Solomon Islands District - Christmas Carolling

 

Immediately after weeks of busy rehearsals leading up to the 10th Anniversary weekend, the Honiara Corps Brass Band shifted focus to getting ready for Christmas carolling. This year, the brass band engaged in four evenings of carols the week prior to Christmas across 15 communities at Borderline, Gilbert Camp, Mount Austin, Green Valley, Talise Market (Honiara Central); Destiny, Rice Farm, Bethlehem, Blue Lagoon (Burns Creek, East Honiara); Christian Care Centre Women’s Refuge, Tenaru Corona Market (East Guadalcanal); Central White River, Namoruka, Upper Central, Independence Valley (White River, West Honiara).

In consultation with the Solomon Islands Police Support Program (SIPSP) Team Leader from New Zealand, The Salvation Army District Team offered the Christmas Carolling as a community engagement opportunity for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF). This offer was enthusiastically embraced by the RSIPF Crime Prevention Unit and supported by the NZ Police advisors and AFP personnel. Together, positive messages of ‘peace on earth, goodwill for all humankind’ were shared through singing of carols, Christmas messages spoken by Salvation Army leaders and community safety and well-being messages delivered by the RSIPF. The communities that were visited responded very well to the combined participation of The Salvation Army and Police, with community leaders at each location expressing their sincere appreciation for this form of community engagement. The presence of police alongside musical instruments was a welcomed contrast to the images of riot gear over the past few weeks of civil unrest. It was a reminder that the police are not the enemy and an invitation for communities to work together with the local authorities to maintain peaceful relationships in the uncertain days ahead.

We are very grateful to the NZ Police Advisors for taking the lead in facilitating this community engagement partnership with the RSIPF. We are also proud of the commitment and development of the brass band players, which enabled this ministry to take place. Next year, further opportunities for outreach with the brass band will be explored to build upon this community engagement.