Fiji Deaconesses training

Deaconesses reflecting on diaconal ministry, 2015

February 10th is celebrated each year as Deaconess Day in the Methodist Church calendar, remembering the day in 1967 when classes began for the student deaconesses.
From as early as 1878 missionary sisters have served the Methodist Church in Fiji, teaching in schools, caring for orphans, providing medical and nursing care and engaging in evangelistic, pastoral and social and community work.

According to the late Miss Campbell, in 1953 the Fijian Synod of the Methodist Church of Australasia appointed the first Deaconess Committee because all Fijian annual meetings had recommended to the Synod the establishment of a Deaconess Order.

In around 1966, three women, Miss Mulya Dharanji, Sister Ethel Brent and Mrs Gladys Campbell bought a property especially for the purpose of setting up a Deaconess Training Centre. A multiracial group of volunteers along with the first four deaconess students prepared the house for occupation and on February 10th, 1967, classes began for the student deaconesses.

Deaconesses have served as chaplains in Schools, Religious Education teachers and in pastoral appointments as assistants to ministers.

Please remember the deaconesses in Fiji in your prayers.