The Majestic Magazine
25
CREDITS Executive Producer Leo Hanssen Editor Kimberly Mallinson & Michelle Armitage Production Manager Kimberly Mallinson Production Assistant Sarah Kirner Graphic Designer Contributors Leo Hanssen, Kimberly Mallinson Tracey Weir, Simon Mbonyinshuti Kristie Ferguson, Evlyn Tjoandi Peter Rosewall, Rosie Galligan Suzanne Hanssen, Kay Jackson Jeremy Willan, Brooke Fowler Sarah Kirner, Racheal Joilin Andrew & Joanne Meads Mark Machand, Gemma Banks Ben Ezra Panmei, Barry Jackson Dion Manson, Myriam Hooper
“Show Love Give Hope Inspire Faith” OFFICE HOURS Mon - Tues - 10am-5pm Wed - Fri - 9am-5pm Cnr Manchester & Lichfield Sts PO Box 2223 Christchurch 8140 Phone 03 379 2781 Fax 03 366 4445 Email reception@majestic.org.nz Website www.majestic.org.nz Office closed over Christmas Break from 23 December to 17 January.
SENIOR MINISTERS DEPARTMENT Leo & Suzanne Hanssen Senior Ministers Allan Jackson Momentum Suzanne Hanssen She Leo Hanssen Fuse For Business People MINISTRY LEADERSHIP TEAM Leo & Suzanne Hanssen Sharyn Hay Laura Willan Andre Hanssen ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT Russell Hay Finance Manager Barry Jackson Facilities/Technical Manager Kimberly Mallinson Events Manager & PA to Senior Minister Sue Mackintosh Receptionist/Admin Assistant ARTS DEPARTMENT Andre Hanssen Creative Arts Minister Nathan Phillips Music Minister Elly Hanssen Dance Director Sharyn Hay CREATE Principal Julian Hay CREATE Asst. Principal & Music Director Graphic Designer/Multimedia Mike Henderson Intern INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT Jimmy Chae Korean Minister Do Young Kim Local Korean Minister YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS DEPARTMENT Andre & Elly Hanssen Majestic Youth Ministers Jeremy & Laura Willan Rockfire Youth Ministers Barry & Rachelle Jackson Source Ministers Michele Rosewall Intern PASTORAL CARE Russell & Sharyn Hay Pastoral Care Ministers & Connect Course Directors Keith & Doris Brading Seniors’ Ministry Coordinators Kimberly Mallinson Gateway Director CHILDREN’S DEPARTMENT Sharyn Hay Children’s Ministry Director Kirsty Montgomery Juniors Director COMMUNITY ACTION Jeremy Willan Schools Network Director Suzanne Hanssen Sustain Director Youth Workers in Schools Jeremy & Laura Willan (Shirley Intermediate) Kezza Wardlaw (Linwood Intermediate) Laura Tuaine (Linwood Intermediate) Hannah Eder (Shirley Intermediate)
DEAR CHURCH It’s been quite a year, but we can always from our hearts give thanks to God for who He is and what He means to us no matter what has been our life experience in 2010. This is a time to celebrate Jesus and His coming to earth as our connector back to God. His name ‘IMMANUEL’ means ‘God with us’. What a wonderful description of Jesus and his ongoing purposes to live and be among us. 2010 for Majestic has been an exciting year with many highlights. Now it is time to celebrate, rest and look forward to 2011 with renewed vision and energy. It will be a great year! We want to thank you so much church for your support over this year and we look forward to all the good that the future holds for Majestic.
Love & Blessings
Leo & Suzanne
Visitors It’s great to have you here with us and we’d love to get to know you more. You are invited to join us in the Welcome Lounge at the close of the morning service. Come and have a drink and meet some of the key team here at Majestic.
Congratulations New Babies
Eli and Rebekah Unger had a son, Lucas on 3 September Jeremy and Laura Willan had a son, Edison on 21 October Joel and Jasmine Hanssen had a daughter, Frankie on 9 November Dan and Amy Marsden had a daughter, Malea on 2 December Weddings
Andrew and Vicki Buston were married on 4 December Soutchay and Lenka Rattanong were married in the Czech Republic on 6 January and again in New Zealand on 18 December Sporting Achievement Brock Ashby was selected for the Under 19 Canterbury Touch Rugby Team Life Group Leader Thanks A huge thank you this year to Hock and Marie Yeo, Craig and Inez Forster, and Steve and Pauline Prescott for being willing to open your homes, hearts and lives in Life Groups. We will miss you as you step down from this role, but pray God’s richest blessings on you as we keep serving Him together! Love from Russell and Sharyn Hay & Geoff and Susan Taylor
Holiday Services Christmas Day Service on 25 December from 9-10am Sunday 26 December at 10am (no evening service) Sunday 2 January at 10am (no evening service) From 9 January 2011 10am and 6pm services will resume
Majestic Kids A holiday programme will be running on the 3rd floor on Sundays 9, 16, 23 and 30 January. This programme is suitable for 3-10 year olds (2 year olds are welcome to play in the downstairs supervised crèche). The official Majestic Kids 2011 programme will be launched on Sunday 6 February.
Majestic Picnic Spencer Park. Saturday 12 February 12-2pm. Meet at the playground area • BBQs are provided • Bring own sunscreen, picnic rug, food and drinks • Heaps of family friendly games and sports
Following Jesus Class A 10 week course covering the foundations of our faith. Ideal for new believers or those wanting to touch up on the basics. Monday nights 7:30-9:30pm. Majestic 3rd Floor. Starts Monday 21 February. Contact kim@majestic.org.nz for more info
Careforce Life Keys Are you looking for ways to refresh your leadership skills for 2011? A weekend training course will be hosted in mid February to equip you as a Life Keys facilitator. Life Keys programmes ‘Man to Man’ and ‘Woman to Woman’ coming soon in early 2011. Man to Man This programme explores past and present relationships and examines the effects of family background on the way a man thinks, feels and behaves. The themes covered include family dynamics, handling emotions, dealing with conflict, finding real intimacy, examining addictive behaviour. Participants gain personal insight together with strategies and skills for living life more successfully. Woman to Woman Every woman carries with her the strengths and weaknesses of her background. She carries the legacy of her past into all her relationships - family, business and church. This programme will show participants how to free themselves from the past and focus on the future. It will provide strategies and skills needed to make positive and lasting changes in relationships. For more information about training as a facilitator or attending a programme please contact Bob Pilkington on 021 100 8736 or Sharleen Pilkington 021 540 220 or email bobshar@hotmail.com
Vicki Simpson (nee D’Orazio) Speaking at She... on Friday 4 January and Majestic on Sunday 6 February at our 10am and 6pm services. Vicki is recognised nationally and internationally as a dynamic preacher with a breakthrough anointing that releases people into new levels of faith. She is loved by audiences of all ages, endearing herself with her down-to-earth, transparent style of ministry and warm humour. Vicki is also a proven and accurate prophetic voice prophesying in both word and song & ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit. Vicki is a very effective trainer, activating people in and teaching them to be competent hearers of God’s voice. Vicki is a full time itinerant minister based at C3 Church Oxford Falls, Sydney, Australia.
