Special guests at the service included MCNZ President Rev Peter Taylor , Father of Conference Rev Trevor Bennett, his wife Barbara Bennett, Elina Tuwere and Ana Speight (Waikato Fijian Society), and Co-Superintendents of Waikato Bay of Plenty Synod, Deacon Margaret Birtles and Rev Tau Lasi (supply).
A Special Celebration at Hamilton East Methodist Parish
President Rev Peter Taylor joined us on the first Sunday in October and opened Fijian Language Week with a prayer. He then presented the new “Father of Conference” Rev Trevor Bennett, with a certificate marking this honour. The President also shared the word and celebrated Holy Communion for all gathered.
The Vice President of the Waikato Fijian Society, Elina Tuwere, and the President’s wife Ana Speight joined us. The Fijian community sang melodiously, as did the St John’s Tongan congregation and St John’s choir. Organist John Parker and the Mana Ma’a o e Funga o Waikato Brass Band ably accompanied the multilingual singing that resounded from the church.
Following the sacrament, we shared an extravagant morning tea where Chairperson of the Parish Council, Sione Molitika, blessed the cake which President Peter and Rev Trevor Bennett sliced.
