Fono Samoa Tupulaga Conference Part 1

Thursday the 9th of December saw a keen group of Fono Samoa Tupulaga arrive at the Blockhouse Bay Scouts Campsite. The perfect setting to be away from the normal hustle and bustle of daily life. A place to retreat and reflect on the year that's been.

For this particular conference it was very the first time for Samoan Youth leaders (also those potential leaders) to come together. It was a weekend of sharing and learning for all. A range of keynote speakers and workshop tutors taught and shared on Godly principles that are beneficial for the growing leader.

The movies posted here will show you only some of the activities we took part in. To help tell the whole story - leave a comment to share your experience or the highlights you had from the conference.

Tupulaga Conference is on this week!

It's on this week Tupulaga. Our first every National Tupulaga Conference is on! Thursday the 9th to Saturday 11th December at the Motu Moana Scouts camp in Blockhouse Bay. The perfect spot to retreat and reflect on the year that's been and what we might move into for the next leg of the race.

Specialist speakers have been invited to come and share with the leaders and campers who will be present in the three following areas: Leadership, music and sport.

The actual programme to this conference will be found at the Presbyterian Youth Ministry page. Please check it and find out for yourself what's on offer this coming weekend.

If you are already in Auckland and are wishing to attend, please talk with you leader about it today.
God keep and bless you all. See you soon.

Your National Tupulaga Rep. Komiki

Tupulaga Conference

Talofa Tupulaga! Trust that you have enjoyed your White Sunday and now look forward to the rest of the year leading up to Christmas.

If you didn't already know...our Tupulaga are having a conference next month. The dates are the 9th - 11th of December. It is geared towards Tupulaga 15 years and older who are keen to find out more about leading in different areas. The areas that are being catered for via workshops this weekend are a.Music b.Sport c.Leadership.

The conference is being held in Auckland. Your leaders will be receiving the final programme in the next 2 weeks. If you need to find out more you are welcome to email tupulagapipc@gmail.com.

We understand that this is a very busy time of the year and it being our first ever conference it is of a small scale - but still a start of greater things to come. Please continue to pray for our whole Tupulaga as the conference draws nearer. Also pray for our brothers and sisters from Saute who are preparing to host us at next year's fono.

God's abundant blessing be yours. God willing we will see some of you at the upcoming conference if not - Fono 2011.

Ia soifua ona o Iesu.

Tua's thoughts on the PIPC Ta'aloga...

A topic of huge interest when this blog was first launched was our PIPC taaloga rounds. For a number of years, murmurs all around have been made about the days that were, how it would be good to start up again, to maybe spread them out a bit or just to simply have them back. If you remember the Matu team got it rolling and hosted a round of games this year. David Tua here reflects on his feelings and experiences of the games. He has even offered his support in running them when we need. Check out what he says.

Tua Man Part 1

Apologies troops for taking so long to post more from the Fono. Here's part 1 of our interview with David Tua - Tua Man - The Terminator! Re-live the experience you had that night. Part 2 on it's way.

YOU'RE INVITED!

Talofa my friends,
This is a promotion for a massive night of worship and fellowship.
Host: Devoted 8:28 - Avondale PIC Youth.
When: Sunday 30th May 2010.
Time: 6.30pm – 8pm + supper

You are all invited to make night of it with your youth groups and come out to connect with your Westie brothers and sisters in Christ.
(If you want to participate do let me know before Fri 14th to fit you in our already exciting program! Even if your youth groups cannot make it would love to see your leaders etc…).

Your West-side sis,
Mandy.

Please email Mandy Siitia if you would like to attend, perform or simply say hi! mandy.siitia@gmail.com

Let's get in behind our brothers and sisters and support this exciting night of fellowship. Thanks Avondale PIPC for this invite.

Tupulaga Friday Photo Album

Thank you message...

Kia ora to you all in the name of our precious Lord. God is good all the time! It's been such an uplifting read through all the comments left on the posts here. I agree with you all. God's name be honoured and praised for all that we received during the 3 days of our Fono. We only make the plans - he fulfills them...and even then he actually master minded the plans that we think are ours! Thank you Lord.

Bless you all so much for the hugely positive and encouraging comments you've posted here. Our people from Sasa'e are certainly reading your comments, I think they might be a little shy - or maybe they are still catching up on rest : ) or are overwhelmed with how awesome you all were!

