SALT November 2024, NZFTS by The Salvation Army SALT Magazine (NZ, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa)

8 A Culture of Kindness

Celebrating World Kindness Day, as we look at the impact of contagious kindness.

12 Staying Safe and Salty this Summer

If you're off to a summer festival, make sure you keep yourself and your friends safe.

16 Royal Commission of Inquiry Response

The Army’s early response to historical abuse and the ongoing safeguards we now have in place.

20 The Courage of Women

Rob Harley’s latest book about women of courage and the insurmountable difficulties they have faced and overcome.

28 The Gift of Community

The opening of new social housing in Kirikiriroa Hamilton, thanks to the generosity of Charles Hoy.

SALT Magazine

The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory

Territorial Leaders

Commissioners Julie and Mark Campbell

General Lyndon Buckingham

Founders Catherine and William Booth

Editor Vivienne Hill

Graphic design

Sam Coates, Nicole Gesmundo, Lauren Millington

Staff writers

Jules Badger, Kelly Cooper, Captain Rachel Montgomery

Proof reading Colleen Marshall, Glenys Fairhurst

Connect with us saltmagazine.org.nz SaltMagazine @SaltMagazineNZ salvationarmynzfts Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141 p: (04) 384 5649 e: salt@salvationarmy.org.nz

Subscriptions mailorder@salvationarmy.org.nz Print Management MakeReady

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

Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of The Salvation Army. Articles are copyrighted to The Salvation Army, except where indicated, and may be reprinted only with permission.

Encouraging a culture of kindness

hen considering a theme for this month’s SALT, the writing team squirmed at the word ‘kindness’, mainly due to the overuse of ‘be kind’ in the political arena during the pandemic. But it is a noun that is firmly established as a virtue in the biblical narrative and something that Jesus exemplified in his earthly ministry. It is also a fruit of the Spirit, as seen in the Bible verse below. So in our efforts to reclaim kindness in its biblical intent, this month’s SALT brings you stories of kindness and compassion from frontline ministry in The Salvation Army and beyond.

I recommend you read the story of kindness in the form of generosity on page 28. Charles Hoy, once a local farmer from Kirikiriroa Hamilton, left a large bequest to The Salvation Army that contributed to new social housing being built in Grandview Road. The Army is reliant on the generosity of our donors and bequestors like Charles to take on projects that will have an impact for generations. His generous gift not only gives people a secure, safe and attractive roof over their heads, but with support from the Army it gives people a fresh start in a community.

On page 8, Kelly Cooper investigates the benefit to others that being kind can engender; she also highlights the impact kindness has

on our own lives. Kindness is catchy and deliberately practising kindness in your family, neighbourhood, church or workplace can inspire others to extend compassion, enhance relationships and inspire a culture of kindness.

Also in this edition, on page 16, is an overview of The Salvation Army’s response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institution’s final report: Whanaketia—through pain and trauma, from darkness to light. SALT talks to Murray Houston who has overseen the Army’s response to abuse allegations since 2003 and finds out about his survivor engagement and the ongoing work being done to ensure safeguards are firmly in place for the future.

There is a call for leaders of Christian movements that have been before the Commission to apologise. Later this year, there will be an apology from General Lyndon Buckingham. We also include a link to Chief Secretary Colonel Gerry Walker’s earlier apology.

Vivienne Hill Editor

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol. Against such things there is no law. GALATIANS 5:22–23

QUICK QUIZ

1 Which British rock band had a debut single called ‘In the Summertime’?

2 The 2028 Summer Olympics will be held in which city?

3 The term SPF on sunscreen products stands for what?

4 In which country can you visit the Summer Palace, a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens and palaces?

5 ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day’ is the opening line in which Shakespeare sonnet? Answers page 32

Do You Know These People?

If you recognise the people in this photo, we’d love to hear from you. Email: archives@ salvationarmy. org.nz

INTRIGUING INDEX

Cultural practices of

kindness

1 Aotearoa New Zealand: Kaitiakitanga

Tangata whenua (people of the land) recognise three forms of kindness: kindness to self, kindness to others and kindness to the world we live in. Steeped in the Māori worldview, kaitiakitanga means guardianship and protection of the sky, sea and land. A local iwi will appoint a person or a group to act as a kaitiaki (guardian) for a lake or forest.

2 Southern Africa: Ubuntu

Across the different countries and cultures of Southern Africa the idea of ubuntu means I am because we are Ubuntu is described as a force that inspires selfless acts that benefit the whole community and manifests in displays of kindness and compassion. Made popular by leaders like Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, ubuntu emphasises that we can’t be a human being in isolation, and the relationships within a group are more important than the individual.

3 Japan: Omotenashi

Omotenashi is often translated as hospitality, spirit of service, or anticipating others’ needs. This ancient Japanese tradition exemplifies selfless hospitality and is grounded in the practice of the sadō (tea ceremony). So much more than just serving and receiving tea, the ceremony guides the behaviour of the host toward ensuring every need of their guest is fulfilled without expecting anything in return.

4 Singapore: Kindness Movement

In Singapore kindness has become an official movement. Former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong inspired a notfor-profit organisation called The Singapore Kindness Movement, which works to inspire graciousness towards one another. Listed as an official ‘institution of public character’ the movement placed signs on buses to encourage kindness.

5 Italy: Caffè Sospeso

WORD OF THE MONTH

Agalelei (Samoan noun) Kindness or goodness.

What’s not to love about a culture that shows kindness through coffee?! Caffè Sospeso is a tradition that began in Naples a century ago and means suspended coffee The premise is that someone who feels inspired to do something kind can order two suspended coffees—paying for two but drinking only one. Then someone in need of kindness or a pick-me-up can come and claim the suspended coffee.

BBQ Chicken Pizza with Fast Fresh Pizza Dough

Homemade pizzas are tastier and much healthier than bought ones and they are a good way to make a little bit of meat go a long way.

Ingredients

Dough (makes 1 large pizza, easily doubled)

• 2 ½ cups plain flour

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp instant yeast

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1–1 ½ cups warm water

Method

Topping

• 1/2 cup store bought barbecue sauce

• 1/3 cup tomato paste

• 1/4 cup chutney

• 1 boneless chicken breast, skin removed, cut in thin slivers

• 1/2 red capsicum, diced

• 1/2 cup grated cheese

Place all the dough ingredients except the water into a large bowl and mix. Gradually add the water, stirring continuously until the flour is moistened enough to hold together. Tip onto a floured bench and knead for 3–5 minutes, adding more flour as needed to prevent the dough sticking, until smooth and elastic. Place in a clean greased bowl, cover and microwave on low power for 1 minute, rest the dough for 10 minutes then repeat. After the second rest, the dough should have doubled in size.

While the dough is rising, prepare the topping and preheat the oven to 250°C. Place a heavy baking tray or pizza stone into the oven to heat. Cover another baking tray with non-stick paper. In a small bowl combine half the barbecue sauce with the tomato paste and chutney. Add the sliced chicken to the remaining barbecue sauce.

