Ordination and a surprise

from w
Fiji Times reported an unusual incident at the Ordination Service on Sunday at Cententary Church. I asked Peceli about it, as he went to the Ordination, mainly to support his friend, the minister from Mali Island (and what a photo opportunity lost) and he said, yes, this happened. What a lovely symbol it was, I said. This homeless man who was originally from the Rakiraki area and is a well-known beggar on the streets of Suva joined the well-suited Ordinands at the front to take Communion. In my view, this is the point where the church should be - not about status, top of the table, loud preaching, but being alongside those who are poor and troubled. Jesus as mentor to people of faith certainly practiced such care for dissident and difficult people.

Beggar inspires new ministers
Monday, August 25, 2008

A homeless beggar who walked into the Methodist Church's ordination became the message to ministers yesterday.

Eneri, as he is commonly known in Suva, joined ordained ministers during the holy communion to the surprise of the worshippers.

Church assistant general secretary Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu said it was coincidence that a homeless man came into their midst.

"This is a lesson to us, ministers that we must always look after the poor and unfortunate in the society," he said

The homeless man who is originally from Ra, then sat with the newly ordained ministers and met worshippers when the service ended.

Meanwhile, the Navuloa Methodist Church choir was announced the winner for the annual choir competition which ended at Furnival Park on Saturday night.

A total of 43 choirs battled in the Class One category which saw the Nakasi-based choir emerge victors. Nadawa Methodist Church was announced the second place getter while Narere was third.

Church assistant general secretary Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu said a total of eight choirs received prizes from the competition. "It was a tough competition but Navuloa stood above the rest and was declared the winner," he said.

Last year's winner, the Centenary Church in central Suva, lost out in the competition.

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Also, I picked Navuloa -what I saw of them - as an outstanding choir. But the group that took my attention was of course the Hart Fellowship Choir, which I wrote about in a previous post.