Methodist Churches in Samoa and their affiliates around the world will hold a special service this Sunday to pray for an end to the measles epidemic.

Members of the church will not only offer their prayers, for an end to a health crisis that has already claimed over 40 lives, but also offer a financial donation called ‘Taulaga o le fetuao’, which means ‘free will offering’.

In addition to financial donations, 100 beds will also be given for use in the hospitals which are already overflowing with measles patients and their guardians.

Methodist Church President, Reverend Faulalo Leti, told the Samoa Observer that the special service and pledges will be done on Sunday, December 1.

He said the special service will be dedicated to families grieving the loss of loved ones and Samoa as a nation battling the measles crisis. 

“This Sunday is for every Methodist Church to pray as one not including the weekly services done to pray for measles,” he said.

For the offering, Methodist Church General Secretary, Reverend Dr. Eteuaiti Sili Leuo Eteuati said the normal offering collected is over $50,000 tala.

“But of course, we just finished our main financial offering of the year, so hopefully, let’s all pray that each church will donate more for our measles crisis,” he added. 

Reverend Faulalo Leti said the church initially planned a combined service for all the Methodist churches, but due to the state of emergency orders restricting public gatherings, all churches were advised to conduct their own services.

Due to every first Sunday of a month being the Methodist Church’s Faamanatuga (communion), the church hierarchy decided that it was a good opportunity for the service to be done.

“It’s also important for this special service to go together with the faamanatuga as we need to pray more for our grieving families and our country's state of emergency,” Rev. leti added.