Service for the WORLD DAY OF PRAYER will start at 2pm.  Refreshments will be served following the service.  The Women of the Cook Islands have provided the resources for this years service.

Cook Islands

“Wonderfully Made” (Tarani Napa and Tevairangi Napa)

Artist statement: Tarani Napa and Tevairangi Napa, a mother and daughter duo, created this year’s artwork. They share the vision they had for their composition based on Psalm 139:14: ‘I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made’.

“Our Heavenly Father blessed our islands of the sea. From the northern islands across the ocean to the southern islands, the golden sun shines through the clear blue skies and birds freely fly. From the bright, white sandy shores all the way to the highest mountain top our islands are abundant with fresh produce and colourful flora and fauna. The lagoons and oceans are bountiful with sea life, fish and gems (like black pearls), which link us to the world.

On each island the mighty coconut tree stands tall, a symbol of strength and goodness. The coconut tree provides for our health and wellbeing. We have discovered how to use every part, from the fronds to the very deep roots for food, drink, medicine, shelter and much more. The coconut tree is essential to our survival and is the tree of life for our people.

We are grateful for the arrival of Christianity to our shores 200 years ago. The gospel of Jesus Christ brought hope, peace and light. In time, our cultures have interwoven with Christianity, and the blessings are evident today. As guardians and caretakers of God’s marvellous works, we always treasure these words, ‘I made you wonderful’.

Our women play a vital role in keeping our heritage and traditions alive. They are the keepers of talents, teachers and mentors. From mothers to daughters, the cycle of life, faith and love continues here on our islands of paradise. We show our respect and love for God and for one another in harmonies of song and prayer. Our precious Tivaevae quilts represent patience, love and unity. We honour God’s love and mercy with hats we wear to church, woven by skillful loving hands from the strands of rito, the young coconut leaf. We adorn ourselves with sweet scented Tiare tropical flowers, made into crowns and garlands. From the heart, we teach and nurture our beloved children, the younger generation, our future.

At the closing of a gathering, our Tongareva elders always say these powerful words of encouragement: ‘Kia mau te serenga! Kia mau te napena! Kia mau!’ This means ‘hold on tight to who you are, in all aspects of your existence!’ We are wonderfully made by God, and we should cherish all the aspects of who we are!”

EVERYONE WELCOME