Dorking friend Sally kindly sent me Wendy Cope's 'A Christmas Song'. Wendy's work is all over the web and quite a lot can be accessed here at the Poetry Archive. You can also download her reading this poem for a small fee. It goes like this:
A CHRISTMAS SONG
Why is the baby crying
On this, his special day,
When we have brought him lovely gifts
And laid them on the hay?
He’s crying for the people
Who greet this day with dread
Because somebody dear to them
Is far away or dead,
For all the men and women
Whose love affairs went wrong,
Who try their best at merriment
When Christmas comes along,
For separated parents
Whose turn it is to grieve
While children hang their stockings up
Elsewhere on Christmas Eve,
For everyone whose burden
Carried through the year
Is heavier at Christmastime,
The season of good cheer.
That’s why the baby’s crying
There in the cattle stall:
He’s crying for those people.
He’s crying for them all.
Wendy Cope
With respect to the author, it prompted this alternative from my own heart and pen. See what you think.
So we've reached the last week of Advent. I'm writing this on Tues 19th Dec and the College closed officially for its Christmas break on 15th. Campus opens again for 'business', as it were, on 9th Jan. But the resident PTC families and some other staff, including myself, are very much around and enjoying the gentler, more relaxed feel as we get things done but take a bit more time over them. I value the less regimented days on campus out of term time.
Some families find themselves temporarily split over Xmas as Mum or Dad; whoever's studying, goes to the home island to carry out field research for their theses. Too expensive for all the family to travel. Much waving on Facebook across the islands and understandable bouts of homesickness. New people appear to take up temporary residence in some of the empty houses, plugging the gap between the end of one academic year and the next. That all helps with campus security. We're particularly blessed that former Principal Rev Dr Jovili Meo is spending some time resident here, in a low key way, for family reunions. Back on his former patch. There's a thud, thud, thud of nails being hammered into slats as wooden shutters are put up on some of the more vulnerable buildings. Cyclone season again. PTC prepares, though no signs of troubling activity up to now. May it stay that way.
I'm on the treadmill of editing BD courses again and the most recent: 'Explorations in Ecumenism' by our colleague Revd Dr Rayapppan Isaac has just been launched. Thanks Isaac! Here's Administrator Nisha and our new Learning Systems Manager Nitesh waving the finished product at the world.
Nitesh, who's recently joined the Extension department, is busy getting us up and running for online operations. Watch this space for a new year launch. It doesn't half take time sorting the 'tech' for these things though. 'Oh, that's straightforward!', we all think, and then something entertaining occurs which involves another bit of head scratching, a team consultation and a fix. All good though. I love the start of a project and seeing it through. Grateful for good colleagues who know what they're doing and go the extra mile.
When PTC campus closes, so does our Chapel, which has always seemed extremely odd to me. [But who am I....?] No daily prayer - no Advent services etc. We attend the local churches we go to on Sundays of course - and that's a good thing. There's life beyond campus - hallelujah! But it's just a marked contrast when daily worship and an active Chapel life during the week suddenly ceases.
So we opened up last Sunday afternoon, and for good reason. We held a memorial service for Sister Kathleen Kapei, much loved by our Melanesian community, who sadly passed away while visiting relatives in Papua New Guinea. She was formerly the Provincial Sister in charge of the Anglican Community of the Sisters of the Church in Solomon Islands and had a powerful, peace-making witness during turbulent times. There's a small tribute written to her here, part of which I'll paste below.
“If women and children can be recognized as equals of men and allowed to exercise their rights as human beings, then men and women, families, communities and the society at large will benefit.” Christian faith and love for local communities triggered Sister Kathleen’s work for the welfare of women and children, human rights, social justice, and peace in Solomon Islands. Prior to the social unrest and ethnic conflict in the late 1990s, women and children already faced discrimination relating to recognition, education, health and other social, economic, and cultural factors. The troubles worsened their situation: children could not go to school, women were raped, and general violence against women and children increased. Family survival became an issue in both the urban and the rural areas. The Sisters Household was located in the no-go (war) zone so for Sister Kathleen to work meant she risked being abused and harassed by both warring parties. But it also meant she could influence both sides, too. One day, because Sister Kathleen and her party had to work in between the two warring parties, both sides called a ceasefire for that day. On another occasion, Sister Kathleen and a member of the Melanesian Brotherhood were camped in between the two warring parties. That day, members of the Malaita Eagle Force signaled to them that they wanted to discuss something. The member of the Melanesian Brotherhood suggested that Sister Kathleen should go and talk because Solomons’ women are respected in culture and peacemaking. When Sister Kathleen arrived, the Malaita Eagle Force asked for permission to fight the other party for five minutes. With courage, Sister Kathleen refused permission. Her order was heard and respected during that day. These are only two examples of Sister Kathleen’s many involvements and peace building experiences during the troubles.