Roll out the prepared dough to roughly a 34cm diameter circle and use a rolling pin to lift it and place it onto the covered baking sheet. Spread the sauce over the dough then scatter on the chicken pieces, capsicum and cheese. Slide the pizza with the baking paper onto the hot tray, reduce the oven temperature to 200°C and bake for 15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the top is bubbling. After about 5 minutes, pull the paper out from under the pizza so the base is in contact with the hot tray. Serve drizzled with extra barbecue sauce if desired. The baking paper can be re-used for several batches if cooking more than one pizza.

Source: Sophie Grey | destitutegourmet.com

New Global Strategic Framework

On 26 of September, General Lyndon Buckingham, international leader of The Salvation Army, announced the launch of ‘Compass’— The Salvation Army’s Global Strategic Framework. Comprised of 12 priorities, three words summarise the framework: People, Mission, Legacy. The intention is that these will become the guiding principles for Salvation Army work and ministries across the globe. ‘The release of Compass is another step on our journey to ensure The Salvation Army is equipped and capable to participate in God’s mission to the world into the 21st century and beyond. Some of the challenges will take many years to fix, but in God’s strength we are confidently pressing on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called us,’ explains The General.

SALVATION ARMY PRAYER

Tokoroa Corps; Upper Hutt Corps; Vaini Corps; Vava’u Corps Plant; Waihi Corps; Waitākere Central Corps; Wellington South Corps; Westgate Corps; The Salvation Army in Denmark and Greenland; and The Salvation Army in Eastern Europe.

INTERNATIONAL PRAYER

Two and a half years have passed since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. The Salvation Army continues to operate in both Russia and Ukraine, despite the conflict. Many officers and soldiers in both countries are experiencing hardship and facing danger but remain determined to serve. Salvationists are asked to continue to pray for an end to the conflict and for the following specific requests:

Prayer Focus: Girls not Brides

• Pray for Ukrainian Salvation Army officer and military chaplain Captain Dmytro Pomytkin, deployed for military duty on 9 September.

• Pray for the petition lodged by Salvation Army leadership, for Ukrainian officers to be granted exemption as ministers of religion from military service.

• Pray for the financial provision of portable generators to help with communication and power, to enable computers and phones in Ukraine to be powered because electricity is unavailable for up to 14 hours a day.

• Thank God for the three couples from Ukraine being welcomed as first-year cadets, and for permission given to leave the country for classes in Moldova.

• Pray for Russian Salvationists navigating daily life while under international sanctions to finance, media and other resources.

• Pray for St Petersburg Corps that recently experienced an unscheduled inspection by justice authorities, fire safety officials and anti-extremism specialists.

• Pray for the new laws that target NGOs and restrict the activities of individuals and organisations like The Salvation Army.

• Thank God that Russian officers have not been conscripted into military service, and that communication with all corps and with IHQ have remained intact.

Child marriage or marriage without the free and full consent of both spouses is a human rights violation. It’s a global issue, fuelled by gender inequality and made worse by lack of education, poverty and harmful social norms. According to UNICEF, India still has the largest number of child brides worldwide, despite positive advancements to end it. Sadly, the rate of decline is not sufficient to reach the target of eliminating the practice by 2030 (UN Sustainable Development Goals). Shockingly, in Iraq a new draft bill could allow girls as young as nine years old to be married. Child marriage is not confined to developing countries, and still occurs in some states in America.

Protection for vulnerable girls: Pray for safety and protection for girls at risk of child marriage. Ask for divine intervention to shield them from harm and provide them with opportunities for education and personal growth.

Education for families: Pray for support for families to keep their daughters in school and delay marriage, including financial assistance, counselling and community support.

Policy and legal changes: Pray for governments to implement and enforce laws that prohibit child marriage. Ask for wisdom and courage for leaders to take strong actions against this practice.

Healing for survivors: Pray for those who have already been affected by child marriage. Ask for emotional, physical and spiritual healing for these individuals.

Global collaboration: Pray for partnerships like Girls Not Brides working to end child marriage. Ask for effective collaboration, sufficient resources and successful initiatives that make a lasting impact. For more go to girlsnotbrides.org

The Courage of Women

Stories of Resilience | Rob Harley |

Published by Harley Media Ltd

The Courage of Women is raw and beautiful. From Ruatoria on the East Coast to Waco Texas, Rob shares the true stories of women facing horrendous odds. Through trials, tribulations and tragedy most of the women’s stories end in triumph. Sometimes that triumph looked like forgiving a rapist to find personal freedom; another time, triumph was the passing of knowledge to the next generation while fighting terminal illness. I found this book hard to put down, but some may need to pause and process and pick it up again later. Whatever you do, don’t miss the epilogue where Rob writes about the most courageous woman in his own life. Five stars. (Reviewed by Jules Badger)

What’s On?

Thought Matters Conference

1–3 November

Sydney, Australia

Wairarapa Official Opening and Celebration | Masterton

9–10 November

The Wild Robot

Animated Children’s | Directed by Chris Sanders | Watch in movie theatres

If you have to take the kids to a movie, let it be The Wild Robot . Roz is a customerservice robot washed up and alone on a remote shore. She picks herself up and tries to befriend the forest creatures who are understandably terrified, until she crosses paths with Brightbill, an orphaned gosling, and Fink, an outcast fox. They become a dysfunctional family as they attempt to ready Brightbill for winter migration. These relationships transform Roz from a droid of metal to a friend, mum and protector with a real heart. There are some sad moments, but they are dealt with tactfully. Based on the Peter Brown book of the same name, the sophisticated storytelling and animation makes this a treat for all ages. (Reviewed by Trina Saffioti)

Tonga Region

Women’s Camp

29 November–1 December

Fiji Commissioning Weekend

30 November–1 December

USP AusAid Lecture

Theatre 1. Events will be livestreamed at salvationarmy.org.nz/ commissioning

Grey Areas with Petra Bagust

Personal Development | Rova | Love it Media | Listen on Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts

If you haven’t come across it yet, Petra Bagust’s podcast Grey Areas is definitely worth a listen. Now in its sixth season, Grey Areas was launched in 2022 by Petra, a presenter, broadcaster and media chaplain, with the goal of addressing topics Kiwi women are curious about but often shy away from, such as going grey, menopause, sex and grief. Her guests include a mix of incredible women, along with the occasional man, who openly share their experiences and insights with honesty and vulnerability. Petra’s Christian faith is woven into the conversations as she creates a thoughtful space to discuss what it means to be a middle-aged woman in Aotearoa New Zealand. (Reviewed by Kelly Cooper)

Save the Date

New Zealand

Commissioning Weekend 13–14 December Events will be livestreamed at salvationarmy.org.nz/ commissioning

Check out our full event calendar at saltmagazine/ events

A Culture of Kindness

In their work with the marginalised in London’s East End, Salvation Army founders William and Catherine Booth embodied kindness, highlighting that it is not merely a virtue but a practical response to the needs of others. As we celebrate World Kindness Day on 13 November, SALT explores the transformative power of kindness and how each of us can contribute to building a culture of kindness.

WORDS Kelly Cooper

f you’ve ever experienced someone letting you jump into a queue at the supermarket or offer you an encouraging word when you needed it most, you’ve witnessed the profound impact of kindness. In a world often marked by division and stress, kindness offers a much-needed bridge to connection, by providing us with a universal language that transcends age, race, ethnicity, religion and identity. Kindness recognises that life is messy and complex for us all, and a little more kindness is something we could all benefit from. Kindness has the potential to transform the lives of both individuals and entire communities and, best of all, it is completely free! As Paddington Bear says, ‘It costs me nothing to be kind’.

