
Before you were even born, you started training to become a consumer. Your life began surrounded by stuff. Every day you see signs that tell you and your whānau that your value is tied up in what you have—if you don’t have the latest things, the best brands, then you’re missing out. BY CAPTAIN MISSY DITCHBURN
Clothes are a classic example of this, right? Big brands design stuff based around what’s on trend for the ‘season’. Think for a moment how crazy that is! Clothes that if looked after could last 10 years-plus, are advertised as being uncool after one winter, summer or spring. Or even worse, they’re designed not to last, so you’re forced to get something new. To keep up, you throw stuff out or donate it to a store and buy the new thing. You are programmed to become dissatisfied with what you have by companies who want to make money out of you.
TEXTILE WASTE In New Zealand, it is estimated that 100 million kilos of textile waste is dumped each year. After an audit in 2018 for waste in Christchurch alone, the amount of fashion and textile waste was 6397 tonnes. The idea of making something quickly and cheaply that’s replaced just as quickly, is called ‘fast fashion’. The problem is fast fashion has had a fast impact on people and on the planet. Water shortages and pollution put communities at risk; greenhouse gas emissions lead to climate change; dangerous working conditions and maltreatment of garment makers … unfortunately, the list goes on. Producing something sustainable means we make the world better for everyone now, without destroying the possibilities for the next generation. If you’re wondering if something is sustainable, you can ask yourself this question: Can it be reproduced over and over again, forever? The best news is this: we have the power to make all our consumer decisions based on sustainability.
JESUS’ BRAND OF JUSTICE Jesus didn’t live in a time where sustainability was a problem like today. So how do we know what he would think? Jesus said that those who love God, love others. The truth is, ‘The fact that [something] is cheap, doesn’t mean it doesn’t cost much, but that someone, other than [us], is paying the price,’ says Marieke Eyskoot, sustainable fashion and lifestyle expert. Every dollar represents a decision.Ask yourself: Does how I spend show my love for others? Jesus lived this crazy, who-cares-if-it’s-popular life, with biblical justice on his mind and in his heart. He showed up for those who were vulnerable and encouraged others to do the same. The planet and its people are more vulnerable than ever. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to be part of his work in making the broken beautiful again. The Bible says it this way: ‘He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’ (Micah 6:8).
GO DO SOMETHING! More than 100 years ago, this guy, Bramwell Booth, was telling his dad, William, (co-founder of The Salvation Army) about the men experiencing homelessness that he saw on his way to work every day. William replied, ‘Bramwell, go and do something!’ For those of us in Te Ope Whakaora, our burden is not to fix the world, but to respond to the needs right in front of us; to think about where we throw that plastic bottle, or whether we need to buy it at all; to work on changing our own consumer nature and not be sucked in by trends. We can keep clothes for longer; repair things we love; buy treats with a FAIRTRADE Mark to ensure the people making the product were treated fairly, and demand that companies make changes to the way they work.
You might have some ideas on how we could make a difference. Maybe an idea for your school, your family, your church, or community centre. If so, we want to hear them! Speak up and speak out. Join our sustainable Salvation Army movement and help us advocate for change. If you’ve got something to say, email us at warcry@salvationarmy.org.nz or DM on Facebook—facebook.com/warcrymagazinenzfts 12 firezone.co.nz 29 MAY 2021
JESUS LIVED THIS CRAZY, WHO-CARES-IF-IT’SPOPULAR LIFE, WITH BIBLICAL JUSTICE ON HIS MIND AND IN HIS HEART.
Going forward, we will feature some amazing thoughts from young people around the territory (Aotearoa, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa) on different social justice issues.
