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Hi sister,
Kia ora!
It is such a privilege to be able to greet you! One of the scriptures I love is Psalm 139:13. 'For you formed my inward parts. You knitted me together in my mother's womb.'
My granddaughter is 4 and wants long hair. Her hair is beautiful, but she really wants Mermaid hair!!
The truth is we can't help it, we let the world tell us that we need a little something else. The Bible tells us we are daughters of the most high king. Made in his image and he didn't mess up. We are the way we are because he knitted us together that way.
Psalm 139:14 'I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works, my soul knows it very well.' The words 'fearfully and wonderfully made' speak to the reverence and care God took in creating you. Every aspect of who you are was designed with love and intention.
Embracing this truth is transformative. It encourages acceptance, gratitude and confidence in God's plan for your life. Applying the understanding that we are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ can transform how we live our lives day to day.
My prayer for you, my granddaughter and me is that we understand how we are made, our worth is not defined by what society defines but by the Creator who made us in his image.
Commissioner Janine Donaldson
Together Congress
The opportunity to come to "Together Congress", led by our Territorial Commander Commissioner Janine Donaldson and our Kiwi General, Lyndon Buckingham and his wife, World President of Women’s Ministries, Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, is something very special!
“Empower Together” is our territorial project to get women from all across our territory to Congress in Kirikiriroa Hamilton. We want to ensure that ALL our women can join us at Congress, from every corner of our territory! The cost of attending should not be a barrier to participation.
To make this vision a reality, we need your support. We are inviting you to help fundraise so that all women will have the opportunity to be part of Congress 2025. Your contribution will help cover travel expenses and accommodation for the women attending. By donating, you are not only enabling their attendance, but also empowering women to bring back the inspiration, knowledge, and hope they gain from Congress, to their local communities.
Would you condsider, making a donation, spreading the word about this project or organising a fundraiser in your local community? Please join us in this mission to uplift and support our women, ensuring no one is left behind.
Precious Packages Samoa
Precious Packages is a Women’s Ministries project run by the women of The Salvation Army in Samoa. With generous funding support from the NZFTS Territory in 2024, premature babies, sick children, and their families will receive care packages and practical items to assist with their stay in the hospital and the early days of returning home. Premature-size diapers, breast pumps, premature-size clothing and beanies, food parcels, water, and sleeping mats are among the items that will be distributed to families in need.
Thank you New Zealand, Tonga, and Fiji Corps and Centres, for your amazing donations totalling an incredible $18,000 NZD! Thank you also to those centres that provided greeting cards, clothing, and knitted items to support this project. Samoan Women’s Ministries are attempting to purchase as many items locally as possible to support local businesses in Apia.
God bless you all for your support. Please continue to pray for the families who are coping with unwell babies and the many stresses that this places upon them.
By Captain Julie Turner
Candles of Hope
Why not get ahead of the Christmas rush and order a “Candle of Hope” now?
Each ornament is lovingly hand-embroidered by skilled artisans in Bangladesh, helping parents afford school fees, uniforms, and supplies, empowering their children to build brighter futures.
Just $5 NZD each (Apologies for any confusion, earlier posts listed $3 due to a currency mix-up!)
