Christmas 2014 NZFT War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION | Christmas 2014 | Issue 6606 | $1.50

Celebrating

200 years

of ďż˝ the

Christian Story

in Aotearoa

02 WarCry Christmas 2014

Happy Christmas Celebrate Jesus WAR CRY

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

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

EDITOR

Major Christina Tyson GRAPHIC DESIGN

Lauren Millington, Amber Wilkinson STAFF WRITERS

Ingrid Barratt, Robin Raymond, Vanessa Singh CONTRIBUTORS

Kris Singh (music reviewer)

PROOF READING

Major Jill Gainsford COVER

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

This Christmas, New Zealand churches focus on the bicentennial of the first Christian service held on New Zealand soil. On Christmas Day 1814, the Rev Samuel Marsden assembled with a few Europeans and several hundred Māori on the foreshore below Rangihoua Pā in the Bay of Islands—on the beautiful site pictured on our cover.

Sailors visiting New Zealand had probably held services while moored here, and other missionaries had worshipped among themselves. But Marsden’s Christmas Day service was the first provided specifically for New Zealand’s tangata whenua, obeying the command Jesus gave the first believers: ‘to go and make disciples of all nations … and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you’ (Matthew 28:19–20).

I’m indebted to Graham Cameron for his perspective on the event we commemorate this year. Graham makes the point that it was Ngāpuhi chief Ruatara who established the bridge over which Marsden passed. Ruatara was prepared to lay his own mana on the line so these Christians could tell the story of Jesus to Ruatara’s people. For us today, as we seek to make Jesus known, we need to look for ways to build bridges with others who can help us meet the challenges of fresh mission fields.

Our feature story is about Wi Pirihi. Like Ruatara, Wi is also from Ngāpuhi. Outwardly successful, Wi’s life was empty until he let the story of Jesus sink into his life.

At the close of this year, I want to thank our wonderful readers for your support of War Cry. If you’d like to re-read any of the past year’s editions, we’re now publishing these online.

Visit www.salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry and follow the link.

On behalf of the War Cry team, it’s our prayer that you enjoy a refreshing Christmas and a happy and safe New Year. If you have the opportunity, please come and worship at The Salvation Army. We’d love to celebrate Jesus with you!

Christina Tyson Editor

BIBLE VERSE

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Luke 2:10–11 The Message PAPER Novatech is an environmentally responsible paper manufactured under environmental management system ISO14001 using FSC Certified, Mixed Source, ECF pulp from well managed and legally harvested forests.

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

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‘Nā ka mea te anahera ki a rātou, Kaua e mataku: tā te mea he kaikauwhau tēnei ahau ki a koutou mō te hari nui, meāke puta mai ki te iwi katoa. Nō nāianei hoki i whānau ai he Kaiwhakaora mō koutou i te pā o Rāwiri, arā a te Karaiti, te Ariki.’

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WISE WORDS

… We have no words to contain our praise. We ache with awe, we tremble with miracle, as once again, in the small rough stable of our lives, Christ is born.

Joy Cowley Nativity

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Let’s Talk | 03

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ne hundred years ago, on 24 December 1914, the Great War had already claimed a million lives. But on that Christmas Eve, gunfire fell silent on both sides of the trenches.

Each side plucked up enough courage to bob their heads above ground, and slowly come out of their trenches into no man’s land. Eventually, men from the British and German forces met to exchange greetings and give whatever they had as gifts. A football was found, and a friendly match spontaneously broke out between the sides. On that day, there was peace.

This encounter is depicted in UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s stirring Christmas advertising campaign, made in partnership with the Royal British Legion.

Private Frederick W. Heath wrote this account: Back somewhere in England, the fires were burning in cosy rooms. I leaned against the side of the trench, and, looking through my loophole, fixed weary eyes on the German trenches.

Still looking and dreaming, my eyes caught a flare in the darkness, light after light sprang up along the German front. Then quite near our dug-outs, so near as to make me start and clutch my rifle, I heard a voice: ‘English soldier, English soldier, a merry Christmas, a merry Christmas!’

Officers, fearing treachery, ordered the men to be silent.

But how could we resist wishing each other a merry Christmas?

So we kept up a running conversation with the Germans, all the while our hands ready on our rifles.

Came the dawn, pencilling the sky with grey and pink.

Under the early light we saw our foes moving recklessly about on top of their trenches. Here, indeed, was courage; no seeking the security of the shelter but a brazen invitation to us to shoot and kill with deadly certainty. But did we shoot? Not likely! We stood up ourselves and called [blessings] on the Germans. Then came the invitation to fall out of the trenches and meet half way.

Jumping up onto the parapet, [small groups of men] advanced to meet the oncoming Germans. Out went the hands and tightened in the grip of friendship. Christmas had made the bitterest foes friends.

What is the mystery of Christmas that seems to transcend all else? It’s bigger than its traditions, it’s bigger than enmity, it’s even bigger than war. The spirit of peace is more powerful than gunpowder. Its love is more powerful than the grave.

At Christmas, we remember the Christ child who calls us into a relationship with God. At his birth, angels sang: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him (Luke 2:12-14, CEV).

Jesus, the Christ-child, grew up to be a profound teacher. His teachings were so subversively powerful that he was put to death by the authorities. But in a miracle that changed the history of humanity, he came back to life. The first words Jesus spoke when he re-appeared were: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27). Jesus showed us that to know God and his peace, we just need to know Jesus.

As Private Heath finishes his account of the Christmas Truce of WWI, he notes that ‘we are back once more to the ordeal of fire’. A century later, and our world is still at war.

But during this fragile moment in history, we get a glimpse of the true, transcendent peace that the Christ-child can offer us. He has come to heal our hearts and comfort us in our fears.

To know this peace, all we need to do is take a step of faith, to step out of our trenches and offer out our hand to God. He is already offering his hand of friendship out to us.

INGRID BARRATT

04 WarCry Christmas 2014

Bookshelf Children’s Bible Stories The Action Bible Sergiuo Cariello The Action Bible includes over 200 fast-paced stories in chronological order, making it easy to follow the Bible’s historical flow. Illustrator Serio Cariello has worked for Marvel and DC Comics. He draws readers into the world’s most exciting story, with a compelling blend of clear writing and dramatic images. ‘God is the original action hero,’ writes editor Doug Mauss. Superman may blow a car over with his breath, but God created the whole universe with his breath. Superman may save the day, but Jesus saved the whole world. At over 750 pages, The Action Bible looks to inspire God’s next generation of differencemakers. (David C. Cook publishers)

Playlist

NZ History Rangihoua: Mission Impossible?

Kath Hansen A social history giving a glimpse of life at the first permanent European settlement of Hohi Bay (which came to be known as Oihi), under the protection of local chiefs who occupied nearby Rangihoua Pā.

Kath Hansen tells the story of the Rev Samuel Marsden and the three missionaries who established New Zealand’s first Christian mission station. This is a tale of triumph in the face of adversity, as missionaries face danger, starvation and their own personal demons. Marsden is remembered in Australia as ‘the flogging parson’, but esteemed in New Zealand for introducing Christianity. (Order from kathhansen@xtra.co.nz)

Pictorial Historic Places of New Zealand Rob Suisted & Dr Sven Schroeder Wellington-based photographer Rob Suisted is well known for his stunning photography of New Zealand landscapes. In the latest of his compact pictorial series, he showcases stunning settings of heritage places. From the iconic Cape Reinga lighthouse, Rob journeys south to take in remnants of Māori villages and fortifications, echoes of the lives of our first settlers, early churches and mission stations, holiday homes and colonial cottages. The aspirations of a young nation are reflected in the magnificence of its public buildings, from railway stations to universities, museums and memorials. (New Holland Publishers)

Reel News

Christmas/Worship When Christmas Comes Kim Walker-Smith As a worship leader and singer with Christian heavyweights Jesus Culture, Kim Walker-Smith’s impassioned and distinctive vocal style is put fully to use in her Christmas effort When Christmas Comes, resulting in a great holiday album. Although not strictly a ‘worship’ album, because WalkerSmith is such a worship-focused musician, that style shines through.

Covering classics including ‘Silent Night’, ‘Carol of the Bells’ and ‘Angels We Have Heard On High’, Walker-Smith presents a fresh take and modern sound to well-known songs, injecting them with power and intensity. A fun and refreshing Christmas album.

Alt Rock The Traveller [shift] Auckland band [shift] blends influences from across the alternative rock spectrum in their debut album The Traveller. Though this doesn’t lend itself well to a cohesive album overall, many of these songs stand out individually as excellent tracks. From the dirty Southern rock twang of ‘Preacher Man Death’ to the soaring melodies of ‘The Blood’, there’s something to identify and like in every song. The band is rhythmically tight, the guitar work intricate and focused, and the record well produced. A great album to cherry pick favourites from. Check out the band at www.shiftmusic. co.nz, or catch them at Festival One in January.

