United Methodists to look at Pacific Islanders
A member of a youth choir from First Tongan United Methodist Church in
Waimanalo, Hawaii, sings during an immigrants’ rights rally during the
2008 United Methodist General Conference. A UMNS file photo by Paul
Jeffrey. |
By Elliott Wright*
March 17, 2009 | NEW YORK (UMNS)
A study of United Methodist ministry needs and possibilities with
Pacific Islanders in the United States is being organized by the
denomination's mission agency.
The study will look at demographics and ministry priorities relating
to people whose ethnic roots are in the Pacific Islands, such as
Hawaii, Fiji, Guam, Samoa, and Tonga.
Bishop Mary Ann Swenson addresses the United
Methodist General Conference
in Fort Worth, Texas. A UMNS
file photo by Mike DuBose.
|
"This is a project whose time has come," said Bishop Mary Ann
Swenson of the California-Pacific Annual (regional) Conference in
welcoming the study plans. "Many Pacific Islanders come to this country
with strong Methodist DNA." Swenson's area covers large parts of the
Pacific, including Hawaii and Guam.
Tongans form the largest Pacific Islander groups within the United
States and the United Methodist denomination. There are 42 Tongan, six
Samoan, and smaller numbers of Fijian and Guamanian congregations in
the United States, according to the Rev. Nam-Jin Jun, who heads the
office for Asian American and Pacific Islander Ministries at the United
Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
A 10-member study committee is currently being organized. The
chairperson is the Rev. Eddie Kelemeni, pastor of the First United
Methodist Church of Honolulu, Hawaii. Kelemeni also leads the Pacific
Islander National Caucus of The United Methodist Church.
The caucus has repeatedly petitioned General Conference, the
denomination’s top legislative body, to set up a ministry plan for its
people in the United States, following a pattern in effect for
Hispanics/Latinos, Korean Americans, other Asian Americans, African
Americans, and Native Americans.
Last spring in Fort Worth, the 2008 General Conference approved a
Pacific Islander ministry study to begin in 2009, with a report to be
presented to the 2012 conference. The study process was assigned to
Global Ministries, which is also covering the costs budgeted at
$200,000.
"A national ministry plan may emerge from the study," said the Rev.
Jorge Domigues, a board executive. "We are pleased to be able to
represent the interests of Pacific Islanders within the church and to
contribute significantly to the ministry study."
Samoan
American youth learn about their heritage during the Samoan worship
service at Calvary United Methodist Church in Tacoma, Wash. A UMNS file
photo by Heidi Robinson.
|
The study will conduct research and investigate ministry needs of
the Pacific Islander communities, develop recommendations to address
those needs, and establish funding priorities for effective ministries.
"Pacific Islanders are people of faith and great generosity," said
Swenson. "Many who migrate to the U.S. were raised Methodist in Tonga,
Fiji, and Samoa, where British Methodist missionaries worked years ago.
They often understand what it means to be Wesleyan better than some of
us."
Global Ministries is consulting with the Pacific Islanders' caucus
in naming the members of the study committee. Kelemeni who is of Tongan
descent, leads the oldest Methodist church in Hawaii. First Church
Honolulu was established in 1855 under a royal charter issued by King
Kamehameha IV.
Demographic information on Pacific Islanders in the United States is
difficult to evaluate, since Pacific people are often combined with
statistics on Asians. The National Education Association reports
764,000 Pacific Islanders among, according to population size, Native
Hawaiians, Samoans, Guamanians, Tongans, Fijians, and Marshellese.
Pacific Islanders are generally more numerous on the West Coast, but
communities exist across the country.
That there should be more Tongan United Methodist congregations than
from the other groups is not surprising. Methodism has long been the
major Christian presence in the island nation, where it is still
considered the semi-official religion. Global Ministries has maintained
working relations with the autonomous Methodist churches of Tonga,
Fiji, and Samoa.
*Wright is the information officer of the Board of Global Ministries.
News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
Video Story
Samoan Church
Related Articles
Pacific Islanders fill pews to hear service in Samoan
United Methodist ethnic ministries seek $12.3 million
Tonga hosts first regional gathering of church partners
Resources
Board of Global Ministries
California-Pacific Annual Conference
Pacific Islanders Ministry Study |