International Day of Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking

The Salvation Army is deeply committed to fighting and responding to modern slavery and human trafficking and they have a theological and historical mandate for social justice and action.

They also believe that prayer is a powerful tool to assist in the fight for freedom for those affected by modern slavery and human trafficking and work towards a world free from exploitation.

Today is International Day of Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking and you are invited to join The Salvation Army, partners, and friends worldwide to corporately cry out for justice and freedom. This year’s theme is; ‘I have heard their cries,’ from Exodus 2:23-25;

“… The Israelites groaned under their slavery, and cried out. Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God. God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God looked upon the Israelites, and God took notice of them.” (New Revised Standard Version, Anglised)

This theme offers The Salvation Army a space to publicly declare our collective commitment to listen and pray for the millions of people who are currently experiencing modern slavery and human trafficking. Just as God remembers, hears, and is close to those who are afflicted by modern slavery and human trafficking, so do we.

Maybe you would like to join in the following prayer for those victims that are still trapped in human trafficking, which was written by Joy Ime-Sunday from the Nigeria Territory.

God of justice, hope, and love
Father of the fatherless,
defender of the oppressed
Our hope for years to come.

We believe that it is for freedom
that you have set us free,
to serve one another through love
that we may live in abundance and goodness.

Dear God,

In this moment, I / we stand with our sisters and brothers,
men and women, boys and girls
who are victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.
I / We know you feel their hurt, fear, excruciating pain, humiliation
and even all they might be going through which I / we might not be aware of.

Lord, I / we pray that you rescue them from the hands of their oppressors,
release them from the clutch of the wicked
and by your grace restore their lives and bring them into light.
Help them heal, grant them justice
and may their traffickers repent and come to know you more.

Fill us with your sacred passion and love
that we may continue to fight for justice.
Use us as your tool, to help end this human tragedy.
And may your love, embrace and presence never depart from these victims.
Hear our cry and prayer O Heavenly Father.

Amen!

Other prayers covering those victims who have been freed, restorative justice, The Salvation Army’s Global Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking efforts etc. can be viewed here.

There are also some suggestions for prayer stations, along with other resources that you may want to incorporate into your settings over the coming weeks to help broaden people’s knowledge and understanding of this important social justice initiative.

Blessings ’til next time 🙂

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White Ribbon Day

Tomorrow is White Ribbon Day, a day when people wear a white ribbon to show that they do not condone violence towards women.

It was started in Canada in 1991 and has been officially adopted by the United Nations as its International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The campaign was introduced to New Zealand by UNIFEM (the United Nations Development Fund for Women) in 2004 and the Families Commission became the lead agency in 2006.

White Ribbon Day celebrates the many men willing to show leadership and commitment to promoting safe, healthy relationships within families and encourages men to challenge each other on attitudes and behaviour that are abusive.

Unfortunately, in New Zealand most violence by men against women takes place in the home – with an average of 14 women a year killed by their partners or ex-partners. Each year there are over 3,500 convictions recorded against men for assaults on women and one in five women will experience sexual assault or sexual interference at some point in their lives.

This years White Ribbon Campaign promotes healthy masculinity through adapting the phrase “Boys will be Boys“, where they’re taking back this phrase that excuses poor behaviour and flipping it on its head.

There are awesome things about being a boy that we need to celebrate.

• Boys have heart – encourage them to show it, not just in being tough or brave or strong but in showing that they care.
• Boys can and should cry – it’s part of being human and it serves a purpose, expressing your feelings allows you to work through them – bottling up emotions isn’t healthy.
• Boys can play sport, be part of a team, like fast cars and still stand up and speak out when they hear others being abusive.
• Boys are loyal friends and can call others in – have a quiet chat with a mate if he says something abusive or offensive about girls or women, don’t just let it go. Share your feelings, ask why they feel that way – you can help. Be the change you want to see in the world. Every person can make a difference.

Raise Awareness!

It takes strength and bravery to stand up and speak out in a world that too often wants to limit you to stereotypical gender roles.