Since its launch in 1998, World Kindness Day has been celebrated across every continent, aiming to highlight the positive power of kindness as a common thread that binds us all. In addition to World Kindness Day, in New Zealand we also acknowledge Random Acts of Kindness Day on 1 September each year. However, we don’t need to wait for a specific day on the calendar to practise kindness.

Kindness is recognised as a virtue, a personal trait and an action. For centuries, philosophers, psychologists and theologians have explored the meaning of

kindness and generally agreed that it encompasses both a mindset and behaviour centred on helping others without expecting anything in return.

In a recent podcast,* Anglican Minister Rev Petra Zaleski emphasised that genuine kindness is focused on standing beside one another rather than an attempt to fix or problem-solve. ‘Kindness says we are all made in the image of God and worthy of love and acceptance. Kindness is equal—we can all give and receive it,’ shares Petra. ‘When we look someone in the eye and speak to them with honour and respect there is a connection beyond words. To love is to risk, without guarantee of return. That is what kindness is.’

The benefits of kindness

In the field of psychology, kindness is commonly defined as an act performed to benefit others. While this is certainly true, the documented benefits of kindness for the giver are equally significant.

In addition to enhancing our connections with others, kindness has been shown to reduce loneliness, elevate mood and improve self-esteem and interpersonal relationships. Physiologically, kindness can positively impact our brains by increasing levels of serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters create feelings of satisfaction and activate the pleasure and reward

centres in our brains. Giving and receiving kindness may also trigger the release of endorphins, which act as our body’s natural painkillers, and the decrease of cortisol, a hormone linked to stress levels.

In a recent study by the University of Oxford, participants were asked to carry out more acts of kindness than usual for someone close to them, and to actively observe the kind acts of others. The researchers discovered that both performing acts of kindness and actively observing kindness increased participants’ happiness levels. We often take cues from our leaders, coworkers and those we live with. A single act of kindness can influence not just the recipient but also those who witness it, positively impacting others as well. Kindness begets kindness—it truly is contagious.

The world’s largest ever study into kindness was conducted by the University of Sussex in 2021. Aptly named ‘The Kindness Test’, this study included

‘Kindness says we are all made in the image of God and worthy of love and acceptance.’

60,000 participants from 144 countries ranging in age from 18 to 99 years. The study found that all aspects of kindness—being kind, receiving kindness, and witnessing kindness—were more commonly reported by women. Income had zero correlation with overall reports of being kind, with those in highand low-income brackets expressing and observing kindness equally.

Acts of kindness were most often observed in places like the home, medical settings, workplaces and retail stores. In contrast, the internet and public transport were the places where people identified fewer kind behaviours. This highlights the key role that community plays in fostering kindness, compared with more anonymous spaces like the internet.

Self-kindness

Kindness begins with how we treat ourselves. Research suggests that self-compassion, or the practice of being kind to ourselves, can significantly impact our interactions with others. Psychologists have found that individuals who speak kindly to themselves are more likely to exhibit kindness toward those around them. A study by Dr Kristin Neff highlights that people

who engage in self-kindness experience less anxiety and are more empathetic and supportive toward others. Conversely, when we speak negatively to ourselves, we often project that negativity onto others, affecting our relationships and overall wellbeing.

The more we practise self-kindness, the more we can extend kindness to others. This highlights that kindness is not solely about how we treat those around us, but also how we direct those same behaviours and intentions toward ourselves. By cultivating self-kindness, we create the foundation for a more compassionate and connected world. For anyone looking to invite more kindness into their life, learning to be kind to oneself is the crucial first step.

‘There is only so much picking up individuals from the bottom of the cliff you can do without wanting to go up to the top of the cliff and change the systems.’

Leading with kindness

Described by her colleagues as a ‘Kindness Ambassador’, Cairine Barton, practice development coordinator for Community Ministries, actively seeks opportunities to foster kindness at The Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters in Wellington. The mastermind behind many kind gestures and hilarious office antics, Cairine prefers to keep a low profile, letting her actions convey her desire to create a workplace where all experience connection, inclusion and kindness.

‘Acts of kindness are a way to encourage belonging, by creating spaces where everyone feels welcome, included, seen and heard, where you can be your unique self, and are invited to contribute to the wellbeing of all,’ shares Cairine. ‘There are no limits to how you can show kindness to others, it’s about being

Top: Cairine Barton, The Salvation Army’s practice coordinator for Community Ministries; bottom: Dr Christina Baird, psychologist, founder of The Kindness Workshop.

open and aware of the opportunities that present multiple times every day—checking in with people you know and taking time to engage with those that you don’t, paying for the loaf of bread for the person who is standing in the supermarket queue counting out their coins, stopping to help others to use a street parking meter, or even as simple as noticing that someone is looking tired and offering to make them a cup of tea.’

Psychologist Dr Christina Baird is so passionate about the transformative power of kindness in the workplace that she founded a business called The Kindness Workshop. Christina provides coaching for leaders in the health and social services to develop what she describes as a ‘radical culture of kindness’ in their workplaces.

Christina’s background in social and organisational psychology led her to examine the potential role and impact that intentional kindness could have in the workplace. ‘There is only so much picking up individuals from the bottom of the cliff you can do without wanting to go up to the top of the cliff and change the systems. Kindness is a magic ingredient that can transform work environments into places where individuals experience psychological safety and are valued and accepted in the fullness of themselves,’ explains Christina.

Kindness transformed lives in biblical times, and it continues to have the power to do the same today.

‘A lot of people think that kindness is about being nice, pleasant or polite, but it is much more complex than that,’ says Christina. ‘Kindness is about seeing people and witnessing them as they are; it’s about understanding and acknowledging feelings; it is also the ability to consider our own and different perspectives. When we do this, we can work towards

creating a culture of kindness and wellbeing in our places of work.’

Kindness in action

The Bible provides us with many illustrations of kindness. Jesus not only modelled kindness and compassion in his words and actions but also through the parables he shared. Many other biblical figures, such as Ruth, Boaz, Tabitha and Joseph demonstrated kindness in their interactions with others, providing us with practical examples of kindness in action.

As Christ followers, we know that kindness is one of the fruit of the Spirit, and it is something we can ask God to nurture in us. Developing these spiritual fruits is a partnership with God, and through prayer we can seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to respond with kindness in our daily lives. Kindness transformed lives in biblical times, and it continues to have the power to do the same today.

The tagline for this year’s World Kindness Day is ‘Make kindness the norm’. By actively practising kindness we cultivate empathy and compassion, creating spaces for dialogue and connection—even among those with differing perspectives—while also reflecting the love and kindness of God. Kindness benefits us as individuals, enriches our schools and workplaces and strengthens the communities we are part of. As Aesop, the ancient Greek storyteller, wisely said, ‘No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted’. Each of us can show up with kindness and make a positive impact on the world. Like many good things, we grow kinder with practise. Where can you identify opportunities to make kindness the norm and foster a culture of kindness today?