Email your order to: thqwomensministries@salvationarmy.org.nz
Malo a bula! My name is Tamari Curubula and I’m 44yrs old originally from Nukunuku, Lakeba in the Lau groups, share maternal links in Makadru, Mutuku also in the Lau groups. I’m married and have a son who passed away in 2022 at the age of 21. I work as the Centre Manager at The Salvation Army Family Care Centre in Labasa, and this is my 7th year of service looking after the northern division since this is the only safe shelter in Vanua Levu that caters for women and children. When clients are referred to us it's our duty to provide supportive accommodation to assist individuals by encouraging, personal empowerment and offering choices to develop a healthy lifestyle whilst acknowledging their individual needs for healing, growth and self-fulfilment. When I first started back in 2018, I saw this as a job but as time went by, I fell in love with the work that I do, my passion grew as I journey with ladies, children and girls who are survivors of domestic violence... By Tamari Curubula 
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In the heart of Tawa, The Salvation Army’s Community Ministries team has partnered with Women of Worth to launch Know Your Worth—a transformative programme designed to help women reclaim their identity, build resilience, and embrace their inherent value. Held on Tuesday evenings, the course brings together a diverse group of thirteen women, aged 17 to 63, in a safe, supportive space. Together, they explore how to reshape their inner dialogue, nurture emotional well-being, and envision a life of purpose and joy. “What a privilege it is to witness an intergenerational group of women listening to and supporting each other..." By Vanessa Evetts 
“You have a face that would make onions cry.” “If you were any more inbred, you’d be a sandwich.” Why would anyone say such horrible (but undeniably funny) things to someone else? Because they love them… obviously! According to TikTok (this is not a scholarly article!), “roasting is a love language”... |
Secret Sister
I first heard the words "Secret Sister" at Palmerston North Corps when Captain Michelle Lee ran it through Women’s Ministries at the Corps. I loved the sound of it and wanted to participate as a younger member of the Corps. I enjoyed it so much that this is now an initiative that I run with my own Women’s Ministries at Waihi Corps.
The "Secret Sister" initiative invites women to secretly encourage another woman in their church. One person assigns the sisters and keeps the list a secret for the duration of the initiative. It typically runs for 3-4 months with a celebration and reveal party at the end. Women send cards, pray for their secret sisters, and often give them small gifts. Initially women fill out a form outlining their favourite colours, flowers, foods, and hobbies, so they can be surprised with things they will enjoy.
Secret sister can easily become about the gifts, so we encourage our women that the purpose is to build relationships and community for our women.
In our first year of running this at Waihi Corps, we had 12 women sign up to join in. By the end, women were sharing during our testimony time in our meetings, how blessed they felt during those months and how much deeper their relationship had gotten with each other over that time. Each year we have seen our number of women sign up grow, as well as our young women wanting to be a part of it. Our youngest last year being 15 years old and our eldest being 90. This initiative has helped to engage, encourage, and lift up multiple generations within our Corps.
We are set to start our Secret Sister Initiative up for 2025 in June. We are excited to see what God will do in this space once again!
Lt Alanah Moody
UN Commission on the Status of Women
In March, Molly Sheridan attended the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York. The Commission is an annual event where governments, NGOs, and organizations share insights on women's issues, reporting progress and discussing initiatives aimed at improving education, awareness, and support for women worldwide.
Molly found the experience eye-opening, particularly hearing firsthand accounts of challenges faced by women in developing countries.
One striking story was about a young woman forced into prostitution to afford sanitary pads, highlighting the global issue of menstrual health accessibility. The discussions shed light on taboos surrounding menstruation and how they disproportionately affect women in marginalized communities.
The Salvation Army delegation, consisting of fourteen selected members, engaged in sharing their initiatives while learning from others to enhance their own programs. Molly emphasised the importance of bringing back this knowledge and awareness to her community, particularly focusing on youth education and empowerment. She sees this experience as a call to action and is determined to facilitate conversations that inform and inspire change.
Ultimately, Molly believes that while the issues can feel overwhelming, education and awareness are essential first steps in addressing women's struggles worldwide. She is committed to using her role to educate and advocate for change, ensuring that the discussions at the Commission translate into tangible actions within her local territory.
Women's Adventure Weekend
From the 21st-24th of March, a group of women enjoyed a wonderful Women's Adventure Weekend at the Blue Mountain Adventure Centre.
Gina described the weekend as, “absolutely magical… I came home with an overflowing cup of love, support, connection. It embraced all aspects of physical, social, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.”
Pamela said, “The weekend was absolutely wonderful. I overcame many fears and built my confidence. With white water rafting and high ropes I had to put all my faith in God and completely trust that he was holding my hand through each activity... The scenery and nature was breathtaking. The staff were kind, loving and very encouraging and we ate so much fantastic food we could hardly move!”
BMAC run a variety of different programmes. They have something for everyone! Why not check them out?
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