OUR FIRST IS BY MOSHE JIVAN, FROM HAMILTON CITY CORPS There is so much social injustice in this world! So many times we have opportunities to maybe make a change or two but instead we stay silent and do nothing! For me, I believe that without understanding how God sees injustice, we will struggle to find conviction for ourselves and what we should do as a community to stop these big, but very stealthy, acts of injustice. Our purpose in life is to glorify God and represent who God is; to know the power of his creativity—he created Man and Woman in his image. As children of God, I believe that we need to be willing to speak up against all this injustice, and not turn a blind eye, as this will support the acts of social injustice. Every human being that is made in the image of God is no greater in value nor lesser in value, because God loves us all the same and we are all equal to one-another. It doesn't matter who the person is, we are brothers and sisters in Christ. We must stand together and fight for God’s justice in this world, which is loving God with all your heart, soul and mind and loving your neighbour as yourself. If I’m going to be honest, as people who call themselves children of God we barely reach the mark, so that is why we need to step up in boldness and humility to stand firm for what we believe!
FOR THOSE OF US IN TE OPE WHAKAORA, OUR BURDEN IS NOT TO FIX THE WORLD, BUT TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. 29 MAY 2021 WarCry 13
The Playground that Love Built BY JULES BADGER, PHOTOGRAPHY BY DON HOGBEN & LT-COLONEL MILTON COLLINS
On Saturday 1 May, a shared community vision entered its next chapter when Mayor of Lower Hutt Campbell Barry officially opened Te Kōhanga Manaaki. Longstanding Petone Corps Plant supporter, Major Dorothy Nisbit, shared a prayer of blessing before a stream of tamariki (children) ‘cut the ribbon’ with their excited little bodies as they raced into the playscape for the first time. By the community, for the community
Values behind the vision
Envoy Stewart Irwin addressed those gathered at the opening. ‘There have been so very many people involved in the creation of this playscape—from little kids right through to those who have retired. This opening is a celebration and testament to how many hands are needed to make something significant. I am truly humbled when I think about what each of you has poured into this place—the hours of work, the great conversations and the many encouraging words that have been exchanged. This is a project by the community, for the community.’ Located in Lower Hutt, at the Petone Salvation Army on the corner of Cuba and High Streets, the playscape has been four years in the making. When centre leaders, Envoys Collette and Stewart Irwin, first joined the Petone Corps Plant whānau in 2016, they entered into a conversation about how the green space on the corps property could best be used to benefit the community. Stew explains that, ‘back when this was a chunk of relatively empty land, we asked the question: “What could this be?” We listened closely as we talked with our neighbors about what could be the best use of the land. We heard that there was a need for an area specially designed for those aged under-five years old. We then asked those preschoolers what they would like in a playground and, with some help, put together a playscape design.’
From the outset, the workers behind the playscape vision were influenced by some key values. As these values were developed, they resonated in a way that drew more and more people into owning the vision and investing their time, energy, resources, skills and passion into the project. These rudder-like values are printed on the signage at the entrance to the playscape for all to see, and Stew reiterated those values during the opening. ‘Values that have been important to us during this journey are: we are environmentally responsible; we will be inclusive—so all can be involved, because the playground caters to different skills and abilities (including those differently-abled); the playscape will be developmentally appropriate and under-fiveyear-old kids can be nurtured, extended and cared for; the playscape is restorative and promotes healthy relationships between kids and kids, kids and adults, and people and their world around them; that it is creative—a place where kids can play and be as creative and imaginative as possible with the playscape supporting this creativity.’ The playscape features a covered sandpit cleverly disguised as a wharenui (meeting house), complete with stunning safety-proof ‘stained glass windows’, a set of preschool safety swings, two slides, two small climbing walls, a hobbit house
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with underground tunnels, wheelchair-friendly decking and a waterplay area with an historic water pump and cascading ‘creek’. The playscape is beautifully adorned with native trees and shrubs, and includes several conversational gazebo groupings for parents and caregivers to ‘make camp’ as they enjoy one another’s company.
What’s in a name? The playscape is named Te Kōhanga Manaaki—a beautiful taonga (gift) from local iwi. Stew explains that, ‘the first part, given by Terry Puketapu, was Manaaki, and his wish is that it would convey blessing and respect. One of the things we talked about early in this project was our desire that this playscape would be a blessing to our neighbourhood. Second, respectful relationships are something that we hold as important—the way we treat each other and how we encourage others to do so as well. Manaaki is a beautiful fit for this place. Kōhanga was proposed by Tina Renata, with Kōhanga being a place—a nest of nurture and aroha that enables the birds to fly when they are ready. We truly hope this playscape will be a place of nurture and aroha.’