* Sunday Sanctuary episode: The Kindness of Strangers

Staying Safe and Salty this Summer

Vibing with your closest mates to your favourite artist under a clear blue summer sky has become a rite of passage for many Kiwi young people. Jules Badger explores the music festival scene and offers some tips for staying safe and salty this summer.

‘Let me tell you why you are here. You’re to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavours of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?’ (Matthew 5:13, The Message).

Okay, so I know in today’s vernacular salty means ‘feeling a bit angry or bitter with a mocking or selfdeprecating note of sourness’ (Urban Dictionary), but in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls us to be a different kind of salty. But staying salty for Jesus takes intentionality and some forward planning. If you’re planning on heading to the now iconic music festival Rhythm and Vines (R&V) near Gisborne, or Rhythm and Alps (R&A) near Wanaka, getting your hands on tickets, booking accommodation and arranging travel is just the beginning.

Planning for a good time

For the discerning young festival goer who wants to stay salty amidst the chaos, having a safety plan is a no-brainer. In the 20+ years R&V has been operating, many lessons have been learnt. Gisborne faith-based veteran youth worker Meredith Akuhata-Brown has been a R&V volunteer over the years, and she’s supported many unprepared young people who’ve been caught off guard and become part of the concert carnage. Too much sun, not enough water, spiked drinks, lost phones, broken hearts and missing friends—you name it—Meredith’s been there to pick up the pieces. And as she contemplates volunteering

at R&V again, the rapid increase in laced drugs (mostly MDMA) is at the forefront of Meredith’s mind.

‘Drugs are prolific at festivals, so as a young person you need to decide beforehand what you are going to do if you are offered drugs—because you will be. As a follower of JC (Jesus Christ) you need to settle this in your mind and spirit first.’

Meredith explains that one of the difficulties is that young people don’t know their own biochemistry or what genetic pre-dispositions they may have that could cause a bad reaction to drugs—including the sneakiest drug of all—alcohol. Added to this, most young people don’t realise how lethal drugs can be when mixed with prescription medications.

‘Young people with existing medical conditions—like depression or anxiety, or those taking Ritalin—well, when crossed with recreational drugs, psychosis can occur. You might be the only one in your friend group who has a bad trip and there’s no one to look after you or advise you to get medical help. Can you rely on your mates?’

Making different choices

While Meredith is all about keeping young people safe when things go bad, she’s convinced that Gen Zers (born between 1997 to 2012) are better critical thinkers than they are sometimes given credit for and loves providing space for young

people to consider their why before trying drugs: ‘Why do you want to do this? What’s this about for you? Is it peer pressure? Are you looking for an escape? Are you curious? Have you done your pros and cons and considered the risks and consequences?

‘We know that part of being young is about taking risks—throwing caution to the wind and learning from mistakes. But that’s only one approach. Young people also have the capacity to choose wisdom. Given what I’ve seen, I want young people to understand that if they do this, they need a back-up plan if things go bad, because the fall out could impact them for years to come.’

Meredith explains that most festivals now provide a free drug-testing service, and she urges young people not to take drugs, particularly if they haven’t been tested.

‘I always ask, “Hey, have you had your drugs tested?” And I let them know that if they decide not to use them, they can hand them in. No questions asked. I love being able to ask, “Hey, why don’t you try the first night without drugs and see how you go?” Giving young people choices can be really empowering. And that’s part of why I do this—if there are adults being purposeful and caring in their messaging, then we could have a whole generation who make better choices because they have better information and nonjudgemental support.’

No regrets

For Meredith this is also personal. ‘Alcohol caused so much damage in my family that as a young person I chose not to go there. So, I know that you can enjoy life and have a good time without excessive drinking

‘Drugs are prolific at festivals, so as a young person you need to decide beforehand what you are going to do if you are offered drugs— because you will be.’

or doing drugs. I’m proof! My lived experience means I know what life is like on both sides of the fence and I have absolutely no regrets—we all have a choice.’

Meredith suggests that now is the time to start talking about a safety plan with your friends. Make sure you have contact and accommodation numbers physically written down somewhere, other than in your phone which can get lost or stolen.

‘Before you head off to a festival, get your village praying for you. Ask them to be ready if you call at strange hours because you’re feeling out of your depth and need some support. And remember that you are loved by the Most High God! And so are your mates—even the ones who don’t claim to have a faith. This is your chance to be salt and light. You don’t have to be all up in their grill quoting John 3:16, but you can still get amongst it and model what abundant life with JC is like! I’ve lost count of the number of times people have said I gave them strength just by being clear with my own decisions and choices—even now at 54!’

Have a safe and salty summer!

This page: Meredith Akuhata-Brown, Gisborne-based youth worker.

Be Kind to One Another!

From an early age, I was taught to treat people the way I wanted to be treated. While that has stayed with me and I strive to do this each day, I haven’t always achieved this, particularly when I feel I haven’t been treated well, was misunderstood or when I didn’t agree with someone’s view.

In today’s world of increasing tension, conflict and disunity it is even more important than ever as followers of Christ that we take responsibility for how we reflect and represent Jesus to others. We are called to live counter-culturally and to show others the love, grace and mercy that Jesus has shown each of us.

An example of treating people as we would want to be treated is through acts of kindness. A simple and easy example for me is intentionally acknowledging drivers’ courtesy when they let me in as I merge on to the motorway, either with a wave or using my hazard lights. Small acts of kindness hold immeasurable power. A smile, a kind word or a thoughtful gesture can brighten someone’s day, uplift spirits and restore faith in humanity. These small acts can create a ripple effect, inspiring others to pay it forward, which fosters a more compassionate and caring society.

Our mission is to care for people, transform lives and reform society by God’s power. In outworking our mission, we often begin the journey with caring and showing kindness, seeking to reflect the heart of God, displaying love in action to all those we engage with, especially to the vulnerable, hurting and marginalised, as described in Ephesians 4:32: ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you’.

Kindness is giving hope to those who think they are all alone in this world. Kindness is seeing the best in others when they cannot see it in themselves. Kindness is something anyone can give without losing anything themselves. Kindness is not just what you do, but who you are. This is reflective of what Jesus did in his ministry and engagement with a very diverse range of people.

People are at the centre of who we are and what we do as The Salvation Army. This is reflected in our values of being compassionate, seeking to reflect and represent the heart of God—to be his love in action to all people we encounter. We desire to be openhearted, respectful and kind to those we meet and serve, and to our fellow servants.

Colonel Gerry Walker Chief Secretary

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (NIV)

Kia ngāwari tō koutou tikanga tētahi ki tētahi, kia pai te ngākau, me te hohou noa iho i te rongo tētahi ki tētahi, kia pērā anō me te Atua i hohou nei i te rongo ki a koutou i roto i a te Karaiti (PT)

ia dou veilomani vakai kemudou, dou lomavinaka, dou kakua ni veicudruvi, me vaka sa sega talega ni cudruvi kemudou na Kalou e na vuku i Karisito (FOV).

