REGIONAL GATHERING (Matagaluega) OF YOUTH (Tupulaga/Autalavou) of the Fono Samoa a constituent member of the PI Synod.

TAMAKI PIC
The Rev Leiite Setefano invited me to their regular matagaluega service on the 5th August 2012. The service was led by the toeiina Rev Leiite Setefano, with participation from the youth (tupulaga)  of the three congregation that makes up the region (matagaluega). The choirs of the three congregations offered hymns to the glory of God with a touch of contemporary beat interwoven with the harmony one can only find in the pacific. The tupulaga from Pamure did a drama that highlights the manner in which the Gospel preached can be ignored as irrelevant to the lives of youth and young people today.  The Glory of God was portrayed in many contemporary ways that was well intended for the youth the young as well as the parent supporters.

A comment on the nature of the Autalavou and the new initiative of the Fono Samoa to be more intentional on developing the younger youth, the tupulaga while still ensuring that the groups that were well served by the Autalavou which was the 20years and older clearly those young people who no longer relate to being youth. It appears that various approached has been developed by each of the congregations (aulotu). Some are assuming the tupulaga  and no longer convening what was the autalavou group.

The Rev Minister Leiite Setefano who is the current toeiina of the matagaluega spreached the Word of God which draws from the experience and the inspiration of many years in a multicultural multi generational ministries, that the love of God is unconditional. The encouraging words was not only for the adults there at the service to see their leadership as pertinent in developing young lives into the faith but also to consider seriously the calling into ordained ministry.

The Tamaki and Onehunga choirs were just as inspiring in the hymns that they prepared for the service. There is alway pride that goes hand in hand with the each congregation if they were to sing well and to dress up well. The uniforms of the three Choirs were worthy of the Glory of God that was experienced on the day.

The after match function was really not an aftermatch function at all. It was an intergral part of the service, where feasting and hospitality next to none was shared and warmly received by the whole community of God.

Faafetau lava Samoa, for the host Parish has done a marvelous job, and in response, we, the visitors quickly became kings and queens of the day.

The youth leaders for the Tamaki PIC and the matagaluega Meauli spoke with words of encouragement and a reminder of the work necessary to bring about the spiritual leaders in the Church. Rev Don Ikitoelagi shared something of his role as the Pasifika Misionare and encouraging the young to adopt the pieoneering spirits of our forebears in spreading the Gospel, planting churches and evangelising the poor and meek in spirit.
Rev Makesi  Alatimu spoke of his role as convenor of the Fono Samoa working group the tupulaga committee. He also elaborated the special needs of the youth of today and how their working committee are working out what is the best approach in providing leadership for youth of the Fono Samoa.

I shared  a moment with Eriko a student currently completing an undergraduate degree in Theology. He is currently being considered as a ministry student for ministry in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa NZ. He is of great spirit, with his heart squarely in the right place and that is to serve God in ordained ministry.

I also met with Gary a second year student undertaking his internship in the Tamaki PIC Church under supervision by the Toeiina Rev Leite Setefano. Gary is excited to complete his training and to see what God has planned for him and his wife in terms of ministry.



NEWTON PIC
The toeiina Rev Mafala Koko invited me to the Autalavou/Tupulaga of the Central Region. (Newton PIC, NorthShore PIC and the Owairaka PIC churches.)

The service started with a fantastic Praise and Worship Team from Newton PIC. I found the bongos, sync well with the bass guitar in providing the beat and the uplifting spirit to the praise. The selction of hymns/songs were not exactly choruses yet they have the simple effect of carrying the rest of us in the congregation with the flow of the spirit of God and setting a comfortable direction of what was to come.
Thanks guys....
Each of the congregations brought a drama which illustrate in Samoan the gospel story for the congregation, and an emphasis on the young of the gathering. The themes of these dramas played with the journey of people being called, the temptations that are faced along the way, the justice issues and the Hippocratic elements in human nature that can become destructive in the life of those in church.

The message I found very pleasing to those in the congregation as it has an element of humor that is built up by Pacific Scenarios and real life situations. The theme standard of dress is white and white. A Very Samoan Gospel expression  which links us back to the ways in which we experience God in church and in culture.
The language used  in the service is clearly Samoan, which no doubt is nurtured at home and in the community.
The Message was preached by ................. a student undertaking an undergratuate degree in theology. His message was clearly one that challenges those in the special service. The necessary efforts that we are all called to be willing and commited to do in the discipleship journey. The preparation and the execution of clearly set out tasks in the ministry do require enthusiasm, honesty and grace.

The Rev Mafala Koko offered a clear and a well set out call for special ministries in the journey of God among the congregations, the Fono Samoa, the PI Synod, the aulotu Congregation and the individual.

An invitation to the feast and great hospitality was received by all, and I for one also enjoyed this expression of faith in a very Samoan Pasifika style.
Thank you Newton for the hospitality, and the matagaluega  for the celebration. A special thanks to a couple of friends ulu and Yvonne for your warm friendship. Rev Ned and Alice were also in the service, Talofa teiina Ned

The Rev Makesi Alatimu the convenor of the National Fono Samoa spokeof his role as well as encouraging words of this journey working among the young Pasifika young people in Aotearoa NZ. Rev Alatimu is also involved with the Komiti Moananui   representing the PCANZ in the Pacific Conference of Churches. He attended a youth conference that gathered to focus on the AIDS pandemicin the Pacific that calls for urgent astion. It is therefore great to see the young ministers involving on issues in the widest community.

The Preacher for the day brought the message home. In order to run a good race. we need to have the discipline to be ready, and be covered in the protection of God.

Rev Don Ikitoelagi
(Pasifika Misionare)