Envoy Stew Irwin addressing the crowd at the opening, with the wharenui in the background.
Vision, values and volunteerism A great surprise to all involved was the extended list of volunteer names, spanning the length and breadth of the Petone community, included on the signage. ‘Volunteerism at its heart is an act of love—this is the playground that love built,’ said Stew, who admits he stole this beautiful line from Collette. Captain Mat Badger, territorial youth secretary and Petone Corps Plant member, reports that, ‘I noticed a bit of caution tape around the seeded grass area come loose, but before I could get to it, a playgroup dad, who’d been actively involved in the project, grabbed a hammer from the shed and set things right. That’s true community ownership and personal investment right there! This is not a project The Salvation Army provided for the community, but something beautiful built together with the community. It’s really special and I can’t wait to see the fruit for the Kingdom that comes from it.’
THE PLAYSCAPE IS NAMED TE KŌHANGA MANAAKI—A BEAUTIFUL TAONGA (GIFT) FROM LOCAL IWI.
A highlight at the opening was the significant number of families in attendance connected through the Wednesday morning playgroup, as well as neighbours, local tradespeople and corps folk who have all been involved in bringing the playscape to life. Wider Salvation Army supporters from around the division also gathered, including territorial leaders, Commissioners Julie and Mark Campbell, and Booth College of Mission staff and cadets. Attending alongside Mayor Barry Campbell were Deputy Mayor Tui Lewis and other local council members. Stew made special mention of several individuals without whom completion of the project may not have been realised. ‘Brandon and Robin: your design ability and enthusiasm for what could be were contagious and inspiring. Nigel and Bevan (corps members), you have poured countless hours of work into this place, from the little things right through to the strands that tie it together. Chris, from Placemakers, your help and support have been invaluable.’
Coffee and connection A special addition to the playscape is the coffee cart and café seating area, open to the community on Tuesdays through to Saturdays, and operated by local barista and Petone Corps Plant whānau member Craig Hutson. Craig has been supported by a successful local business woman and retired café owner, who not only provided delicious gluten-free, keto and dairy-free treats for the opening, but will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The impetus behind the addition to the playscape vision of the coffee cart is extended connection and manaakitanga. Craig says, ‘the coffee cart is about enhancing the potential for connection. When it comes to building community, we all know that conversations are what produce relationships— sharing a cuppa helps with that! Being able to provide some tasty kai and a hot drink is like having an extra tool in the toolbox, especially when it comes to addressing the disconnect that exists between the broader church and the community. The playscape is all about closing that gap—this is not a church space, it’s an everyone space. I just want to help shift that perception for people.’ You can visit the playscape anytime with your whānau (family)—adult supervision required at all times.
Campbell Barry, Mayor of Lower Hutt, about to unleash the kids onto the playscape grounds. 29 MAY 2021 WarCry 15
We Object!
War Cry, 29 March 1919.