Iske alaawa, dayaalu aur mesiful raho, aur dusra log ke maaf kar deo, jeise Parmeshwar, Krisṭ ke kaaran tumme maafi dees raha (FRHNT)

Ka mou anga‘ofa mu‘a ‘i ho‘omou feangai, mo manava‘ofa, pea mou fefakamolemole‘aki, ‘o hange foki ko e ‘Otua ne ne fakamolemole kimoutolu ‘ia Kalaisi. Ko ia, mou hoko mu‘a ko e kau fa‘ifa‘itaki ki he ‘Otua, ‘o tāu mo e fanau kuo ‘ofeina (TWB)

A ia outou feagaleleiai, ia femutimutivaleai lo outou alofa, ia fefaamagaloai outou, faapei ona faamagaloina outou e le Atua ia Keriso (SOV).

From Darkness to Light

In July, the Royal Commission released ‘Whanaketia: from pain and trauma, from darkness to light’, the final report on neglect and abuse of children in state care and faith-based institutions in Aotearoa New Zealand between 1950 and 1999. The Salvation Army is named in the report for instances of abuse and is currently working hard to ensure compliance to the recommendations in the report and make sure the redress process is as restorative as possible for survivors.

In September, Chief Secretary for The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory, Colonel Gerry Walker, made the response document being sent to the Crown Response Unit freely available.

‘We want all people within The Salvation Army to be aware of our response,’ explains Gerry.

The response document affirmed all the findings and recommendations of the Royal Commission, including the request for apologies from world leaders of faith-based organisations.

‘As an Army, we are committed to doing everything possible to ensure abuse and/or neglect never again occurs in a centre or service connected with us,’ states Gerry. ‘To achieve this, we will focus on delivering the recommendations that apply to faith-based entities, ensuring that any activities or services provided by the Army comply with and consistently apply the Care Safety Principles, the National Care Safety Strategy and all statutory requirements under the Care Safety Act.’

The establishment of the puretumu torowhānui system, a holistic approach to redress that seeks to restore a person’s mana and dignity, helps survivors heal from trauma and provides fair financial compensation, which is also supported by The Salvation Army.

No further harm

Royal Commission Response Manager for The Salvation Army, Murray Houston, has been working in this space since 2003, when the very first public allegations of abuse in Salvation Army children’s homes surfaced in a news item on One News.

Initially, The Salvation Army sought legal advice to guide its response to the allegations. Unfortunately, the statute of limitations was in place that restricted the timeframe within which survivors could file a claim. Additionally, legal challenges, such as the requirement to provide evidence of the alleged abuse—for example, psychiatric reports—caused further trauma to the survivors.

‘This was absolutely not the response we wanted to give survivors,’ explains Murray. ‘So overnight we removed any mechanisms that would cause further harm. We made it clear that if someone comes forward, we will believe them and work with them to reach a suitable outcome that benefits them first and foremost. And that’s been our consistent philosophy, which aligns well with the Royal Commission recommendations.’

When the Labour Government announced in 2018 that there was going to be a Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse and neglect in state and faith-based care, Murray was the obvious person to lead the process. For close to 20 years,

Murray had been meeting with survivors to follow through a redress process. Six years on, Murray has met face to face with 99 percent of survivors. He is quick and careful to affirm that the redress process is driven by the survivor and reiterates that The Salvation Army responds by ensuring that the process is as easy as possible to navigate and that the survivor’s needs are met.

Formal apology

One of the recommendations in the report is for faith-based world leaders to offer a public apology to survivors. The Salvation Army has accepted this recommendation and General Lyndon Buckingham, leader of the global Salvation Army, will give an apology later this year. Murray explains that not only is this especially appropriate given The General is a New Zealand officer,

‘What began as quite a conservative approach has become far more open, with full acknowledgement that abuse occurred and that it was not acceptable, and we unreservedly apologise.’

Samples of the pounamu gifted to abuse survivors by The Salvation Army.

but adds that when serving here as a senior leader he attended several survivor interviews with Murray.

‘The General has personal knowledge and understanding of what survivors have been through,’ says Murray.

Murray also explains that the apologies survivors have received from The Salvation Army through the redress process have changed over time.

‘What began as quite a conservative approach has become far more open, with full acknowledgement that abuse occurred and that it was not acceptable, and we unreservedly apologise. Every survivor that we have engaged with personally has received some form of apology from a representative of The Salvation Army in either verbal or written form.’

Recently Murray began a process of gifting survivors with a beautiful piece of pounamu carved and blessed especially for survivors. The intention behind the gift is to convey

to survivors that The Salvation Army is genuine in its response and sincere in its apology.

‘Survivors have been overwhelmed by the gift and it has been well received,’ says Murray.

Safe and secure

The Salvation Army works with thousands of vulnerable people every day, and Murray describes the changes in compliance and safety mechanisms since the period under review as a ‘revolution’.

‘We need to ensure that those working with vulnerable people, particularly children, are fit to be in those sorts of frontline roles,’ he says. ‘Police checks are now second nature and renewed every three years.’

Other vital safety measures include job applicant screening and

safety checks during employment interviews, as well as adherence to the Keeping Children Safe (KCS) programme and ongoing renewal process. Key to all of this is ongoing policy review and reinvention.

A plan is being developed to address the 138 recommendations from the Royal Commission. A working group, bringing together expertise from across The Salvation Army, has been established to oversee this effort.

‘The Royal Commission is a catalyst ensuring change for the future. Yes, we must respond to what happened in the past—there is no question about that,’ affirms Murray. ‘But what we do now to change the way the Army protects children and vulnerable people is how we create a future where everyone is safe and secure.’

Please go to salvationarmy.org.nz/RoyalCommission to read Colonel Gerry Walker’s apology. A link to General Lyndon Buckingham’s apology will be added when it’s available.

Above:

Counting on Kevin

Kevin David loves his job working for The Salvation Army as a campaign coordinator in the Supporter Engagement and Fundraising (SEF) team at Territorial Headquarters. But life hasn’t always been plain sailing. Kevin has discovered that when you lean into some of life’s most challenging and disappointing seasons, greater intimacy with God is to be found.

I was born in the Philippines and raised in a Christian family. We moved here to New Zealand when I was 11 years old. My parents were good at guiding me and teaching me about God. I liked knowing someone greater than us was in control.

I grew up in West Auckland and went to Green Bay High School. As a teenager I didn’t go to youth group, but I loved church, and I loved the people. But as I got older, I wasn’t quite sure where I sat with it all. I remember thinking, What is this?

I was 20 when my grandmother invited us to Glen Eden Salvation Army. It was very different to what we’d known. As a family we were so used to big churches where we didn’t really connect beyond Sundays. Now at this new, smaller church people wanted to know us and it was realistic to get to know people outside Sundays, so we became part of the community.

My relationship with God deepened at Glen Eden, as we—my whole family—started to realise that we could serve God. Serving is such a key part of my faith now. I got involved in helping with the Aspire youth programme at the local intermediate school. That gave me a new lens for my faith, and I started to realise that it’s one thing to have faith in God, but another thing to ask, What am I doing to serve the person next to me?

I don’t think you have to wait for a ‘calling’ because there is always an opportunity to serve—there are always doors open. Most of the time we pray for opportunities, but really they are right in front of us. We just have to say yes. Opportunities to serve and love people are right there. We’re not asking God, we’re just saying yes.

I remember the first Amplify creative arts camp I went to. I was in my mid-twenties by then, helping as a driver and serving as an older head around camp. Amplify was … wow! I came home realising that I had really missed out as a teenager.

I don’t think you have to wait for a ‘calling’ because there is always an opportunity to serve—there are always doors open.