Serve in the House in 2011 We have heaps of fantastic opportunities available for those at Majestic who have a heart to serve in our House on Sundays or for special events. You could play a special part in showing love and care to others as they walk through the doors into Majestic so that everyone can feel like they belong and Majestic is their “home”. We are looking for motivated, vibrant and passionate people to serve as Ushers, Security, Welcome Lounge Hosts, on Car-parking, at Info Desk or on the Offering Team. Training is provided and time commitments can vary from fortnightly, monthly or just as special events occur. If you are keen to get involved and play your part in building our House please contact kim@majestic.org.nz or call the church office or head to the Info Desk to pick up a Job Description.
Mums' Group Tuesdays during school term at 10am 93 Randolph St, Linwood Leaders: Sarah, Trudy and Lisa Phone 980 44 42 Wednesdays (12 January onwards) at 10am 88 Maidstone Rd, Ilam Leaders: Kirsty and Christy Phone 358 8071
MY Paint Sunday 12th December from 3pm. Majestic House Grab a friend. Grab a free sodapop Featuring artist Fluro
MY Picnic at the Gardens* Sunday 2nd January 12 - 1pm (after morning church at 10am) * Plan B - Majestic Basement. Movies and Xbox
MY Fish n Chips at Sumner Grab some Fish n’ Chips and meet at Sumner beach by Cave Rock* Sunday 9th January from 8 - 9pm (after mX at 6pm) * Plan B - Majestic Basement
mX Sunday 9th January 6pm We kick back into mX 2011 at Majestic House. Sunday 16th & 30th January More mX (after mX in Majestic Basement) is back.
Band Together 23 October 2011
Walking through the Gardens to North Hagley Park, where Band Together is hosted, I am surrounded by many Christchurch people cheerfully walking towards the big event put on in the wake of the earthquake. There is a buzz, and general happy atmosphere, on the sunny Saturday afternoon as many different artists perform over the day. The line-up included Anika Moa, Bic Runga, Che Fu, Dane Rumble, Dave Dobbyn, J Williams, Nathan King, Julia Deans, Dukes, Evermore, The Exponents, The Feelers, Minuit, Midnight Youth and Opshop to name a few. Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker even performed alongside The Bats. All artists generously performed free of charge – and any money left over after sponsorship went straight into the New Zealand Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Appeal. Throughout the day, as many different musicians performed, Christchurch was provided with the perfect kiwi day; good music, beautiful weather, and friends and family to share it with. A highlight and honour, was that our very own Swarm Dance Crew from Majestic got a chance to be a part of the event and perform a 15 minute set on main stage. Of performing in front of 120,000 people, Shannen Church, from Swarm Dance Crew said; “It was amazing... I’ve never performed in front of a crowd where you could never see to the end of the people!! Really amazing to know that you could bless all these people with our talents!! It was one of those moments when you know that you are doing what God has called you to do! And knew that He was working and was there in that moment.” Article by Gemma Banks
“
15 Revolution
Mark Marchand’s Story
15 Revolution is an uprising of people who believe in connecting and helping others, no matter the expense of their own time and effort. With the iconic, “Do Disturb” and “Inconvenience Me” signs marking the centre of 15 Revolution, Paul Scanlon heads up this powerful new way of thinking. It’s all about being aware of the people around you, being willing to connect by taking notice of people, and in turn adding value to their world in whatever way you can. Mark’s Story As Mark and I were walking into Countdown, we noticed a busker outside singing and strumming his guitar. We thought nothing of it and kept walking into the supermarket. As
we walked out though, I decided to drop one dollar into his hat, because, well I thought he was pretty cool singing along out there by himself. We reached the car and as we got into the car, some friends of ours pulled up. We were having a good chat as the busker picked up his belongings, and strolled towards us. In my head I thought, “oh no, what’s he up to”. However as he approached us, he gave us a smile and asked if we could please give him a lift into town, which Mark was happy to do. As we drove towards The Square, we talked about travelling and Christchurch people. It turned out that he had only recently moved to Christchurch, and decided to stay solely because of the “good friendly people living in Christchurch.” We reached the square, and dropped him off. It was really cool to be able to talk and see into his life, but mainly to establish a connection with him, as I’m sure we will see him again busking around Christchurch.
Meet a Majestic Family The Meads
Dad: Andrew, Mum: Joanne, Brothers: Jayden, Michael and Allan. How long have you been a part of the Majestic Family? We came back to Majestic two years ago, it’s great to be home. Jo and I grew up in the Church as young people twenty plus years ago. We have had some time in Rangiora but always knew our hearts were in Christchurch. What are some of your passions? Andrew loves worship times. Jo loves being creative and is very passionate about making things and blessing others. Another great passion is our sons. Jayden our oldest is a great role model to younger children. Our younger sons have been a part of our family for over five years. We work with the Open Home Foundation and so desire to see many displaced children put in loving, caring, Christian homes.
What do you do out of Church? Currently A ndrew works for Living Spr ings in Logistics and housekeeping. “It is a ver y busy role but am look ing for ward to Te Mapua coming over the Christmas and New Year.” Jo has worked as a preschool teacher aide, but unfor tunately the preschool closed as a result of the September ear thquakes. Do you have any long-term goals? To live in the heart of Christchurch and gain knowledge and understanding of the under-developing brain of underprivileged children. What books have you recently read? ‘Growing your Pastor’ by Ron Gordon. This book highlights the importance of recognising the needs of your Pastor and the battles they face. ‘Vision of the House’ by Terry Nance - A great read. And recently started reading ‘All Blades Don’t Cry; Skills for Breaking Depression.’