From the historic In Darkest England, and the Way Out to Te Ope Whakaora (the Army that brings life), the tensions between The Salvation Army and alcohol continue. Co-founder of The Salvation Army, William Booth, said, ‘Many of the social evils, which overshadow the land … would dwindle away and die if they were not constantly watered with strong drink’. The Salvation Army’s stand for salvation, sanctification and temperance has led the Army to becoming one of the most prominent champions against alcohol harm in the country. We not only champion through our Bridge Programme (alcohol and other drugs services), but through soldiers and corps officers objecting to alcohol licensing in their local areas. Lili from Wellington shares her experience with objecting: ‘For first-timers, the process of objecting to alcohol licences being renewed or granted in your local community can be daunting. My initial experience with having to object to alcohol licences was a double whammy—an objection to a new application for an off-licence operating in the neighbouring suburb and objecting to the renewal of an on-licence for a tavern located two doors down from our centre/corps, both within one month of each other. However, I found the experience very educational (learning about how the District Licensing Committee works and the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act) and valuable for making new community connections and affirming current ones based on a common objective, and the restorative nature—being a voice for the vulnerable groups whom we serve through the Army. The main challenges were meeting the deadlines for each part of the process in the busyness of all other mahi, and preparing a strong and relevant statement for the hearing.’ BY ANA IKA, POLICY ANALYST, THE SALVATION ARMY SOCIAL POLICY AND PARLIAMENTARY UNIT
We have created a toolkit for The Salvation Army community to continue in our stand for temperance and protecting our communities from alcohol harm. If you would like to find out more about objecting to alcohol licensing, you can find the toolkit here: https://tinyurl.com/SPPUAlcohol
Implementing the One Waka Strategy The Territorial Strategy, He Waka Eke Noa, was launched in February and distributed across New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa for divisions and teams to implement in their work. For the ASARS (Addictions, Supportive Accommodation and Reintegration Services) team at Territorial Headquarters, the territorial strategy reflects a plan they had already begun to practice, which Assistant Territorial Secretary for Mission Lt-Colonel Lynette Hutson says is an encouraging sign they are headed in the right direction. ‘Across ASARS it was picked up with a real warmth, and a sense that this feels very appropriate for this time. It feels absolutely consistent with the work that we do … There’s also a challenge in it to make sure that we think of ourselves as being in the waka and all working together. Not just working in the four parts of ASARS, but for us to always keep in our sight the potential linkages that we have with other activities and parts of The Salvation Army.’ 16 WarCry 29 MAY 2021
Out of last year’s national lockdown, ASARS is having a greater opportunity to reach out to whānau (family) for both their physical and spiritual needs. Lynette explains that they are hopeful to work more in partnership with those they are serving, framed by the cultural aspects of One Waka. ‘Almost half of our client group are Māori and Pasifika, with an increasing Asian population. We’re not the experts in their lives and their cultural needs, so it’s listening and adapting … to what the person needs, not what we think they need.’
Kolovai Kindy Fundraiser Midland Division’s Women’s Ministries project is making a difference for generations to come, with a fundraising initiative for Tonga Region’s Kolovai Kindergarten, an upgrade of outside facilities and resources. The community-based kindy is in the same compound as the Kolovai Corps Plant and aims to provide a safe and happy learning environment for children aged between three and five. Among the items to be upgraded are a drinking-water tank, guttering and piping, a covered path to the playground, upgrading the playground equipment, a roof, security and fencing. They also hope to convert an outside corner of the main building into a hospitality area for the children, staff and parents. Teachers at Kolovai Kindergarten write, ‘Hearing of all this surrounding support, it was a great lift to all of us and we pray for more of these kinds of blessings. Thank you for … enabling these young ones to experience love and giving from other people—showing them that we are one in God and others are thinking of us.’ The 2020 fundraising total was $21,000, and Midland Division Director of Women’s Ministries Major Raewyn Gardner is keen to continue fundraising efforts into 2021. You can donate to the project by emailing warcry@salvationarmy.org.nz
