WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle - Fiji (1-7 November 2020)

The World Council of Churches Ecumenical Prayer Cycle focus is on Fiji (and many other oceania nations), 1-7 November. 

Our member association is the Methodist Deaconess Order, Methodist Church in Fiji. 

Deaconess Meresiana Sadrata is the Regional President of DIAKONIA Asia Pacific, and a member of the DIAKONIA World Executive Committee. 

Deaconess Meresiana Sadrata

The Fiji Methodist Deaconesses' hosted the DAP regional assembly in 2019 in Nadi, Fiji. A very special time, with participants from Fiji, Australia, Philippines, Indonesia, and New Zealand (and the U.S. and Germany). 

Participants at DAP Regional Assembly, 2019

Consider incorporating prayers from other countries into your church services

WCC Intercessions

We are thankful for:

* the amazing diversity of people and cultures living on the islands of Oceania

* the magnificent natural scenery and sea life

* the strong, faithful presence of churches in these lands

* the stories and bold witness to the impact of climate change, reminding the rest of the world that we are all in the same ‘boat’ on this planet, 70% of which is covered by the ocean.

We pray for:

* efforts to preserve these island nations in the midst of rising seas

* those adversely affected by earthquakes, volcanoes and cyclones

* those dealing with the legacy of past nuclear weapons testing and with garbage dumping today

* good governance – especially in preserving indigenous cultures –which effectively serves those who are impoverished, hungry, lacking education or unable to make a living.

Vale, Deaconess Olivia Nataniela (Fiji)

FORMER Superintendent and long-serving matron at the Dilkusha Girls Home in Nausori (Fiji), Deaconess Olivia Kauroto Nataniela, has died on 31st May 2018. She served as the Superintendent at the Girls Home between 1973 and 1981, and 1985 and 2010, before she retired in 2011.

Deaconess Meresiana (DAP Regional President) writes: Deaconess Olivia Nataniela was one of the first four Deaconess in 1967 in Fiji. She has been called to rest on the 31st May 2018. She was from Motusa Rotuma. Thank you you have been a Beacon and a Light to the church and society.
Rest in Peace.

Deaconess Olive Nataniela and Deaconess Meresiana

From Fiji Times report
HUNDREDS gathered at the Churchward Chapel in Rewa Street, Suva, to bid farewell to the former Superintendent of the Dilkusha Girls Home, the late Deaconess Olovie Kauroto Nataniela.
Deaconess Olovie was born in Motusa, Itu’ti’u on the island of Rotuma on November 3, 1938, the youngest of nine children.
While delivering his eulogy on behalf of the Tigarea family, Sukamanu Mani said after her parents passed, she was then embraced into the family of the late Gagaj Jotam Tigarea.
“Soon after she was born, Olovie was embraced as a grandchild in the family of the late Gagaj Jotam Tigarea, who was chief of the Itu’ti’u district then and his late wife Sarote Tigarea of Pepjei,” Mr Mani said.
“Sarote Tigarea became a central figure in Olovie’s life from Olovie’s childhood, adolescence, into adulthood.”
Deaconess Olovie was one of the pioneers of the Methodist Deaconess Training in Fiji and Deaconess Terani Lalomilo also a pioneer said she was the instigator of many things that had happened while they were together and that she was a very loving person.
“She was very intelligent, she was very fun and I think one of the things that the church needs to have today is fun, we need to have fun,” Deaconess Terani said.
“Deaconess Olovie was also a very loving person because she always looked inwards, one of the most important things that Christians must do all the time is to look inward first.”

Fiji Times: Lady of love, care

Fijian Methodists call for prayers for COP23

Climate change is impacting significantly on the island nations in the Pacific. Fiji has taken on the role of Presidency of the Conference of Parties, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and has asked for prayers. 

Fijian Methodists call for prayers for COP23 (source: WCC)

As the world convenes in Bonn, Germany for the 23rd Conference of Parties (COP23) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Methodist Church in Fiji issued a statement calling for Methodists around the world to join in prayer for the country’s leadership and for the talanoa process of negotiations which will take place over the next two weeks.

