The four-day commemoration of Piula Tuai concluded on Monday after a successful four-day fellowship and reunion.  

Piula Tuai is an annual event hosted by the Methodist Church of Samoa, for all former students of the Piula Theological College in Samoa and around the world, who are serving as church ministers. 

The commemoration celebrates and brings together church ministers to unite for peace and the betterment of the church going forward. 

The Methodist Church of Samoa Secretary, Reverend Dr Eteuati Tuioti, told the Samoa Observer that the commemoration was a great fellowship despite the absence of overseas church ministers and their wives due to the closure of international borders. 

"It was a good get together to fellowship, talk, and prepare for this new year we are about to go through," Rev. Etuati said. "What we couldn’t have this year was our brothers from overseas but we have still gone through with our annual program.

"We are grateful to God that Samoa is still safe from the pandemic which has enabled us to carry on with Piula Tuai."

Rev. Eteuati said that they were able to reflect on the past years and encourage each other for the new year.

"We reflected on the past year's work and looked ahead to the work to be done for this year. We advised, and encouraged each other to keep on and keep up the work we’re called to do.

"This year was a good fellowship for all the old Piula students to reminisce about when they were students back at the theological college and just share amongst themselves." 

The Piula Tuai commenced on Friday with church ministers and their wives concluding their fasting as part of the prayer and fasting week before the four-day celebration began. 

Rev. Eteuati added that they were able to discuss what the Piula Theological College needed to do to improve their facilities based on a request by the principal. 

"It would also be a way for us the old students to discuss and request given by the theological college on things they need. 

“And so provide assistance, like this year, the theological college requested for assistance to improve the library and we provided financial assistance for the improvement of the library.”

Methodist church ministers and their wives around the globe, who were not able to travel to Samoa for the Piula Tuai due to COVID-19, had their own commemoration.