We had the opportunity to show on our big screen some of your comments, our group had smiles from ear to ear and were happy to read them. It's brought to light how God makes use of every single being that's willing. While we have received so many compliments, we know without a doubt that you all were part of making this Fono special. From the organising side of things, you made our job so much easier. Your eagerness to follow our lead was outstanding. Your support and acceptance of our programme was heart warming. Bless you!

Thanks also to all those who have hosted Fono's of the past. I hope you were able to see how we included your great ideas in this year's programme. For example - the group song during our Tupulaga led devotion, Samoan songs of praise from Ueligitone Fono years ago, uniforms for hosts from all of you, speakers to support theme Matu Fono, rego packs/bags etc. God puts to use our experiences of the past and present to strengthen our future together. Thank you Jesus! Then we have our pioneers of PIC and FLEP who are all linked to us via PIPC, then David Tua - oka! God you made sure our 'Cups runneth over'.

Praying that we don't leave it here, that we take these blessing that are overflowing and give to our brothers and sisters who need these blessings too.

God bless and keep you always in his steadfast care.
Lots of love and respect for you all - precious children of God.

Ia tumau pea le Atua i lo tatou va, ma ia maua e i tatou le malosi e 'Finau pea, aua ne'i tatou fiu gofie'.

Ia soifua ona o Iesu.

Andrea (Aukilani i Sasa'e, Tamaki)

(If you would like to post on this blog - a group/individual reflection etc, please send your post via email to the address, tupulagapipc@gmail.com, we will publish them here for you)

Youth Rally Bits...

More to come family. Bless others just as you have been richly blessed. God be praised for the talents and gifts within our Tupulaga. Not for us to boast about but to share with those God has called us to serve.

Green grass grows

Talofa lava! Hope the green grass is growing all around - all around!

We pray that you are being richly blessed by all the beautiful and uplifting comments being posted by our PIPC family around the globe! We are nothing short of blessed to be able to share what we can via this blog. To our families abroad, it brings tears to our eyes to read your comments and words of encouragement. We pray that you are carrying on the PIPC legacy through Christ's strength wherever you are in the world.

We've got a short clip here for you from our Youth Rally night - green grass grows...See if you can spot yourself! Our AV team are currently working on a DVD. As soon as we are ready to publish - we will be sure to let you know!

In the meantime we will try to post short clips every week until the DVD is complete. Don't forget you can become a follower (look down right of window). This way you will be notified whenever we update the blog.

Thank you sponsors...

Special thanks to our sponsors and supporters!

We would also like to thank and acknowledge the following people and organisations who have generously given in support of the Tupulaga programme for Fono Samoa 2010.

The Project - Pacific Island Safety and Prevention Project (Peseta Betty Sio and team)

FLEP - Family Life Education Pasefika (William Pua and team)

David Tua and family

Taro Pages Ltd - Lui Tusani

Youthtown - Miss Taulua

Manukau Institute of Technology - Sina Aiolupotea-Aiono

Air New Zealand - Fa"avae Gagamoe

Niu development inc. - Tupe Taisalika

Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs – Mark Dean Westerlund

Radio Samoa - Ane Ponifasio

Samoa Times – Ane Ponifasio

POSM - Parents of School Manurewa

Department of Building and Housing - Mene Setefano

Physio Rehab Group - Jordan Salesa & Karen Sutton

Labour Party

Repeka Lelaulu

Nick Bakulich - Funeral Director

Maluana Funeral Services

Tagata Pasifika

God bless and keep you. Your generous contributions towards the Tupulaga were received with gladness and joy, and helped make Fono Samoa 2010 a success!

It is our prayer that you, your workplaces and families will be blessed abundantly.

Ia soifua ona o Iesu.

Please support our sponsors who supported our Tupulaga programme for the Fono Samoa.

Fono Samoa 2010 - Finau aua le fiu!

Fono Samoa has come to an end today. We've been richly blessed with 3 days of wonderful opportunities to fellowship and learn about how tupulaga can persevere and not quit in today's world. Finau, aua le fiu Tupulaga! Thanks go out to all the leaders, tupulaga and organisations like FLEP, 'The Project', M.I.T and David Tua who presented and shared during our three days. All your messages about persevering and not quitting came through so clearly for us. Fa'afetai, fa'afetai lava, ia saga fa'amanuia atu le Atua ia te outou!

Tupulaga - it is the prayer of your leaders that this time next year, God willing we will be sharing our stories of perseverance at our next Fono.

This movie shows you only some of the fantastic experiences we shared during the 3 days of Fono. You are very welcome to post a comment and leave an encouraging message for your brothers and sisters. It's all part of helping one another to 'Finau, aua le fiu!'

