New NZMWF Team Embrace Opportunities to Grow and Give Life.
As we celebrate the New Year, what greetings do you extend to the wider Connexion?
Fakafeta’I ‘etau ma’u ‘a e ta’ufo’ou ko ‘eni. Happy New Year to all NZMWF Districts members. We are so blessed with God’s love and guidance to get us through to the new year. Thanks be to God. I pray for a productive and successful year ahead of us with the hopes that God grants our hearts' deepest desires.
What events do you have planned for the year ahead?
This year will be a busy year for us as we prepare for the South Pacific Area seminar that will be held in Samoa 4 - 8 September. Also as confirmed at the last NZMWF convention, New Zealand will host the World Federation Seminar in 2026. We kindly request your support in remembering these two significant events and including them in your Fellowship prayers.
Will you be visiting people and places beyond Tāmaki Makaurau?
District visitation plans are currently being finalized and will be confirmed later in the year. However, four districts have scheduled their dates as follows: Tonga Districts for the second weekend of February, Wellington Districts for 27 April, Wasewase for the King's Birthday weekend in Christchurch, and Waikato sometime in July.
Do you have plans for members of your executive team to engage in leadership and training programmes?
Some of our executive members wish to actively participate and engage in leadership and training programmes. The team will delve deeper into these opportunities during our inaugural meeting at the end of the month.
How will you engage with other fellowships groups in the South Pacific?
In the current year, our World Federation representative, Simulata Pope, will establish and maintain close communication with the executive members of each unit in the South Pacific region. This will involve engaging in talanoa sessions and exchanging correspondence to ensure a continuous and active connection. Presently, there is ongoing email correspondence between us and the president of the South Pacific Association (SPA) along with her team.
Anything else you wish to share?
I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to visit several local Parishes within the Tonga Districts during the initial week of the New Year. It is important to note that this visitation is distinct from the regular Districts visitation. Every year, during the first week of the new year, Vahefonua Tonga holds morning and evening prayer sessions. Taking advantage of this occasion, I had the opportunity to attend services in several parishes and engage in 5-minute discussions with the Women's Fellowship.
These parishes include Auckland Manukau Parish, which encompasses Dominion, Ponsonby, Onehunga, and Panmure Churches, as well as Otara Tokaima'ananga Parish, Lotofale'ia Mangere Parish, and Saione Papatoetoe Parish. The primary objective of the visits is to encourage and promote their active involvement in the Women's Fellowship, aiming to enhance their understanding and cultivate their interest in the work carried out by MWF.
Additionally, there are ongoing visitations planned for Sinoti Samoa, Wasewase, and English-speaking parishes throughout the year. It is our vision to expand these visitations beyond Auckland whenever the opportunity arises.
Lastly, I would like to reiterate our theme "GROW IN CHRIST AND BE A LIFE GIVER." This theme serves as a reminder for us to embark on a collective journey, guided by the grace of God, and to bring life to others through our actions. Let us strive to let God's light shine through everything we do.
Many Blessings
Lesieli Pope
NZMWF President.