Very moving memories were shared during the service here from those who knew or worked with Sr Kathleen in the past and held her in their hearts. Here we are, giving thanks for a life passionately lived for justice, for reconciliation, for peace and for Christ.
Today involved a visit to mourn with the family and colleagues of the late Rev Esala Nasaroa, a minister of the Methodist Church in Fiji, and a former MTh graduate here at PTC in 2015. He died just a few days ago in a road traffic accident on Fiji's other main island, Vanua Levu, where he and the family had gone to see relatives for Christmas. A great shock; much coverage in the media etc. Talatala's wife Radini Temalesi does theological studies through our Extension department. We love her dearly and the family is so much in our prayers. Rev Esala was teaching at the Methodist Theological College and so a group of us went there today for the reguregu - the pre-funeral gathering. Burial will actually be on the other island where he'd travelled to: his village is there and the family farm. Here we are, sharing in preparations, devotions and the Fijian protocols which show deep respect and convey such immense meaning: the presentation of traditional mats, bark cloth, yaqona root and a whale's tooth, tabua. All accompanied by precise rituals of speech and gesture. We were formally led and guided in these matters by Rev Savenaca Vuetanavanua and Acting Principal Selai Tuidrokadroka. Vinaka vakalevu - many thanks to them.
Rest in peace and rise in glory, Talatala Esala. Thanks for all the jokes especially. You brought us laughter and a lightness of spirit so many times. God Bless you for that.
Been carol singing yet? Ohhh we have! The irrepressible Nanuku congregation with assorted additions came to visit us last Sunday afternoon and we did the rounds of the houses here, being blessed with refreshments on the way, and ending up at mine for even more. This week during the evenings we're singing around the Nanuku settlement houses, rain and mud permitting... it's chucking it down again as I type. We therefore anticipate some very squelchy and less than Silent Nights...
It's tempting to adopt the popular belief that there isn't a lot of the above to be had at the moment; the state of the world being what it is.
But friends, that's a worrying trend. An even slippier slope.
So here's a Christmas card to be going on with. Click on the arrow top right and it'll pop out. Normal blog update when I get a mo... you know how it is. God Bless!
Dear me. Another little pause. No reason really except stuff happens. You know how it is. Shall we recap from the start of the month assisted by various hashtags? OK, let's.
#Organisations you never knew existed but having encountered them, are glad they do
I speak of the Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators [APPCA] who met in early November for their regional Conference in Nadi, Fiji this year and requested a bit of theological input about Restorative Justice which I was pleased and humbled to try and give. Thanks to Commander Keane who heads up correctional [prison] services in Fiji for the kind invitation. It was a huge get together bringing together APCCA members from the Australian Capital Territory (Australia), New South Wales (Australia), Northern Territory (Australia), Queensland (Australia), South Australia (Australia), Tasmania (Australia), Victoria (Australia), Western Australia (Australia), Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Canada, China, Hong Kong (China), Macao (China), Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga and Vietnam. There were presentations and interaction on issues of child protection, human rights and the rehabilitation of sexual offenders among other topics: common themes across the region. I spoke about the role of faith and theological understanding as a resource for those in rehabilitation, and the need to teach wisely and do justice to our religious texts from the world faiths. There had a been a landmark court case in Fiji which I blogged about some while back in which the Gospel of John had been terribly abused by a misguided Pastor to appalling ends. So, we thought a bit about 'restorative justice' for our sacred texts. Although I was only at the event for one day, it was a great education to hear from key speakers and to sense a tremendous appreciation for this gathering from those who attended. 'APPCA is family', it was said. 'We go away from this conference feeling supported and with energies renewed through our conversations on the issues that we all deal with day by day.' All power to APPCA and thanks again for the invitation to be with you.
#Organisations you did indeed know existed and have often given thanks for.
In this instance, the Bible Society. Hurrah! And in particular the Bible Society of the South Pacific [BSSP] celebrating their jubilee, 1967-2017. My thanks again for the kind invitation from General Secretary Mr Solomon Duru to lead some sessions at their regional workshop on [a] the relevance of the Word of God in a globalised world and how churches and BSSP can respond effectively and [b] Ministry effectiveness in a globalised world. Globalisation is an ever present hot topic here: how to uphold traditional 'Pacificness' and yet recognise the slow creep of modernisation. It's not always a sinister creep though. Much was made at the workshop about how being able to have the Bible on your smartphone app has increased accessibility phenomenally across the South Pacific, especially among young people. It's true. When Cyclone Winston hit, the phone in your pocket was far more likely to survive than your printed Bible. Sadly, some may say...
