SUNZ Adventure Magazine July 2021

J U LY 2 0 2 1

A PLACE TO BELONG INSIDE

BEYOND EXPERIENCE

FAITH AND ADVENTURE

MAINTAINING MOMENTUM

EDITORIAL Kia ora tātou Yesterday I bumped into a good friend at Wellington Airport and we had a brief chat before heading in different directions. As I boarded the plane, I took a trip down memory lane and remembered when we first met at a Scripture Union holiday programme in Ōtaki back in 1978. The combination of ministry and team life and fun and hard work at that holiday programme cemented a friendship which has continued our whole lives.

That time together grew my faith in ways I really value. My friend now pastors a church and I’ve become National Director here at SUNZ. Who would have thought we would hold such responsible positions? We certainly never did.

It’s so encouraging to see this combination of friendship and faith formation still happening in Scripture Union today. Young people continue to find community and a sense of belonging and grow their faith within SUNZ, 2 www.sunz.org.nz

whether they are campers, camp leaders, Board interns or participants in Beyond Experience, our nationwide leadership development programme.

You will see this when you read this issue of Adventure magazine. Please take a particular look at the article by Neville Bartley on page 4 about the importance of belonging for young people who attend our camps. These camps are crucial times for faith formation and we trust they will continue to increase and flourish. We pray that young people who attend SUNZ camps will develop a deep and authentic faith and will continue life-long to serve the church and the world around them.

Yours in Christ.

Ngā mihi nui,

Hilary Hague

National Director, Scripture Union New Zealand

CONTENTS

FEATURES

4

FINDING A PLACE OF BELONGING

NEVILLE BARTLEY

8

BEYOND EXPERIENCE

12

FAITH BASED ADVENTURE

PAUL HUMPHREYS

NATALIE DUCHESNE & ANNA SQUIRES

20 MAINTAINING MOMENTUM

NIGEL WINDER

22 SUPAKIDZ CAMPS

ANDREW RAMSBOTTOM

- For use with Blue Star Group prin - Environmental statement example for use w CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

15 WAY2GO MAGAZINE

INTERVIEWS

10 Q&A 19 MEET THE YOUTH TEAM 24 LIGHT FOR THE PATH

MOLLY WOTTON

26 OUT & ABOUT

RESOURCES

28 SU RESOURCES FOR LIFE

OFFSET VERSION - Portrait

PRODUCED BY THE SUNZ TEAM DESIGNED BY WINDSORCREATIVE

This publication uses vegetable based inks and environmentally responsible paper produced from Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified, Mixed Source pulp from Responsible Sources.

Finding a Place of Belonging NEVILLE BARTLEY | Youth Team Leader, SUNZ

4 www.sunz.org.nz

W

e were created to belong. We were created to belong to the creator and with the creator of all things.

We were also created to belong with one another. The need to belong is part of the God-given fabric of our make-up.

This world tells us that to truly belong we need to look like this, act like this, own these things and be successful. Yet, at the same time, we are told that we can be whoever we want to be, no matter what other people think. These conflicting messages combined with the physical, emotional and spiritual changes going on in a young person’s life, mean many young people are left feeling confused about their identity and feeling like they do not belong. Many even struggle to feel as though they belong in their own home, with their own family. They may lack confidence, feel unloved and, in fact, often feel unlovable.

Belonging gives us a sense of identity and confidence and helps us to feel loved. It is a vital part of the growth and development of young people. As the NZ Child and Youth Wellbeing website puts it: Developing a sense of belonging is important for children and young people to develop self-confidence and a sense of identity and tūrangawaewae. They need safe spaces and time to explore and establish their identities.

It’s important that they’re accepted for who they are without having to fit into narrow and limiting norms.

Knowing that they belong and being secure in their identity helps young people relate to others, as well as to the world around them.

A strong sense of belonging and identity also helps children to develop respect for others and exercise manaakitanga. When children and young people feel connected, for example to their whakapapa and tūrangawaewae, they are likely to have a stronger sense of identity and confidence.

"

KNOWING THAT THEY BELONG AND BEING SECURE IN THEIR IDENTITY HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE RELATE TO OTHERS, AS WELL AS TO THE WORLD AROUND THEM. As Christians, our place in God’s story is a big part of our whakapapa (or lineage) and tūrangawaewae (or place where we have the right to stand). That is one reason why our SUNZ camps are designed as a community that allows young people to belong, to connect with God’s story and to discover who God created them to be.