Album Review
Citipointe Live: Commission My Soul Citipointe Live are back with yet another awesome album. This two disc album, Commission My Soul is the band’s 6th album since their 1st album released in 2004. Based in Brisbane, Citipointe Live have glorified God through their worship music across the globe as well as leading their church of 4,500 into the presence of God each Sunday. Senior Pastors of Citipointe Church, Mark and Leigh Ramsey share the vision “to unmistakably inf luence the world for good and for God” of which is continually achieved by the band, featuring Joel Ramsey, Aaron Lucas and his wife, Becky Lucas. As the Ramsey’s are a part of the oversight of our ver y own Majestic Church, we are blessed to be so closely connected to a church with such a great vision. From the first track “The Beginning” it is obvious this new album is different to anything they have done before. A lthough still grounded to the original sound that is Citipointe Live, it seems they have stepped into a more modern, alternative rock feel. The more up-beat tracks are awesome declarations of praise whereas the more minimalistic tracks can immediately transport us into worship. The 2nd disc is a compilation of previous Citipointe Live songs from other albums, which is great if you are unfamiliar with the band. I was drawn to the final track “Commission My Soul”. This song was beautifully constructed by Aaron Lucas and took me to a whole new level of worship. If it is possible, it took me back to basics but at the same time, moved me forward with God. The bridge is strong in worship and with a tiny splash of Imogen Heap, I was taken to a quiet, vulnerable, beautiful place with God. A fresh, new dose of Citipointe Live, plus a 2nd disc with 15 of the old favorites we know and love. Get a hold of it and see where God takes you. Review by Rosie Galligan
Book Review
Culture Making: Andy Crouch Culture is a big word with many interpretations of what it actually means. For the purpose of culture making, Crouch dispels our common view of culture as an overarching thought system of our world, proposing instead that culture is what human beings make of the world; the things we make eventually affect the world we live in – and we cannot escape culture because it was what we were made to do. There are many cultural goods/items around us and this book describes 5 ways to respond to these – we can condemn, critique, copy, normally we consume culture – these are not entirely bad, but the real way to change culture is to create culture. As followers of Jesus, our lives are to be lived out as creators of an alternative, life-giving expression of culture to the mainstream or ‘secular’ culture that surrounds us. Part One of the book unpacks the authors understanding of culture and how our faith intersects culture as Christians. In Part Two Crouch turns to the Biblical narrative to reveal that our call to cultural engagement is explicit throughout the Bible – from Creation to Eden, the Fall, Babel, through to Jesus’ incarnation and John’s writings in Revelation – culture making is a Biblical command to all who follow Christ. Part Three draws the book to a close with the impetus to us that we must work in humility with Christ to see him transform our culture with the truth and power of His Kingdom – we will never change the world apart from our cooperation with God and His plan for all humanity. God is the absolute source of our creativity and it is a gift given to us as a tool of blessing to those searching for the gospel and its truth – it is a gift to our city and the cities and nations of the earth. Culture making is most effective when done in community and as Majestic, we are passionate to continue to explore ways and means to effectively and strategically permeate and transform the seven pillars of society. This is done every weekday as we go to work and on Sundays and in small groups as we collectively gather and pray for God’s Kingdom to come to earth and His will to be done. This landmark book is a call to us as the now generation to be culturally creative Christians. It got me thinking, but more than that it challenged me to partner with my church and act... to really make something of the wonderful world beyond our church doors. Review by Jeremy Willan
Of Art Community & 15 Rev Ben Ezra Panmei
When you were born you weren’t born with thoughts listed on bullet points and in sequences. Your mind went here and there effortlessly. You didn’t have to have a point when you said something, you didn’t have to have a moral when you told a story. Maybe we have become too focused on points and reasons and explanations and answers and the-moral-of-the-story that we’ve miss out on one of life’s most beautiful gifts: spontaneity. Everything about being spontaneous is natural and effortless, perhaps that is life in its purest form. Art I think about art all the time. And the more I think about it the more I marvel at how big art is -- how almost infinite art is. How there is so much to grasp and just when you start to think you can never get a grip around it and it is too big for a person to understand it, how art presents itself in the most simplest of manners. Revolution We need to stop using the word without knowing what it means and without just
realising how REVOLTING the word and the act is. Revolution is not a nice word. For instance, it is used to describe the most mismatched lack of fashion sense. It is used when there is a complete turnaround of things from the normal comfortable ways. The word should be stacked away, never to be used to brand something we want happening. Jesus didn’t come to be branded a revolutionary. He came out of love. What the church needs to spark off is not a revolution but love. Community There is hope for the future of church because like never before, there is a great stress on community now. Like never before people are turning up to church events and (invited and uninvited) to each other’s houses to ‘hang out’. There was a long period in the church history when community was forced - and people sang happy wee songs and said “how’s life?” - “Life’s beautiful! God is good!” - “All the time!” - “See you next week!” - “For sure I will!” - “Bye!” - “Bye!” - and went home and had to do all that again because they knew community was necessary but just weren’t feeling it.
Today there is more honesty in the church and if the church as an institution breaks down (as institutions do) the church as a community will still thrive - strong and united. My 15 Minute Revolution There was a friend I made whilst in Auckland who is a drummer in a Hard Core Punk group called High Society. Well, I have never seen him perform and I know him only because I regularly went to his cafe in the morning. He doesn’t like Christian music and he’s not ‘spiritual’ at all - but we shared similar opinions on Paul Henry, the Commonwealth Games, the Pike Miners incident and Auckland Council elections. He made me see just how ‘”pfft!” Christian music can be and how we just live in our bubbles without ever wondering if people ‘outside’ will like us. There it was. My fifteen minute revolution (in concept at least, because my coffee sessions were about an hour, three or four times a week). As an afterthought - maybe God gives us 15 minute revolutions because we need it more than ‘they’ do. Maybe it is a good chance to teach ourselves relevancy and originality. Maybe the church today needs to just see how we are viewed from the outside. That is
probably why we need to step out and into someone else’s shoes to see things they way they see them. Lock We lock ourselves in. We think it is smart. We think inside this darkened chapel away from the city lights, away from the beckoning neon glows, we are safe from the lusts. We think no one dares barge in to steal what we have here. The little that we have here. We check the locks now and then. And are saddened to see that the locks are sometimes jarred. As though someone had tried to escape. Lured by the red and blue and orange glow that permeates the thick holy curtains. We tell these ‘someones’, these deluded people off. Tell them that evil lurks outside - at our doorstep, waiting to pounce on the first person to take the step out. That we don’t belong there. That we have our own thing happening. Our own thing more tamed and cultured. We will have nothing to do with the distasteful ways that are the norms outside our locked doors. And we shut ourselves in. And lead our lives so. Article & Illustraions by Ben Ezra Panmei