GIVEAWAY To win a copy of Historic Places tell us your favourite New Zealand heritage place.

War Cry Giveaway, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wgtn 6141 or email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org. Entries close 29 Dec. When You Believe winner is: J. Hamilton

Adventure The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 Francis Lawrence / M (Violence) The teen sensation series is back, but not as you might expect (if you haven’t read the books). In the third of four films, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has been rescued from the Hunger Games, where she was forced to kill other teens in a television game show, to help prop up the Capitol’s tyrannical government. Since rebelling in the Games, Katniss has been thrown into the revolutionary war that she and love interest Peeta Mellark (Joel Hutchinson) have inspired.

While others fight for her, Katniss is manipulated by her rescuers, the rebel government of District 13, into fronting war propaganda adverts. All while watching Peeta doing the same, as a captive of the capitol.

Yes, they split this film in two as a cynical ploy for money; the score’s sometimes cheesy and some early scenes lag. And yes, it’s much better if you’ve read the books. It’s not high art. But it’s not tacky teen fiction either.

What should be a film about teenagers shooting adverts manages to be a smart politics movie, and a gripping ride, with tension that builds right to the last shot. It’s visceral, violent (without any blood) and very, very dark.

The star-studded support cast, including the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman, is excellent and even the previously wooden Liam Hensworth is good as Gale Hawthorne. But Lawrence and Hutchinson steal the show with outstanding performances in an emotional and unexpected film about the power of propaganda. Coming up to Christmas it seems appropriate to have a film about finding meaning in a sea of propaganda and an unexpected hero, who walks with us in our pain to bring a revolution.

Go to

salvationarmy.org.nz/saresources

Feature | 05

Salvation Army music lured Wi Pirihi through The Salvation Army’s door.

It was the best change of direction he’s ever made.

BY ROBIN RAYMOND

Photography: Joshua Burns

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ragging himself round the block next to Whangarei Hospital on crutches six years ago, Wi Pirihi was at rock bottom. He was recovering from crashing his car while drunk driving. A lifetime of being an alcoholic and a drug user had caught up on Wi. He’d nearly killed himself and a friend who was in the car.

Wi came from a family of 12 children and grew up near Whangarei, before moving to Auckland at 16. There he did an apprenticeship and became a qualified electrician. Through his job he made lots of money and travelled the world, spending 21 years living and working in Australia, as well as stints working in Nigeria, Kazakhstan and England.

Wi’s life looked like a success, but felt empty, he says.

It was in Auckland, as a young man who had just left home and was trying to make his way in the world, that he began to make bad choices, Wi says. He got into drinking and later into drugs. He managed to keep working, but the drinking and drugs took their toll.

When he moved back to Whangarei he had split from his wife and was separated from his children.

Then the accident happened.

Broken and ashamed Stuck in hospital recovering from a broken leg and facing possible jail time for the crash, Wi says it was his lowest point.

‘That was the last straw. I felt really broken. I had no self-esteem, no confidence. I had suicidal thoughts. I was disconnected from my family and friends and I was ashamed of where my life now was.’

As part of his recovery, he began getting out on his crutches, walking round the block—and that was when he heard the music.

‘I heard the music coming from [The Salvation Army’s] Recovery Church and I thought it sounded pretty cool. So I opened the door and Lieutenant Hana Seddon stuck her head out and said, “Kia Ora, come in!” So I went in to the back row … and from there I found God.’ Wi says his parents were Mormon and he remembers going to church once or twice when he was young, but he never knew much about the Christian gospel. When he first moved to Auckland, Wi stayed in a Christian boarding house. While he was there, he gave his life to God, but he did not really understand and quickly drifted away.

It was at Recovery Church where he really heard the story of God’s love for everyone and of God’s plans to give people a good future. The story sank in.

That message and his relationship with God changed his life completely, Wi says. As we speak you can hear the excitement in his voice. Start him off and he can’t stop talking about what God has done for him; he bubbles with enthusiasm.

A purposeful life Since giving his life to God, Wi has completed an addictions recovery course. It’s not been easy, but it’s been more than worth it, he says.

‘I live one day at a time, because I’m a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. But it’s been two-and-a-half years since I put the cork in the bottle. The carrot of living with sobriety is that what I have now, and the relationships I have now are far more purposeful and valuable than they ever were in my life.’

Wi became a Salvation Army soldier (church member) two years ago and, feeling like God wanted him to, he started a social work degree that year. He did his social work placement at the Whangarei Corps (church) this year, helping others in need.

‘The change God’s made in me in two years is just amazing. I can’t explain it. I thank him every day for giving me this chance. When I look back, I can see God’s hand, because so many times I should have been dead. He saved me so many times!’

Wi’s family and friends were ‘a bit dubious’ about his change at first, but he says his life today is focused on living out the love of God and letting it show, and people have noticed the change. He has even been able to take a place of respect at tangis, which is humbling, he says.

The most exciting moment came last week, when Wi flew to Australia to visit his son and daughter and spend three weeks, including Christmas, with family. Without God’s transformation of his life, he would never have been able to re-unite with his family, Wi says.

‘I would never have been able to connect back with them—not this soon and not in this way of wanting to build back a relationship.

I was a binge user. I had moments of clarity, when I wasn’t drinking, but I felt like my life was hollow. I didn’t know how to be a father. I hope I can be a father now.’

A wider whānau Back in Whangarei, Wi says the town’s Salvation Army Family Store and the staff there were another foundation stone in his recovery.

‘I worked there for six months and they helped me get my selfesteem back, them and doing something for someone else. I still keep in touch with them. They’re like my whānau, and the same goes for the Salvation Army corps in Whangarei—they’re my whānau and it’s my marae.’

Although the corps has become his whānau,Wi says his tribe of Ngāpuhi and hapu of Patu Harakeke are still very important. He is part of The Salvation Army Māori Ministry team in the area and has a dream of one day starting a church on his marae at Takahiwai.

Along with his studies and work, Wi plays guitar at Recovery

Feature | 07

Poor Made Rich You know that our Lord Jesus Christ was kind enough to give up all his riches and become poor, so that you could become rich.

(2 Corinthians 8:9) How perfectly this verse captures the essence of the Christmas story—of the entire Christian message, in fact!

This verse is found in a letter that early Christian leader Paul wrote to Christians in Corinth, asking them to provide money to meet the needs of Jerusalem’s poor. For some reason, they had stopped contributing to this fund. But Paul believes love will always prove its sincerity by meeting human need, and challenges the Corinthians about this. (from left): Wi on his enrolment as a Salvation Army soldier in December 2012; at home with Mum; Wi with brother Malcolm on family land at Takahiwai.

The change God’s made in me in two years is just amazing. ... I can see God’s hand, because so many times I should have been dead. He saved me so many times!

Church and was part of a Māori Ministry team that made its first outreach visit to Ngawha Prison this year.

It was a humbling moment looking round a place he nearly ended up in on a few occasions, but also an exciting time being able to fellowship with the people there.

Giving back That desire to care for everyone in a practical way was one of the things that attracted Wi to becoming a Salvation Army soldier.

‘That’s what I love about the Army—they roll their sleeves up and care for people, transform lives.’

He has many regrets; the car crash clearly still haunts him and regrets like that are things he lives with daily. But you have to have the courage to move forward and not let those things hold you back, he says.

When Wi sees people who are like he used to be, ‘they stick out like pilot-lights’. He wants to help them, but he can’t save them—only God can do that through Jesus, he says. And God has been using his past, giving Wi opportunities to help others.

‘Studying for the past two years, I’m putting names on things I’ve been through. I have got a heart that wants to help. I was never good at rugby or talking to girls, but my gift from God is being able to talk to people who are hurting and broken.

‘God’s really opened up doors, even with my whānau, with my nephews and nieces, through my experiences, even my travel; it allows them to think beyond their immediate world.

God doesn’t set limits for us. I believe God has called me and I can do whatever he wants me to do.’

Within this challenge, we find this gem of a verse reminding us that, no matter how ‘rich’ or ‘poor’ we may consider ourselves, no human generosity can ever compare with that of Jesus, who temporarily laid aside all the splendour of Heaven so we could obtain spiritual riches otherwise beyond our reach.

The Corinthian Christians had experienced this for themselves: their sins had been dealt with because Jesus had chosen to be generous, giving his life for their salvation. And once Paul lifted their vision back to the big picture, it’s not surprising that they once again became eager to support those in need.

These days, it is so encouraging to see a growing movement among those in more prosperous financial circumstances to buy Christmas gifts that benefit people in poorer countries. This demonstrates the spirit of generosity that Paul encourages.

One of the signs of those who follow Jesus Christ is a willingness to give of ourselves—as Jesus did—so that others might be helped.