The structures of our spiritual times, our mealtimes and even our activity times at camp are designed to help young people feel safe and know that they belong here.

Even though the camp is a short temporary community, we work hard to make it a place that is loving, caring and supportive.

From the welcome campers receive when they arrive at camp to the farewell at the end, SUNZ camp leaders work hard to help campers find a sense of belonging.

Our engagement with God through prayer, scripture and community is all designed to help the young people know God as well as know about God and to know for certain that they personally belong to God and belong in a relationship with Him. Even the activities we do are designed to help campers to connect with the God who loves them and who has a place for them to belong.

JULY 2021 5

"

CAMP IS A PLACE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE AND A PLACE THEY LOOK FORWARD TO RETURNING TO. A young person who attended our Exodus Prime young leaders’ camp told me: ‘I have discovered who I am coming to these camps, and that God loves me and that I have people who love me and accept me as I am. I wish I could always come to this camp.’

Many of our current and past campers would agree with that statement—and return year after year to the same camp. Partly because they enjoy what they do when they are there, partly because they make friendships that will last a lifetime and, importantly, because they have discovered a place where they belong.

Camp is a place that young people do not want to leave and a place they look forward to returning to. We try to create opportunities for them to build on friendships from previous camps and build new friendship throughout the camp. Finding a place to truly belong, to connect with God and to discover who God

6 www.sunz.org.nz

created us to be brings transformation into our lives and helps us to grow and help us have more confidence in who we are.

One young person shared with me that coming to camp helps him to feel normal and know that there is a place for him in this world. It encourages him to continue to connect with the rest of his family, and especially his siblings and help them to experience what it means to belong.

In a world where many people do not know what tomorrow will bring, young people are struggling to find a place and a future where they belong. So please continue to pray for and support our camps as they create and provide communities where these young people can find a sense of belonging and, most of all, where they can find God. The God to whom they belong. The God with whom they belong.

DiScOvErInG ThE CoMmUnItY Of�cHrIsT GrOuNdEd�iN ThE GoSpEl

CoNnEcTiNg�wItH GoD

MoUnTaInToP ExPeRiEnCeS

GrOwInG ThRoUgH ChAlLeNgE

Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the Gospel of God but our lives as well.

1 Thessalonians 2:8

sunz.nz

scriptureunionnz

sunz.org.nz

PAUL HUMPHREYS | Leadership Development Facilitator, SUNZ

8 www.sunz.org.nz

BEYOND EXPERIENCE TAKES YOUNG ADULTS TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF LEADERSHIP.

"

FAITH SHOULD BE LIKE LUNCH IN THE BACK COUNTRY WHICH STARTS AT BREAKFAST AND CONTINUES UNTIL DINNER.

L

unch starts after breakfast and ends before dinner,” I told my friend Kenneth as we were prepping to climb Mt Rainer in Washington State, USA. Mt Rainier is 4392m high and so it’s a serious undertaking.

Kenneth looked perplexed until I explained that it’s important to eat frequently and outside of regular meal times to keep your keep energy levels high when you’re involved in strenuous outdoor activity I offer you this story to illustrate how faith looks for many young adults. Frequent ‘eating’ is the key to maintaining our faith levels. We need to keep on topping up our faith with personal Bible reading, prayer and fellowship so we don’t run on empty.

Beyond Experience (BE) is Scripture Union’s leadership development programme. It’s designed to help young people develop as leaders within the context they find themselves – whether that’s with Scripture Union or their churches or communities. As we move forward with BE we are facilitating faith and leadership experiences through various means, including weekends away, conversations with mentors, and following a monthly Bible reading plan as well as through SUNZ camps.

We’re constantly finding opportunities

to connect with BE’ers and others by demonstrating faith in action and how it is relevant in everything we do – from having dinner together, to playing in the mountains, competing in Rogaine/orienteering races, or going to adventure film festivals: the list is long. Through these opportunities we are able to encourage small moments of faith formation.

Most of this interaction happens around adventure activities which not only serve young adults well to lead on SUNZ camps, but also set up the potent idea that God can be present in all we do.

Praying, listening, and using stories to facilitate further conversations allows us to talk about how our faith has shaped and grown us in our relationship with God. These real, sometimes raw and often fun experiences demonstrate how God is present in our lives. This idea is a departure for many who compartmentalise God and struggle to see where He can fit into their relationships, recreational activities, career decision-making and issues they face in everyday life.