Not You Average 20 Year Old Brooke Fowler
Brooke Fowler is not your average twenty year old. This year, after being discovered though our very own Majestic Youth album she signed a record deal with Illegal Musik. This has given her the opportunity to feature on Illegal Banditz latest single, which has just been released nationally. Brooke is proving she is one to watch and pray for as her music career goes from strength to strength. We caught up with Brooke to discuss her year, music and more. It has been a big year for you. Can you summarize it briefly for us? It’s hard to describe something that’s so incredible so briefly but I’ll try my best. This year in a nutshell has changed my life. Earlier in the year I was signed to a New Zealand music label called Illegal Musik who work with Warner New Zealand, for those of you who haven’t heard of Illegal Musik most people would recognise the artist J.Williams who was discovered by Illegal Musick and currently works with them. From there it’s been a
whirlwind of crazy God things - if going from singing in the shower to being signed wasn’t enough of a feat, I’ve been given so many amazing opportunities which no ‘newbie’ kid would normally be given. From working with amazing artists like Vince Harder as my song writer, meeting Brooke Fraser and chatting with Stan Walker at the Vodafone Music Awards to filming video clips, performing in front of 140,000+ people, to hearing myself on the radio for the first time. This whole year everything has happened so fast and worked in my favour, it’s mindboggling how if you take even just a small step out in faith, God can take that and blow it up huge. What has been the highlight for you? The highlight of my year changes all the time, just when something awesome happens and I label it the highlight something else crops up and changes my mind. Jordi and I getting engaged would have to trump all my music highlights of course, but if it was only music highlights I would have to say hearing myself on the radio (being an ‘artist’ didn’t really seem real for me until I heard myself over the airwaves), it was really only then it hit me that all the hard work and preparation would actually eventuate into something, as I’m sure most people would know getting music out there is a slow process and sometimes you forget what all the hard work is for. How is it working within the New Zealand music industry? Everyone seems to know each other in the New Zealand music industry, I guess because it’s such a small market. I’m blessed to be working with a label that has all the connections I need and having Vince songwriting for me has been a huge help too, as he’s been in the industry for awhile, he’s been great at introducing me and teaching me things the new kid on the block doesn’t usually get a look in on. You recently featured on Illegal Banditz ‘I Like it’. How was it working with another artist? ‘I Like It’ with the Illegal Banditz being the first track I’m on to hit the radio has been a blessing, in a sense that I didn’t have to do
it alone. Being new to the music scene, it’s daunting walking onto your first video clip set, and doing a string of things for the first time, so it was nice to have other people to do it with so next time I’ll have the confidence and knowledge to do it on my own. And it was cool having them around to hang out with too. The single has recently been released, how does it feel to hear you on the radio? Surreal. It was so strange because it was only a few years ago that I decided I wasn’t going to sing anymore, it’s been so very much a God journey, to go from that to hearing my song playing on the radio alongside my favorite bands and artists.
What are you currently working on at the moment? We’ve recorded a good chunk of my album already, so we’re just working on finishing that up so it’ll be ready to release sometime next year. What do you think 2011 will bring? 2011 is going to be a year of change - launching myself as a solo artist, doing some more feature tracks with artists and eventually leaving the nest and moving to Auckland - I’m really going to miss Majestic. Make sure you vote for Brooke’s single on the radio and C4 television and support our Majestic Church talent.
Christmas Recipe Christmas Pudding
There are many traditions surrounding Christmas pudding. Some say to make the pudding by the 25th Sunday after Trinity, with 13 ingredients to represent Christ and His Disciples. Every member of the family takes a turn at stirring the pudding with a wooden spoon from east to west, in honor of the three kings. It is said that setting the brandy aflame represents Christ’s passion and a sprig of holly as a garnish, is a reminder of His ‘Crown of Thorns’. Christmas pudding is one of those dishes that you either love or hate. Originating in the Middle Ages, traditionally it is steamed, resulting in a dense texture and strong, rich flavor. Because we are no longer in the middle ages, we have found a recipe that puts a modern twist on the pudding, baking, not steaming so it is quick and easy to prepare. These rich Christmas puddings are baked not steamed, so they are quick and easy to prepare. They also freeze well. Use muffin tins if you don’t want to use coffee cups. 1 cup trim milk 1 1/2 cups mixed dried fruits 1/2 cup chopped dates 1 cup plain flour 3 thick slices of fruit bread made into breadcrumbs 1 Tbsp candied mixed peel (optional) 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 tsp each of cinnamon and mixed spice 1 cup apple puree 1 egg 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 cup fruit mince 1 Tbsp brandy 75 gms butter - melted 1 tsp baking powder
Step 1: Preheat oven to 190 C. Spray cups or muffin tins with oil. Set on a baking tray. In a small saucepan, combine milk, dried fruits and dates and simmer gently for 5 minutes to soften fruits. Set aside to cool. Step 2: Place breadcrumbs, flour, peel and sugar in bowl. Add dry spices and baking powder. Make a well in the centre. In another bowl combine apple puree, fruit mince, brandy and egg. Pour into dry ingredients and mix gently. Step 3: When milk mixture has cooled, stir in butter and baking soda. Using a large metal spoon gently fold into flour mixture. Take care not to over-mix. Step 4: Fill cups or muffin tin generously with batter (3/4 full). Bake puddings for about 25 minutes until springy and golden. Step 5: Serve piping hot directly from cup, or run a knife around inside of muffin tin and turn pudding out. Trim off the top to make a flat base and serve upside down. Drizzle with your favourite custard, sauce or scoop of ice cream.
Mistletoe and Coffee
Peter Rosewall’s Album Debut Peter Rosewall has released a Christmas album which encapsulates the heart of this festive season. Peter Rosewall is a familiar face amongst our Majestic family, since the age of fifteen, he has been gracing Majestic’s stage with his talented vocals. At age nine he entered his first vocals competition and since then has lent his talent to such Showbiz productions as Beauty and the Beast, Jesus Christ Super Star and was backed by the Symphony Orchestra as he sang two solo items at Christchurch’s Starry Nights. Recently he has finished his new Christmas album ‘Mistletoe and Coffee’. Sarah Kirner caught up with Peter to get an update on how it all went. What were you aiming to achieve with this latest project ‘Mistletoe and Coffee’? My aim with ‘Mistletoe & Coffee’ was to do a Christmas album that had some songs that people may not have heard, and do some old standards differently with a new contemporary feel. Hence the name is a little different, and the setting over the cover is not overtly Christmas. I set out to keep Jesus as the centre of the overall project while offering an easy listening and hopefully inspiring experience for the listener. What inspired you to make ‘Mistletoe and Coffee? And why a Christmas album? I have always dreamt of recording something, but the style I thought would suit me seemed to involve a lot of the same songs being sung by many different artists, and I didn’t want to do that. Leo’s encouragement to keep Jesus as the focus of Christmas was one of the inspirations. Also I was thinking of all the great songs that we had performed at Christmas events over the years, and thought they could be used on an album. Is it a dream come true? Absolutely!