We need to celebrate the good we see in our young men and change the script.

Men can be part of the solution!

Talk to your son or the boys in the team you coach, or at your school about being a good human and what that looks like in your daily life. Be an ally and help them make good choices.

So many of the hyper masculine stereotypes hurt men as well as women. If we look at violence, not just against women, but also between men, incarceration rates, mental health struggles and suicide statistics, it is obvious these perceived rules of masculinity are broken and hurt men.

We need to give our sons and all the boys in our lives the tools for a healthy violence-free life. Everyone feels angry, there is no shame in that – we just need to work on how we express these emotions in a way that helps not hurts us. Both men and women benefit from equality.

Check out the White Ribbon site and its download section for new online resources including posters, Facebook and Instagram resources, videos, Toolboxes and other helpful campaign tools or the campaign outline for more info.

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State of the Nation Report

The Salvation Army’s latest State of the Nation report, was launched yesterday and points to serious, embedded and ongoing hardship.

Over the past year the covid-19 pandemic has plagued our world and cast a large shadow over us all, especially affecting families up and down the country who were already struggling. Inequality, already entrenched in Aotearoa (New Zealand), was magnified and exacerbated by the impact of Covid-19.

The 14th annual State of the Nation 2021 report from The Salvation Army, “Disturbed Present. Better Future?” points to serious, embedded and ongoing hardship for an increasing amount of people in our communities, many of whom have never sought assistance from The Salvation Army before.

The State of the Nation 2021 report provides a snapshot of what hardship looks like for the people and whānau who came through our doors over the last year.

Last year was a year full of disturbances, disruptions, and dramatic change. “The Government’s measures to respond to the Covid-19 crisis have been significant and helped greatly to lessen impacts. However, this year’s report shows that the poorest and most vulnerable in our nation have suffered the most from these serious disturbances from Covid-19, leaving many with a gloomy future” says Lt-Colonel Ian Hutson, Salvation Army Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit Director.

The report is available here.

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The Latest Covid-19 Social Impact Dashboard Report

The latest Covid-19 Social Impact Dashboard & Report for 2020 was released at the end of November on the New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga & Samoa Territory’s webpage, which you can check out here or by clicking on image.

Links to the previous reports that have been prepared by the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit (SPPU) are also available on the page, so that you can get an idea of how things are continuing to impact people within New Zealand.

The proverbial dust has settled from the lockdowns that brought our country to a standstill and the General Election has been finalised. As such the new Government is moving ahead with their policy agenda. In this context, The Salvation Army propose some specific policy ideas and positions to contribute to the public discourse. And invite all and any government ministers and MPs to engage in real dialogue with The Salvation Army, especially as we serve in our communities and work towards our mission of caring for people, transforming lives and reforming society by God’s power.

If you live in the Inner City of Wellington and are in need of assistance please do not hesitate to give us a call at the office (04) 801 9278, or visit the Corps @ 92 Vivian Street during office hours, or email wellingtoncity.corps@salvationarmy.org.nz

If you want to know more about what we do at The Salvation Army Wellington City, what we are about, and how you can partner with us:

Check out our facebook page.

The Salvation Army continues to be on the front line of helping those less fortunate than ourselves so if you are able – Please click the link below to donate online.

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Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) commences on Monday 21 September and this year reflects the challenges we’ve all had to face together within New Zealand and around the world in 2020.

This year’s theme, He Tirohanga Anamata – Reimagine Wellbeing Together, encourages New Zealanders to reflect on the big and small actions they have taken to take care of each other this year, and to look at wellbeing through a new lens.

Mental Health Foundation (MHF) chief executive Shaun Robinson wants “New Zealanders to reimagine what wellbeing looks and feels like, and believe that wellbeing is possible for everyone.” He acknowledges a level change announcement is due next week, which may bring up feelings of unease, but says he’s proud of how New Zealanders “have rallied together and tackled the challenges of shifting through different levels”.

