Women's Doings

My word, I couldn't be accused of neglecting sisterly matters this week. Methodist Women in Britain will be proud of me. Do visit their website by the way - it's great. 

On Friday evening I was at the annual elections for the Pacific Theological College's Women's Fellowship Executive. Up for grabs were the roles of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. Here's the old Exec. From the left, Ruci (Methodist Church Fiji), Selina (Angllcan Fiji), Elena (Congregational Christian Church of Samoa) and Temalesi, (Methodist Church in Fiji). 

Half an hour later, after one or two adamant (but perfectly acceptable, in my view) 'I decline' responses to nominations and a bit of to-ing and fro-ing, the white smoke went up (or was that the tea urn overheating?) and the Executive transmogrified into this. 

Did you spot that Selina (brown shawl) is still there, God love her? But not as Secretary, as VP now. The new President, standing, is Ta'ofi whose husband Rev Iosefa is doing his PhD here. They're from the Methodist Church in Samoa. On her left is Florence Santa, Anglican Diocese of Melanesia, Solomon Islands. And Alofa Crawley, American Samoa, seated, green dress, pursed lips, is the new treasurer. I think the caption for Alofa could read, 'Pay up your subs girls, or else'. (They know I'm teasing!) Seriously, I wish the new Exec the wisdom of Anna, the laughter of Sarah and the enterprise of Lydia as they get into full swing. There's an exceptional amount of 'Martha' work required of women here, often in the kitchen, and many a question raised by that in some minds, not least mine. But it's done with selfless skill, unquenchable energy, admirable efficiency and great humour. Awesome.

I was at another Women's Fellowship gathering on Saturday afternoon to talk about the Book of Esther and whether she shows us what it means to be 'True to our Destiny'. Invitations to speak sometimes come with unnervingly particular requirements, but it keeps a mission partner on their toes. This was at Wesley Central Mission, and when I entered the Lower Hall, quite early, to find chairs in rows and the 1933 red hymn book, I smiled and thought - affectionately - yep, I'm pretty sure it's a traditional Methodist Ladies' Fellowship waiting to happen and I'm in the right place.

And then it's Pinktober, don't you know. That's a month long awareness campaign on risks, early detection and prevention of  Breast Cancer that gets a lot of publicity here. A bunch of us from College, urged on by the effervescent Kini our bookshop manager, were up at 0530, pretty in pink, to join a walk and event in one of the town parks. Some Zumba warm up and cool down was on offer, blood pressure testing, free pink T shirts, healthy(ish) refreshments, and breast exams by a doctor in a tent.

The main speaker was Deaconess Asena Daumaka Senimoli who's a student here at PTC and getting closer and closer to achieving her Bachelor of Divinity degree, despite her surgery and journey through breast cancer. She's been studying in 'mixed mode' as we say, doing what she can when she can, and has a couple of our Extension courses on the go as we speak. So I know Asena quite well: she often pops into the office for encouragement, and was moved to hear her speak. One of the issues she's had to contend with is that complex relationship between Fijian traditional medicines and treatments; scientific tests and clinical options at the CWM hospital; and the power of prayer along with the trust in a God who heals. Asena's husband, family, relatives, colleagues in ministry etc, all had their words of advice and caution, along with suggestions about what to go for and what not to go for. If you're not careful, all that can do your head in. Asena had to make some difficult and firm choices. She's full of faith but equally full of conviction about the need to seek medical treatment quickly. She's now cancer free. The event was on her birthday and there was a huge cake for her to cut. O Happy Day.

Asena's in the middle, flanked by Tua and myself. 

If you haven't had enough on the women's theme yet, I also attended this week, the Executive Committee of 'Weavers'. This is a programme that's been running about 25 years (same age as the Education by Extension programme at PTC) belonging to the South Pacific Association of Theological Schools. I've mentioned them before: SPATS. Weavers has a brief to promote theological education for women all across the South Pacific and to encourage member colleges to put a bit of oomph into that area too. They often don't.

There's talk of scholarships and murmurings about a possible conference, but it's a bit 'watch this space' I think. The majority of the Executive have been associated with Weavers for most of its life, and it's impossible not to notice the many, 'well...we used to...' kind of sentences. I'm really interested to hear and read about what's gone on in the past and to be helpful in looking to the future, if there''s any way I can be. Not least because - selfishly - many of our Extension students are female and any solid support for them via Weavers would be terrific. There's been some. More would be wondrous. We'll see! Enjoy looking at the woven Samoan mat above and be suitably inspired to pray for 'Weavers', please.

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Just going back to Pinktober for a minute, recognise the senior gentleman in the baseball cap in the refreshment queue?

I wouldn't blame you if not. It was his wish - as it often is if he can get away with it - to blend into the crowd, queue for his T-shirt like anyone else, stand and listen attentively to Asena's speech (politely refusing a chair when offered), and be accorded no special favours.

He just happens to be His Excellency the President of the Republic of Fiji, Brigadier-General Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, CF, LVO, OBE, MSD, KStJ.

It was one of the most beautiful things I've seen for a long time.