What has been the highlight of your year? Actually getting the album finished before Christmas. (It would have been a little pointless otherwise) What have you learnt though out the recording process? I’ve learned sooo much in one year, and now read credits on an album with a new appreciation of the work involved in getting a project like this across the line. Having worked mainly on live performances the recording process is a completely different story. Do you have plans to record your own music in the future? Would I do it again… Yup. (But I’ll clear my calendar a bit beforehand). I’ll see what develops from this. What does the next year hold for you? We are clearing our calendar a bit, to recover from a very hectic 2010, and Ang & I will be looking at avenues to market ‘Mistletoe & Coffee’ for next Christmas.
Highlights 2010
JANUARY – RE... • Swarm Crew perform on main stage at Parachute Music Festival. FEBRUARY - LOVE • Action Point – God is Love. Let love in. • Mirrored Love theme: Do we see ourselves
made in the image of God? Nathan Phillips performs ‘Man in the mirror’ at mX. MARCH - HOPE • Action Point – to become centred and secure in God’s Hope. • 3 giant balloons bouncing around the auditorium during a Generations Service as the Music Team lead us in our Majestic Music song ‘Bounce.’ Laura Kitto performs her very own song ‘In Your Arms’ live during the service. • Kingdom Advance, our new giving programme is launched. • 11 water baptisms during Submerge. • Choir song item ‘Imagine Me’ during mX. APRIL - FAITH • Action Point – practice faith. • Hot cross buns served on Good Friday. • Create Easter Production ‘The Great Rescue’ shares the story of an underground community of miners who have an unexpected visitor in their midst and some life changing events occur. There were 500 marshmallow Easter eggs eaten after the service. • Majestic Kids visit Clip n Climb and courageously do the Leap of Faith. • Korean guest band ‘Virus’ visit Majestic
and perform at mX. • Three water baptisms during Submerge. • On ANZAC Day family war medals shown on stage, and the NZ flag is raised by Stan Burke during our national anthem, as we remembered those who fought for our freedom.
MAY – BUILDING GOD’S HOUSE • Action Point – We all build. • A time where we were recharged with real love and passion for building God’s House. • Roof refurbishment project is launched. • The Majestic magazine becomes an online
publication. • Majestic Juniors make “Bob the Builder” hats as they learn about how they are builders in God’s House. • Guest speakers Greg Burson and Steve Kennedy visit Majestic. • 5 water baptisms during Submerge.
JUNE – FOLLOWING JESUS • Action Point: To re-establish the foundations of our faith in Christ, by living them, and passing them on to others. • Barry Jackson starts appearing on the big screen in a series of quirky videos, which introduced each week’s Sunday theme. A Bob Marley wig and plunging into a swimming pool were among the favourite episodes. • GO GLOBAL conference takes place with Jonny Sanders and Greg Hay presenting. GO Global was a great introduction to finding God’s heart for the nations. The weekend was a radical and life changing experience. • Pastor Chun visits Majestic and shares about his work at Durihana, a home and school in Seoul for North Korean refugees. • Nine adults and children are water baptised during Submerge. JULY - FOLLOWING JESUS Get Smart Youth Conference sees 100+ young people filling our auditorium. • A team of 11 creative artists head to Korea to perform and share at churches, Summer Camps and a Beach Festival. • Hot bread shared together while the Music Team performed ‘Scarlet Hands’ in a special communion time as we ref lected on what it
means to “eat and remember”. AUGUST - FOLLOWING JESUS • SHE enjoyed a night with Delwyn Harvey. Majestic women heard a story about a journey of restoration and affirmation. Every woman received her own identity
affirmation sewn onto a ribbon. It seemed like God had specifically chosen each word for each person. • Create Academy perform their stage production ‘Follow’. Tea, Coffee and footprint cookies shared at the end of the service. • Memory verse challenge for the 10 Following Jesus Bible verses. Prizes were given out to children and adults who had learnt the 10 themes and verses taught as part Follow series. • Six water baptisms during Submerge. SEPTEMBER – 15 REVOLUTION • Action Point – Please do disturb. • Guest artists Jeff Crabtree, LA Mitchell and a group of world champ graffiti artists arrive in Christchurch for Salt Creative Convergence. The Christchurch earthquake hits and changes the plans for Salt 2010! Majestic joins with Arise for combined services over the next two Sundays as well as doing our own special service at the Convention Centre. • Our Mayor, Bob Parker visits Majestic as our guest speaker. • The Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda perform at our mX service.
OCTOBER – 5 REV/ HOODWINKED • Action Point – 15 Revolution: Please do disturb. Hoodwinked: To recognise deception and know how to counter it. • Lunar Lane, originally our Saturday night Salt Show, happens onstage with ticket proceeds supporting the Christchurch Earthquake
Mayoral Fund. • Every family receives a 15 Revolution book by Paul Scanlon. A revolution begins as Majestic makes themselves available to engage and connect with people, showing
included a clothesline stretched across the entire stage. • Roof project is completed and scaffolding comes down. • Five water baptisms during Submerge.
love, giving hope and inspiring faith. • Gravity Camp at Living Springs. 100 + Majestic Youth hanging out together for the weekend. • Swarm performs in front of a crowd of 120,000 people at Band Together. • Three water baptisms during Submerge.
DECEMBER – CELEBRATE • Rapture Ruckus, New Empire Band and Swarm perform live at Majestic. • Thanks Offering taken up to celebrate God’s goodness over 2010 and promise of what is still to come. • Majestic Youth celebrate the year’s end in style with a prom full of glitz and glamour. Helium balloons, glitter, a live DJ and red carpet adorn the foyer. Theo Manual and Esther Bastion are named MY Prom 2010 King and Queen. • As of mid December, 116 food gift boxes havebeen given to people in need throughout our city.
NOVEMBER – HOODWINKED / SHIFT • To recognise deception and know how to counter it. • Guest speakers Mark & Leigh Ramsey and Andrew Kubala visit Majestic. • Momentum men compete at the annual box car derby challenge in the Bedford Row
Carpark. • Baby Dedications take place every Sunday with, seven families having their children dedicated. • Clinton Lloyd preaches a memorable message at mX ‘The Shades of Grey’ which
• Special gifts were presented on stage as we honoured a group of incredibly faithful people who have been a part of our church for over 40 years.