Ua lata mai le taimi, ua lata mai le taimi!

Greetings to you the PIPC Tupulaga of Aotearoa! Things are getting busy all over the nation. It sure is getting exciting with all the talk we're hearing about practices and preparations not only from the host matagaluega but from all over the country!

As part of the preparations, most - if not Matagaluega have requested a guide to the size of Tamaki's stage area. If you're part of the tutoring or performing team, we hope this picture will help. If you have any queries regarding the Tupulaga programme in particular, please get your leaders to contact us - Matagaluega i Sasa'e team. We're here to help.

God bless you all as you prepare for our Fono. We're looking forward to catching up with you all very soon.

Ia saga fa'amanuia atu le Atua ia te outou - le Tupulaga Peleina ole PIPC.
Alofa tele - Matagaluega i Sasa'e

Preparing for the Fono

Greetings to you all in name of our Lord and Saviour. It's been uplifting to read and see all the positive interaction here. Our brothers and sisters from Aukilani i Sasa'e are so glad that they get to catch up here on the blog. This has made them even more eager to see you at the upcoming Fono. We've heard a number of you are already making plans and even practicing. Let's see what our family out in the east of Auckland have been up to!

Where is the Fono?

Hi there everybody. Exciting to read all the encouraging comments and posts here on the Tupulaga blog spot! We've a very short greeting from this year's fono hosts! We will bring you more as the Fono draws near. Be sure to watch this space!
God's abundant blessings.
Children of Tamaki - Aukilani i Sasa'e

Pass it on

Great feedback so far! Some of you taking the time to educate the younger generators in your reflections too! Even some of our grandparents have been on to visit and leave a positive comment! Keep them coming.

If you have suggestions you would like the group from Matu to note directly from you, you are welcome to send an email to tupulagapipc@gmail.com and we'll be sure to pass it on to the right people.
Also if you have any events you would like to share from your own parish or Matagaluega, you can send your story and pics through to the same address and we'll publish them here.

Remember our Lord in all you do, be it in your daily work places, schools, online...everywhere! God has called us to build one another up in His love - that means whenever and wherever we can - yes even on this blog! Keep it going team!
God bless and keep you all in His steadfast care.

Ta'aloga Tupulaga 2

More of the action! We didn't catch all of the closing speeches but here's a few points that were covered.
*importance of such events in the growth of parishes and the individual
*getting to know new members of the PIC
*fellowship not only on the sporting field but on the sidelines and waiting times in the sun and tents
*being aware of the huge - talented - unique body we have further than our own part of town
*networks and connecting to others - important part in attracting and nurturing God's children and youth
*the laughter which is good for the soul...and much more!

Leave a comment and add what you received during this weekend too!

Ta'aloga a le Tupulaga 1

Grey Lynn Park, Saturday 30th January - Monday 1st February 2010. Remember these dates! The PIPC Tupulaga and Autalavou groups from across Auckland met on the sporting field after many years apart.

Today was a fantastic end to what has been a historical and joyous occasion for PIPC parishes all around Auckland! Especially for all the Tupulaga and their families that attended.

Some teary eyed - nostalgic, joyful as the games unfolded. Some thinking back to the days that have passed at locations such as Pt England and Sacred Heart. Full parks of sporting teams taking their places on cricket pitches, volley courts, touch fields, athletics...our children experiencing for themselves what has been a passion of their parents, grandparents and church leaders of the past and present.

The soul was certainly warmed by the enthusiasm seen in all ages and teams during this long weekend. An obvious sign that this was something we've all been longing to have.

A heart felt note of thanks goes to the Matagaluega o Matu committees (North Shore, Owairaka and Newton) - who decided to get the ball rolling. God's name be praised and glorified in your efforts this weekend. We all loved what you provided for us. This is a historical event, one that will help us to continue growing towards Jesus who is the head of our fellowship. As Reverend Ma'afala shared, the real reason for our sporting fellowship is much more than sport. It's about 'Mafutaga', learning to love and grow together through the God given talents we have.

Congratulations to the many people who won awards during the prize giving. Also to all who attended, as the rep from Matu shared - it wouldn't have been successful without the support of all those present. Including our parents and grandparents who supported us all day.

May God grant us more opportunities as such. To Him be all glory - great things he hath done.

Please be sure to leave a comment to share how you found the two days of fellowship through Kilikiti, Volley and touch. Not to mention all the singing, dancing and laughing we had! We look forward to posting more from the Tupulaga of Aotearoa. God willing we will see you all again at the Fono Samoa in April.

God is good - ALL THE TIME!!