GAZETTE Promotion to Glory: Auxiliary Captain Janice (Jan) Savage, on Monday 10 May 2021 from Parkstone Care Centre, Ilam, Christchurch, aged 79 years. Janice Anne Savage was born in Christchurch on 27 September 1941. Jan entered The Salvation Army Training College from Christchurch City Corps in 1968 as a cadet in The Evangelists session. Jan was appointed to Dunedin Emergency Lodge for social training followed by Napier Corps for field training. Jan was commissioned on 19 January 1970 and appointed as assistant officer to Eltham Eventide Home. Appointments followed as home officer, Wellington Bethany (1971); assistant officer, Dunedin St Clair Men’s Home (1971); and assistant officer, Christchurch Emergency Lodge (1972). Due to hospitalisation and ongoing ill health, it was necessary for Jan to resign in July 1973. On 24 January 1991, Jan was warranted as an auxiliary captain and appointed assistant officer, Christchurch Community and Family Services, then appointed as assistant officer, Addington Men’s Social Service Centre Christchurch in 1996, and it is from this appointment that Jan retired on 4 July 1997. We honour Auxiliary Captain Jan Savage for her passionate heart and service as an active officer, and throughout her retirement in the communities in which she lived and continued to serve for her Lord. Please uphold in prayer Elizabeth and Richard, Jan’s goddaughter and godson, at this time of loss and grief. Well done good and faithful ‘Evangelist’ of Jesus Christ! Appointments: Effective immediately: Lieutenant Andrew O’Brien has been appointed as the director, Manukau Community Ministries at Northern Division. Andrew will be concluding his additional appointment as divisional Pasifika advisor and take up his new additional appointment. Effective immediately: Major Sila Siufanga has been appointed as the divisional Pasifika advisor (pro-term) for Northern Division. Engagement: We congratulate Cadets Rebecca Howan and Nick Moffat on their engagement on Thursday 29 April 2021. We pray God’s blessing on Rebecca and Nick as they plan for their future together. First-time grandparents: Congratulations are extended to Captains Misikone and Sheree Vemoa on the safe arrival of their first grandchild, Leilani Roimata Itieli. Leilani was born on Thursday 6 May, weighing 6lb 7oz. (3.06 kgs). We join with her parents AJ Vemoa and Ruia Itieli, and grandparents Misikone and Sheree, as they celebrate the birth of Leilani, and pray God’s blessing on them all. Congratulations are extended to Commissioners Janine and Robert Donaldson on the safe arrival of their first grandchild, Holly June Donaldson. Holly was born on Saturday 15 May 2021, weighing 7lb 8oz. (3.4 kgs). We join with her parents Chris and Erin Donaldson, grandparents Commissioners Janine and Robert Donaldson and great-grandparents Lt-Colonels Doreen and Russell Hamilton, as they celebrate the birth of Holly, and pray God’s blessing on them all.
Call for Prayer for Fiji Today in Fiji (13 May), we currently have 38 active Covid-19 cases. Twenty-one of these were found over the past two days. The cities of Nadi, Lautoka and Suva have individual borders that cannot be crossed; for example, Suva has three isolation areas and there is no inter-island travel within Fiji. Three supermarkets have been closed in Suva, one just around the corner from Fiji Divisional Headquarters, due to four staff from the supermarket testing positive two days ago. This has left the government with no other option than to tell shoppers to stay home until they have been contacted and tested. The Salvation Army continues its work amid the uncertainty. Our three Family Care Centres are still meeting the needs of women and children that are caught
BY CAPTAIN ANDREW MOFFATT, DIVISIONAL COMMANDER
up in domestic abuse; this has sadly increased over the past weeks. Home can be a dangerous place during lockdown. Kindergartens run by three corps have closed until at least the 24 May, as have all the nation’s schools. Our courts, corrections and corps officers across the nation are still able to access and give out food assistance to those in need. We are currently distributing 432 food parcels per month, specifically to those impacted by Covid-19, in addition to our normal budgeted social assistance. Over the last month there has been a huge increase in requests. In this territorial-wide call to a year of prayer, we continue to pray for this nation. We have indeed had no shortage of opportunities to ‘Come Aside’ and pray. Please join us in praying for Fiji.
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Summing Up the Southern Sevens Tournament What a great day we had at the Southern Sevens in Tīmaru 2021. Thanks to all those who came, participated, spectated and cheered your teams on. Thanks so much to all those who made the day possible—from the photographer to the admin team, and everyone else in between. Each team dressed up in their colours and made up a shanty or chant which added to the atmosphere. The sports played at the tournament were volleyball, netball, touch rugby and soccer. The weather was fantastic and we had great participation from the Southern Division at Tīmaru Girls High School. Well done to the overall champions, Sydenham—the ‘other’ team. The runner-up was the Linwood Legends and the Fair Play award went to Ōamaru’s teams, O is for Owsome and the FireBreathing Rubber Duckies. Well done teams! Thanks again for everyone who came and took part, it was a fun-filled day. BY MAJOR ALISON MOODY SO YOU WANT TO BE THE SOUTHERN SEVENS’ CHAMPIONS FOR 2022? It’s not that hard. Get your team together, start practising, give your team a name and even a particular look! Bright colours, wigs, a player outfit … go crazy and stand out from the crowd! Save the date for the closest Saturday to Anzac Day 2022.