And when we give each other Christmas gifts in his name, let us remember that he has given us the sun and the moon and the stars, and the earth with its forests and mountains and oceans—and all that lives and move upon them. He has given us all green things and everything that blossoms and bears fruit and all that we quarrel about and all that we have misused—and to save us from our foolishness, from all our sins, he came down to earth and gave us himself.

Sigrid Undset

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Six Steps to a Frugal Christmas Some great ideas from eco-blogger Lucy AitkenRead.

A couple of years back—for the first time since we were students—Tim and I were really having to rein it in, money wise. We were living in the UK (we moved back to Tim’s homeland of New Zealand this year), didn’t have a lodger for the first time since having this GIANT mortgage, both of us only worked part time, and we had just spent every last penny on a beautiful van called Betty.

Christmas Trees

Of course, we aren’t poor; we just didn’t have any dosh, if you know what I mean. So, that Christmas became Seriously Frugal. Fortunately, we’d been practising frugality for a few years, so we weren’t all that fazed.

Now some of you will get all entrepreneurial for Christmas, crafting things up to sell, but if that’s not you, here are our six steps to a frugal Christmas …

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Decorations

Every year for the past few years, we have picked up a discarded tree from a school or college. It does mean waiting a bit longer (at least mid-December), and sometimes you don’t find one until the 20th.

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I haven’t bought any Christmas decorations in my life (I am the opposite of my sister, who is obsessed with them). But I have crafted some up over the past couple of years using pegs, old fabric and scrabble letters (sound gorgeous, don’t they?!), and have been rather pleased with myself! A quick search on Pinterest will hook you up with millions of possibilities.

But these trees are ENORMOUS and WONDERFUL! One year, we had to push our scavenged tree through our giant front window since it wouldn’t squeeze down our hall. The schools are normally thrilled to have it taken off their hands, and we gloat as we sail past other massive trees going for mega-bucks.

Presents For the past few years, we’ve only done Secret Santa in our family. We agree a price and it’s all proper hush!

This way, someone gets something really thoughtful and there are not piles of pressies sitting around that provoke only pseudo-thanks.

For other people, dear friends and children, I don’t tend to do much. And if I do, it nearly ALWAYS involves a jar. If you are like us and eat a lot of lemon curd and peanut butter, you have a spare jar (or several hundred), in your home.

You see, you can NEVER have enough jars! They provide endless opportunities for giving thrifty but appealing gifts, for beautiful, craftilicious decoration and, of course, simple and lovely storage. And for Christmas, jars come into their own! Un-fact, Christmas was MADE for jars. (Love and family and hope, they get a little look in too.) Despite there being already one million ways to up-cycle a jar, I am still not sure the human race has even reached the full realms of what is possible.

Even Tim and I have never done proper Christmas presents; we stick to a $20 budget, and do about the same for our two girls. I feel pretty passionate about helping them to understand that Things Don’t Equal Happiness, and that love can be shown in millions of ways even throughout a traditional period of gift giving.

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Food If you’re hosting a family Christmas, then share the food gathering out. This is becoming increasingly normal, as people struggle to find the bulk of money to lay on an exceptional festive spread at their party.

I have a friend who every year does Christmas with her old school chums, and each year each one brings a different traditional contribution. Guests contributing food made for a special and wonderful celebration.

Don’t be shy!

Wrapping I am officially the world’s worst wrapper! (Wrapper that is, not rapper—in terms of Rapping, I am actually rather excellent.) Often my gifts look like I have pulled them out of the bin (I usually have—JOKES, honest, I only get things out the bin for myself!)

Wrapping requires a finesse I really don’t have. I always use recycled paper and my pressies always look ugly.

However, I have a dear friend who wraps everything with newspaper and her gifts look AMAZING! Just check out the possibilities of using recycled wrapping.

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Christmas Cake … in a Mug! Everyone loves a Christmas cake for the holidays—the added appeal of this one is that you can make it in no time at all and without all the advance planning. Genius! | Serves 1 (unless you’re sharing!)

1 Tbsp soft butter, plus a little for greasing 1 tsp brandy essence 6 Tbsps mixed dried fruit 1 medium egg 3 Tbsps dark brown sugar ½ teaspoon mixed spice ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 Tbsp self-raising flour pinch of salt 1 Tbsp glacé cherries, halved 1 Tbsp candied peel 2 Tbsp almonds, roughly chopped To decorate 1 tsp icing sugar 75g ready-to-roll marzipan 1 Tbsp apricot jam 75g ready-to-roll icing 3 Tbsp royal icing ½ tsp water ½ tsp white sprinkles ¼ tsp edible gold stars

Grease a 350ml mug with a little butter and set aside. Place butter, brandy essence and dried fruit in a mug and microwave for 10-20 seconds until melted. Add egg, sugar, mixed spice, cinnamon and vanilla, and beat with a fork until combined. Add flour, salt, glacé cherries, candied peel and almonds and fold through.

Cook in microwave for 3 minutes 20 seconds at 600W, 3 minutes at 800W, or 2 minutes 40 seconds at 1000W. Leave to cool until cake comes away from the edges, then turn out onto a plate to cool completely.

Dust a clean work surface with icing sugar, and roll out marzipan to a size large enough to cover the entire cake. Brush the cake with half the jam, then lay over the marzipan, smoothing it down with your palm as you go and trimming any excess at the bottom with a sharp knife. Repeat process with the ready-to-roll icing.

Mix the royal icing with the water to a thick consistency. Spoon over the centre of the iced cake and allow to dribble down the sides. While still wet, scatter over the sprinkles and gold stars.

Tip: Wrap in baking parchment and then coloured tissue for a perfect homemade foodie gift.

Extracted with permission from Mug Cakes: 40 Speed Cakes to Make in a Microwave by Mima Sinclair, with photography by Tara Fisher. Published by Kyle Books and distributed in New Zealand by New Holland, $24.99.

6 Christmas Frocks Christmas time is a time to look nice, right? To feel happy with your outfit, to feel fresh. For me, a new frock is synonymous with the festivities, and has been since I was a tot. If this is the same for you, I have to say: Get Ye to a Swap Shop Now! You can organise one with people at work, or for your street or even for just your friends. It is THE thriftiest way to clear out your wardrobe and get some new things in, and have a whale of a time whilst doing it. I could not be more of a fan!

… But wait, there’s more ... with strawberries!

So, once Christmas has been and gone, it’ll eventually be time to get rid of the tree.

STOP! NOT SO FAST! Cut off those dry branches and place them around the bottom of your plants. Especially fit them in amongst your summer strawberries.

The pine needles will prevent water evaporating—keeping much needed moisture in the soil. This will provide the perfect bed for your strawberries to grow on. It is a perfectly free gardening aid and uncannily timed!

My fabulous mother-in-law told me about this and says that within two days her strawberries had gone OFF THE HOOK! (She didn’t use that term, though. She isn’t quite as street as me.)

For year-long thrifty ideas on beauty, food and lifestyle, go to www.wonderthrift.com

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

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Post to: War Cry, PO Box 6015, Marion Sq, Wgtn 6141 or e: warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org

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Have We Seen the Light?

A Christmas reflection from General André Cox, international leader of The Salvation Army.

In the world today, we often see people choosing to ignore the true meaning of the Christmas message. For many, it is a very busy time of the year, with so many activities to rush between.

Countless demands and pressures seem to be placed upon us, with a myriad of preparations to make. Within self-gratifying materialistic and consumer-driven societies many, sadly, will be caught on the arduous treadmill of Christmas parties, shopping and concerts.

Why, though, should that concern us? When asked which the greatest commandment was, Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments’ (Matthew 22:37-40).

In a time of year characterised too often by excess and over indulgence by those in the world fortunate to have so much, we have an opportunity to reflect on greater values and to think of those who cannot even dream of the many material things many of us take for granted.

The 17th century English poet and cleric, John Donne, famously and correctly noted: ‘No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.

Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee’.

How easy it can be to pursue our own selfish pleasures while ignoring the plight of more than a quarter of the world’s population. We hear there are about 2.4 billion people living on less than $USD2 per day, with another 1.1 million or so forced to live on less than $USD1 a day. If you have ever tried to live on

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Could it be that amidst the bright lights of Christmas we too can fail to see the true light of the world—Jesus, the Son of God? that amount of money, you will know what a monumental struggle it is. The reality, of course, is that a very significant proportion of the world’s population have to, because—through no fault of their own—they have limited choices and opportunities.

We cannot remain unmoved or indifferent. In Jesus Now, Leslie Brandt rightly reminds us: ‘We may be the only means that God has of touching people around us with his love, of relating to them his Word, of enabling them to discover his saving grace.’ That is what Christ wants to do in and through you and me. In grasping that, we will approach the heart of what this Christmas celebration is really all about. In realising this deeper meaning, we are freed from focusing on our own wants, and liberated to open our hearts to others who need to experience the beautiful message of Christmas through a kind and selfless gesture.

I do sometimes wonder how history will judge our generation.