“Our new normal is quite different. The way we work, go to school and kura, and connect with friends and whānau have all changed this year – so if you’re feeling off balance right now, know that it’s completely normal to feel that way.

“Mental Health Awareness Week is a timely reminder of how important it is to embrace the simple things we can do each day to really help strengthen our wellbeing – that’s what will help us during the tough times.”

Throughout the coming week, each day has a particular focus inspired by Te Whare Tapa Whā, which is a model of the 4 dimensions of well-being incorporating; our taha wairua (spiritual health), taha tinana (physical health), taha hinengaro (emotional and mental health), taha whānau (family and friends).

“When all these things are in balance, including the whenua (land, foundation and nature) we thrive. When one or more of these is out of balance, our wellbeing is impacted,” says Thomas Strickland, Kaiwhakarite Māori Development Specialist, MHF.

The daily MHAW themes are:

Monday 21 September: Whānau

Recharge with others / Whiria te muka tangata

Tuesday 22 September: Wairua

Rediscover everyday wonder / Whāia ngā mīharotanga o ia rā

Wednesday 23 September: Whenua

Return to nature / Hono ki te taiao

Thursday 24 September: Tinana

Refuel your body / Whakamarohi i tō tinana

Friday 25 September: Hinengaro

Refresh your mind / Whāngaia tō hinengaro

We all face challenges to our mental wellbeing but there is a way through and if this year has taught us anything life can suck, as it at times really throws us a curveball. When we are anxious or depressed it can change the way we think, feel and act.

Dealing with the tough times that come our way can be hard but we are not alone. We can each take a small step by getting ideas or support on how to take care of ourselves and others, and in these days of uncertainty where we see the world as we know it disrupted by a microscopic virus we may just need the support and help from others.

For we are to “speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so we’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (The Message).

This is what it means to be Christ-like, living a Christian lifestyle building up, encouraging, and showing others love and kindness.

The Covid-19 pandemic has increased levels of anxiety, loneliness, depression and concern (at least initially) for all people, and how we can collectively get through!

It has had an effect on everyone far and wide, and none more so than those that already struggled with fitting in, or feeling alone in this world, even though they may have been physically present in activities, events, programmes, ministries, jobs etc. they continued to feel as if they were on the outside looking in.

One common description of loneliness is the feeling we get when our need for rewarding social contact and relationships is not met. But loneliness is not always the same as being alone. And with the restrictions on social distancing, gathering in groups, and going about our everyday lives these feelings have been further compounded.

So, we need each other more than ever and in some regards this is something that we as a community of believers need to bear in mind as we return to normal, if we can ever do such a thing. Because our ‘new’ normal is quite possibly going to look very different to what we have become accustomed too.

Maybe that is a good thing!

Therefore, if you are a part of the Wellington City Corps and know of someone who is in need of some help, or just needs someone to talk too – get hold of our Fellowship Coordinator who can put you in touch with a Geographical Pastoral Care Coordinator in your area.

If you have stumbled across this post / site and want to know more about how you can become a part of our wider Corps family, or if you’re just reaching out and need someone to connect with – you can contact me here.

If you, or someone you know is concerned about your Mental Health, or theirs – you can also check out the information available from the Mental Health Foundation here, or at other sites such as Depression.org.nz,  The Lowdown, I Am Hope and the Key to Life Charitable Trust to name just a few.

Many blessings 🙂

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2020 General Election

The New Zealand 2020 General Election is, as of today, only one month away; taking place on Saturday 17 October.

In the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic and economic recession it is times like these make it all the more important to consider what our role as active citizens in a democracy is, and why engaging in the political process is so important.

The Salvation Army Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit (SPPU) have created a 2020 General Election Issues booklet that they hope will help you and I to take our place as active citizens within Aotearoa New Zealand. (Available to download / view here)

SPPU have also created a short video with the wonderful people at Manukau Corps and Community Ministries which highlights some of the big issues that we all need to be thinking about as we make our vote count.

Additional resources are available from The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga & Samoa Territorial website or The Salvation Army NZFTS facebook page.

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