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IT'S A RECONNECTION WITH OUR PLACE OF BELONGING… What have been your experiences so far in this Year of Prayer? I wonder if in the decision to join with others in prayer (however and wherever that is) that you are becoming more attuned to recognising that Jesus is there with you, guiding and making himself known to you. One of the riches of being in prayer with others is that we learn from each other. Just as God has made me unique, so has he made you unique; as you express yourself through the means of prayer that connects you to God and we share this, together we learn more of God, his love and his grace. In Luke 24 we read of the disciples who encountered Jesus in the days following his death and resurrection, saying, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’ (vs32). I am becoming more aware of the times when I feel my ‘heart burning within’ me, and I am understanding that as we pray together the work going on isn’t so much what we are doing and giving to God, but what God is doing by his very presence and unconditional love toward us as we pray. He is, after all, Emmanuel, God with us. Jesus Christ, God who saves us. As we encounter our God, let us listen to him as he directs our ordinary moments so they will be transformative moments, for ourselves and our communities by his Spirit. By Major Susan Goldsack
If you have ever lived outside of New Zealand, you will know the feeling of coming home. It’s hard to describe, but coming home can be a deeply spiritual experience. It’s a reconnection with our place of belonging, of being among people who know and understand us— no longer feeling like a stranger or foreigner in another place. A powerful Māori concept is the notion of tūrangawaewae—tūranga (standing place), waewae (feet)—often translated as ‘a place to stand’. Tūrangawaewae are places where we feel especially empowered and connected. They are our foundations, our place in the world, our homes. I love how Ephesians 2:19 encourages us that we ‘are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household’. It is important for us to recognise this ‘place to stand’ and feel that we belong and contribute to something more than ourselves. We are not designed to be alone but rather to be part of a community. I believe that this is what it is to be part of God’s church through The Salvation Army. We are part of something bigger, something that connects us with people in a unique way all around the world. Although not perfect, it is a place (and places) where we can experience being part of the family of God. We are his sons and daughters and members of his household. Like any family, though, we can expect some ups and downs. We celebrate together and offer support and encouragement through the seasons of life; however, sometimes things can happen and we can feel a sense that we are disconnected from our place. When change comes, for example, we may feel unsettled and can grieve for the way things used to be. We can even question if we really do belong—the answer is yes! Perhaps we simply need to allow God to help us re-adjust our personal expectations, to find a new way of being; but our place to belong remains sure. Finally, the idea of belonging is not just about fitting in, or having a place to stand. It’s also about having a part to play—contributing. We are part of the Body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12 it teaches us that there are many different parts of one body, all with different roles to play. All important. As we discover our part (and this too can change) we find that our tūrangawaewae strengthens and the Kingdom of God is extended. As we work together, we advance the mission—He Waka Eke Noa. Captain Pauleen Richards Territorial Secretary for Personnel
INTERESTED IN SOCIAL JUSTICE? salvationarmy.org.nz/socialpolicy 29 MAY 2021 WarCry 19
This decade is like no other and the challenge to us as God’s people is to navigate the way forward with Christ. This will take a deeper level of intimacy and prayer. Colonel Heather Rodwell challenges us to stop, look and listen to God like never before. STOP. LOOK. LISTEN before you cross the road. If you are someone of a ‘certain age’ no doubt you will remember this advice and (maybe) still practise it. The action of stopping, looking first to the right, then to the left and then right again before stepping off the curb was a habit drummed into us by school teachers and parents alike. I’m not sure how our children and grandchildren are currently taught such simple but necessary safety habits, but surely with the volume of vehicles on our roads it’s even more crucial that they do!
