The Methodist Church in Samoa honoured the lives and services of mothers of the church who've reached 70-years-old and above at the Foga'a Faleula on Monday. 

The special service was led by the President of the Methodist Church in Samoa, Reverend Faulalo Leti Paaga and was well attended by thousands of members of the Methodist Church in Samoa and abroad. 

The gathering is an annual service conducted by the church to acknowledge the services of those who have reached 70 years and are still serving not only the church but also the Au Uso Fealofani (Mothers Fellowship). 

The service on Monday also marked the beginning of the Methodist Church Women's Conference which precedes the church's annual conference. 

For the past two years, members of the church from abroad could not travel back home for the annual conference, due to the closure of Samoa's international borders as the COVID-19 pandemic spread.

Therefore, the service on Monday was even more special with mothers of the Au Uso Fealofani from overseas being able to join their sisters and mothers in Samoa for the occasion. 

Among those who were honoured by the church on Monday was a centenarian from one of the synods in Australia, Penina Aiolupotea. 

The President of the Methodist Church, Revered Faulalo spoke on behalf of the leadership of the church and commended the lives and services of the mothers who were honoured.

Reverend Faulalo said the thanksgiving service is a special way to acknowledge God's love and guidance upon the mothers of the church for their sacrifice, prayers, dedication and services.

He also paid tribute to the lives and services of their ancestors and those who have passed on for their dedication and sacrifice that helped developed the church to what it is today.

The service also brings the mothers of the church together, young and old, to worship and give thanks to God for his many blessings through the lives and services of the mothers of the church, according to Reverend Faulalo.

He then commended the services of all the mothers of the church and wished them well while urging them to continue to make good use of the strength and wisdom from God to serve his ministry. 

The service also honoured the service of the retired wives of church ministers who served the church in the different parishes in Samoa and abroad over the years.

Among those who were acknowledged on Monday was 70-year-old Ateliana Samia from Porirua, New Zealand. 

When asked how she felt after the services, an emotional Mrs. Samia said she was "grateful and humbled" by the acknowledgement.

She immediately thanked God for using them as tools for his ministries and for using their lives to serve the church. 

He then acknowledged the leadership of the Au Uso Fealofani as well as the Methodist church for recognising the contribution of women and members of the church. 

Being in Samoa, after two years, Mrs. Samia is a blessing and she was amazed with how the service was conducted and credited God for it. 

Mrs. Samia also used the opportunity to encourage young girls of the church to put God first in all they do and he will guide them through whatever they go through in life. 

Another grateful mother, Sueala Palemia from American Samoa expressed similar sentiments. 

Arriving in Samoa last week for the church's annual conference, Mrs Palemia fought to hold back tears when asked about she felt after being acknowledged for her service.

"I feel humbled and grateful," she told this newspaper. "This was a great way to reflect back on the sacrifices made by those who have passed on and paved the way for us as well as thinking about the many years God has blessed us with. 

"I know a lot of our mothers and sisters who have passed on did not reach this age and this recognition, so to say that we are blessed to be here today is an understatement. 

"All I can say is that I am grateful and we owe it all to God who has been with us through our journey.  

"I am grateful to be in Samoa for this year's annual conference and to receive this recognition as well as to meet my other sisters and mothers of the church."