My job meant that I couldn’t be committed as a youth leader, but when it came to events, I was able to serve. I met other leaders who were quite involved and learnt how they served, either at their corps or in their communities. I think when you serve alongside someone and they share why they are doing it, you take some inspiration from them and that adds more to the experience of serving together.

I also love anything creative! At university I studied graphic design and interior design. I’ve also worked with coffee and roasted The Salvation Army’s Hamodava coffee for a few years. In the background I did website work, photography and video, and some content creation work. I also started my own clothing line as a bit of a side hustle—I design the clothes and sew the samples. And I worked for the Foodbank Project for a while before moving to Wellington at the beginning of 2023.

I worked in the Youth and Children’s department (now Next Gen) which I loved, but then made the move to SEF, which is a great fit for my skills. I love my team, and we’re quite a tight-knit family. I’ve joked with

I’ve also learnt that if you try to avoid disappointment then you’re choosing not to have any real relationships, because disappointment is part of life.

friends that THQ (Territorial Headquarters) is our corps (church). Whenever we sign up for stuff and we come to the question of what corps you belong to, we write THQ corps!

Worship is important to me. I love communal worship, but I also love worshipping by myself. It’s great to worship with other people, there’s a real beauty in that, but worshipping alone—just me and God—there’s a different intimacy to it. It’s worship that fuels my service and fills my cup. And prayer? I’m not a very good group pray-er, but on my own, prayer between me and God is just conversational and easy.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my journey was when Glen Eden Corps closed. I learnt through that difficult time that seasons change. I also got to see the good things God does through times like those. What got me through was learning that the most important thing is loving people. It can’t be the organisation, or the shield, or even the church itself, it must be the people. During tough times, the focal point of our love and care has got to be loving one another.

There will always be happy days, but when you go through adversity you learn that God is always there.

I’ve also learnt that if you try to avoid disappointment then you’re choosing not to have any real relationships, because disappointment is part of life. And for me it’s during those times that I first learnt to sit with God and stick close to him through the hurt. When you get to the other side of those seasons, and the next

challenging season comes along, you know that there’s a way through because you’ve been through something tough before. As I get older—I’m 32 now—I know it’s not just about getting through things; I’m starting to appreciate what you learn from life’s challenges along the way. There will always be happy days, but when you go through adversity you learn that God is always there.

Check out Kevin’s clothing line on Instagram: @kevincclo

The Courage of Women

Rob Harley’s seventh book, The Courage of Women: Journeys to the Crossroads of Resilience, is a must-read that will both challenge and change readers with its compelling content. The stories are shocking and stunning, speaking not only of the courage and conviction of the women they celebrate, but also of the cumulative impact the lives of these women have had upon the author.

WORDS Jules Badger

ob Harley’s latest book is jam-packed with the heart-wrenching, tissue-pulling tales of women navigating lives most of us can barely imagine. From Ruatoria on the East Coast of Aotearoa to Waco, Texas in the United States, the stories Rob shares span the length and breadth of the globe. These women of courage face insurmountable odds and experience harsh suffering, and yet somehow hope takes root in their lives, perseverance stakes its claim, resilience wins and their story becomes one of triumph. And while there is no doubt that Rob is a sublime storyteller, these stories speak for themselves.

‘Here’s the thing about creating a book about heroes,’ says Rob. ‘If anyone tells the writer they have succeeded in creating something sublime, the credit—in the case of this new book about courageous women—must inevitably go to those warrior women who have fought in so many of life’s sweat-soaked arenas and truly deserve the acclaim. So please read and appreciate these gutsy ladies it’s been my privilege to know.’

Medium matters

Rob loves, respects and admires women. Both the content of The Courage of Women and Rob’s closing comments in the epilogue make this abundantly and inarguably clear.

The 70-year-old veteran journalist, documentarymaker, inspirational speaker, author and recent podcaster has launched a new website, ‘The South Head Vagabond’ full of great content. The medium doesn’t matter. Rob’s a storyteller. Technology has become his ally and by hook or by crook he’ll continue to tell the real and gritty stories of heroic humanity until the day he dies.

Of course, on the flip side, that also often means a foray into the very worst of humanity—the indignity and cruelty humans inflict upon one another. Such is the genesis of some of the stories Rob tells in The Courage of Women. In other cases, adversity comes via genetics, disease, culture and of course gender— which makes the telling of these stories so very important. Some of the women Rob writes about find themselves survivors of gender-based violence and human sex-trafficking. Rob gives statistics a human face and a beating heart. And while he would flatly deny it, that makes him a bit of a hero too.

Marked and marred

So why this topic—courageous women—and why now? Rob’s had his share of mental health struggles over the years, which is not surprising given all that he’s seen as a journalist in his career. The fact that many

From Ruatoria on the East Coast of Aotearoa to Waco, Texas in the United States, the stories Rob shares span the length and breadth of the globe.

journalists suffer from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is not all that surprising.

‘Journalism marks you and it mars you. You carry scars from the things you see and witness. It’s moments in time that just come back and whack you when you least expect.’

Rob once made a list of all the things he’d seen to try and decipher what had affected him the most.

‘It wasn’t filming 400 dead bodies in a hospital in Cambodia in 2012. It wasn’t seeing bodies being pulled out of wells in East Timor after the Indonesia militia had killed the local people. It wasn’t limbless kids in

Kosovo. It was in Cambodia with a doctor called Susan Jack. She and her husband had gone to live in the slums, and she was holding a little boy who was brain damaged for want of a medicine she could have bought in New Zealand for $5. That broke my heart.’

It’s no surprise then that earlier this year Rob found himself in a psychiatric unit. He explains that it was a very therapeutic time and that he was put under the care of a Polish psychiatrist and a Serbian psychologist—both women.

‘They were incisive and just cut through my junk fairly quickly and identified some things. I suddenly started thinking about the perception of women. And I thought, many of the women I know see and understand things intuitively about you that men don’t get. There is something about the way a woman’s brain works. And I suddenly thought, sitting there in the hospital, women have been such a part of my storytelling journey.’

A favourite song of Rob’s wife Ali began to run through his mind: Only Women Bleed by Alice Cooper.

Above: Rob Harley speaking at the launch event for Jules and Major Mat Badger’s book When The Light Goes Out in 2023.

‘I first heard this song when Ali and I were dating, and I mistakenly thought it was a song about menstruation—which people often do. But when you listen carefully to the lyrics, it’s a song about the unique ways in which women suffer. It’s about women and their resilience. And suddenly I thought, I know so many great stories about the courage of women. And I felt compelled to tell them, so I set about writing.’

The fact that many journalists suffer from PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) is not all that surprising.

Moved and motivated

For the past nine months, Rob has immersed himself in the stories of courageous women. Many of the stories Rob has chosen to include have been drawn from documentary scripts—stories collected and curated during Rob’s long broadcasting career.

‘As a young man, I never imagined I would travel the world and see the things I’ve seen or meet any of these amazing women—it’s been an honour to have been in the company of such women, it’s mindboggling. What a privilege to hang out with women like these and have their lives of courage and resilience imprint themselves on me.’

The subtitle of The Courage of Women is Journeys to the Crossroads of Resilience.