Information highway Navigating roads safely doesn’t only have to do with traffic, but also gives us a metaphor for life. The volume of ‘traffic’ coming down the information highway of the internet is just one example where safety rules have needed to be developed and constantly learned. This is not a benign space, even though it’s an exceptionally useful tool. Like so many aspects of modern living, it’s something that offers us so much good, yet is also being used for proliferating harm. The dark web is a real thing, necessitating huge investment in protective software that constantly needs updating to ensure that you and I as innocent users are not subjected to fraud, exposed to pornography or become victims of malicious identity theft. I touch on this only briefly because it’s a reminder that the world as we know it is a complex and hazardous place. As you and I navigate the challenges and opportunities that this decade is presenting to us, there has come a renewed call for us to strengthen our understanding and practice of what it means to be God’s people. Increasingly we may find ourselves out of sync with the prevailing culture, and yet at the same time no less committed to engaging with our world in ways that make a transformational difference. This 20 WarCry 29 MAY 2021
STOP. L LIST
begs the questions: Are there things we need to embed into our lives that will assist us to navigate all that’s happening around us? Could the simple actions of stop, look and listen assist us in this?
God’s stop sign What is the stop that God may be calling us to? The prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel didn’t mince their words, saying: ‘These people say they are mine. They honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote’ (Isaiah 29:13, NLT). And God speaking through Ezekiel said: ‘So my people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what they say …’ (Ezekiel 33:10, NLT). God is literally telling us to stop kidding around, that it’s all pretence and hypocrisy. Stop it! Jesus picked up the same theme in Matthew 15:7–9.
As we consider the road of life we’re navigating in this current age, I wonder about the things God is saying to us: Stop this! Do our lives truly reflect a sincere and deep relationship with God which speaks to a world that is searching for assurance and reassurance about life’s purpose and meaning? If our religious practices do little more than give us a feel-good experience that temporarily calms the anxieties of life that are true for all, what good is that? It’s time to stop playing games, because the consequences are a matter of life and death. The Apostle John’s messages to
IF OUR RELIGIOUS PRACTICES DO LITTLE MORE THAN GIVE US A FEEL-GOOD EXPERIENCE THAT TEMPORARILY CALMS THE ANXIETIES OF LIFE THAT ARE TRUE FOR ALL, WHAT GOOD IS THAT?
LOOK. TEN. BY COLONEL HEATHER RODWELL
the seven churches in Revelation provide us with further food for thought in this regard. Why not carve out some time to stop and spend time reading and reflecting on the messages in Revelation 2 and 3? Stop and consider: What does God affirm about this church? What correction or complaint is made about this church? How does this fit with my experience?
Look and listen For many of us, life is full and can be frenetic. Of course this depends on the season of life we’re in. But the action of stopping also gives us the opportunity to look and to listen. Throughout the gospels we see Jesus in action, and the disciples being willing but somewhat slow students under Jesus’ teaching. They had front-row seats in the theatre, yet so often missed the meaning of the drama as it unfolded before their eyes. It would be foolish for any one of us to criticise them for this, because how
can we claim to be any different? Theirs was the bewildering yet exhilarating experience of seeing first-hand, up-close-and-personal the revelation of God in Jesus Christ, yet they were often slow to understand. Occasionally we get a hint of Jesus’ exasperation—like in his words to Philip in John 14:9 when Philip was baffled by Jesus’ expectation that he would know him—but mostly we see the patience of Jesus as he intentionally explains the deeper meaning of his words when it was clear a private tutorial was necessary. Our need to look and listen comes from our need to intentionally engage with God’s Word and other resources as our means of coming to understanding the interplay of life, faith and God. If we fail to carve out the time to do this in a meaningful way, we will not experience the life promised to us in Christ. Imagine each of us taking our place as the disciples did, and applying ourselves to be life-long learners of God and his Word. Imagine if in these days where the traffic on the highway of life is fastmoving and needs to be navigated with care, we were more fully informed in our choices, actions and priorities by the teaching of God’s Word.
Engaging with the Word
study designed to strengthen your faith, ask yourself the following questions: • Would you describe yourself as a willing student or a reluctant starter? • What makes this a struggle or a delight? • What has been your experience of looking and seeing something new? • What have you heard God say?
