Elections expected for new president today
Any minister who has served for more than 10 years as an ordained minister is eligible to be elected president: Bhagwan
One of the anticipated items on the agenda for the annual Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma conference which opens today at the Centenary Church in Suva is the election of a new president.
The recent trend where the church general secretary was next in line to take over the position could be changed.
According to the Secretary for Communication and Overseas Mission Reverend James Bhagwan it depends entirely on the election. “Any minister who has served for more than 10 years as an ordained minister is eligible to be elected president,” Reverend Bhagwan said.
“It can be someone from the head office, an institution like Davuilevu or even from a circuit or division, such as a Superintendent Minister.”
Incumbent Reverend Tevita Banivanua, who will open the conference, will be stepping down after serving the mandatory maximum term of three years. Reverend Banivanua was elected at the 2014 annual conference and took up office on January 1, 2015. Reverend Bhagwan has completed his five-year term which will also see a new minister taking over the position.
The Lako Yani Vou Management Company tomorrow will be making a presentation to the church leaders followed by a delivery from the COP23 Presidency Secretariat on Wednesday and the Fiji Police Force on Friday. Meanwhile, the 60-member Sawani Methodist Church choir sang with gusto on Friday inspired by the provision of the new uniforms they were wearing.
The group sang during the Festival of Singing and Gift Giving at the Furnival Park in Suva which closed over the weekend making way for the conference proper. “When preparing for this annual conference some of the difficulties we faced was the lack of funds,” explained choirmaster Erami Bose. “But we thank the Almighty God for his blessings that we managed to have brand new uniforms.” The Sawani choir was one of the hundreds of choirs from the 58 divisions of the Methodist Church around the country and from overseas who performed for the thousands who flocked at the park for the annual event.
“The choir has been preparing for the annual conference since May just after the Rewa provincial meeting,” Mr Bose said.
“Every year we have been participating in the annual Methodist conference presenting the circuit of Vuna.
“Sawani villagers love singing and that’s one reason why we participate in this annual event.”
The visiting Meadowlands Fijian Church choir from Auckland New Zealand left over the weekend after taking part.
“The choir consists of 30 members, and 12 locals,” said choirmaster Sakiusa Vakasoqo.
“We arrived in the country on different dates and serving our God is what motivates us to come and participate in the annual event.
“This is our first year to participate in the annual conference and we are really blessed to be here.” He said many challenges were faced when serving God but with God by their side the choir could conquer anything.