Faith should be like lunch in the back country which starts at breakfast and continues until dinner. Faith can be with us every day, all the time.

JULY 2021 9

Q& A

WE ASKED SOME OF OUR CAMP LEADERS

WHAT DO

VALUE

ABOUT SU CAMPS?

COURTNEY Camps reminded me just how awesome it can be to WISEMAN see youth in such a different environment, I love seeing teenagers grow and be challenging by all of the things that you can encounter at a Scripture Union camp.

MILLIE I love the way that coming onto a camp invites a LAW moment of building long lasting friendships, community and learning ways to connect with God!

GEORGIA I love the wide range of people I’ve been able to meet, GILL the community that is created at camp, and the longlasting friendships I’ve made.

JAYDEN What I love about most about SU is the MEADS opportunity where we can take rangatahi to amazing places across the country and create spaces we were can talk about faith and help unpack questions they might have and guide them to construct a faith that is theirs and not piggy backing their parents’ faith.

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JASON What I love about camp is that it is a period of time that you live and do life KELSEY with kids. We go out and have fun together, we eat together and chat about God together. Camp opens up a relationship in which we are able to dive deeper and ask the meaningful questions on faith.

LIAM The best part is being able to detach from the rest of the world for a while, HAUGHEY and live and breathe the simple wonders of life with like-minded people.

Camps remind me of what is important in life and are a chance for personal reflection on my faith. Sharing everyone else’s life stories and journey gives me great encouragement for the future.

A PONUI It was my first time leading, and I had a BLAST, it was amazing. One big JUNIOR thing that made it incredible was the amount of support there was from LEADER the key leadership team and also the community of tent leaders. It felt like I was a valued team member and everyone was glad that I was there.

JOSIAH What I love about SU camps is the proximity of campers and leaders being LANGAN able to interact over an extended time, creating a Christian community.

JULY 2021 11

FAITH-BASED ADVENTURE N

atalie Duchesne and Anna Squires are our North Island and South Island Camp Facilitators. Here they reflect on Scripture Union camps and the way they have worked with young people across Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Last year, when we entered this new season of life in a global pandemic, many predictions were being made. When considering camping ministry, we perceived it as going in one of two extremes – either people would become reclusive, reflecting the new norm being in lockdown, or they would react strongly against being cooped up and become more proactive to prioritise community. Thankfully, the latter eventuated, and teenagers and leaders alike have prioritised seeking connection in faithbased, adventurous contexts like the ones we offer.

Something we really value about Scripture Union as a movement is its ability to adapt and meet the needs we’re seeing in our young people. The last year has proven busy in meeting demand, ensuring we’re listening intently to what God’s desire for flourishing

12 www.sunz.org.nz

community could look like, and accounting for the fragile nature of people in this season.

Mental health is always on our radar as we seek to make a camp a safe space for those in our midst. In fact, we are consistently thinking tangibly about what a safe camp looks like physically, spiritually, emotionally … holistically. This means consciously considering how to ensure inclusive environments for the diversity of the people who attend and lead on our camps.

We’re also ensuring we have the infrastructure in place for all the new initiatives we’re involved in, such as environmental camps (Sustain in Raglan) and weekend tramps for girls (Wild Wāhine in Coromandel Forest Park) as well as the growing demand for our pre-existing camps.

In part, this looks like increasingly feeding into those who run and lead on our camps and we’ve increased the amount of training events and connection points to account for this.

It’s humbling to be surrounded by such dedicated leaders. We can forget how unique these people are – our leaders are characteristically adventurous, passionate,

people-oriented and grounded in creation.

To have such great people to collaborate with makes life very enjoyable.

Another beautiful collaboration of people took place this year between SUNZ, Adventure Specialties Trust and A Rocha NZ – as we ran our E3 expeditions together. In December three groups of 12 school leavers headed into the wilderness for 12 days, in Canterbury, Otago and Central North Island. This extended period away from civilisation and technology created an opportunity that is not common!

Alongside ecology awareness, Bible engagement and learning new outdoor skills, some of the biggest growth we saw was in the way youth ‘do’ life. Setting up a tent in the rain at the end of a long day teaches you something about loving others well and caring for them when you don’t feel like it, and how important clear communication is! On these camps there’s been an overall theme of greater connection experienced by individuals in their personal growth as well as their development in a community.

