Remember in your Prayers

With sadness, we inform the Connexion of the passing of Rev. John Nesbit on Sunday, April 21, 2024. John was ordained at the Wellington Conference in 1989. He served at Huntly Cooperating Parish before being stationed in Invercargill in 1992. Due to health reasons, John retired to Christchurch in 1995, where he and his wife Dot established a home for themselves in Somerfield and attended St. Mark's.

Ngā manaakitanga

Rev Tara Tautari | General Secretary

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It is with sadness that I would like to inform the Connexion of the passing of Rev Mataika Mikaele Kolinio Yasa (Mike Yasa) who passed away peacefully at his residence in Tuakau, Pukekohe surrounded by his wife Sereana, his kids and grandkids on Saturday 4th May. Rev Mike Yasa devoted himselfto ordained ministry with the Methodist Church, profoundly impacting the Fijian Advisory since 1990 and its community through his pastoral guidance in its early stages of leadership. His steadfast commitment to his faith journey at Motueka, Christchurch, and Pahiatua has left an enduring legacy within the community he served.

Following training at Trinity – St. Johns Colleges in 1990 Mike was appointed in 1991 to St. Andrews Uniting Parish, Motueka, where he served 5 years, then to Hornby/Riccarton (St Stephens and Clarence Street) for a further 5 years. In 2001 he was appointed to Pahiatua and Woodville Union Parishes. He was the first ethnic Fijian to be trained and ordained by the Methodist Church of New Zealand.

Alongside of his Parish ministry Mike has exercised a significant and dedicated ministry to fellow Fijian residents in New Zealand. From 1999 – 2003 he was Superintendent of Bose ko Viti kei Rotuma e Niusiladi (formerly the Fijian Advisory Committee). Other Connexional involvements have been as a member of the Council for Mission, the Council of Elders, the CCANZ National Forum, the Bicultural Workgroup and the Church Welfare Committee. Mike’s community involvement has had a particular emphasis on the welfare of the Pacific Island community.

He was also involved in the Evangelical Network of the Church.

Rev Mike Yasa ‘s funeral service will be held on Friday 10th of May at 10.30am at the Pukekohe Methodist Church corner of Wesley Street & Queens Street and then laid to rest at the Heights Park Cemetery Pukekohe.

Messages of condolences to the family can be sent to his daughter's email: salote_@hotmail.com

Ngā manaakitanga

Rev Tara Tautari | General Secretary

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It is with sadness that I inform the connexion of the death of Muriel Mavis McCormack. Muriel, who celebrated her 98th birthday on May 1st, peacefully departed on May 3rd, 2024. Her funeral service took place at St. James Union Church in Masterton on May 8th, 2024.

Muriel began deaconess training in 1954. From 1963 to 1971, she dedicated herself to nursing in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Initially stationed in Choiseul, she later assumed the role of matron at Kihili Girls' School.

Muriel's life was a full commitment to the God whom she served.

Ngā manaakitanga

Rev Tara Tautari | General Secretary