IT’S TIME TO STOP PLAYING GAMES, BECAUSE THE CONSEQUENCES ARE A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH. Sometimes I wonder what it must have been like to live in the real-time of Jesus’ earthly life and experience everything written in the gospels as it happened. It was so dynamic that the full meaning would only come by reflection years later, and that is what’s recorded for us. And don’t forget, we are part of the chapters still being written (lived out) in the story of God. At the end of it all as the resurrected Jesus prepared to ascend into Heaven, his last instruction to his followers was to stay put in Jerusalem and wait for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, and that is what they did. It was their time to stop, look and listen in order to receive the power that would come to them in the Holy Spirit. In the Bible in Acts 2, it records that special Pentecost when the Spirit came while the believers were meeting together. It was amazing! The impact was dramatic—we can read this in the unfolding account of the early church in the remainder of Acts. The urgency and need of our days is that we also are people who are empowered by this same Holy Spirit. Will we stop, look and listen so that our hearts are indeed aligned to what the Spirit is saying to us today? These are challenging days in which to navigate life, and others are needing us to lead the way.
In order to examine your engagement with God’s Word or other reading and 29 MAY 2021 WarCry 21
OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS Commissioners Mark (Territorial Commander) and Julie Campbell (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 3 June: The official opening of Social Housing apartments in Auckland—Te Manaaki Tāngata (Westgate) by the Housing Minister and Kaitiakitanga (Flat Bush) by the Prime Minister 5 June: Women’s Breakfast, Palmerston North (Julie only) 6 June: Palmerston North Corps visit Colonel Gerry Walker (Chief Secretary) 29 May: Southern Division visit 30 May: Mosgiel Corps visit 3 June: The official opening of Social Housing apartments in Auckland—Te Manaaki Tāngata (Westgate) by the Housing Minister and Kaitiakitanga (Flat Bush) by the Prime Minister Colonel Heather Rodwell (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries and Spiritual Life Development) 3 June: The official opening of Social Housing apartments in Auckland—Te Manaaki Tāngata (Westgate) by the Housing Minister and Kaitiakitanga (Flat Bush) by the Prime Minister
BCM Library to the rescue!
PRAY Territorial President of Women’s Ministries, Territorial Secretary for Chaplaincy Services, Thames Corps, The Salvation Army National Māori Ministry, Timaru Corps, The Salvation Army in Nigeria.
Waihi Corps Anniversary 125 years (+1)
24–25 July 2021 FEATURING
Guest Leaders Lt-Colonels Rod & Jenny Carey *Conversazione*Celebration Dinner* From reference books for study and sermon prep to biographies and Christian living, enjoy unlimited access to the EBSCO eBook Religion Collection as part of a Booth College of Mission Library membership. Email library@salvationarmy.org.nz for more info.
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Quiz Answers: 1 SpongeBob SquarePants, 2 The Office, 3 A nosebleed, 4 Haricot, 5 Simon (Mark 14:3).
22 WarCry 29 MAY 2021
Crazy about creation!
Can you unscramble these different parts of creation? S
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Crazy maze!
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Can you help the bees find their way out of the hive?
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What insect has a hard time making up its mind?
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‘Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.’ John 1:3
A maybee.
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What kind of tie do pigs wear? A pigsty.
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The Lizard of Oz. Coco is a Pixar movie about music, family and Mexico. The animation in the film is stunning; one particular shot in the film has seven million individual lights in it—seven MILLION! Can you imagine how much time that sequence must have taken to animate? I’m sure that the animators were glad they weren’t making this movie twenty years ago, when they would have needed to place every light by hand! Even with the technology available, the film still took years to create into their masterpiece. Yet, look at the masterpiece that is the world. It is easy to take creation for granted—after all, we’ve never known life without these natural beauties and wonders around us—but each fraction of the earth is beautifully put together. Every leaf is unique, with its individual indents and textures. Every petal is different from its neighbour. The sky, the water, the ground below our feet … there are so many details to witness, and God made them all by himself in less than seven days. How cool—and powerful—is that?! I WONDER...
This week, can you take time to look at the intricacy of creation around you? 29 MAY 2021 WarCry 23
Distortions Lord, I can’t see clearly I look all distorted and out of shape is it the mirror or are my eyes playing tricks on me? My child, the world offers lots of mirrors in which to preen yourself but your approval comes from me. I look past what others see and know your heart. Walk on by. By Major Colleen Marshall (in Reflections on 2020)
The Len Lye Centre, New Plymouth (Photography: Major Colleen Marshall)