Aware of the popularity of our E3 programmes and the unique experience they

offer, we’ve considered ways to facilitate more expeditionary-style camps. In the South Island, Gain camp explored the Marlborough Sounds and the Season camp in Kaikoura also had an overnight hike element.

In the North Island, Wild Wāhine does a similar thing, with this year’s tramp journeying up to the Pinnacles Hut in Coromandel, exploring Scripture by means of a pilgrimage-type resource we developed.

Theologian, Eugene Peterson, helpfully describes pilgrimage as “…the ancient practice of walking, usually with others, to a holy site while paying prayerful attention to everything that takes place within and without, soul and body, all the ways that are inherent in the Way, along with companions who are also on the Way.”[i] Pilgrimage is a helpful way to rethink the possibility of camp and the different ways we can engage in faith-filled conversations.

As we look to the future of camping ministry, our prayer is that we remain attentive to God’s action in the world and to our role in partnership with Christ. [i] Eugene Peterson: The Way is Made By Walking.

JULY 2021 13

WINTER SPRING SUMMER

2021/22

REGISTER NOW! SUCAMPS.0RG.NZ sunz.nz

scriptureunionnz

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ISSUE

76 Welcome!

Check out our ideas!

Pull it out! & pass it around

NĀU TE ROUROU, NĀKU TE ROUROU, KA ORA AI TE IWI WITH YOUR FOOD BASKET AND MY FOOD BASKET THE PEOPLE WILL THRIVE.

Once at a conference we were asked how we first became involved in Children’s Ministry. Nearly all of us had started by being shoulder tapped and asked to help out as a volunteer. This was my story as well, a phone call inviting me to a meeting I was hesitating about going to, but I couldn’t ignore the personal touch.

Reflecting on that experience, I always found the best way to find more volunteers for Children’s Church is the personal touch, the café date, the cheese scone, and the conversation around needs, expectations and dreams.

Scripture Union is a volunteer movement, with many wonderful people hard at work all over the country, with a few paid staff overseeing it all.

Volunteers are our lifeblood and I’m sure they are yours too.

In this edition of the WAY2GO magazine we’ll look at recruiting and keeping volunteers and in particular appreciating them.

___ Liz Eichler

Children and Families Consultant, SUNZ

n g i t i u r c Re ted ve benefi Some ha activity from the ant es and w themselv back. to give

People volunteer for a range of reasons.

Others are valu e driven, motivate s the mis d by sion an d vision of the te am.

Some are attracted by those in the team and want to be a part of it.

But remember Ask for help – people don’t know the need unless you make it known.

Sometimes it ismae or f so combination o all of the above.

Be specific with expectations – exactly what are you asking them to do?

Personal approach before wider appeal – did someone say café? Go on, make the time, and if you can, grab the bill.

Don’t be afraid to ask those who have said no before – their situation might have changed in the interim.

Retaining These key motivators for volunteering on page 2 are also critical to keeping volunteers. Remind them why they volunteered in the first place. Keep sharing the vision, the success stories, their own stories and intentionally allow relationship to form and grow within the team.

Value them - you can’t do it on your own so tell them how much you value them.

Train them - communicate clear expectations and equip them to meet them.

Include training in your team meetings.

Communicate well – make sure everyone’s ‘in the loop’ as to what’s happening, especially if you’re doing something a bit different to usual.

Ask for, listen to and act on feedback – how is it going for you? What would make it even better?

Lead by example – a happy, healthy team gives the best of themselves because they see you doing that.

Delegate - identify your volunteer’s strengths and create opportunities for them to be used.

Trust them - make sure they actually have something to do so they feel they are making positive and worthwhile contributions.

Thank them – • verbally every Sunday • at every team meeting • at the end of the term with a card, an email or a phone call • with a special morning tea/ lunch/dessert • arrange for children and their parents to contact them to say thanks

As a church, celebrate all your volunteers – have a Volunteers Sunday

Holiday Resources School holidays are always around the corner in one way or another. Are you looking for fresh inspiration? Have you had a look at our Holiday Programme resources? These Bible based resources cover a range of themes including travel, exploring, being part of a team, training to be an astronaut, the Olympic Games, and many more.

Check out our newest and latest resource, the Wonder Zone holiday programme from the Book of Wonders series.

