When meeting someone for the first time, we often ask people what they do for a living. While there’s nothing wrong with a nice, simple, clean answer, I’ve wrestled for a number of years with not placing my identity in what I do, but rather in who I am.
So, who is Rebecca Howan?
I am a daughter, a granddaughter, a little sister, a niece, and an aunty to a gorgeous and cheeky 20-month old girl. In the words of Shakespeare, I am little but fierce, and not only come from a line of wonderful and loving men, but also from a line of strong and empowering women who I am blessed to call family.
I am a girlfriend and friend, an empathetic laugher and crier, an advice giver, and trusted listener.
I am a Wellington waterfront lover, and call the South Coast my home where I have been born and bred. In true Wellington-style, I am an avid flat white drinker and brunch eater, and a quirky Cuba Street lover.
I am a singer and a musician – I trained as an opera singer when I left school and have a Bachelor of Music in Classical Performance Voice from the New Zealand School of Music. However, a couple of years into my degree, I decided that the opera lifestyle was not for me, so now I am an organiser, an arranger, a spreadsheet creator and list maker, and have been working as an Executive Assistant, most recently at New Zealand Red Cross for the Secretary General and National President.
While I may not be an opera diva, I am a passionate chorister, and I have been a member of many local and national choirs including the New Zealand Youth Choir and The Tudor Consort in Wellington.
I am an art lover, a gallery visitor, a theatre go-er, a poetry appreciator, and a music listener. I think that all forms of art are beautiful and meaningful and profound, and I love different forms intersecting with each other to tell stories and convey emotions.
Salvation Army
I am a Jesus-follower, and have called The Salvation Army in Newtown my church whānau since I was born. I am a worshipper, a preacher, and a leader, and I love the diverse, messy, and beautiful community that I am a part of, with people from all walks of life and backgrounds.
Next year will bring a significant change for me as I move to The Salvation Army’s Booth College of Mission to become a cadet and will train to become a Salvation Army officer. I’m so excited to become a minister, a pastor, and a mission director, but also a community connector, a bridge builder, an influencer, and a joy and life bringer. As my session name states, I am a holiness reflector (Lord, may that be true of my life).
I am a writer, a blogger, and a communicator, and have been writing blogs to process my thoughts and encourage and challenge others since I was at university. I am a constant journal writer, a quote collector, and a thought analyser and processer, and always have a notebook and pen on me to capture thoughts at a moment’s notice.
I am a world traveller and a diverse culture experiencer. I am a nature walker and a natural beauty beholder. I am a postcard collector and a sentimental hoarder. I am a people lover and a very loud laugher.
It can be hard to summarise and capture a life in a few hundred words, when so much is learned and experienced in the day to day moments that are never written down. But think of this as a starting point, a glimpse into my life right now, with more experiences to be had and things to learn along the way.