Talanoa, meaning storytelling and dialogue, is a continuing process of building relationships and understanding and presenting outcomes to date. At COP23, this methodology is being used to address Fiji’s calls for climate justice.

The statement released on 2 November appeals for prayers “for States to take bold action to rapidly reduce emissions, in line with the 1.5°C goal, for an effective facilitative dialogue that could speed the advance to low-carbon economies and for increased and innovative public and private finance to enable achievement of the 1.5C target”.

Expressing support to the government of Fiji as the country assumes the presidency of the COP, the statement also calls upon the nations of the world to stand with Fiji as it amplifies the voices of vulnerable Pacific small island states and coastal cities and to endorse the COP23 Multifaith Charter prepared by the faith communities of Fiji in partnership with the COP23 Presidency Secretariat.

“As the nations…gather for COP23 under the presidency of Fiji, it is our common hope and constant prayer, as people of faith, that the reflections and discernment and life- affirming responses of such spirituality remain as critically important as scientific and political conversations in the decision-making processes during COP23”.

The Methodist Church in Fiji is represented at COP23 by Rev. James Bhagwan, who has been involved in faith and climate change work for the last decade and is part of the World Council of Churches delegation.

Fiji

The news from Fiji is bleak after Cyclone Winston devastated the island nation. It is the worst ever storm recorded in the southern hemisphere. The death toll is 42 people. Contact has yet to be made with many remote communities. Tens of thousands of Fijians are homeless and living in evacuation shelters. International aid agencies are delivering supplies, but the scale of damage to infrastructure including communication is making it hard to reach remote communities where help was most needed. The Fijian Methodist Church is working on a plan, alongside other aid agencies.
Please pray for the recovery of Fiji and particularly for the Deaconesses and the Methodist Church in Fiji in all their efforts.

Who Can Help Fiji Be ‪#‎StrongerThanWinston‬?
Bank: Westpac
Bank Address: 1 Thompson Street, Suva, FIJI
Account name: Trustees Methodist Church in Fiji - Hurricane Relief Fund
Account number: 9806098696
Swift Code: WPACFJFX
BSB: 039 001
Please include your name and location in the narration.

Fiji concludes golden jubilee celebrations with ordinations

Great to follow the celebrations of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma. The golden jubilee celebrations 50 years of independence from the Methodist Church of Australasia. It has concluded with ordinations of ministers and a deaconess, Asena Senimoli. She is married to a Methodist Minister. After the ordination, the Deaconesses gathered at her home for a celebration meal which she and her husband, friends and family hosted. We wish her every blessing for her ministry.
There are photos of the ordination on Facebook, and I've added three below. It's lovely that Rev Deac Marion Gledhill (Australia) was also able to join the celebrations.
You may be interested to know about Nae Tabe, a new publication of the Methodist church in Fiji. The name, Nae Tabe, refers to a serving plate or leaf on which food is served to guests, and is indicative of the renewed focus of being a servant, mission-focussed church.
This first edition includes a feature about deaconesses on Page 5. I was interested to read the following:
'The time has come for the Vada ni Turaga - the 'servants' or 'messengers of the Lord' - to begin to make a difference in new areas of the community through specialised ministries such as children's ministry, providing care for the aged, and hospital ministry. Issues such as child abuse, violence against women, poverty and other current issues, including the impact of media in society all point the way for the re-envisioning of the role of the Deaconess Order'.

Deaconess ordination service

Deaconesses singing during the ordination service

newly ordained Ministers and Deaconess

Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma

Deaconess Meresiana

The Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma has been meeting for the annual conference, the Golden Jubilee celebration, in the last week of August and it is great news that Deaconess Salanieta Naucabalavu has been appointed to continue as Secretary for Methodist Women’s Fellowship.
Some of it has been streamed live - though I don't understand the language, it's great to tune into from time to time to get a feel of what is happening. Every so often English is used so it's possible to get the gist of what people are speaking about.
It is great that the church has been able to meet in this way. Those who were at the Atlanta Assembly will remember the news that the church had forbidden to meet by the military government. 

Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma 2014 Conference