First Samoan Pastor

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31498, 12 October 1967, Page 7

First Samoan Pastor

About 60 Samoans from the Samoan Church <rf Christchurch and other denominations, including Roman Catholic, Congregational and Methodists, attended the installation of the first pastor of the Samoan Church of Christchurch, the Rev, Sekone loans, in the Opawa Baptist Church on Saturday afternoon.

The service, which was in Samoan, was conducted by the Rev. S. leriko, of Auckland, the Rev. P. Leota, of Wellington, and Deacons from Christchurch. A number of visitors attended from other parts of New Zealand. Holy Communion was celebrated Lt the end of the service. ' Traditional island ceremonies were held for the installation of Mr loane and the day’s celebrations begain with kava ceremonies and a breakfast of native food in the Methodist Church hail in Sydenham. Celebrations continued after the service. These ineluded a Samoan feast, and a siva and fiafiia, a social function in Samoan costume with island dances.

Gifts including barrels of salted beef and boxes of tinned meat were presented to Mr loane and his family. The church which was established in Christchurch io April last had a congregation of about 12. The congregation has now grown to about 60 and it Is expected to continue growing quickly now that It has its own pastor. Previously a minister has come from Wellington once a month to conduct a service and others have been conducted by local deacons. Services will continue to ha held in the Opawa Baptist Church which has been used by the church Since its inception.

Crlckst Sstectsrs.—Messrs L. Miller (Wanganui) and B. V. Spooner (Napier) are new selectors tor the Central Districts Crlckst Association this season. Mr R. Frater (Nelson) is convener.