E-NEWS FRIDAY 8TH MAY 2026
Talofa lava malo le tapua’i. Well, I’m back from holiday and bereavement leave. I had not anticipated being away for a whole month, but you never know what life is going to throw you when you least expect it.
Thank you all for your prayers, love, and support while I was in Samoa last week attending the funeral of my beloved Aunty Tili. Your kindness and care have meant a great deal to me and my family during this time.
Travelling to Samoa for my auntie’s funeral was not simply a matter of attending as a niece. I was also there as an ordained minister, and a woman at that, which is still something of a rarity within Samoa. Because I had packed for a holiday in Vietnam, I had not brought clothing appropriate for a state funeral in Samoa, let alone clerical attire. So almost immediately after arriving, I set about trying to organise a puletasi with a clerical-style top. In what felt like a small miracle, within 24 hours I stumbled across a friend’s material shop, and they just happened to have two seamstresses working there that day. One sewed me a black puletasi and the other a white one. They also made me a white stole after my friend back in New Zealand sent through a pattern for it. I was honoured to preach at my Aunties Memorial service on Wednesday before the State funeral on Thursday. It all came together in an amazing way I believe with a little nudge from Aunty Tili, and I must admit, it looked rather good on the day.
I arrived home absolutely jet-lagged and exhausted. Some of you know that I had a fall while in Vietnam and badly bruised my coccyx. About a week into the trip I was already struggling to sit for long periods of time, so you can imagine what the long-haul flights were like: Vietnam to Singapore, Singapore to Auckland, Auckland to Samoa, Samoa back to Auckland, and finally Auckland to Wellington. Every flight was extremely painful.
But despite the exhaustion and discomfort, it was important for me to be present with family, to honour Aunty Tili’s remarkable life, and to share in the stories, love, laughter, tears, and memories that surrounded her farewell.
NZRFU: Yesterday, I was honoured to lead the devotions for the Pacific Rugby Forum as we were invited to the table for the very first time by the New Zealand Rugby Football Union to be part of the AGM. The Signature Choir sang beautifully, I led the devotions, and Saveatama Eroni Clarke was our gracious host for the occasion. It was a significant and historic moment for Pacific peoples within New Zealand rugby. We now have two voting members within the NZRFU structure, as well as two Pacific representatives serving on the board. It was wonderful to witness the gifts, leadership, wisdom, and presence of our Pacific communities being recognised and welcomed at the decision-making table.
So, no rest for the wicked for me. It has simply been a matter of getting up and carrying on.
This Sunday, our theme comes from the words of Jesus in John’s Gospel: “I will not leave you orphaned.” The reflection is still very much a work in progress, and we shall see where the text takes us. But perhaps, after a season of travel, grief, exhaustion, reunion, and returning home, these words already carry a tenderness and promise that many of us may need to hear.
And finally, if any of you have ever suffered from a bruised coccyx before, I would genuinely be interested to know what helped you heal. At this stage I am open to remedies, cushions, stretches, and miracle cures. Feel free to send me an email with your suggestions and experiences. I would love to hear from you.
I look forward to seeing many of you again on Sunday.
Grace and peace.
Fei
You can read the full E-news here: https://mailchi.mp/eeb85e8bb87f/this-weeks-newsletter-from-st-andrews-on-the-terrace-10140516