Most of us receive a better education than our forebears and have far more wealth and resources than at any time in human history.

Yet the pain, suffering and deprivation of so many people continue to grow unchecked. If parochial and selfish ambitions continue to be relentlessly pursued, our generation will be remembered not for any significant achievements but instead for greed. Let us never forget, therefore, that Christmas is far more than bright lights, parties, shopping and concerts!

More than 2000 years ago, angels proclaimed the birth of a Saviour who would bring great joy for all the world. The reality was, of course, that when Jesus came, there was no room in the inn. As a result, the Saviour of the world was born in most humble surroundings. Could it be that amidst the bright lights of Christmas we too can fail to see the true light of the world—Jesus, the Son of God? As we approach this Christmas so many years after Christ came and changed the course of human history, we still see too many people who, though lacking little materially, do not realise that there can be no Christmas without Christ.

God’s promise from long ago was realised with the birth of Jesus, God incarnate: ‘… The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.’ From that time on, Jesus began to preach: ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has

come near’ (Matthew 4:16,17). The coming of this kingdom signalled a radical change in values and heralded the possibility of human nature being utterly transformed. In experiencing the dynamic Kingdom of God, we begin to perceive the true light of Christmas.

‘How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given!,’ wrote Phillips Brooks in the familiar carol. ‘So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his Heaven. No ear may hear his coming; but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.’ May this be so for you this Christmas, for the Light has come!

We are freed from focusing on our own wants, and liberated to open our hearts to others who need to experience the beautiful message of Christmas through a kind and selfless gesture.

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Ruatara’s Mission Graham Bidois Cameron tells the story of Māori leader Ruatara’s role as the bridge over which the Christian gospel came to New Zealand.

On 12 April 1799, the Society for Missions to Africa and the East (later renamed the Church Missionary Society) was founded at a meeting of the Eclectic Society, supported by members of the Clapham Sect, including Henry Thornton, Thomas Babington and William Wilberforce.

Samuel Marsden was a member of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) and chaplain in New South Wales, Australia. In that position, he frequently encountered Māori from New Zealand. Marsden lobbied for a Christian mission to New Zealand, and in 1809, missionaries William Hall, John King and Thomas Kendall were appointed to establish this mission.

On Marsden’s return from a visit to England in 1809 on the convict transport Ann, he met Ruatara, who was ill and neglected, vomiting blood because of the severity of his beatings on previous ships. Marsden cared for Ruatara, and on their return to Australia invited him to stay. Ruatara stayed with Marsden for eight months, before returning to his people in Rangihoua Pā at Oihi Bay in the Bay of Islands in 1812.

It was not until 22 December 1814 that the first CMS missionaries to New Zealand arrived with Samuel Marsden, coming ashore on the beach below Rangihoua Pā. Three days later, on 25 December 1814, Reverend Samuel Marsden preached the first Christian sermon on Oihi Bay to a congregation that included Ruatara, Korokoro and Hongi Hika. His words, translated for the gathering by Ruatara, were received with a rousing haka.

This is the story we often tell each other about the arrival of the Gospel in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is a story of brave men of conviction and faith, of inter-cultural exchange, and fruitful conversions. It is a story in which the main players are Victorian men holding leather-bound Bibles. It is a proud story; but it is also a story that by itself does a dis-service to the miracle of God’s work in Aotearoa New Zealand. What if we heard the same story, but told from our land, from our whenua? Let us hear again the story of the first Christian mission in Aotearoa New Zealand: Ruatara’s mission.

Hardships at sea Ruatara was from near Te Puna, in the Bay of Islands. Current research suggests his father was Te Aweawe of Ngāti Rahiri and Ngāti Tautahi, and his mother Tauramoko, of Ngāti Rahiri and Ngāti Hineira.

Ruatara left New Zealand in 1805 on the whaling ship Argo. He was perhaps 18 years old. He was to spend most of the next four years serving on various whaling ships. While at times he was treated well, he was often defrauded and abandoned by ships’ masters, and suffered starvation and beatings.

In 1809, Samuel Marsden was returning to Australia on the Ann,

a convict vessel, when he discovered Ruatara, who was indeed ill and neglected, vomiting blood. Marsden ensured Ruatara was cared for and supplied with clothes, and invited him to his home at Parramatta upon reaching Port Jackson in Sydney, Australia, where he spent eight months.

It was here with Marsden that Ruatara developed a plan to introduce wheat to his people as a valuable food source and an export crop. Although not recorded, we can imagine that it was during this time that Marsden first talked to Ruatara about his vision for bringing the Christian gospel to Aotearoa New Zealand. It is also here that Ruatara studied European agricultural techniques, carpentry and other skills; he then left on the whaling ship Frederick with tools and a quantity of seed wheat. Sadly, he was again defrauded and abandoned, this time on Norfolk Island. Ruatara was rescued and returned to Port Jackson and did not finally reach home until about 1812.

A young leader On his return to Rangihoua, Ruatara found that Te Puna, the island community of Te Pahi, senior chief of Te Puna and Rangihoua, had been attacked by European whalers, who had killed many of the inhabitants. After Te Pahi’s death, Ruatara was recognised as the successor to Te Pahi’s mana. It is likely that at this time Ruatara took his second wife, Rahu, and his third wife—his first wife was Miki.

Rahu seems to have been regarded as Ruatara’s senior wife and gave birth to their son in 1814.

At the time of his succession, Ruatara’s position was still open to challenge. He was young, and although his cache of tools, clothes and weapons brought him mana, his stories of foreign places provoked incredulity. Ruatara had also distributed seed wheat, but many refused to believe in its value due to their familiarity with root crops.

It was not until 1814 that he had a crop that allowed him to prove wheat could provide bread and biscuits. It was in that same year that Thomas Kendall and others arrived on behalf of Marsden to consult with Ruatara about setting up a CMS mission. Marsden sent Ruatara gifts that included a hand-powered flour mill from which Ruatara was at last able to convince his fellow chiefs of the value of wheat.

Ruatara accompanied Marsden’s ship Active when it returned to Port Jackson, despite the concerns of his whānau. He returned again to Parramatta, studying European agricultural techniques and acquiring more tools and weapons. As he prepared to leave, he was given a mare, a cow and other livestock by the governor of New South Wales. This time, Ruatara was not leaving for Bay of Islands in New Zealand alone, Marsden’s vision of a CMS mission was coming to fruition.

The protection of mana Ruatara returned to the Bay of Islands on 22 December 1814 with the first CMS missionaries, Thomas Kendall, John King and William Hall, as well as Samuel Marsden. Ruatara’s conduct was remarkable —he risked his own mana to help the missionaries establish friendly relations not just with his own people, but with people throughout

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North Cape and Whangaroa. In addition, Ruatara helped the missionaries build houses at Rangihoua and let it be known that they were living under his mana—under his protection. He even escorted Marsden to the Thames–Hauraki area, at some risk to himself.

Mana is the power and authority that allows people to achieve their goals in life. Each of us is born with it, can build it through achievement and success, and can have it bestowed upon by the recognition of others. For chiefs—including Ruatara—mana was a precious community commodity, to be enhanced so as to pass it on to his descendants. For Ruatara to expend his mana in support of this new, alien but powerful god was a risk; perhaps a calculated risk, but a risk nevertheless. To take that risk indicates that Ruatara was convinced that the message of the gospel brought something new and beneficial to his whānau and iwi.

Why would a chief who had suffered abuse at the hands of the English risk his mana to allow English missionaries to introduce a new atua to his people?

Guarded support One of Ruatara’s first acts was to translate Marsden’s first sermon on Oihi Bay. During Marsden’s sermon, Ruatara’s people complained that they couldn’t understand his words, to which Ruatara replied: ‘they were not to mind that now, for they would understand by and by; and that he would explain [Marsden’s] meaning as far as he could’.

It was presumed by Marsden that the rousing haka at the conclusion of Ruatara’s translation was for him; but whose sermon was it? The haka was in support of the preceding speaker: Ruatara.

Historian Gavin McLean gives us a more complex picture of the thinking of Ruatara and Hongi Hika in this period. He notes that while Ruatara and Hongi Hika ‘listened politely and let children attend the stations’ schools’, they ‘rejected the low-church mechanic missionaries’ gloomy emphasis on an angry God’. Which is to say that Ruatara was not naïve. He entertained serious doubts as to the intentions of the missionaries. In Port Jackson he was warned that they were forerunners of settlers and soldiers who would take the country and reduce Māori to the wretched condition of the Australian First Nations, which Ruatara had seen for himself.

Marsden reassured him by offering to turn back the Active on their journey to the Bay of Islands.

Ruatara always kept his own counsel and was never completely sure of allowing the missionaries to settle. Consequently, his aid was sometimes perfunctory, and he demanded payment for the land and the many services required by the missionaries.

