Hundreds of people from Samoa and overseas gathered at the Methodist Church compound in Faleula to officially open their annual conference this year which is a much anticipated event given the lockdowns.

Held at the main Methodist church in Faleula, the official opening started with a church service led by the Church President, Reverend Faulalo Leti Paaga who acknowledged all church members for their unwavering support of the church through the services they've offered through various positions in the church.

"This is a great opportunity to reminisce with hearts full of gratitude towards the Heavenly Father, for the selfless services that they (late church ministers and their wives) have offered to serve God and the church," he said.

"Not only that but also the church as a whole, regarding those who have passed on and those that have now been called to serve God and the church, the church thanks all the families for their support in offering their sons and daughters as servants for God through their callings in the church."

A special song was sung during the service dedicated to all late church ministers of the church who have passed away.

The official opening for the week-long conference concluded it' first day with exciting entertainment by American Samoa and Upolu i Sisifo synods in the evening which attracted a large crowd in the compound.

Since Samoa closed its international borders due to the pandemic lockdown, the church halted its' main activities such as entertainment during the conference as preventative measures.

This year, the heat has been brought back on stage with entertainment from the two selected synods highlighting the theme of the conference, "O oe lava lo'u Atua" (You are my God).

Meanwhile, the church conference this year will discuss usual matters pertaining to the church such as the appointment of its President (peresetene fa'a-agaaga), Secretary General, Treasurer, and board members for 2024-2025. The current president was elected last year to serve from 2023-2024.

It will also appoint new leaders for 17 of the church's synods in Samoa and across the globe, as well as appointing church ministers to their new callings either at village churches, as missionaries, Faleula compound, or to serve in schools.

Youth and congregational reports from each parishes of the church in several villages will also be discussed in this conference as well as the church's annual budget.

The spirit of the Methodist's annual conference this year initially commenced with a sports week two weeks ago before the women's annual conference which was also held at Faleula last week and closed on Saturday before the main conference.

This is the first time since the lockdown that the church has attracted members from overseas.