$30

$28

Both available via our shop website sunz.org.nz/shop

Looking for more resources and inspiration?

Check out our website and blog

sunzbreakthrough.org.nz | childrenandfamiliesnz.blogspot.com

Scripture Union wants to work with your church to create opportunities for children and young people to discover and follow Jesus, grow as leaders, and influence the world.

Contact us and let us know how we can help you.

SCRIPTURE UNION IN NEW ZEALAND

PO Box 760, Wellington 6140 way2go@sunz.org.nz 0508 423 836 sunz.org.nz

Neville Bartley

Andy Banks

Lizzie Moore

uires Anna Sq

THE

uchesne

Natalie D

SUNZ YOUTH TEAM

ARE HERE TO HELP

Neville Bartley is the Youth Team Leader for Scripture Union NZ He works in ministry with Andy Banks (Auckland Youth & YouthServe), Anna Squires (South Island Camps Facilitator), Natalie Duchesne (North Island Camps Facilitator), Lizzie Moore (Otago-Southland Youth), Aaron McKevitt (Wellington Youth) and Lydia Chamley (Waikato Youth).

Lydia Chamley has been involved with SUNZ youth camps & training weekends after the Covid-19 pandemic ended her work on a hospital ship in Africa. She is a secondary school teacher, from a strong Christian family who loves to explore the great outdoors, and is passionate about working with young people to foster their relationship with God. Lydia will be 3 days a week, working with Natalie Duchesne in the Waikato region.

Aaron McKevitt has just started with SUNZ. He has been the youth pastor at Lane Park Church in Upper Hutt and is currently training as a counsellor.

Aaron has a huge heart for young people, and for theology. He will be a wonderful asset to the Wellington area and the SUNZ team. Initially Aaron will work for SUNZ for 3 days a week with the potential to grow this role when funding allows.

CALL 0508 423 836 OR EMAIL INFO@SUNZ.ORG.NZ TO GET IN TOUCH

MAINTAINING

MOMENTUM HOW YOUR CHURCH CAN SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE AFTER THE CAMP EXPERIENCE

NIGEL WINDER | SUNZ Children and Families Consultant and Southern Regional Director

C

amps can light a rocket under our faith sending us temporarily into spiritual orbit. On returning home, however, the euphoria of camp can quickly wear off leaving us crashing back to earth and reality. It can be like a runners’ high that wears off leaving us feeling flat and lethargic.

When we hit a spiritual mountain-top we realise that realistically the only way to go is down—unless we own a rocket backpack! Leaving camp may mean returning to loneliness, an unhappy family, school or

20 www.sunz.org.nz

tertiary environment or to work pressures— and to plenty of distractions and vices. When reality hits, it’s not uncommon to experience some form of post-camp depression and realise we are not able to maintain that mountain-top experience.

While no one can sustainably operate at the full revs of camp life for too long, we do need to keep some momentum going, creating a slower descent for our campers rather than dropping off the side or burning up on our reentry to every-day life.

As churches how can we help? We can’t replicate camp programmes and activities, but we can provide and maintain some of the principles that make camps so good for faith formation.

With hyperthermia, it is dangerous to warm up the victim too fast. Conversely, it would be a shame to allow those warmed up in their faith from a positive camp experience to cool off too fast. We don’t want to remove the burning log from the campfire, letting it go out. Rather we want to ensure that our churches provide a place of community that keep the log burning.

Here are some tips to keep hot and nurture our young people returning from camp: • Take time to find out what they enjoyed most at camp and how they grew spiritually; help them set some post-camp goals.

• Ask how the church can build on their enthusiasm and—like camp—provide a community that helps nurture life-long faith.

• Discuss and acknowledge how hard returning from camp can be, and why. It’s reassuring to know this is quite normal and there are some simple strategies that can minimise reverse culture shock.

• At camp young people refresh their spiritual disciplines of Bible reading and prayer. Ask how they intend to continue these habits, what resources might they need, and who they can be accountable to going forward.

• If they made new friends, can they be encouraged to invite those friends to church or one of your other programmes? In what ways can they stay in touch?

• If they have unanswered questions, discuss how they might find out the answers.

"

WE CAN PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN SOME OF THE PRINCIPLES THAT MAKE CAMPS SO GOOD FOR FAITH FORMATION. camp leaders, see if they would like to be mentored by someone in your church who could continue to support them.

