Methodist and associated musings

Pleased as I am to be serving in an ecumenical appointment here, being Methodist by denomination has come to the fore this week. I neither worship Wesley nor Methodism, but am deeply grateful to both. Revd Loraine Mellor is President of the British Methodist Church 2017-2018 and, with husband John, came to attend the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma's Conference. In a very busy week, they found time to come to PTC for morning tea - thanks for that - and were warmly welcomed as ever by our community. Here's Loraine with the PTC Faculty - most of them - and she and John garlanded, in the beautiful way of things here.

Their visit coincided with the first wedding anniversary of Saimoni and Kathryn, so that was a joyous extra excuse for cake. In this particular matrimonial union, our College's IT manager married the Biblical Studies/Hebrew lecturer. I told her it was a big step just to get quicker Windows upgrades...

We've had a wonderful surge of course enrollments recently, including a bunch of Sunday School teachers from the Wesley Division (the District that uses English as the medium for worship & learning) of the Fiji Methodist Church. (Collective noun for a group of Sunday School teachers is what, do you reckon? Answers on a postcard...) They called me over to do a Saturday morning session and then a group signed up to do one of the Bible courses. It's a great idea to learn with like-minded friends for encouragement and support, and commendable that as Sunday School teachers they've recognised their own need for more confidence in their Biblical knowledge and want to build firmer foundations for faith transmission. So - if you pray - keep the Sunday School teachers of Wesley City Mission in mind, please.

Thinking about Fiji's Methodist Conference again, President Loraine preached at the Ordination service for Presbyters and Deaconesses. No male Deacons in MCF. It was a packed house at Centenary Church in the centre of Suva, and there are lots more photos and videos on the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma's Facebook page. But here are one or two. Below, leading the way, is the MCF President, Revd Dr Tevita Nawadra Banivanua, with former service as a Circuit minister in Wigan to his many credits.

Sunday morning's preacher had been Revd Prince Devanandan, President of the New Zealand Methodist Church, Te Haahi Weteriana Aotearoa. He is Sri Lankan, ordained in the Anglican Church of Ceylon, Diocese of Colombo and migrated to New Zealand in 2003. 'Passionate about community development, public policy, living wage, human rights, climate justice and gender justice. Committed to ecumenism' - says his web profile. It was great to hear his deep and thoughtful sermon on embracing faith not fear; a spot on message for Methodists in Fiji, may I humbly suggest...

And the week before Conference is our solevu - Festival of Praise - joyous, jubilant Church choirs, performing one after the other for a whole week in the rain-drenched, swamp of a local rugby ground, Furnival Park. I tell you, if you want your spirits lifted, click below on one of many videos. Everything was live streamed and recorded. Or for alternatives, go back to the Methodist Church Facebook page, click videos on the left menu, and prepare to be inspirationally serenaded for hours! I'm ever astounded by the commitment, dedication, discipline and phenomenal talent poured out abundantly for the praise of God. 

And friends, if that wasn't enough excitement, hang onto your coconuts because it's only the College bazaar next Saturday. Oh yes! We just had our final briefing. No one should break any table legs, we were sternly warned. I paste a programme below for your delectation and delight and await your kind attendance. Get the green Nasese bus - stops at the gate. Bring money. The College has got a budget deficit the size of Brazil...