Here's an interesting timeline of BSSP's life and mission.
So God Bless and prosper BSSP we pray and great to have shared in the ongoing work just a little.
..and of course, there was cake!
#EndOfAcademicYear - marginally more frenzied than the EndOfTime...
So then from roughly 11th Nov through to now - 26th - it's been full on end of year events and graduation which everyone gets involved in 101%. Starts with long Faculty meeting, final grades and all that jazz. Then a College Christmas service [12th Nov, but never mind...] and then all the graduation week events. The College Council - governing body which meets once ever two years - were also here so we all stood to attention and scrubbed up.
A few pics with a smattering of explanation will probably convey some of it all as well as can be expected. But if you do the Facebook thing, head to PTC's Institute of Mission and Research page and scroll down because they took the best piccies, frankly. But here's a few to be going on with.
Here's the PTC Faculty - official 2017 photo. Print out & hang up for darts practice?
Student procession into graduation headed by Dr Faafetai Aiava - 2017 PhD Graduate, and his wife Luse. Now that's a great moment!
Three wonderful souls who'd studied by Extension were able to graduate at the PTC ceremony, alongside those who've studied residentially. Flying the flag for lay theological education via distance learning. Oh yes! We invited Mr Mostyn Manetavua [third from the left] over from the Solomon Islands as our special guest and were thrilled that he graciously agreed to come. An Anglican catechist from the Diocese of Guadacanal, he's slogged out his Certificate in Theological Studies over the years, as has Mrs Vikatoria Nabuka from a little way outside Suva, standing next to Mostyn. Next to her is Mr Kafi Manoa from Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu who earned his Certificate in 2014 and now has the Diploma three years on having worked phenomenally hard. On the left? Mr Nitesh Raj who's just joined us as Learning Systems Manager and Nisha, PTCEE's faithful administrator. And here I am below with Mostyn, bathing in his reflected glory! Happy days - God be praised.
Wall to wall feasting during this period, or so it seemed. Dealing with root ginger and green beans. My contributions to food prep, serving and clearing up miniscule compared to the work of our Students' association and Women's Fellowship. Basically, no-one sleeps for a week...
The indefatigable PTC Youth Group entertain the crowds - and indeed themselves...
Families journey from all over the Pacific to celebrate with loved ones: here's the PhD celebrity with his Mum and assorted others!
And we have to say fond farewells of course. Aww.... Here I am with Fr Anthony Ling and Elizabeth who'll return to Vanuatu. Fr Anthony earned his MTh and they've been such good friends and neighbours to me on campus.
Plus - added bonus - their daughter Tonia has been helping us out on a casual basis in the office and Nisha and I will really miss her! We're convinced God has great things in store for you back on the island, Tonia and we thank you for all your help to us.
Pastor Billy Wetewea from the Protestant Church of Kanaky in New Caledonia earned his Bachelor of Divinity degree. The only student from New Caledonia, standing proudly for the Kanak people and their ongoing struggles for independence from the French, he had 32 supporters from family and friends who'd flown over especially for the occasion. Very moving.
And here's what the graduates look like en bloc. A sea of blueness and beauty...
...and the residential student community 2017. Ta da!
#AndWhat'sThePoint? Lord we lift your name on high. We're so glad to sing your praises. May all that hard work bear tremendous fruit across these islands and into the wider world, for the sake of the Kingdom. Amen and amen.
In Nanuku settlement, guitar class members know what they like. By far the most popular tune at the moment is 'Hope Jo'hana', which was mentioned in a post not so long ago when I'd set the parable of 'wheat and weeds' to it. But now, as our current Confirmation class of six enthusiastic souls needs to learn The Apostles' Creed, I've reworked that too. Heresy? Nah - I think we're OK...
Araf, whose 8th birthday we celebrated last Saturday, also knows what he wants. He's addicted not to sweets and chips, but to eggs in any form: fried, boiled, poached - you name it.
He's now loads more confident in English and enjoying Maths too. He can count up to 100, this being significant for what's to follow. Nattering away a few weeks' back he was urging. 'It's my birthday soon Pastor Val - you're going to come to my party!!'
'Oh OK, thanks,' I said. 'Do you think you'll be getting presents? Here's a question, Araf: if you could choose anything at all in the world, what present would you like?'
His eyes lit up. 'I want 100 eggs!' he declared triumphantly.
A reader of this blog recently asked me in an e-mail, 'Do you actually do any work?'
Excuse me! Splutter of indignation. So, by way of reassurance, let me begin with a paragraph which is suitably haughty, affronted and self-justifying in tone.