MX HIGHLIGHTS 2010 has been amazing. I think we can all agree when I say that mX this year has taken things to a new level. Each Sunday night service has been packed with elements of dance, drama, music, multimedia and preaching that declares Majestic’s vision of showing love, giving hope and inspiring faith. 2011 has a lot to live up to, but I know that as a church Majestic will blow us all away as we see God move. Here are
some highlights from mX this year from our MY members. Corey Ellis – “Something cool about mX this year for me would be the introduction of More mX.” Amy Lloyd – “2010 has been a great year to be a part of Majestic Youth. We have done so much and have had so much fun this year that it has flown past so quickly. The whole year we have had so many exciting events to attend
and get amped for! Loved it!” Jono Kitto – “My highlight for mX this year would have to be seeing a whole bunch of people up the front in worship week in week out.” Philip Yeo – “It is awesome how passionate the dancers, musicians and the speakers are for God. mX all the way!” Em Walker – “I love the crazy prayer meetings
before mX. Also it is awesome looking back and seeing the growth that’s happened in our young people, our faith and our art and creativity, and getting fresh vision.” Rachelle Joilin – “Wow 2010, what a year it has been. Get Smart to Salt to Gravity. So much has happened. So many things in my life changed. Things I once feared are now faced. Things needing to let go of I’ve broken free from. And what would be a better way to top this off than MY Prom. Bring on the New Year
The Big Idea Hoodwinked
Based on messages during October and November by Leo Hanssen. Hoodwinked means to take in by deceptive means, to blindfold, to conceal, to cheat, to con, to mislead or to ‘pull the wool over someone’s eye’. “DID GOD REALLY SAY?” These are the first words the enemy spoke to human kind, sowing doubt in the minds of Adam and Eve. The first action of sin was the sin of deception and it is still a very real and present reality in our world today. It is an insidious, downgrading way that the enemy tries to work in our lives. Our thoughts, the way we think and style of living can allow deception into our lives so easily. Often when we are living in deception others may see what is happening, but we don’t see it ourselves. We need to be able to help, warn, challenge and encourage each other (Hebrews 3:13). It takes a revelation and an awakening in our heart and spirit to recognise that we are being led into a trap that can only end in death. The first step to deception is that we start questioning what God has said … “Did God really say that?” “Would God really mind?” “God understands the place I am at and why I would do this…” We can’t cheapen grace. It is Christ in us that is the hope of glory, not what the enemy says to us to limit who we are. We need to start challenging the deception that comes our way in our thought patterns, through the enemy of our souls. The devil is a “NOTTER”. He is all about what is not and what we can’t do. He tries to put us into laws and regulations, which do not bring life, but death. God is always about “I WILL”. He gives us freedom to live in a way that pleases Him. The devil is shrewd. He twists the truth, takes a half truth which is still a lie and uses it to deceive us. The enemy said “you can’t eat from any of the trees”, but God had actually said they could eat from all of the trees except one. Eve started off by responding to the enemy with the truth despite the doubt that was sown into her mind, but then we see that she herself began to twist and add to what God has already spoken because of the lies the enemy told her. It made her question and add to the truth so
that it became distorted. Eve said “we can eat from any of the trees but this one. If we touch it we will surely die.” God did not say the last part. It is important that we can discern what God is saying, what we are saying (spirit of man) and what the enemy is saying. Having a soft heart towards God so that we can connect with His Spirit is the answer to knowing what God has spoken. When we open our lives to deception, we will feel alive for a while, we will feel like we are right and all is good, but if you allow deception to take over your heart and spirit, you will die on the inside. It won’t happen instantly but it eats away without you being aware until one day, it has gone so far in your life that you feel as though you could never come back from it. There would need to be a great awakening in your life, to allow you to want to open your heart to God and let the truth of who He is touch you again. WAR STRATEGY We need to be aware of the ways and works of the enemy so we can stand firm in times of temptation and experience victory, not defeat! When the enemy identifies weakness in our lives, he will always work to tempt our body, soul and spirit. We can see in Luke 4 that Jesus experienced this temptation from the enemy when He was led into the wilderness after His water baptism. The enemy tempted Jesus in His physical hunger and weakness by suggesting Jesus turn a rock into bread, His mind, will and emotions when he offered to give Jesus rulership over all the kingdoms on earth and then he tried to get to Jesus through religion when he suggested Jesus throw himself off the temple. What are you most hungry for in your life? Is it physical, emotional or intellectual hunger? Is it moving you forward or holding you back? What keeps tripping you up and telling you it can be done another way? What is the place of vulnerability in your life and do you know how to deal with it? Only spiritual hunger can truly satisfy. Do we choose to give in or give up at that point of hunger? Or full of the Holy Spirit can we stand against the devil and say “NO WAY?” Our power and authority over the enemy comes from our conviction that what God’s Word says is true and has the final say over our situation. The enemy is good at telling us what we can have in our lives but we have to pay a price for
this. God may have already spoken to us about who we are as a person, but there is a point in our lives where we want to hold on to control in areas of our lives to avoid uncertainty. The enemy can’t give away what is not his – this is his deception. The enemy has read the Bible and knows what it says. He quoted Psalm 91:11 to Jesus when He was in the wilderness. He reused the Word of God in a religious sense with no spirit in what he was saying. Jesus rebutted the enemy with God’s Word and told him what scripture ALSO said. We have to know how to refute temptation with God’s Word. The devil wants to bring a spirit of condemnation into our lives. The Word of God only brings conviction not condemnation! If the Word of God is bringing condemnation into your life, it is not God talking to you. We need to learn to discern. Where things come from and who is speaking into our lives, is so important. After the enemy tried to tempt Jesus in his body, soul and spirit, Jesus, full of the Holy Sprit’s power, began to do what God had planned for Him. We need this in our lives too! Water Baptism, being full of the Holy Spirit, led by the Holy Spirit, knowing God’s Word and filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. To walk in the power and authority of the Spirit of God we have to go through temptation first and walk out victorious. Spiritual Authority is something God wants to give to all of us but we have to win some battles first. When we are full of the Holy Spirit, there is no room for other stuff and we will hear God’s voice speaking clearly into our lives. BULLETPROOF Ephesians 6:10 asks us to “Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” The Armour of God is not about the pieces, but what they represent. God gives us the tools, guns and bulletproof vest, but we have got to pick up and put on what God has given to us. Be Strong – take an opportunity instead of allowing it to be missed. Draw into God’s Power. Put On - God has already made His armour available; we just need to pick it up first! Once we have put the armour on we can live as overcomers. Make sure you wear all the pieces of armour so you won’t be caught in the trap of removing some restriction off your life. When we do, the enemy has a target that he
