2005 Reflections on Lessons From My Parents Vavae and Avaia Toma
My parents Vavae and Avaia demonstrated a strong commitment to a faith in the Love of God through Jesus. Hence they commited their working lives to the work of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa as an expression of their Faith and Belief.
I remember my mother as very caring to her relatives. In her own quiet ways she would give whenever there was a need as in caring for someone sick, a funeral, a wedding or whatever she knew required her help and resources. To her own kids and grandkids, she was a first resource who gave of her time and her inner love sparingly. In her role as a wife of a Church Minister, she was a silent confident figure whose presence ensures any plans were carried out always with good results and to the satisfaction of all. She was a silent but reassuring figure behind my father in his Church role.
One memorable lesson I learned from my old man is the goal of ecumenism that he promoted in his work as Secretary of the Pacific churches. As a representative to the World Council of Churches and the Pacific churches "pacific ecumenism" became his central message. The establishment of the Pacific Council Of Churches in the 1960's and consequently the Pacific Theological College in Suva, Fiji, were beginning signposts towards ecumenism in the pacific islands. I believe that my father was extremely committed to his duties to promote this ecumenism as an expression of his faith in the ONE GOD as a true road to harmony and peace in the Pacific. I remember the close relations he had with his colleagues Dr Havea of Tonga and Rev. Tuilovoni of Fiji as they worked together towards ecumenism. Reverend Valamotu Palu, the current General Secretary of the Pacific Council of Churches paid special tribute to Vavae at his funeral. Rev Palu acknowledged Vavae as the pioneer of the ecumenical movement in the Pacific.
I remember my mother as very caring to her relatives. In her own quiet ways she would give whenever there was a need as in caring for someone sick, a funeral, a wedding or whatever she knew required her help and resources. To her own kids and grandkids, she was a first resource who gave of her time and her inner love sparingly. In her role as a wife of a Church Minister, she was a silent confident figure whose presence ensures any plans were carried out always with good results and to the satisfaction of all. She was a silent but reassuring figure behind my father in his Church role.
One memorable lesson I learned from my old man is the goal of ecumenism that he promoted in his work as Secretary of the Pacific churches. As a representative to the World Council of Churches and the Pacific churches "pacific ecumenism" became his central message. The establishment of the Pacific Council Of Churches in the 1960's and consequently the Pacific Theological College in Suva, Fiji, were beginning signposts towards ecumenism in the pacific islands. I believe that my father was extremely committed to his duties to promote this ecumenism as an expression of his faith in the ONE GOD as a true road to harmony and peace in the Pacific. I remember the close relations he had with his colleagues Dr Havea of Tonga and Rev. Tuilovoni of Fiji as they worked together towards ecumenism. Reverend Valamotu Palu, the current General Secretary of the Pacific Council of Churches paid special tribute to Vavae at his funeral. Rev Palu acknowledged Vavae as the pioneer of the ecumenical movement in the Pacific.
posted by Meripa Weir at 1:24 AM
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