• If they were a camp leader, is there a place in your church where they can continue to hone those leadership skills?

Discuss what they discovered about their leadership style and giftings.

I would recommend informal one-on-one post-camp interviews to discuss these things, but also giving young people the opportunity to share camp highlights and learnings with the rest of your church family. Someone fired up in their faith can light the fire in others.

Now that I look at the list, I realise these are good things to be providing for our young people, regardless of whether or not they have been on a camp!

Even if your church already does all these things, encourage your young people to attend reputable Christian camps anyway.

Plan together when the next camp or other mountain-top experience could be, so they have something to look forward to. You will find it is a good investment in their faith formation and still a lot cheaper than buying them a rocket backpack!

• If they enjoyed the example, encouragement and mentoring from JULY 2021 21

A VALUABLE PLACE FOR FAITH TO FORM.

S

UPAkidz camps are a wonderful place to grow faith for primary school children, from Year 4 to 6 at school. Each year an estimated 130 children attended three camps throughout New Zealand to have fun and get to know about God in a safe environment during the school holidays.

There are several reasons for this, the most compelling being the value people find in living in a ‘temporary community’. Camps give people time to form deep relationships and get to know one another in a quality way over a week or several days, rather than just meeting for a few hours each week.

SUPAkidz aims to give the children a great time with lots of games and activities as well as growing them on their faith journey. Each camp has a biblical theme and we read the Bible aloud to them each day and explore it in an interactive way. We also teach the children how to have a Quiet Time and model it to them.

Camp life allows leaders to build trust and share their personal faith journey with children too.

Leaders build relationships at the meal table, serving together, playing games and while doing team building exercises and activities.

A mother told us how her child had returned from camp transformed. Eager to read the Word and pray out loud, he came home peaceful and contented rather than angry and frustrated.

Going to camp also boosted his confidence and he went on to spend a week staying with his grandparents without any homesickness.

But why would a child who had been on a SUPAkidz camp come back to camp later as a leader?

22 www.sunz.org.nz

And as a result, it’s not only campers who grow in their faith; leaders do too. As one leader wrote, “Serving on camp had rekindled my desire to spend daily time with God through reading the Bible, and it has given me a new boldness to share my faith story with others.”

Andrew Ramsbottom works for Scripture Union in Auckland where he is the Children and Families Consultant. He has led on SUPAkidz camps for many years now and he knows their value firsthand.

4-7

COME JOIN OUR TEAM OF SCIENCE ENTHUSIASTS AND DISCOVER THE MARVELS OF THIS WORLD AND BEYOND. BE PREPARED TO ENCOUNTER THE CREATIVE GOD WHO DESIGNED IT TO ENABLE US TO KNOW HIM BETTER.

OCT 2021

KIDS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS YEARS 4 - 6

COLUMBA

REGISTER NOW AT

HELD AT CAMP PUKERAU / SOUTHLAND

WHO

COST

$145 OR $125 EARLYBIRD IF PAID BEFORE 20 SEPTEMBER

CONTACT:

NIGEL WINDER 03 214 1834

SUPAKIDZCAMPS.ORG.NZ

Light

for the path MOLLY WOTTON | SUNZ Youth Camp Leader

W

hen thinking of community, I look at the small snippet of scripture from the book Proverbs chapter 27 verse 17: “As iron sharpens iron, so does one person sharpen another” or “Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other”.

This verse for me highlights the choice and privilege we have, to be intentional about who we walk through life with. Take the classic fruit example for thought, if a mouldy apple is placed next to a perfectly ripe apple, eventually that apple will become mouldy also. It’s similar with people. If we are spending time with unhelpful people whose influence is not so great, it can transfer and affect us significantly. Perhaps you spend time with someone but leave feeling drained or not heard/cared about. Alternatively, If we are spending time with others who are focused, motivated, exciting, joyous, encouraging and invested in us… Surrounding ourselves with that energy can do wonders!

As I’ve become a young adult, I’ve noticed how important it is to be intentional and selective when it comes to community. And though ´selective´ it is not intended to exclude people, but rather ensure that the people you do chose to have close by are ones that will lift you up, support you and ultimately push you to be the best version of yourself. From a faith perspective this could look like fellow believers 24 www.sunz.org.nz

who encourage you spiritually and perhaps bring the Imago Dei out of you - your true self, who God made you to be. You may also surround yourself with people not of a faith background who possibly do the same, maybe even motivate you in your career and to chase your dreams…

Finding people who lift you up is how you can curate a community you would like to be a part of. God has generously gifted us many people to meet/cross paths within life and in the current world climate of Covid, we in Aotearoa are in a position of even greater privilege! We can physically meet with these communities and people in person, with minimal consequences.