can do something with. Learn how to wear it so that you can be invincible when temptation, fear, disappointment and doubt come our way! Truth as a belt – it protects our soul (mind, will and emotions). God desires from us truth in the most inward parts. Truth is the opposite of deception. It protects us from lies and deception. Righteousness as a bulletproof vest (it protects our hearts and vital organs). Righteousness is living out of the heart of God (Proverbs 4:23). When we protect our hearts, we are protecting the heart of God that lives within us. Don’t give your heart away to anyone but God. Peace as shoes. A soldier in Bible times wouldn’t have lasted long against traps and sharp sticks without shoes. We have to protect ourselves from the unseen beneath us so we won’t be tripped up. When we wear shoes of peace, we will be fully prepared to be good news and speak good news. Protection and more victory come when we are prepared in our hearts to reach out to other people and bring them the gospel of peace. We have to be intentional about it. You are not bad news – you are good news! Psalm 85:10 says that righteousness and peace have kissed; there is an intimacy between righteousness and peace. We are righteous in Christ, we know our standing in Christ and who we are, and we know the gospel of peace He has placed in our lives to present to others. Faith as a shield. In ancient battles, shields were covered in oil to reflect the sun into the eyes of the enemy and blind them. When we are covered in the oil of the Holy Spirit, our faith will blind the enemy and deflect his fiery arrows. Arrows of doubt, uncertainty, criticism… Keep up the shield of faith so that the fortress of your heart will not be exposed and burnt down by the enemy. Salvation as a helmet. Salvation is more about the mind than the heart and that is where the enemy gets us the most. We can get a heart thing happening when Jesus comes into our lives and then the mind kicks in with questions and doubts. This is where people get robbed, because they try to work it all out. God ways cannot be fully worked out, but He can show us His mysteries and His nature. Know our assurance of salvation and our eternal home. Word of God as a sword of the Spirit. We have to know God’s Word because it will keep us, but if we really want to move in God’s power and
authority, we need God’s Spirit! God’s Word and Spirit working together can defeat any devil! Deception has to flee when the Word and Spirit are operating together because we know who we are listening to. FORMATION Before God began to speak in Genesis, the earth was formless. Then God spoke into the formlessness of the world and began to shape it. Visible structure and form were spoken out of the mouth of God and creation came into existence out of what God spoke. We have been made from dust and formed by God’s Words. Formation means something possessing structure or form. Formations are of God’s design. Sports teams, aerobatic planes, long range flying birds such as geese and the military are all examples of working in formation. Geese can fly 60% further, with 72% less resistance when they fly together in a V formation. Formation cannot be done alone. Formation can only happen when we work together. Hebrews 3:13 tells us to warn each other when someone slips out of formation. God’s promise is that not only will He go out front, He will also protect our back (Isaiah 52:12 and 58:8). We are protected as we move forward and we are also protected from whatever might be coming up from behind. We have God before us and behind us and the Army of God - the Church, in the midst. We have to be in step with God and following where He is going. If we want victory in our lives, we have to keep moving in step with confidence. Are you a part of a formation of God and His Church? It starts from when we are fist called. Many people don’t get their role in the church, God’s body. It is the little foxes that spoil the vine, the small things in our lives that we need to change. We have got to get to the House of God on Sundays, no more excuses. Armies don’t have excuses. They are in formation and ready to fight. The Bible tells us we need to get together more and more as we see the day approaching. We will see great victories when everyone is in formation and doing their bit, but we will never win battles until we are moving together the same way as God. There is sacrifice in the Kingdom. It is a sacrifice, which brings joy, faith, hope, love, blessing and honour to God. It is fantastic! We just need to get out of ourselves and start living this way.
Majestic Picnic It’s Picnicking Time A picnic: is an excursion of people going to the same place taking their food to be eaten in the open air. What fun to have a picnic with your friends, family, or any group of people. It is a time of getting to know one another in a more relaxed environment. I love to go for a picnic especially when we are on holiday in Kaiteriteri. We pack our boat up with everything that we need... • Chilly bins full of food • Lots of cold drink • Hats • Sun glasses • Towels • Chairs • Umbrellas to keep off the sun • Sunscreen • Jackets or jerseys in case we get cold (as a Kiwi Summer can be 4 seasons in the one day) • Blankets to sit on • A chair because I find it to hard to sit on the ground (must be getting old) • A flask of coffee • Then of course we have a wee gas cooker to cook our sausages on
And then there are the games... • • • • • •
In goes the backgammon board The cricket set A rugby ball Sometimes a water pistol A bucket and spade for the kids And books to be read
When we arrive at the beach we unpack it all onto the sand with the delight of all the other people who are there who sit shocked at seeing all of us arriving with our picnic gear… But what fun, the kids play for hours in the water making up games. The ladies sit and chat, sunbathing and watching the
kids. Then the men and the young people get out the cricket set and a game is started with much laughter and joy at who can win. A picnic brings people of all ages together. It develops relationships with others. We had a Life Group picnic at the end of this year and had lots of fun with running races and games for all ages. There is something about sitting around in the sun eating, drinking cups of coffee, sharing your biscuits and cake with each other and just talking about nothing much but connecting at the same time. We’d love for you and your family to come along to our Majestic Picnic on Saturday 12 Februar y at Spencer Park. It will be a great day for you and your family to have heaps of fun and meet other members of our church. Friendship is made and long lasting memories...What can be better? Taking time to be together is the essence of life. By Kay Jackson
Photography Portfolio Racheal Joilin
Lately you may have noticed these photos on the walls in the foyer at Majestic. This portfolio was submitted for my 2010 Year 12 NCEA Photography Assessment. It encapsulates my journey of discovering God’s love and hope and embracing my new found relationship with Him. While I was thinking of portfolio ideas over last year’s summer break, I decided that I wanted to somehow put my faith into my artwork. It was a little bit difficult to do for Design, so I decided to do it for Photography instead as I felt the theme would create a strong visual message. I wanted my portfolio to speak to those who looked at it and impact them in some way and of course everyone will see something different from
what others see. Each photo tells a story. “A picture is worth a thousand words.” In Panel One you see Larissa lost, she doesn’t have God in her life and she is embarking on a journey to find God, who is the fulfillment of all she needs. At the bottom of the panel you see her walk through an alley into the light, which leads into Panel Two where she experiences several unsatisfying lifestyle choices such as drugs, alcohol, partying and smoking and finally to the point where she finds God. The final panel shows where she has found the fulfillment she is looking for. This is shown through Larissa’s salvation moment and her surrendering it all to Him. Text and photography by Racheal Joilin
