CWM-TIM 2023

Talofa lava, E muamua lava ona si'i le viiga male faafetai ile Atua, ona o avanoa sa tuuina mai, tatou te mafutasi faatasi ai mole tasi vaiaso i Tuvalu, e ala ile fa'ataunuuina ose tasi o fonotaga taua e pei ona fa'aigoaina ole  CWM Youth Consultation on Ecology and Economy in the Pacific 2023.  E momoli atu foi le agaga faafetai ile Susuga ile Ta'ita'ifono, Sui Ta'ita'ifono, Failautusi Aoao aemaise le aufaigaluega Paia ile Ekalesia Kerisiano i Tuvalu ona ole tou agalelei e tusa ai male tausiaina o matou ao tatou mafuta faatasi ai. Faafetai, faafetai, faafetai tele lava mo mea uma. Ia alofa le Atua o faamnuiaga ma liligi fa'a ua ona manuia mo Tuvalu ma ona tagata. Special thanks to Rev Maluofenua and Faletua Fakalepa, elders, youths, and also the children. We want to express our deep gratitude to the Kavatoetoe Congregation for the incredible warmth and hospitality you've shown to us during our time there. We've been profoundly touched by the sen

 Tuvalu's very existence hangs in the balance as rising sea levels threaten to erase it from the world map. In the coming years, we will delve into the multifaceted challenges that Tuvalu confronts as a result of climate change. Throughout our one week spent in Tuvalu for this consultation, I have learned and examined the impacts of climate injustices on Tuvalu's environment, economy, and cultural heritage and explored the efforts of Tuvaluans to adapt and advocate for international action.  The consequences of rising sea levels extend far beyond the loss of land as experienced. The Tuvaluans, just like any other Pacific Island Nation are heavily dependent on their environment for their livelihoods, with fishing and agriculture being primary sources of income. However, Tuvalu is on the frontline of the climate crisis, facing a multitude of challenges ranging from existential threats to physical existence to disruptions in its economy, environment, and, culture. These effects hi

Art has been used throughout history to communicate and express religious beliefs, and its application to Bible Studies can enable us to enhance our knowledge and learning experience whilst deepening our spritual connection. Visual representation allow us to to have a deeper understanding of stories. Using arts connect us to having emotions, and in turn we have emotional struggled and triumphs of the characters in the Bible. Singing and dancing evoke strong emotions, inviting us to think about our traditions and customs and how we can use them to share the gospel. Hearing different songs from different countries and experiencing different ways to pray opened my mind to understand that there are many ways to share the word of the Lord. Doing Godly play on the other side was a new experience for me. It creates a nurturing and respectful environment for individuals to explore and experience their faith and spirituality. Reminded me of how my Grandparents and parents used to do our story t

  ü   [Editorial Note: This is a beautiful prophetic piece about possibilities and a woman's dream to serve her Church with integrity long-term. It is also a story that has not yet come to pass. Our prayer is this: Grant wisdom and grace between people of goodwill, so that they might know how and when to act in service to You, dear God. Grant that there may be signs of encouragement for faithfulness and compassion when there is anxiety or struggle. Bring peace and blessing! Amen] I wrote a story on the inadequate knowledge of our communities and churches on reading scriptures,  not an excuse for women not to be ordained. Titled : Ordaining of Women is possible. Once upon a time, in a remote Pacific Island namely Samoa, a profound belief system governed the lives of its people. This island nation had a rich cultural heritage, deeply rooted in tradition and customs that had been passed down through generations. Within this traditional society, roles were clearly defined. Men we

In this journey I have learned that Jesus Christ has been portrayed as supreme white male with an image of patriarch which is an colonial invention and imagining of Christ. This image and understanding of Christ has been injected into the minds of Asian Christians by western missionaries. But, many times this imperial westernized colonial image of Christ became an exclusive one which is not been able to own by diverse communities who are the victims of colonialism.   But in reality Christ is Asian who is born in a middle class family at Palestine. Christ is a pro- feminist one who really empathetic and understands the pains and sufferings of women. Jesus attitude has a radical shift from his own contemporary times, he goes beyond the purity codes and discussed deep divine theological aspects with a untouchable Samaritan women. The image of Christ has to be re-imagined according to our own context, then he becomes relevant to our struggles in the community.  According to the Indian Cont

Ecology is one of the focus areas in this journey, which once again has provoked me and reminded me of the inter-conceitedness and inter-relatedness that we have within the creation. If one part of the body suffers the whole body suffers similarly if the one part/ species suffers then it endangers the stability and sustenance of the other parts of the creation.  I learned that this earth has its intrinsic worth and value on its own which must be looked as subject rather than an mere object, only then we can hear the voice of this earth and its agony. We as humans have ignored the atrocities that we have committed against this whole creation - through our greed of exploitation and plundering of all natural resources we disturbed the whole beauty of creation.  We as whole human community and specifically as faith community/churches have the responsibility to protect and safeguard the entire creation. Educating, empowering and bringing awareness among the faith community and society at la