United Church celebrates 50 years with national worship, service

The National Weekender

By LEMACH LAVARI

THE United Church of PNG celebrated its 50th anniversary with a national worship and celebration service in Port Moresby on Sunday.
The event was attended by United Church moderator Reverend Bernard Siai, British Methodist Church president Reverend Micky Youngson and Uniting Church in Australia representative Reverend John Mavor. Other distinguished guests included Deputy Speaker Jeffery Komal and Religion, Youth and Community Development Minister Soroi Eoe.
Eoe said the Government was fully supportive of the role churches play in the country’s social and spiritual development.
He said the Government was serious in helping fund church-run organisations that provide education and health services.
Eoe said his department will provide training for pastors and church workers so they can help in addressing social issues such and drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and gender-based violence.
He thanked missionaries who left their families in Europe and the Pacific to spread the Gospel of Jesus in Papua New Guinea.
Siai thanked God for those who were committed to the church’s progress. He urged the church leadership to focus on providing the right knowledge to people so they can overcome their challenges.
Siai said over the next 50 years, the church will help improve the lives of people.
The service also saw the presentation of the revised order of worship booklet for the church.
Youngson and Mavor also presented gifts to the church.
According to church leader Biango Buia, a book documenting the history of the church is likely to be launched by the end of the year.
The church held celebrations throughout the country from Jan 14 to 19. Buia said Jan 19 was significant because it was the date when the United Church was established at Ela Beach, Port Moresby, in 1968.
The national service was held at Sir John Guise Stadium’s indoor complex. Buia said the service was attended by 20 congregations in Port Moresby, and representatives from churches in Central, Milne Bay and other centres.