Children colour Palm Sunday
Just as Christians in the country and around the world marked Palm Sunday yesterday, children of Caqiri/Nasole Methodist Church, coloured their church in white.
During Palm Sunday, the children led the service. Inoke Rabonu
Palm Sunday was celebrated yesterday to commemorate the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem before his crucifixion on Mount Calvary.
For the Methodist Church in Fiji, it was a moment to reflect on the important role the family plays in the upbringing of a child to be a responsible human being.
General secretary of the Methodist Church in Fiji Reverend Iliesa Naivalu said the theme for this year’s Palm Sunday was Family and Evangelising Children. “Today the children took on the stage to preach on family values, the importance of raising a family the right and Godly way,” he said. “For the Methodist Church, the theme aims to evangelise parents, to know their responsibilities, and train up their children, sons, and daughters to become obedient and agents of change in our communities.
“There are social issues that we hear about every day and we urge parents to start from the family, teach your children what is right. “We know that times are hard but when we see the children we are encouraged to work more on their protection and safe upbringing.” For Caqiri/Nasole Methodist Church Sunday School, close to 100 children stood boldly to preach, recite bible verses, and perform a drama to their parents in a full packed church.
Sunday School Ministry leader Mere Nasau said the children led the three services on the day.
“We focused on family and how important it was that we evangelise our children beginning from the home,” she said.
“It happens once in a year and I was emotional to note that the children had executed their tasks well this year.”
The Head of the Catholic Church in Fiji Archbishop Peter Loy Chong said Palm Sunday should be about love and sharing acts of peace by looking out for one another and bringing life and joy to others around us.
In Labasa, Peceliema Methodist Church member, Kalisita Naceba stated the importance of parent’s roles in their children’s lives was the main message that was shared throughout the week leading up to Palm Sunday.
“There are a lot of challenges that we face in this world,” the motherof-three children said.
“Parents should know that they should start caring and nurture their child the moment they conceived.
“Children are a blessing from God and they’re designed and wonderfully made for a purpose with their God given talents that we as parents need to nurture and uplift.”