Since the last post, Dear Reader, I've been doing yet MORE grant applications for our Extension Education's digital upgrade, and what a joy that task is - not; marked student assignments, naturally; pressed on with the edit of the next two BD courses; had numerous meetings including Women's Centre Advisory and Project PTCEE task group; sorted job description and advertised for Learning Systems Manager; begun preparing lectures to give at a forthcoming Bible Society event and of course interacted with and done the utmost to encourage those pressing on manfully and womanfully with our courses. The most recent interaction turned out to be more of a counselling session with someone newly enrolled who was - God bless them - almost paralysed with fear about handing in the first assignment. Seriously sweating and shaking. 'I don't want to fail - I've failed at so much in my life'. We had quite a long chat about the roots of that lack in confidence and some prayer, of course. All will be well, I'm quite sure.
So, the day to day ministry and mission of Distance Education and life in a busy College rolls along. Do feel free to send questions...
But in the meantime, here's a bit more of life beyond. Last Thursday was Diwali, a public holiday in Fiji, and I went in the afternoon with leaders from the Dudley Circuit for pastoral visiting to some local informal housing - the Suva Muslim League settlement - where six houses had burnt down the night before in a sudden fire and families had lost everything. Though no lives. What else matters, ultimately? We took some supplies and monetary donations, heard stories and attempted to offer words of encouragement, solidarity and prayers. It had been particularly difficult for fire trucks to reach the area because of the way the houses have sprung up over the years on an embankment overlooking the main road and interconnected by tiny concrete bridges and planked walkways. We'll visit again in a week or so with Deaconess Ruth Prakash and the local pastors, having mobilised some more resources. Moving to stand with Indo-Fijian Christians of the Methodist tradition loving their Fijian Muslim neighbours and responding rapidly with practical outreach. Thanks to Victor for rounding us up.
Areena, our Director of Finance at the College, a faithful Hindu in religious practice, invited me to visit her and her husband and family on Diwali. So after the pastoral visit, I headed a bit further out of Suva and enjoyed a really lovely time at their new home which they've built themselves. It's quite high up and with a veranda - brilliant for viewing the Diwali fireworks. Lots of delicious sweeties.Thanks, kind people...
Then it was to dear Nanuku late evening - the settlement Church I help out in - for more sweeties - #DiwaliSugarfest - and delicious snacks. It was drizzling gently with rain: probably a good thing on a fiery night. The over excited youth group, sugar hyped and fizzing with festivity grasped 'Pastor Val' by various elbows and wrists and with incessant, excited chatter, we visited homes, admired the posh houses dazzlingly illuminated on the big main road, and then trailed back down the mud tracks into the compound, with its wooden, tin-roofed housing similar to that earlier described. Firecrackers, explosions of multi-coloured stars and spurting pinwheels were going off in all directions. In Nanuku on Diwali night you have to neatly sidestep sizzling rockets and try not to have a coronary when something phenomenally loud and flashy fires off a few millimetres from your eardrum. The smoky, balmy air is alive with light and laughter, screams of delight and infectious giggles. At every home there are sweeties, smiles, snacks and saris. It's quite wonderful. Heartwarming. Spirit-lifting. Enormous fun.
Could Church be more like this? Now there's a topic for a future post.
Is it a 'Health and Safety' nightmare? Totally. At our College there are notices given in Chapel by people with stern and serious faces about, 'NO firecrackers on campus'. There's also the smog, the coughing and the carbon footprint. Will the Government, before too long, tighten up and clamp down? You know, I really hope not, and yet.... recall the first story on this blog? Here are a few Nanuku on Diwali night pictures.
In marked contrast, health and safety was greatly to the fore as some of us signed up for a 5k 'Yellow Ribbon' walk on Saturday organised by the Fiji Corrections Service.
So, having signed our lives away via the necessary legalities, we all set off at 7am on a kind morning with a breeze. It was a great event, superbly organised; all about supporting second chances for prisoners, rehabilitation into communities, etc. Fine stuff. I started off pounding the pavement with the College group but somehow fell into step with a couple who work for the Ministry of Defence and had a moving and deep theological conversation - as you do - about forgiveness, new starts, the trauma of past events that haunt the soul and how faith can help or hinder recovery. And that got me thinking about the global nature of that conversation. Although the examples on this occasion were Fiji-generated, it could have been taking place in any part of the world because, absolutely everywhere, damaged lives and souls seek restoration and reformation. Luther doesn't have the monopoly on that last bit. And so I'm asking God especially this week, as I know others are, to show us how we can most helpfully keep walking in step with those needing second chances. We thank our present Acting Principal, Selai, for encouraging us to take part.
Writing messages of hope for inmates on yellow ribbons which are then pinned onto the 'tree' boards below.