Christmas in the USA It is very much as you see in the movies. You can feel the Christmas spirit from everywhere as Christmas day gets closer. Everyone is bundled up tightly with big smiles and rosy cheeks. After the 1st of December we would head out to the Christmas tree farm to look for the perfect tree. We always chose the tallest tree we could fit in our house, and occasionally there would even be some snow on the trees. Afterwards we would carry it to the truck and have a cup of hot cocoa before heading home. Decorating the tree together as a family was traditional, with Christmas music playing and my dad working hard to decorate the house with twinkling lights. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, you could feel the hustle and bustle with Christmas programs, shopping and cookie baking. On Christmas Eve we always attended a candlelight service at church, singing hymns with a poetic reproduction of Jesus’ birth. After that we would drive around looking at all the Christmas lights. Later we joined together with family to eat nibbles and sip hot chocolate in front of the fire while playing fun games. My brother, sister and I always watched the movie “The Christmas Story” and laugh like it was the first time we had seen it. My sister and I always wore matching Christmas pajamas when we went to bed on Christmas Eve. Christmas morning was always exciting, as we saw all the presents that had appeared under the tree and our stockings filled to the brim with goodies. We would all sit together and open the goodies in our stockings, and then pass out the gifts, taking turns to open them. After all the gifts were opened, we would have a Big Christmas Breakfast together. Then the preparations for Christmas Dinner began. The smell of roast turkey filled the house while we played with our new toys, gadgets and games. We would have our big meal late afternoon and almost always include friends who did not have anyone to spend Christmas with. It was a real special time in my life and one I will never forget. By Kristie Ferguson
Christmas in Rwanda In our culture, Christmas time is a time for renewal. This means you repainted your house, got new clothes, and made new vows. It was also a feast time, a big celebration. You always have big gatherings. At Christmas time, we always had new clothes to wear. We went to church early in the morning, and then there was a big party afterwards. During the afternoon, all the kids lined-up and all the elders would come and give you a kiss and an envelope with money in it. At night, we would have just a small gathering with family members and that’s when you received your Christmas gift. We all loved Christmas time because we used to get lots of money and gifts. By Simon Mbonyinshuti
(E3A#O 05",)3().' Red Frogs $IARY !DVERT Chaplaincy Network 0ROOFING 3HEET
.AME #HRISTCHURCH 0OLYTECHNIC 3TUDENTSg !SSOCIATION $IARY RT .UMBER Red Frogs Chaplaincy Network is an chill out areas, we provide water, donuts and international not-for-profit programme that ice blocks. Having our presence in residential .UMBER focuses on establishing a safety support colleges contributes to a positive and safe network for students in local universities. It was environment and bridges the gap. started out of Citipointe Church in Brisbane and is now in universities and education facilities Free Pancakes, Party Entertainment and throughout Canada, USA, United Kingdom, Dinner and Church are all part of what Red Australia and New Zealand. Majestic Youth Frogs is about. and Source is heading up Red Frogs at CPIT in EG CHECK THAT COMPANY NAMES AND DETAILS ARE SPELT CORRECTLY ETC 2011. This is an exciting new thing, a chance to reach out to people wherever they are at and be salt. This involves assisting at college parties and functions, by providing chill out zones, where If you are interested in being one of the Red Frogs students are encouraged to ‘party safe’. In these crew please let Rach or Barry Jackson know.
0,%!3% #(%#+ 4()3 02//& #!2%&5,,9
THIS IS URGENT PLEASE SIGN AND FAX BACK !3!0
CORRECTION ALTERATION
Christmas in Indonesia One week before Christmas, things started to become a little more chaotic. We would have a school play if you’re in a Christian school, a church celebration, and putting up a Christmas tree. Combining with other relatives, we would organise a Christmas candlelight service and invite all the workers within the companies, mostly Christians but some Muslims who interested were welcome. It’s a chance for everyone to give a little performance. From adults who sang loud noises to kids who always received the loudest cheer. Funnily enough my family is not so big about presents. They say, “it’s not your birthday, so let’s give out to others who need to know Jesus more.” A little bit gutted? yes I sure was. I’m thankful. We would go to orphanages, rest home and the needy around our neighbourhood giving them what we can. Celebrating Christmas that way is way more rewarding than receiving any presents. Unfortunately, it’s not always safe for us to celebrate Christmas in Indonesia. There were times when church bombings were at the peak thus it was common to see police barricading outside during the service. Even with the chaos of millions of people the essence of Christmas is the same with what we have here in Aotearoa. People are always more open to hear about Jesus and ready to celebrate. Hope you are that no matter which side of the globe we are, we are celebrating the same God who came to earth, died to take our sins, and live again. Now that’s a good reason to celebrate! Happy Christmas. By Evlyn Tjoandi
Christmas in Korea We never celebrated Christmas when I was young and living in Korea as it wasn’t a big deal then. It wasn’t until we moved to America when I was 6 years that we were exposed to gift giving, Santa Claus and Christmas trees. I caught my father putting Christmas gifts on our pillows as we lay in bed, supposedly sleeping, on Christmas Eve so I knew right away that Santa Claus was a fraud. The first Christmas celebration I remember in America, my father bought a tree without a base and we didn’t know how to put it up. A month later we threw it away. We tried to be like the Americas but weren’t quite sure how it all was meant to happen. My mother didn’t know how to use an oven so for our first Christmas dinner we ate chicken cooked in a frying pan, seaweed soup
and rice. I have been influenced by American culture, so here in New Zealand, I put up a fake Warehouse Christmas tree on 1 December with all the trimmings and lights. Unfortunately the kids can’t enjoy the Christmas tree as it is still light outside, very different to a wintry, snowy New York Christmas. On Christmas Day this year we will go to Spencer Park beach, eat sandwiches, meat from the BBQ and rice! Most of the Korean families at Majestic will join us. By Jimmy Chae
Christmas Kiwi style Christmas is God’s ultimate gift to us. It’s Jesus. It’s His Birthday. Christmas means celebrating that, and it means sharing – in our family it’s sharing food, parcels, love, and sharing our time between our families; our own family, my birth family and my in-laws. Christmas day now, would normally start by getting woken by super excited kids and everyone all together going out to the lounge and we say “wow look at the parcels!”.... and we say “wow look at the visa” (LOL). We’d eat breakfast then prepare the food for lunch and dinner to take with us (that’s if we weren’t hosting). Each year we alternate lunch and dinner with each family, as the lunch meal is the traditional meal to share with family, everyone brings something to contribute towards the meal. Each year we have a ‘Christmas Cake’ competition – I’m yet to win... We give parcels as a way to celebration Christmas and as a way to appreciate each other, my ‘in-law’ family, pull a name out of the hat to buy a gift for, and we also buy for each child in the family, and any students or visiting friends. With my family, we buy for the children and a wee something for mum and dad. I love Christmas day, its insanely busy, but it’s a day to be with family & those who need a family, to appreciate the people in our lives, a day when all the girls are in the kitchen and the boys are outside around the bbq, a day when the table is set with special effort, parcels under decorated Christmas trees. Christmas is a day when we say ‘grace’ before our meal without it being weird for everyone whose not used to that, it’s a day for back yard cricket and water fights between uncles and kids (weather permitting), and its a day to say “Happy Birthday Jesus!” By Tracey Weir