And because that’s our norm, it’s easy to take it for granted. Maybe now, the middle of the year, when temperatures drop and it’s harder to get out of bed, this time of year can get a little slumpy… But maybe now is actually a great time to reflect, thank God for our privileges, look at the people you surround yourself with.

I encourage you to invite God into that journey, have peace knowing he’s got your back. And with God, we have the ability to choose who we spend our time and energy with.

Find people who sharpen your iron, uplift you and when you see them your cup is left full and overflowing, not empty.

Meet

MOLLY Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei.’

Kia ora tātou, ko Laura Molly Jane Wotton tōku ingoa e rua tekau mā rua ōku tau. Nō Tāmaki Makaurau ahau, engari, kei te noho ahau i roto i o Wānaka i Te Wai Pounamu mō ngā kaupeka hotoke!

‘Seek what it is that you value most, and if you must fall, let it be to a lofty mountain.’

Hello. My name is Laura Molly Jane Wotton. Yes, I have two first names – Laura and Molly – and I’m known by both! I’m 22 years old and I come from Auckland but in the winter seasons I live and work in Wānaka in the South Island. The whakataukī I referenced is one I hold dear to me as I walk through life with big dreams & ambitions!

I was first involved in Scripture Union as a camper attending Pōnui Junior in 2013, I went on 5 camps as a camper and 2 so far as a leader. Pōnui holds a very special place in my heart and from there I have learnt valuable skills and made lifelong friends. I’m so grateful for how this Scripture Union camp has impacted my life.

As a youth leader It’s an honour to be able to influence those younger than me by sharing life experiences, wisdom, advice and showing love through Christ. But, it really is a beautiful two way relationship! I learn just as much from the youth as they learn from me. And being from the strange generation between 1995 - 2002, not quite a millennial but not quite Gen Z either…I can still relate and have lots in common with the epic youth of Gen Z! Currently I’m in Wānaka going into my 5th winter season here… for the last 4, almost 5 years since I finished high school I’ve been pursuing a career as a professional athlete in free skiing. I compete in the discipline of slopestyle, and at the moment I’m trying to qualify for the 2022 winter Olympic Games… This sport is incredibly cost demanding and Covid-19 has added extra challenges that make it even more unaffordable. Nevertheless, I still do everything I can to achieve my goals.

Behind the scenes, I put in a huge amount of hard work to ensure I can keep skiing and doing what I love… Yes it can be overwhelming at times. However, the reality is, I’m blessed to be living this life and following my dreams! Extra bonus - God is in the waka with me! Right by my side he continues to open doors, present opportunities and work wonders in my life! Like any big pursuit, where I am now has come at a cost. Sacrifices have been made and many challenges have rocked the boat, but still I’m here and wouldn’t change a thing… Every experience I have walked through has taught me valuable lessons and from them, a strong, resilient, dedicated and passionate young woman/ athlete stands to continue striving today.

JULY 2021 25

OUT & ABOUT HILARY HAGUE

Na ki a ia, e kaha nei ki te mahi i nga mea nui whakaharahara, nui noa atu i nga mea katoa e inoi ai, e whakaaro ai tātou .

God is able to do exceedingly above all that we ask or think.

Ephesians 3:20

Scripture Union comprises a wonderful mix of people who are responding to God’s call to help children and young people discover and follow Him. Lots of things have happened since the last edition of Adventure magazine and some are mentioned below:

AUCKLAND

It’s been a wonderfully busy time for the Auckland office. On March 7 members of the SUNZ Youth Team from across the country gathered to pray and plan. They also went to Rutherford College and led Āpōpō, our mental health initiative for high school students.

The annual WAY2GO children’s ministry conference took place in June with more than 270 people – a great number of people passionate about children and families.

We also held a series of workshops to help parents look after their children well when it comes to technology. These workshops took place around New Zealand and two were held in Auckland.