Nevertheless, armed with new knowledge, skills and resources, Ruatara worked tirelessly for his people’s prosperity. He planned new wheat cultivations, some as far as 60 kilometres from Rangihoua.

He planned a European-style town, marking out the ground on a hill near Te Puna. He interrupted his activities to help the missionaries; for example, building the enclosure himself so that the Christmas service could be celebrated on the beach.

Ruatara’s death On 13 February 1815, Ruatara fell ill with a raging fever and symptoms of what appeared to be a heavy cold. By 19 February, when Marsden learnt Ruatara was ill, he was experiencing pain and death was imminent. Ruatara’s whānau, following their tikanga, made the place where he lay tapu (which would have prevented Marsden visiting his friend), but Marsden threatened to raze Rangihoua to the ground with the Active’s big guns. Ruatara’s whānau, wishing to avoid conflict, allowed Marsden to see him. Marsden and the other missionaries gave him food and medicine without effect.

Finally left to protect his mana in his final days, Ruatara’s whānau carried him to a shelter on the hill at Te Puna, and the following day he died there. His wife, Rahu, hanged herself the next day. In April, Ruatara’s remains and those of his wife were carried inland to Motutara.

Why would a chief who had suffered through significant abuse at the hands of the English, who was an heir to authority over his people with his own vision and drive, risk his mana to allow English missionaries to introduce a new atua, a new philosophy, a new theology to his people?

To answer this salient question is to understand the experience of Ruatara overseas. Ruatara was born into a complete, holistic, but isolated world. A world whose philosophy, theology and knowledge were sufficient for an environment and people set apart from the wider world. However, as an 18-year-old, Ruatara left on a ship for a bigger world. It is not remarkable that he was transformed; it is remarkable that he was able to re-imagine and integrate the world of his people into an almost incomprehensible new reality.

Ruatara’s encouragement of a CMS mission to Rangihoua Pā certainly heralded the arrival of missionaries, the arrival of the Christian gospel, the arrival of the forerunners of empire to Aotearoa New Zealand.

However, his introduction of a CMS mission is more significant as the first formal, conscious and curious engagement of Māori with a new God. Ruatara has proven to be a bridge. Two hundred years later, may we celebrate him as a pathway for God’s revelation here in Aotearoa New Zealand in the same way we celebrate Marsden as a person who walked upon that pathway.

Graham Bidois Cameron is of Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Rangiwewehi and Ngāti i Hinerangi descent. He is married with four children and lives in Tauranga Moana. Graham studied Māori Studies and Sociology at Victoria University, has a Postgraduate Diploma in Theology and is currently studying for a Masters in Theology with Otago University. He writes the First We Take Manhattan blog (www.firstwetakemanhattan.org).

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Graham Burt inside ‘the head’ of the Temple of Luxor, Egypt, built by Ramses the Great.

Long Story Short A trio of passionate Kiwis—a shy evangelist, a passionate theologian and an entrepreneurial wordsmith—is retelling the story of the Bible for modern audiences.

BY CHRISTINA TYSON The first thing that strikes you about Long Story Short is its almost leisurely approach. This is no Sunday-sermon-style presentation of rapid-fire points, followed by an emotive plea before the music team underscores the gravitas of the moment. Instead, simple but profound points are made slowly and clearly, with plenty of extended pauses.

The measured style is deliberate, explains series developer Torrey Hilton. ‘Evangelism is a process more than an event,’ he says, so it’s appropriate that Long Story Short honours people by giving them time to think for themselves about what they’re hearing. ‘Faith is built on information, not manipulation,’ continues Torrey. ‘I have enough information to trust that chair, so I’ll sit on it. I have enough information to trust Jesus, so I’ll make that decision.’

Put simply, Long Story Short allows the story of the Bible to speak for itself.

In the first of two introductory videos, presenter Graham Burt starts off precariously balanced on the side of a sand dune, then climbs aboard a helicopter to land on a South Island mountain, ahead of a visit to White Island. Viewers then encounter the subfreezing conditions of Antarctica. The purpose of all these diverse environments is to help people appreciate how much more there is to the world than their human senses tell them.

Back on the beach, Graham follows up with some questions: With so much of this world beyond human understanding, is it possible there’s more to life than we might have thought? Is it possible that God exists? More than that, is it possible that God is relevant to our lives?

Timid evangelist Long Story Short had its genesis over 10 years ago, birthed out of the experiences of Torrey’s family, who Graham describes as ‘crazy

evangelists—wired for this stuff’. Torrey’s dad, Ces, founded Kiwi Ranch Christian camps and planted two churches. ‘My father was a passionate evangelist,’ agrees Torrey, ‘every conversation he had always headed toward the cross.’

Despite also getting into church planting, Torrey describes himself as ‘very, very shy and timid’. Which is what led him to develop the Long Story Short resource—Torrey wanted a tool to help him feel more at ease in sharing the life-changing story of Jesus.

At Kiwi Ranch, a large wall mural told the entire story of the Bible in pictorial form. This, says Torrey, helped campers understand who Jesus was in the context of the whole Bible, not just the New Testament. Moving out of Christian camping into church planting, it became glaringly obvious to Torrey that most people didn’t have that context. ‘It’s like walking in half-way through a movie,’ he says, ‘if you don’t have the back story, what you’re seeing and hearing doesn’t make sense.’

Added to this, ‘It’s hard “selling” Christianity because it comes with all sorts of negative baggage,’ says Torrey. ‘Selling the Bible is much easier!’

At the same time, Torrey sensed an uncertainty and confusion in the church in New Zealand. ‘More and more churches are getting involved in humanitarian and community work,’ he notes, ‘and that’s absolutely wonderful, but it’s not the Great Commission. It’s the story of salvation through faith in Jesus that’s the heartbeat of the Bible.’

And so Torrey started developing what eventually became Long Story Short. His aim was to produce something that would ‘thrill people with the story of the Bible and help them grow deeper in their knowledge and understanding of who God is’.

| 15 Taking a step back In 2005, Torrey approached Geoff Smith, another church planter who became primary researcher and writer on Long Story Short. At the time, Torrey was using material that told all the major stories of the Bible in 52 weeks. ‘He wanted me to do a Reader’s Digest version that would take just nine weeks—one that would tell the story of the Bible, not just stories from the Bible,’ recalls Geoff.

Geoff took a step back before deciding the best approach was to ‘tell the theological story of the Bible—the big story’. He started with who is God and who humans are, moving on to what went wrong. After telling the story of humanity’s total rejection of God at the Tower of Babel, and of God then restoring the knowledge of the One True God through the nation of Israel, Geoff had set the scene enough to introduce people to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. After this, he knew that people would be ready to look at making a faith decision in the light of all they’d learnt.

It’s like walking in half-way through a movie—if you don’t have the back story, what you’re seeing and hearing doesn’t make sense.

In days gone by, much of this information would have been known by New Zealanders who’d grown up attending Sunday school or taken part in religious education classes at school. ‘But now we have a nominally Christian society and an influx of people coming into New Zealand of other religions, so we need to tell the story again —and we need to learn it for ourselves. These days, people in New Zealand are as ignorant of the gospel as those in the third world used to be—we’re post-Christian.

So many non-Christian immigrants gives Kiwis great opportunities for cross-cultural mission in their own backyard, says Geoff. ‘But it does call for a different approach. The nub of the issue is how we respectfully and lovingly engage people in conversation. And to do this, we have to embrace our own religion intelligently.’

One of the challenges Geoff needed to address was the challenge of relativism and pluralism, the view that religion is just a cultural thing, depending on the ‘accident’ of where someone is born.

‘I had dinner with someone who had just immigrated to New Zealand the other day. I noticed he prayed for quite a few minutes before eating, much longer than for a Christian grace. So I asked who he prayed to and he said, “The superior God”, explaining that it didn’t matter who you called that god; it could be Krishna, Allāh or Jesus, for instance.

‘So I asked, “How can this be the same god when one has a son and the other doesn’t?” As we talked, I could see the personal dilemma written on his face as he grasped the inconsistency of his reasoning. I didn’t press this, but I did sow the seed.’

It is important for Christians to interact intelligently and patiently with people from other faith backgrounds, says Geoff.

‘Their whole family and cultural identity is tied up in their religion, so to renounce that religion and come to faith in Christ requires us to show respect and love and patience. But we can’t interact at all if we don’t know our own story.’

Face to face with Jesus The next step was for Torrey and Geoff to translate their material to screen. Torrey laughs sheepishly as he describes his initial vision: ‘I wanted something that was Lord of the Rings quality,’ he admits. ‘Something a bit quirky and easy to understand. Something a Christian could be absolutely unashamed of using, that people

might watch for all sorts of reasons, but where, sooner or later, they would come face to face with the message of faith in Jesus.’

It was at this point, about three years ago, that Graham Burt became involved, writing scripts and scouting locations. Eventually, he was cast as presenter too.

