Press Release87th General Conference Siasi Uēsiliana Tau‘atāina ‘o Tonga Nuku’alofa, Tonga June 24, 2010 English statement:
The Methodist Church in Tonga (Siasi Uēsiliana Tau‘atāina ‘o Tonga, abbr. SUTT) affirms the agency and gifts of women, and calls for responsible practices in response to the challenges of global warming.
The 87th General Conference of the SUTT began its annual gatherings at the Falelotu Senituli in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, on the afternoon of June 23, by welcoming the Members of the conference and the reelection of Rev. Dr. ‘Ahio as President of the church, and Rev. Dr. Tevita K. Havea as the General Secretary. Earlier in the same day, Queen Halaevalu Mata‘aho and members of the General Conference celebrated the 20th
anniversary of the ordination of the first woman minister (Rev. Dr. Sela Taufatofua Manu, at Pangai, Ha’apai, on May 06, 1990), and the devotion of fourteen other women who have joined the ministry in the SUTT.
The celebration included the launching of two books:
- Kaunanga: Women Ministers in the Ministry of Serving (ed. ‘Asinate F. Samate, Taulua Press, 2010)
- Voices of Tongan Women: Theological Reflections. Women Doing Theology in Oceania (ed. Marlene Wilkinson, Quality Print Ltd., 2010).
The 87th General Conference calls on all Tongans to sincerely embrace and sustain the place, rights and tenacity of women in homes, in churches, and in the society. We as Tongans need to be open and inclusive when it comes to matters of representation, policies and practices.
The 87th General Conference marks its commitment to raising awareness about the effects of global warming, and calls for more responsible practices (such as reducing paper wastage at this year’s conference). This commitment is fueled by the memory of the victims of the “Pacific Tsunami” that hit the northern island of Niua Toputapu, as well as Samoa, in September 2009, and in solidarity with fellow humans beyond the shores of Tonga who have suffered the loss of homes and families because of ecological crises.
The 87th General Conference reminds all members of the SUTT, in Tonga and in the Pacific Diaspora, of the discipleship of solidarity with victims of environmental, cultural, ecclesial and political crises.
Tongan statement:
‘Oku hākeaki‘i ‘e he Siasi Uēsiliana Tau‘atāina ‘o Tonga ‘a e lavame‘a mo e koloa ‘o fafine, pea faka‘ai‘ai e tō‘onga fakapotopoto ‘i he ngaahi ‘aho ko eni ‘oku mo‘oni ai e lea Tonga, Ka ai ha ‘ofa pea tali ki ‘Uluenga. Ko e ngaahi ‘aho eni kuo ‘Uluenga ai ‘a e kolope (global warming).
Na‘e kamata e Konifelenisi Kakato hono 87 ‘a e SUTT ‘i he Falelotu Senituli, Nuku‘alofa, ‘i he efiafi ‘o Siune 23, ‘aki hono talitali e kau Fakafofonga ki he Konifelenisi, mo hono to e ui ‘o Rev. Dr. ‘Ahio ko e Palesiteni ‘o e Siasi, mo Rev. Dr. Tevita K. Havea ke Sekelitali ki he Konifelenisi. ‘I he pongipongi tatau, ne fakafeta‘ia ai ‘e Kuini Halaevalu Mata‘aho mo e kau Fakafofonga Konifelenisi ‘a e kakato e ta‘u ‘e uongofulu talu mei hono fakanofo e ‘uluaki Faifekau fefine (Rev. Dr. Sela Taufatofua Manu, ‘i Pangai, Ha‘apai, ‘i Mē 06, 1990), pea mo e kau fafine ‘e hongofulu-mā-fā kuo pole ke ngāue fakafaifekau ma‘a e Konifelenisi.
Na‘e kau ‘i he fakafeta‘i ni ‘a hono momoi e ongo tohi ‘e ua:
- Kaunanga: Women Ministers in the Ministry of Serving (ed. ‘Asinate F. Samate, Taulua, 2010)
- Voices of Tongan Women: Theological Reflections. Women Doing Theology in Oceania (ed. Marlene Wilkinson, Quality Print Ltd., 2010).
‘Oku uki ‘e he Konifelenisi 87 ‘a e Tonga kotoa ke faka‘apa‘apa‘i mo malu‘i ‘a e tu‘unga, totonu mo e ‘osikiavelenga ‘a fafine ‘i he ngaahi ‘api, siasi, pea mo e sōsaiete. Pea ke e‘a eni ‘i he potutpotu tatau ‘o e fili e kau fakafofonga, leva‘i e ngaahi tu‘utu‘uni mo e fakahoko e ngaahi fatongia.
‘Oku ofongi ‘e he Konifelenisi 87 ‘a e kakai ‘o e SUTT ki he ngaahi faingata‘a koe‘uhi ko e masivesiva ‘oku hoko ‘i he kolope, pea faka‘ai‘ai ‘a e tō‘onga fakapotopoto (hangē ko hono holoki e maumau‘i ‘o e pepa ‘i he‘ene ngaahi fakataha‘anga). ‘Oku fai eni mo e faka‘apa‘apa kiate kinautolu ne lavea ‘i he Peau ne hake ‘i Niua Toputapu, mo Ha‘amoa, ‘i Sepitema 2009, pea ‘i he kautaha mo si‘i kaungāmo‘ui he ngaahi fonua muli kuo paea koe‘uhi ko e ‘auhia honau ngaahi ‘api mo honau ngaahi fāmili koe‘uhi ko e ngaahi faingata‘a fakaenatula.
‘Oku fakamanatu ‘e he Konifelenisi 87 ki he kau mēmipa e SUTT, ‘i Tonga mo e ‘otu muli, ‘a e tāpuaki ‘o e fakatautehina mo si‘i kau paea koe‘uhi ko e ngaahi faingata‘a ‘i natula, anga fakafonua, siasi mo e sōsaiete.
Contact:
Tevita K. Havea On behalf of the 87th General Conference Siasi Uēsiliana Tau‘atāina ‘o Tonga +676 23 522 (office) +676 77 37 507 (mob)