‘What journalists like me tend to do is meet people at the crossroads of their lives, when they are making major life decisions. One of the stories in the book is about life at the crossroads for Ngāti Whātua women: They are making huge, huge decisions; and it is mostly women making these sorts of difficult decisions about what will go on in their bodies. As men we will never fully understand these sort of crossroads.’

During Rob’s mental health journey he has been helped by a woman called Naomi Cowan (MNZM) who

runs EQUIP, a mental health service in Auckland. Rob asked Naomi to write the prologue of the book.

‘Naomi’s a brilliant woman. After reading the stories of the courageous women I’d included in the book, she said, “I’m humbled, and I’m challenged, and it makes me want to follow their example”.’ Rob hopes that the book will do just that—stimulate people (not just women) to be courageous.

‘I want people to read the stories of these incredible women and be moved and motivated. To think, wow, if she could do that, face that, overcome that, change that—maybe I can too. I hope that readers will think hey, maybe there is a repeatable experience for me here at some level of life.’

Master and muse

Rob describes Jesus as the ultimate storyteller.

‘Somewhere in the New Century translation of the Bible it says something like it was a great storytelling

Above: The cover illustration from Rob’s new book The Courage of Women—artwork by Kylie Conning.

day, so Jesus told stories all day long. That’s how I recall it anyway—that’s what spoke to me.’

Rob says his favourite story in the New Testament is that of the adulterous woman in John chapter 8.

‘I love what Jesus says to her. “Where are those who condemn you? Neither do I condemn you.” There’s something about the way Jesus interacts with women that is so compelling. The fact is Christianity makes no sense without the humble Nazarene carpenter and all that he represented. I’ve long since given up the notion that God is a harsh ogre and a God who penalises, and that’s because of what I know of Jesus. The view I now have of God is that he is very tender. He’s understanding. I used to say in my preaching, “God is the God of the second chance and the third chance and the fourth chance. God is a God of many chances”.’

Rob continues to be entranced by Jesus.

‘And Jesus the master storyteller didn’t start by spouting Scripture, he starts with the now—with a sheep or a fig tree or a field or a coin. And he builds a bridge of truth from the everyday to God’s Word. Jesus is the muse for my storytelling.’

Rob pauses and says, ‘Can I please close with my utmost expression of love, not only to my wife Ali of nearly 47 years, but to the women of courage who have

imprinted their influence on the life of one humble scribbler? Ataahua. Arohanui e nga wāhine toa.’

He explains that Ali stood by him through his worst years. ‘After a dear friend died by suicide, I selfmedicated—survivor guilt. I trashed my liver. Ali stood by me through an incredibly difficult time of recovery after my liver transplant, years of black dog depression, unemployment, going bankrupt, losing our home—she stood with me. When I asked her why on earth she stuck with me, Ali said, “because I remembered that I married a good man”.’

‘Ali’s my rock. She’s just absolutely solid. On her Facebook page it says something like I am a relentless optimist who believes in the best in life Ali is my optimistic rock. A woman of courage, no doubt about it. Thank God.’

Book Giveaway

We have a copy of The Courage of Women to give away. To enter the draw, email salt@salvationarmy.org.nz before 13 January 2025.

Above: one of the artworks by Kylie Conning that appear in The Courage of Women

God Goes Before Us

WORDS Captain Rachel Montgomery

It was with a sense of anticipation and excitement that I set off to be a leader at the Intermediates Camp which was held at Blue Mountain Adventure Centre (BMAC) at the end of September. I knew it was going to be an incredible opportunity for young people to connect with God through creation and adventure; however, I may have overlooked how God would use this experience to show me more of his loving kindness.

One of the activities was white-water rafting, something that I’d not done before and wasn’t feeling overly confident in trying. I wasn’t shy in putting my hand up to be in a boat that I’m labelling ‘nervous travellers’. Weighed down by many layers of protective gear, I awkwardly got into the raft and said a prayer. We spent a little time practising the strokes and then set off for this wild and wonderful adventure.

As I listened to Phil, our instructor, calling out the commands, I began to realise he was completely in control of our journey, and he knew this river with its many bends and turns. Phil prepared us for what lay ahead, clearly explaining what the next set of rapids was like and how we were going to get through them as a team. As our adventure progressed, we began to grow in confidence in how we would tackle the rapids, and much to my surprise, we even gave some 360s a go.

As I reflect on this experience, I realise that God has revealed more of his character to me through this adventure. He is like the instructor who already knows the path but graciously leads and encourages us along the journey. God is incredibly kind and patient; he doesn’t pressure us, but rather wills us on to try these new things that help us to grow more in our trust of who he is.

Pushing Pause: God’s Mechanism for Healing

In this final of six instalments on Sabbath practice for the 21st century, Major Mat Badger focuses on the teachings of Jesus. Sabbath practice was part of the ordinary rhythm of Jewish life; however, God’s intention for it to be a day of rest and refreshment had been hijacked by the additional rules enforced by religious leaders. Jesus called them out and restored Sabbath to its rightful place.

In our last instalment we looked at what I believe is Jesus’ most crucial and foundational teaching on the Sabbath: ‘The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath. So, the Son of Man [one of Jesus’ titles] is Lord [the boss] even of the Sabbath’ (Mark 2:27). In other words, for Jesus, Sabbath wasn’t just a command to be kept, but a way of being that was not only life-giving but authenticated his identity. So while the religious leaders of the day, the Pharisees, sought to catch people out for breaking the Sabbath, Jesus was all about releasing people from humanmade rules so they could enter and enjoy the deep, healing rest God designed for his people.

Rhetorical questions

In Mark 3:1–6, we read, ‘Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there’. The inference here is that this is another account of Jesus heading to the synagogue (some texts say ‘as was his custom’) on the

Sabbath. The second part of the verse describing the man’s hand sets the scene for another showdown with the Pharisees.

The story continues: ‘Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath’ (v2). Jesus is under scrutiny, but he’s also seeing an opportunity to demonstrate compassion while exposing their legalism.

‘Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone”’ (v3). ‘Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save a life or kill?”’ (4a). These questions are obviously rhetorical— of course the answer is to do good and to save a life! ‘But they remained silent’ (4b). The Pharisees have nothing to say because they can’t argue with Jesus’ logic.

‘He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was

completely restored’ (vs 5). And then the Pharisees cheered and threw a party because someone was healed at church! Nope. ‘Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus’ (vs 6). When they could have been celebrating, they planned an assassination, illustrating the extent to which the Pharisees had lost the plot and elevated the Mishnah [Jewish legal theory] above the Torah [first five books of the Old Testament].

Sabbath hasn’t always been taken seriously as a day for the kind of rest that brings healing.

Sacred seven

Throughout the Bible, the number seven always signals completion or perfection. God rested on the seventh day, Jesus spoke on the cross seven times, and the book of Revelation could be sponsored by the number seven! And Jesus healed on the Sabbath seven times. Furthermore, there are two layers of significance to the Sabbath healings Jesus performed. Here’s a quick summary: healing of the lame man at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1–15); the man with the shriveled hand (Mark 3:1–6); the crippled woman (Luke 13:10–13); the blind and the mute (Matthew 12); the man with dropsy (Luke 14:1); the infirm/demon possessed woman (Luke 13); and the blind man (John 9). In addition, there are non-specific healings of ‘crowds’ and ‘multitudes’ (Matthew 12:15). In other words,

everyone was healed in Jesus’ presence on the Sabbath.