Graham, who is also chair of Laidlaw Theological College, was attracted by the premise of the project: that Long Story Short wasn’t a classic apologetic approach of defending Christianity against attacks; instead, it was simply saying to people: ‘This is what the book says.’

The project impacted him in a deeply personal way. ‘I’m moved by even the smallest hint of people moving toward God and toward a relationship with Jesus, so I’d be typing and crying,’ he remembers.

It gradually struck Graham that this was not just his story, but the story of all time.

Filming was similarly affecting. The crew was small, shooting the whole thing on DSLR cameras from July to November 2013 in locations like Australia, Cambodia, Rwanda, France, the United States, Egypt, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. They had privileged access in many locations.

‘In Jerusalem, the priest at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre stopped this massive queue of people to let us go in on our own,’ says Graham. ‘And in the Garden of Gethsemane, we were allowed to walk in the Garden with the crew. Now, that never happens! So we took our shoes off because we were on holy ground. And we had a little cry—Christians and non-Christians—because we were at a totally legit site (unlike some others), and this is where the amazing Creator God, incarnate as Jesus, actually walked! And only the Trinity knew what would happen the next day; it caught everyone else by surprise.’

Torrey, Geoff and Graham all agree that humanity is ‘incurably religious’, and so they offer their best efforts to help people satisfy that innate longing to connect with the God who created them, who loves them, and who offers lasting peace to all who put their faith in Christ.

Summing up, Torrey quotes Romans 10:14, ‘Faith comes by hearing—and hearing by the word of God.’ Long story short: the Bible is still a story worth sharing.

What’s in it for me?

Everyone loves a good story. Long Story Short brings to life—in an accessible and approachable way—the big picture story of the Bible in carefully constructed steps. It’s ideal for our postmodern age, where many people have little or no knowledge of what the Bible is actually about.

Long Story Short can be used one-on-one, in a small group, or as a church-wide activity where people invite friends and share a meal. It can run over either seven or 11 weeks.

Not just a very effective and easy-to-use evangelism tool, Long Story Short will inspire deeper confidence in their faith for Christians.

Try Long Story Short for FREE at lssl.co

16 WarCry Christmas 2014

A chance to share the blessings of a generous community and the Christmas spirit inspired the Whangarei Corps to run a Christmas meal, says organiser Gary Coldin.

The corps has not run a meal since 2011, but generous donations from the community helped this year, and it’s a great way to give back. ‘There’s a need for a meal for people who have been accessing our food bank, but don’t want a food parcel. It’s for the lonely, the elderly, homeless, youth with no family.’

Twenty volunteers from the corps and community will be helping, and food donations are rolling in. The atmosphere at Christmas meals is special, sharing the Christmas message through food and entertainment, says Gary.

Jill Knight says she feels like ‘a Christmas angel’.

Jill heads the Nelson Tasman Bay team, organising Christmas hampers to help make Christmas Day special.

Getting a hamper sends a message that people are not alone and that their community cares. Sometimes 1000 children receive gifts.

‘I think I’ve got the best job in the world.

I become the Christmas angel, bringing the smiles, but behind me I’ve got so many Christmas elves. It’s an amazing community to be part of that really cares.’ The best bit, Jill says, is when families say they don’t need help this year, because their situation has improved.

Linwood Community Ministries staff handle more presents than most at Christmas, manager Stephen Lapslie says, collecting presents donated to the KMart Wishing Tree Appeal at The Palms in Christchurch. ‘It’s a fun job,’ he says. Letting people choose gifts from their centre ensures everyone gets something they want or need, with donations helping 120-150 grateful Christchurch families.

It’s a good time for the recipients, brightening their Christmas, but also for the community. ‘It’s a positive way the community can give to those who are struggling, and it’s a family thing, involving the family, rather than them just sitting at home on their own at Christmas with nothing.’

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There will be a different take on gifts at the Hamilton City Corps Christmas service, as they celebrate the gift of God. Corps officer Commissioner Ross Gower says traditionally children bring a favourite gift to the 10 am service to show the congregation. But this year, people will be bringing vouchers for those people attending the Corps’ community Christmas meal. ‘The idea is, let’s be givers rather than displaying what we’ve got.’

The service will be a mix of celebration and reflection, with a twist on some traditional things like carols, he says. ‘We will have it as engaging for all generations as we can.’

For some, Christmas is a grim choice: go into debt celebrating, or miss out on the fun, Porirua Community Ministries budgeting advisor Damien Hazlewood says. In the past 12 months, Porirua Community Ministries has helped 194 clients. ‘They’re no different to everyone else. They want to treat their kids like other kids and to get together with their family,’ Damien says.

People work on putting money aside and into cost-effective supermarket Christmas Clubs, and it makes a huge difference. ‘You can see the joy they have from not stressing about it. I had a lady come in the other day to say, “Thank you so much!” She’s excited for Christmas, because she hasn’t got the pressure of trying to find money this year.’

you've made it to For one Invercargill family, the chance to ‘adopt a family’ this year will be extra special, Invercargill Corps officer Captain Annette Bray says. The family was ‘adopted’ last year by people who provided them food and gifts so they could celebrate Christmas after unexpected financial trouble. After working with a Salvation Army budgeting advisor to get back on their feet, this year they’re ‘adopting’ a family of their own.

It was the perfect outcome from a service which helps far beyond Christmas Day, Annette says.

Forty sponsors have already offered to adopt Invercargill families this year, backing up last year’s incredible generosity.

‘It’s so awesome watching the parcels, the size of them, and the amount of food people give.’

Serving the Community at Christmas

BY ROBIN RAYMOND Leaving her house in Hamilton one day, Joanne* noticed her neighbour Susan* stranded in the street. Susan’s car had run out of petrol and she couldn’t afford to fill up, so was having to walk with her three young children to day care.

Looking to help, Joanne approached The Salvation Army Community Ministries team. She didn’t know the Army was already helping Susan, who was finding it tough just to put food on the table, with unemployed family members relying on her for support, says Community Ministries Secretary, Major Pam Waugh.

‘She was a lovely mum, really cared for her children. There was just too much other stuff in her life that stopped her getting ahead.’

Despite the support, Christmas was still a daunting prospect for Susan. So, the Community Ministries staff suggested Joanne adopt the family through the Army’s ‘Adopt a Family’ programme. Joanne rose to the challenge, rallying four households in her street to help.

Each came up with gifts for a different family member and pitched in for a food hamper. ‘Susan didn’t know. We said to her, “Don’t worry about it, we will help you”, so she thought we were handling it. When the neighbours turned up she was completely overwhelmed. It was a very teary time. She was so grateful,’ Pam says.

Throughout the year the families continued to help, with blankets and jackets in winter, car sharing to day care and just building up their friendships and helping Susan and her family thrive. The story is a great example of the Army’s mission at Christmas, Pam says.

‘They didn’t go over the top; it wasn’t the Christmas of all Christmases. They helped out with what they could, and they were thinking about others. It’s about engaging and supporting each other and sharing what you have.’

Struggling at Christmas Around the country this year, Salvation Army corps (churches), social services and supporters are preparing to do the same for those who struggle at Christmas time.

Last Christmas, the Army supported about 17,000 deprived or socially isolated families and individuals across New Zealand. This year is shaping up to be even busier, with 16,000 new clients seeking food assistance already, Pam says. Many others also sought help for the first time with budgeting, counselling, furniture and clothing.

‘This reflects the real and growing pressure on families, which we know will be compounded in the lead up to Christmas.’

Community Ministries Christmas programmes are designed to help ease stress and get through the over commercialised hype—to remind people that Christmas is about hope, Pam says.

Adopting a family The ‘Adopt a Family’ programme, which Susan’s neighbours took part in, is one of many efforts to help struggling families celebrate on Christmas Day without missing out or going into debt, Pam says.

Last year, Kiwis adopted 1435 families that wouldn’t have been able to afford Christmas otherwise, receiving a non-identifying description of a family and buying them gifts and food for Christmas Day. For the families in need, getting the gifts and food is often an emotional moment, with surprise and tears as they realise someone has thought about them and put some effort and love into helping * names changed

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them out, Pam says. But it is also great for the adopters. ‘You are giving, but you’re also receiving heaps in their gratitude. It’s a good way to generate some community spirit and show Christmas is all about giving, not just getting.’

In some places, business departments and community groups get involved and challenge each other to help families. The ideal, Pam says, is to build a community of supportive people around the family, and some people come back during the year, offering to keep helping the family they adopted.

Invercargill Corps Officer Annette Bray says some businesses who adopted families in their city had asked if they needed help covering the costs of stationery at the start of the school year or offering Easter eggs at Easter, both times when families face extra bills or pressure to spend.

Avoiding debt Within the Army, efforts to help start long before Christmas. This is especially true of budget advice, where advisers work with families to help them save and prepare for the pressure to spend big at Christmas. Porirua Community Ministries budgeting adviser Damien Hazlewood says the back-to-school period can be especially hard for clients as the Christmas spend-up begins to bite, but being prepared helps families enjoy Christmas Day without stressing.