WAIKATO

In June Natalie Duchesne, our Hamilton-based North Island Camps Facilitator, ran a weekend camp for girls called Wild Wahine. The girls made a pilgrimage-style journey up the Pinnacles in Coromandel and the camp was a great success as you will see from her article. Lydia Chamley has joined the Youth Team and is working alongside Natalie in the Waikato region.

26 www.sunz.org.nz

WELLINGTON

The Wellington WAY2GO conference had to move on-line as Wellington moved to Level 2.

This year’s theme was the importance of church and family working together to help children form faith, and the speaker was Terry Williams from SU International. The Board also met in June under the guidance of our chairperson, Neil Walbran.

Wellington is where SU’s National Office is based and so if you’re ever in Wellington please pop in and say hello.

CANTERBURY

Little River was the site of our 2021 Camp Leaders’ Training Weekend for current and up-andcoming leaders. The weather was cold but it was very worthwhile and those who attended came away with new ideas and skills to help them run SUNZ camps.

DUNEDIN

In May the Children and Families team and lots of supporting staff and volunteers came to Dunedin to run the annual WAY2GO conference. The regional committee in Dunedin do a wonderful job of hosting this event and it was great to see so many attending from our leadership development initiative, Beyond Experience.

SOUTHLAND/OTAGO

Winter camps are coming up fast and all registrations are being handled through our Invercargill office so it’s a busy place there right now. We have five camps coming up this winter – Wakatipu Base Camp, Whakapapa Classic, Ruapehu Adventure and two camps, Season and Alight, in Kaikoura.

Further Afield…

Please pray for Scripture Union movements internationally as many are struggling with the effects of the Covid pandemic. Look on the scriptureunion.global website if you want to know more about how to pray, or talk to Annette Osborne who works part time for SUI, as well as here in NZ.

JULY 2021 27

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DAILY BREAD & ENCOUNTER WITH GOD DAILY BIBLE READING GUIDES

These guides are designed to lead you to a deeper understanding about what God is saying to you and His world today. They are quarterly Bible reading guides (they cover three months’ worth of Bible reading) that will challenge, encourage, surprise and inspire you.

Daily Bread presents the readings and a reflective commentary.

Encounter with God digs deeper and encourages further recommended reading.

Use for your own devotions or as a group study.

28 www.sunz.org.nz

‘I think that the studies, quiet times, tent times and worship all affected me. Talking with other people helped me to discover my relationship with God, and how to love others around me.’

-SUNZ camper-

You can help a young person discover Jesus and grow in faith.

You can help a young person discover Jesus and grow in faith.

Give a gift today and support a young person in their walk with Jesus.

Give a gift today and support a young person in their walk with Jesus.

sunz.org.nz/donate sunz.org.nz/donate

Did you know 80% of our overall funding and 100% of our ministry staff’s funding comes from donations? Please consider giving a gift today – you can change the lives of children and young people as they discover Jesus and grow in faith.

I would like to donate $500

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Signature: Regular donation by automatic payment You can also set up a regular donation by automatic payment, either via your online banking or by visiting your bank. Please use SUNZ account number 02-0560-0036204-003 and quote ‘ADVmag’, plus your supporter number (if known) or surname and postcode in the reference. below and the amount $ and frequency of your donation. Alternatively you can let us know by emailing accounts@sunz.org.nz

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Phone: Other ways to give

You can also donate a one-off gift through your bank by direct deposit to account number 02-0560-0036204-00 quoting ‘ADVmag’, plus your supporter number (if known) or surname and postcode in the reference. If this is your first gift to SUNZ please email accounts@sunz.org.nz with the details of your donation – this enables us to thank you and send you a tax receipt.

Or donate online at sunz.org.nz/ADVdonate or by calling 0508 423 836 Please post your completed form to Scripture Union New Zealand, PO Box 760, Wellington 6140

Thank you!

AGM 2021 Saturday 28 August starting at 7pm by Zoom

The SUNZ AGM will be held by Zoom video again this year and we warmly invite you to join us.

We’d love you to tell you how we are going and the way we have managed during a difficult year for us all. Come and find out what we think it takes to help children and young people discover Jesus and become life-long followers who serve the world around them.

Register now at www.sunz.org.nz

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PO BOX 760, Wellington 6140 | 0508 423 836 | info@sunz.org.nz He rama ta-u kupu ki o-ku waewae | Your word is a lamp to my feet. Psalm 119:105 SUNZ is a member of the Scripture Union International Family