So why did Jesus repeatedly heal on the Sabbath? Why seven specific times? First, Jesus was fulfilling Old Testament prophecy. Isaiah 35:5–6a says, ‘Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.’ All the healings that Jesus performed on the Sabbath authenticated his identity. And by healing on the seventh day Jesus restores the Sabbath to its rightful place as a mechanism of healing. Second, healing on the Sabbath seven times is prophetic. By healing on the Sabbath, Jesus was not only demonstrating that he was Lord over creation and God present in the flesh, but also offering a taste of the kingdom of God when it comes in all its fulness: when Christ returns there will be no sickness or suffering.

The healing Army?

It is important for us to grasp that in English the two words healing and salvation are two translations of the same Greek word, soteria. When we read in the gospels that Jesus healed someone or saved someone, it’s the exact same word. This is significant for us as The Salvation Army. Even the etymology of the English word salvation comes from the Latin word salve, which refers to an ointment you apply to an open wound for healing. So, salvation and healing are inextricably intertwined. And yet, this also saddens me, because to our shame, as The Salvation Army, we have a track record of burning people out! Sabbath hasn’t always been taken seriously as a day for the kind of rest that brings healing.

When I look at how Jesus lived and I think about the world we live in today, I believe the Sabbath is when God does some of his best healing work in us. What an invitation! What was true in the time of Jesus is still possible today. When I practise Sabbath, I go on a bit of a journey. Often my day begins with anxiety and weariness being prevalent, and then it’s like a detox as I settle into rest with God. The day unfolds and I begin to feel my soul again. I feel the depth, texture and life that comes from being present with God. It’s a process of both healing and salvation as the essence of who I am is reset. Sabbath practice becomes the mechanism through which God saves and heals me—body, mind and soul—as I surrender once again to the invitation to rest.

…by healing on the seventh day Jesus restores the Sabbath to its rightful place as a mechanism of healing.

How will you respond to this invitation from God?

The Gift of Community

A legacy left by a local farmer has helped make new social housing in Kirikiriroa Hamilton a reality. Ben Mack reports that the gift of soft carpets and furniture, heat pumps and good insulation is a dream living situation for the new tenants.

A warm, sunny spring day in Kirikiriroa Hamilton was made even more special on 1 October, as The Salvation Army’s newest social housing (SASH) complex opened in the Nawton neighbourhood. The complex on Grandview Road boasts 31 units in configurations of up to four bedrooms. Salvation Army Territorial Director of Social Housing and Property Greg Foster says these units are alongside 40 one-bedroom units built in the 1980s, making it a large community that’s also near a daycare centre and supermarket. According to Greg, tenants are people and their whānau (families) on the social Housing Register. This is important, because there’s a high need for housing in Hamilton and across Aotearoa. There were 1458 applicants on the Housing Register in Hamilton City alone at the

end of June 2024, the third highest of any district in New Zealand—behind only Auckland and Christchurch. There were also 261 applicants on the Housing Register in the neighbouring Waikato District at the end of June 2024.

Greg adds the complex is staffed by tenancy staff and chaplains, working with tenants to create a community feel. The community feel is also evident in other features of the complex. There’s plentiful parking, a playground and large community centre.

Leaving a lasting legacy

The community centre is named the Charles Hoy Community Centre after a local Hamilton farmer who left a large bequest that helped fund the development.

National Housing Operations Manager

Fiona Matthews says Charles Hoy was born in November 1925 in the UK, and lost his mum at birth. He spent time in a boys’ institution before being raised by his uncle in Cornwall. Later, though he was just a teenager, Charles served in

The community centre is named the Charles Hoy Community Centre after a local Hamilton farmer who left a large legacy that helped fund the development.

the Second World War as a cook in the British Merchant Navy. He emigrated to New Zealand after the war and worked as a farmer until he was well into his 80s.

‘He was a quiet, humble gentleman with a strong sense of wisdom and community, and he knew what it took to be part of one,’ said Fiona. ‘His character was generous every step of the way, giving people a leg up whenever he could. Charles’ good humour and kind generosity really is his lasting legacy.’

Greg highlights the impact that legacies and bequests can have in a community, as this generosity helps the work of The Salvation Army across the motu (land). Aside from Charles, the development was made in partnership with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Also helping were investors into the complex, including Simplicity KiwiSaver, the Westpac KiwiSaver Scheme, Harbour Asset Management, Trust Management and Clarity Funds Management.

Visitors speak at the opening About 80 people attended the opening. Among those assembled were supporters, whānau, Hamilton City

Councillor Sarah Thomson, media and Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Hon Tama Potaka.

Also in attendance was Salvation Army Chief Secretary Colonel Gerry Walker, who took part in a special tree planting to mark the opening. In a speech, he expressed hope that the new complex can be a place where whānau can live their best lives and thrive. ‘For the whānau living here, they have something warm, that is secure, that is affordable.’

He also said it speaks to the commitment of The Salvation Army to help people in need.

‘We have some major problems in this country, and The Salvation Army is doing our part to fix them.’

Hon Tama Potaka, additionally the MP for the Hamilton West electorate the new complex is located within, also spoke. Beginning his speech in te reo Māori, he thanked The Salvation Army for working to house people when so many are doing it tough.

Many of the speeches at the opening were in te reo. This included portions of a speech by Raymond Bishop, who spoke on behalf of whānau in the new community. He said it’s great residents in the complex can learn te reo, connect with their culture and live together in a purposeful, loving community. This, he added, makes it a wonderful environment.

Among the whānau living in the new complex are Sophia Frost, her husband Liva and their four-year-old daughter. A singer in her church choir, Sophie and her family emigrated to Aotearoa last year from Samoa. Standing in the kitchen with smooth stainless-steel countertops and new appliances, Sophia spoke of how wonderful it was to have such a nice place to live in. She was proud, she added, to show it to visitors. Tenants come from a variety of cultural backgrounds, but what unites them is thankfulness for having a warm, safe place to live.

For more information about leaving a gift to The Salvation Army in your Will, visit salvationarmy.org.nz/wills or email sef@salvationarmy.org.nz

Left: The new housing in Nawton, Hamilton; above (from left): Greg Foster (director of Social Housing and Property), Chief Secretary Colonel Gerry Walker and Hon Tama Potaka (Associate Minister of Housing [Social Housing]) at the tree planting ceremony.

Inclusive Retreats

Throughout 2024, online spiritual retreat days have been on offer to anyone connected with The Salvation Army. The first online spiritual retreat day was 11 April, followed by 11 June, 7 September and, most recently, October 18. These dates translate to a variety of different weekdays, as well as a Saturday for those who work full-time. This has provided flexibility for people curious about retreat days. To date, 96 people have participated, with some attending more than one retreat day. Average attendance has been around 35 at each retreat, and there is no cost involved. Territorial Secretary for Spiritual Life Development Lt-Colonel Liz Gainsford reports that a highlight has been the variety of participants. ‘I’ve been so impressed that staff, officers and soldiers have all signed up—it’s not just for one type or group of people,’ affirms Liz. ‘It’s open to anyone.’