Pacific Island Presbyterians rejoiced today in Assembly's overwhelming support to grant presbytery status to the Pacific Island Synod.
More than 200 people from around the country travelled to General Assembly to to support the proposal.
The Synod now has status and powers equivalent to a presbytery, or Te Aka Puaho, and can govern and self manage its contribution to the life of the Church.
The Church's Pacific Island Congregations will be able to choose whether they will belong to the existing regional presbytery or the new Synod, and individuals may also choose to be members of the Synod, however ministers must be under that same court as their congregation.
In commending the proposal to Assembl, the Rev Asora Amosa used the metaphor of a mat with many strands - each strand being different and unique, but when woven together was strong and unified - to describe the relationship between the Pasific Island Synod and the Church.
Moderator of Te Aka Puaho the Rev Wayne Te Kaawa gave an emotional address to Assembly in support of the proposal to give the Synod Presbytery status.
He acknowledge the strong histporical links between Maori and Pasific peoples, saying "you are our tuakana, our elders.
We have been where you are right now; we have been looking for a place to stand in the Church. We stand in solidarity with you".
"to the people of Cook ISlands, Samoa, Tuvalu, Niue, Tokelau, welcome home. Welcome home to the home of your ancestors."
The decision to grant presbytery status was welcomed by the Church's Pacific Island congregations, with the Rev Ere Talagi-Ikitoelagi, Moderator of Pacific Island Synod, saying the move will strengthern the Synod's ability to resource the life, worship and mission of the Church.
Following the decision, moderators Wayne and Ray invited Ere to join them at the Moderator's table.
Following this offical report of this memorable event I would like to add my congratulations to Rev Doctor Graham Redding and the Assembly Committee with the work that has brought about this welcomed outcome. FAKAUE LAHIMAHAKI. (Thank You)
The General Assembly can be remembered by all those who attended, as office bearers, commissioners, associates, and observers as the Assembly that recieved over 200 Pacific Islanders from Wellington, Hastings, Tokoroa and Auckland to support the special report to the General Assembly to grant to the Pacific Island Synod a status of a Presbytery.
Here are some of the images that we will remember this occation by.
Group from Auckland.
Group Photos
More photographs of Assembly can be available from the Pasifika Misionare.
don.ikitoelagi@gmail.com
