All Things New

On Wednesday 30 October, Hamilton City Salvation Army hosted a regional women’s event, ‘All Things New’. One hundred women gathered from Hamilton City as well as corps across the region, including Auckland City, Papakura, Waihi, Thames, Tauranga and Hamilton City. The event was led by Area Leader Captain Michelle Lee.

The speaker for the day was recently retired Major Glenda Bezzant, who shared her personal story. Michelle reports, ‘Glenda spoke openly about her journey, sharing some of the hardest things she has faced and how God’s faithfulness brought her through time and again, and the many new things God brought into her life amidst those hardships. Glenda also shared about the new season she has entered—retirement—and wore pink, her signature colour!’

An impromptu testimony time followed as women found a safe and supportive space to share some of the struggles they were currently facing. Several women sought out leaders for prayer afterwards.

‘It was absolutely beautiful,’ says Michelle. ‘Something very special happens when women get together. It was a special time of just being together as women and celebrating each other—loving and supporting each other. It lifts the spirits, and the sense of God’s presence with us as women gathered in one space was very special. It’s empowering to be with other women and to share our lives—both the joys and sorrows.’

The day included a lovely morning tea and lunch, as well as a market—the proceeds from which went to the territory’s ‘Precious Packages for Samoa’ fundraising campaign. Manna Christian Stores had a stall, and local women sold crafts, homegrown fruit and vegetables, cakes and other assorted wares. There was also a social justice stall and the information provided flew off the table quickly.