Church to Conclude Golden Jubilee Celebrations with Baker Church Opening and Launch of Connexional Plan Suva, Fiji 29th September, 2014 As we approach the conclusion of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations for the Methodist Church in Fiji, we are happy to announce that the restored Baker Memorial Church will be dedicated in a special worship service on Friday 10th October, 2014 – one hundred and one years, to the week, after its opening. As part of the dedication of what was once known as Baker Hall, into Baker Memorial Church, the Methodist Church in Fiji will officially launch its connexional plan and vision for the next 50 years. The Connexional Plan is based on the 12 Pillars of the Church endorsed as a way forward during the difficulties we faced over the past years. For the benefit of those who may not know, the 12 Pillars of the Church are: 1. Salvation Of People 2. The Family 3. Education 4. Constant Nurturing Of The People’s Faith 5. Renewal Of Worship & Stewardship 6. City Mission & Social Services 7. Constant In-Service Training Of Our Church Workers 8. Preparation Of Our Future Church Leaders 9. Evangelisation Of The Non-Christian Segment Of Our Society 10. Inter-Church And Inter-Faith Relationships 11. Development Of Our Church Property (Land & Building) 12. Christian Stewardship And Other Creations The Connexional Plan of the Church is based on these 12 Pillars and 8 Key Strategic Areas, that the Methodist Church in Fiji is committed to addressing over the next 5 years. These are: 1. Salvation of souls of members 2. Ensure sustainable performance and growth of the Methodist Church’s Assets 3. Environmental Stewardship – the wise, Godly and sustainable use of our national resources 4. Family Counselling and Enrichment 5. Healing of the Nation through Strengthening Intra-Church, Inter-Church and Inter-Religious Relationships 6. Worship Renewal and Revival 7. Human Capital Development of the Church 8. Finance, Management and Administration On Saturday 11th October, attention will shift to Viwa Island where a new prayer chapel, built on the very spot where celebrated missionary, Rev. John Hunt used to pray, will be dedicated. Our Golden Jubilee Celebrations will conclude on the 12th of October with the celebration of the 179th Anniversary of “Na Cabe Ni Lotu” – the beginning of Methodist mission in Fiji – when on the 12th of October, 1835, Revs Cross and Cargill, their brave and resourceful wives and local missionaries arrived in Lakeba, to bringing with them a message of hope, of love, of peace and of eternal life through Christ Jesus. These missionaries and those like them from other Christian communities set the foundation for the modern Fiji, codifying the i-Taukei language, establishing schools and vocational institutions and speaking out against the exploitation of the indigenous, the indentured and the migrant communities whose descendants call Fiji home. Our choosing of these dates to conclude our celebrations was done out of a desire to mark these significant dates in the history of our community, which is part of the history of our nation. That these dates also coincide with the first celebration of Fiji’s Independence in a democracy for almost a decade is a reminder to us that the Methodist Church is historically part and parcel with the development of our nation and a way to recommit the Church to working as an institution but more importantly as a community of faith to transforming Fiji into a peaceful, just and compassionate society. ENDS.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 05:29:34 +0000
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