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Celebrating membership in the South Pacific
In September 2019 a Commissioning Service was held at the home of Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita in Tonga to be commissioned Patron for Polynesia Diocese. Tonga is part of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia and is in Zone C of Mothers’ Union.
01 Sep 2019
Twenty Years ago Lady Christine Emms, then Central President of Mothers’ Union visited Tonga and Commissioned the Princess’s mother the Queen to be patron of Polynesia. After her Mother died the Princess was asked if she would like to take on her mother’s patronage to which she answered in the affirmative, and said she was delighted to be asked. Joan Neild, Provincial President of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia Commissioned Her Majesty. Joan recently shared her experience: “Her Majesty The Princess was very humble and serious, and told me she was honoured to take over the role which her mother held previously. We then, accompanied by some members later in the evening went out for dinner with Her Majesty. Margaret Wilson and myself, sat with the Mothers’ Union Chaplain Archdeacon Emeritus Colleen Cowley and her Majesty Princess Pilolevu. What a thrill. The Tongan people are fiercely proud of their Royal family, and it will be very encouraging to their people.” Also at that ceremony Archdeacon Colleen Cowley was appointed the Mothers’ Union Chaplain.
Also during September and October, when the Province of Melanesia celebrated their 100th Mothers’ Union Anniversary, they also celebrated the enrolling of the first Male Mother’s Union member in the Province. The former Archbishop and now Governor General The Right Reverend Sir David Vunagi. The Governor General and his Wife, Lady Mary Vunagi were very gracious and hosted a dinner at Government House in Honiara for all visiting Zone C Provincial Presidents, guests and long serving MU members. During this time Sir David was asked to be enrolled by Libbie Crossman, Zone C Trustee. The enrolment was met by cheering from all the members present, and again when it was announced to all 2000 members that attended the celebrations.