Advice focuses on clearing debt and good money management— setting up savings accounts and avoiding extra bills and bank fees.

But there are also Christmas-specific tips, such as putting aside money through the year, putting it into supermarket Christmas clubs and avoiding expensive Christmas hamper companies, Damien says.

This makes a big difference in helping people enjoy the day without going into debt or being unable to pay bills later, Pam adds.

‘We want to help people enjoy the spirit of giving and spending time with each other. It’s about helping people remember what Christmas is really about, and helping them put food on the table and gifts under the tree in a way they can manage.’

Celebrating with food and toys On Christmas Day, some Salvation Army centres also open their doors to put on Christmas meals for isolated and struggling people.

Gary Coglin, who is organising the Whangarei Corps dinner, says their meal provides people without friends or family around the chance to have some company. It also gives a Christmas meal to people who can’t afford a dinner, but don’t want a food parcel. The dinners have a special atmosphere, capturing the spirit of Christmas for the guests and the volunteers who help, he says.

For other clients who have needed help through the year and might need extra support at Christmas, the Army provides hampers.

Some also receive toys. Last year, 4276 people received Christmas hampers and 9394 families received hampers and toys.

In Nelson, the Salvation Army is the hub for gifts, with other agencies passing on names to make sure everyone gets helped without double-ups, Nelson Tasman Bays Community Ministries Manager Jill Knight says. Theirs is a region with a big gap between rich and poor, and people seem to have less family support than in the past, meaning she’s ‘mum’ or ‘aunty’ to countless families.

But the Nelson community is also very caring, collecting toys all year to donate to make the hampers special. One lady even buys up toys every toy sale and brings a carload to donate every year. ‘For many people Christmas is just another day and life’s a struggle,’ says Jill. ‘We just try and put a bit of sunshine in that.’

Businesses with heart Many businesses get behind The Salvation Army’s Christmas efforts.

This month, Countdown is donating $86,000 worth of food to Army food banks, with each of its 172 stores donating $500 of food.

Countdown, Bunnings, Jets Gym and Postie shops nationwide are also collecting non-perishable food. While Countdown, Bunnings and Jets Gym have helped in the past, this is the first year Postie has partnered with the Army, adding an extra 65 shops around New Zealand where people can donate.

Kmart and Heinz Wattie’s host two of the most well-known Salvation Army Christmas appeals: the Wattie’s Cans Film Festival and the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal. The Cans Film Festival, where people pay a can to see a film, celebrated 21 years this year, with a record-breaking 52,400 cans donated.

The Kmart Wishing Tree appeal, where Kiwis donate presents at Kmart stores for people in need, has also been running for 20 years, with more than 380,000 gifts donated. Last year, 40,000 gifts were given in New Zealand, and the store is aiming to share 45,000 gifts this year.

A hand up when it helps Linwood Community Ministries manager Stephen Lapslie says the gifts are a big lift for families facing tough financial pressures at Christmas. The recipients are mainly clients helped during the year, but also include some emergency cases.

‘We work on the model that it’s a hand up, not a hand out.

They’re people who are engaged with us, working with a social worker, doing budgeting, or counselling; people that really are struggling at the time,’ he says. In many parts of the country, gifts are also shared with other agencies looking to help their clients at Christmas.

At Linwood, clients come in to pick up their gifts in the week before Christmas, and the fun environment is another chance to make a difference beyond Christmas Day, Stephen says. ‘We can ease some of the financial burden and demands that Christmas incites, but we’re also building up relationships with them. Sometimes, with clients you’re working through lots of negative stuff, but this is a positive time to engage with them.’

In Wellington, staff at Tranz Metro run the Goodwill Express train to support people in need. The train, which does not carry passengers, ran on all three Wellington train lines last week, stopping at each station to collect non-perishable food for Salvation Army food banks. Tranz Metro staff raised the money to cover the cost of the train running without passengers, with Salvation Army staff helping with food collection at each station.

Kellogg New Zealand and NZCO Baywide also contribute to the Christmas effort, and hotel chains sponsor some families to go on a short break, going to a camping ground or the beach for a few days with some toys for the children.

Christmas services Last—but by no means least—are the Salvation Army Christmas services. Around New Zealand, 79 Salvation Army churches will be holding Christmas services. This includes special children’s celebrations, community carols in the park and, of course, popular Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services.

Hamilton City Corps officer Commissioner Ross Gower says Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services are a great way to celebrate a special time, even for those who don’t usually attend church. The corps is planning a service with a difference on Christmas morning, to highlight the significance of Christmas and make it a special time for everyone, he says. ‘We will be working hard to make it a meeting where people can say, “I’m glad I went to that.” ’ The corps is focusing on the theme of hope this year—and the hope shown in the gift of Jesus, says Ross. ‘There will be a party atmosphere to recognise the significance of the day and show the love of God in sending his son.’

19

Let Us Adore Him!

Christmas greetings from The Salvation Army’s territorial leaders It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And despite all the hustle and bustle and extra stress that this season brings, Christmas really is the most special time of the year.

We’ve enjoyed the privilege of celebrating Christmas in other parts of the world, and our family looks back with fond memories on these occasions. This year we’re looking forward to a summer Christmas back home, knowing that we’ll have the chance to head to the beach, enjoy a few barbecues with friends, and take in the beauty of New Zealand’s own ‘Christmas tree’, the colourful pōhutakawa.

Our very first Christmas away from New Zealand was celebrated in Zambia. Our eldest son—then six—came out eagerly on Christmas morning, and after viewing his presents commented: ‘Is that all?!’

No, it’s not all! There is much more to Christmas than presents under a tree.

Surely some of the most wondrous words to express at Christmas come from the carol ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’: O come, let us adore him / O come, let us adore him / O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

After the angel visited Joseph in his dream, the gospel writer Matthew comments on the startling message the angel delivered: She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet:

‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him “Emmanuel”—which means, “God with us.” ’ (Matthew 1:21–23) God is delivering his people! The child whose birth we celebrate at Christmas is a sign that we are not alone. God himself is in this baby, and he has come to deliver us!

But what do we need to be rescued from? What is it that Jesus offers to save us from? This is a question we should ask ourselves.

God himself is in this baby, and he has come to deliver us!

Here’s what we know. We know that Jesus has saved us from a life of complete selfishness. He has saved us from a life focused on chasing after more. Jesus has saved us from becoming our worst selves.

Jesus saves us from shame and guilt, from despair and from hopelessness, from fear and death. At Christmas, we celebrate Jesus Christ, who came to ‘save his people from their sins’. We celebrate Jesus who came to deliver us, to lead us, to love us, and to give us life! This is no little gift and it’s not one to be ignored or considered not enough. ‘Come, let us adore him!’

God wrapped himself in human flesh, born in a stable and placed in a manger, so that we might know that we are not alone. So that we might know—no matter how dark our circumstances, no matter how afraid we may be, no matter what’s happening in our life or in the world around us—that God is always with us.

What an amazing gift we have received! God’s very presence in the person of Jesus Christ. And we can give back—by caring for others, working for justice and compassion in a broken world.

Jesus Christ has come to save us from our sins, so let us celebrate Emmanuel. Let us proclaim that God is with us. Let us adore our Saviour!

Commissioners Janine and Robert Donaldson

Illustration: Kieran Rynhart

2014 AWARDS & HIGHLIGHTS #Yeahnah trends of 2014

Kiwis are notorious for the whole ‘yeah, nah’ reply thing, so we’ve put together our list of 2014 trends, but you get to decide if it’s a yeah or nah trend. ’90S FASHION: It’s been slowly creeping back for years but, BAM!, 2014 saw plaid, patterns and pumps back with a vengeance. Cheesy button up (almost Hawaiian) shirts, plaid ‘tiedaround-the-waist’ shirts, crop tops, ripped jeans, elastic bottom pants, and dark makeup are back. And we’re blaming Lorde.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHALLENGES: 2014 was the year of the social media raise awareness and ‘money’ campaigns. We’ve all seen enough ice bucket challenges and no-makeup selfies to last a lifetime.

COPPER/BRASS/GOLD: All over Facebook, The Block NZ and homeware sites and blogs, it’s metallic coloured everything. From vases, to canisters, to artwork, to ornaments, to candleholders, to nail polish, to EVERYTHING. (Even on the cover of this magazine!)

FROZEN: Oh my goodness, can we let it go?

Seriously. We know it came out last year, but man alive, this year was Frozen-themed everything. Sure, it’s a good movie with some good morals, but who knew two girls singing about snowmen and instant love would take over the world. Enough is enough.

EYEBROW GAME: Okay, we get it. You have eyebrows. It’s great people are so passionate about something, but suddenly, we need to be spending 30 mins each day preparing these and taking #strongeyebrowgame #eyebrowsonfleek selfies. Really?!

Albums of the year

Album sales reached an all-time low in 2014, and two out of the top four selling albums actually came out last year (and one of the others is Frozen…). So we don’t really think this determines the best album of the year.

Check out our top picks in our fave genres for the REAL winners: ROCK/HEAVY: There weren’t very many big name releases in the rock/heavy category this year, and the albums that did come out haven’t blown us away. Bands like Demon Hunter, Wolves at the Gate, Linkin Park, Flyleaf, Anberlin and Switchfoot all brought out okayish albums … so it was easy to give out top spot to Circa Survive for their latest release, Descensus.

INDIE: What a dream for indie kids! This year has seen an all-star line-up of indie bands releasing new albums: Cold War Kids, Interpol, Alt-J, Young the Giant, The Black Keys, Thom Yorke, Damien Rice, and Ben Howard. But top spot has to go to our very own Kimbra, whose latest album, The Golden Echo, has all the indie kids grooving.

WORSHIP: The year wouldn’t be complete without every big name in worship music releasing a new album. In 2014 we’ve had new releases from Hillsong, Planetshakers, Rend Collective, Bethel and Chris Tomlin, as well as worship-alty faves All Sons & Daughters and John Mark McMillan. Top spot has to go to Kings Kaleidoscope for breaking the mould with Becoming Who We Are. POP: There was no real competition here.

When your album is the only album to sell over one million copies, you’re the only one worthy of competing for top pop album. Of course, the winner is 1989 by Taylor Swift.

Top movies (by the numbers)

2014 was the year of the human-mutant mashup movie (yeah, we don’t know how to explain it). From Planet of the Apes to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Spider-Man to X-Men, most of the biggest movies of 2014 had some kind of ‘humankind meets other species’ plotline.

Here are the top picks according to the dollars: 1.

1 Guardians of the Galaxy 22. Captain America: The Winter Soldier 33. The LEGO Movie 44. Transformers: Age of Extinction 55. Maleficent Honourable mentions: The Grand Budapest Hotel, Interstellar, Gone Girl, X-Men: Days of Future Past, The Fault in Our Stars.

Best of the internet

With the world at our fingertips, we’re bound to discover things we probably didn’t need to, from the hilarious to the down-right bizarre.

This year, we’ve been spoiled for choice with memes and viral videos. Some of the top things on the net this year were Ellen’s epic Oscar selfie that broke Twitter, Michael Jackson eating popcorn on every comments’ section, the girl who did the ice bucket challenge after wisdom teeth surgery, Daniel Radcliffe rapping, a lady walking the streets of New York, and a strange British girl in her mum’s car (broom, broom). Our fave internet moment of 2014 has to be the viral video (and onslaught of memes) of John Travolta announcing Adele Dazeem not Idina Menzel. Just let it go, John.

CHRISTMAS 2014 | 21

FIREZONE.CO.NZ

Best of TV

We’ve had a pile of new TV shows hit our screens—some better than others. Shows like Fargo, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Gotham and The Flash join the ranks alongside some of our faves: The Block NZ, Doctor Who, Downton Abbey and The Walking Dead. So there was plenty to choose from. This year’s top show has to go to The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon—classic gags, cool interviews and hilarious segments. Comedy gold.

Biggest news moments

• Transport disasters were all over the news; MH370, MH17, other smaller planes and the Korean Ferry. Yikes, man!

• An estimated 276 girls were kidnapped in Nigeria. Social media went crazy—and rightly so.

• The Ebola virus started to spread across Africa as the world panicked.

• Wills, Kate and baby George stop by New Zealand, and we went crazy!

• Massive parts of the world have spent the year in terrible conflict (ISIS and Iraq, Syria, Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Palestine) … and the rest of the world doesn’t seem to know what to do.

• Germany won the Fifa World Cup. And danced with the cup once they got home.

• New Zealand had another General Election and National was voted in with a massive majority.

• The world lost two of its funniest men: Rik Mayall and Robin Williams.

• A new level of space awesomeness was reached. Philae Lander made the first controlled touchdown on a comet.

… HANGING OUT, LEARNING, GROWING CLOSER TO GOD …

2014 Firezone memories

We’ve had another awesome year of Salvation Army youth events. A record number of us kicked off the year in style at the fifth annual Amplify creative arts camp. Such an incredible eight days hanging out, learning, growing closer to God, and getting up to some sweet creative stuff. We then all got together again to listen to music and hang out in the sun and dust at what turned out to be the final Parachute in our fifth Sally Supergroup.

We met up again for our annual 7s sports tournaments—either at the North Island or South Island events. Everyone got their sweat on and battled it out for top spot. Later on, a bunch of us leaders got together in Auckland for the Territorial Youth and Children’s Ministries Conference.

In August, we had our first ever Young Adults Retreat in Waikanae and spent time hanging out, learning, sharing, discussing and dreaming. What a cool weekend!

As well as a jam-packed year of combined events, we managed to head along to a heap of local divisional events: from worship services to a volleyball tournament, and from a car rally to prayer nights. In between, there were some sweet Easter Camps and Youth Councils where we spent time together getting into the Bible, worshipping and playing crazy games.

OUR OVERALL FAVOURITE MEMORY: The Klipboard Karl video from Amplify 2015.

Now we know that lactose intolerance is serious business, that being on time is vitally important and that if you get in his way, Karl will bulldoze you over!

Top sporting moments

1 The legend himself, Richie McCaw, makes 1. it to 100 tests as captain of the All Blacks and breaks a million records in the process.

22. The Kiwis beat the Kangaroos to win the league Four Nations Cup. And man, do we love beating Australia!

33. Brazil hosted the FIFA World Cup and the only thing we will remember is the host nation getting smashed 7–1 by Germany in the semi-finals. Whoops.

Word of the year award

Collins Dictionary has announced ‘photobomb’ as the word of 2014. This isn’t a new phenomenon, but after so many epic photobombs this year (like Benedict Cumberbatch and U2, and the Queen and some random Australian girls), it was sure to be popular. We’re pretty sure no one can beat that hilarious photobomb by the stingray in the ladies’ photo. Sooo good!

These guys deserve to put their feet up and relax’ award We want to say a HUGE THANKS to our awesome Divisional Youth Secretaries: Alison, Brad, Matt, Nicky, Ralph, Shane and Toa, as well as our fearless leader, Territorial Youth Secretary Jo! You guys have done an incredible job this year hanging out with a bunch of crazy young people!

BY VANESSA SINGH

22 WarCry Christmas 2014

make your own driftwood christmas tree!

… I bring you good news of great joy. It is for all the people.

Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10–11 (NIRV)

Joseph has found an innkeeper with a stable to rent. Using the stairs and the ladders, can you help Joseph reach Mary with the news?

REST AREA AHEAD

Sometimes travelling can make you tired … and bored … and hungry!

It’s time to stop, stretch your legs and eat some ice cream. Choose your favourite flavour then decorate your ice cream with toppings of your choice. Yum!

HERE ARE SOME TOPPINGS TO GET YOU STARTED …

CHOC CHIPS

HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS

Fun4Kids | 23

CAN YOU FIND 10 DIFFERENCES?

CARAMEL SAUCE

BERRIES

CHOC TOP

FLAKE

Why are Christmas trees so bad at sewing?

They always drop their needles!

What do you get if you cross an iPad with a Christmas tree?

A pineapple!

Why did the turkey join the band?

Because it had the drumsticks!

NUTS

time to pack!

Just like Mary and Joseph, a lot of us travel at Christmas. As you travel around the page, can you find 7 things that you might need to take on a summer holiday with you?

BETHLEHEM Mary and Joseph’s Road Trip to Bethlehem Mary was excited when an angel told her she was going to be the mother of a special baby boy: Jesus. Jesus was God’s son, sent to help people become God’s friends again.

When Mary told her husband-to-be Joseph the news, Joseph wasn’t happy. This was so unusual that he was sure people would think something wrong was going on. But then an angel also visited Joseph, promising the world would be a better place because of Jesus.

Feeling lots happier, Joseph and Mary packed all the things they needed for a long trip and headed for Bethlehem, where God wanted Jesus to be born.

Along the way, they kept remembering that this baby was part of God’s plan—sent because God loves all the people of the world!

Enjoy this beautiful new Lion Children’s book telling the story of the first Christmas.

(RRP $14.99.)

Pohutukawa Christmas In this southern place pohutukawa stands all year green and murmuring wind-whipped clinging to rocky shorelines But when pohutukawa breaks glorious red against a clear blue sky to the roar of rolling surf we know Christmas has come!

Time to light the barbeque slap on sunscreen and celebrate

Pohutukawa Christ, You stand in our midst all year singing your ever-green song of love but at Christmas you break out blood-red, flesh-soft to the sound of a baby breathing Gift beyond description we kneel to welcome you

Barbara Sampson