Church Talk
How to understand teenagers
Friday 29 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
In my home Ive got two teenagers, aged 15 and 17 years old. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to spend one on one time with my 15 year-old-son. My wife went across with the teachers of Papaaroa for a retreat on One Foot Island in Aitutaki, and my 17-year-old daughter attended an all teen […]
Marking arrival of Christianity
Friday 22 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
An open invitation is extended to everyone on the island, residents and visitors, to join the celebration of the arrival of Christianity to the island of Rarotonga. Monday will be the final public holiday to commemorate Rarotonga Gospel Day and everyone is invited to the National Auditorium for a morning of gospel and imene tuki […]
Never, never, never give up
Friday 22 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
When some of lifes challenges seem greater than our ability to overcome them, often words such as its too difficult; Im tired of trying; Im scared; I cant go on or I give up! either flash through our minds or roll off our lips. Have you ever been afraid and discouraged as youve faced a […]
New shepherd to guide Catholic flock
Monday 18 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
Hundreds of Catholic worshippers from across the Cook Islands and the Oceania region gathered at the St Josephs Cathedral in Avarua on Saturday for the ordination of the new Cook Islands Catholic shepherd Bishop Paul Donoghue. The special ceremony began with a traditional turou for Bishop Donoghue who was escorted into the church by a […]
Breakaway church opens new building
Friday 15 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
A breakaway Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church that has been meeting for six years finally has a place to call home. The Advent Truth Ministry which has a congregation of about 30 people have celebrated the opening of its Nikao building. It is registered as an incorporated society and its primary pastor is Urirau Aratangi, […]
New friends and fun at scout camp
Friday 15 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
The Matavera Sacred Heart Scout Troop and the Avarua Harbour Sea Scout Troop held a joint weekend camp at Te Uki Ou School grounds earlier this month. The group was treated to a movie night at the Empire Theatre to watch Transformers Part 3. Actually that was the only treat we had because on the […]
Racing towards the end times?
Friday 15 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
Hollywood has entertained us with many a movie depicting a cataclysmic end to humanity as we know it. There has been an increased interest in world events as it relates to end of the age predictions. Over the last few decades many individuals and religious groups have sought to predict the return of Christ and […]
Plenty of business for CICC assembly
Friday 8 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
The head office of the Cook Islands Christian Church in Takamoa is well into preparations for its 29th general assembly, scheduled for October 23 to 30. The biennial assembly has been held in Rarotonga for the past 30 years, but this year will be held outside of Rarotonga. The 2013 assembly has already been confirmed […]
Avoiding dangers in personal Christianity
Friday 8 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
Every religion has a certain amount of intellectual content which the follower of the religion presumably wants to get to know. But Christians face two specific dangers as they grapple with Christianitys doctrines. On the one hand, they often become unduly subjective. Christian teaching concerns the nature of God and what he has done for […]
Akairo ou no te au matara i Tepuka
Friday 1 July 2011 | Published in Church Talk
Kua raveia tetai akonoanga akatapuanga i te akairo o te au mataara i Tepuka Nikao i te popongi Varaire ra 10 no teia marama Tiunu ki roto i te hall o te Ekalesia Nikao. Kua riro rai e na te Orometua o te Ekalesia Nikao a Rev Tereora Tereora i rave i te akatapuanga. Kua […]
Church members off to Fiji
Friday 24 June 2011 | Published in Church Talk
About 45 members of the Apostolic Church of the Cook Islands this week travel to the 21st annual council which starts in Suva, Fiji on Monday and runs until July 3. This will be the third time Fiji will act as host, expecting around 700 members from all over the South Pacific, USA and India. […]
How we make the best choices
Friday 24 June 2011 | Published in Church Talk
We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families. Most of us have more things expected of us than we can possibly do. As breadwinners, as parents, as Church workers and members, we face […]
Students explain tenets of Judaism
Friday 17 June 2011 | Published in Church Talk
The Jewish-American students from Tarbut VTorah who have come to clean up Rarotonga have found islanders to be very accommodating and understanding of their faith. While Judaism is one of the worlds major religions, it is not prevalent in the Cook Islands. Yesterday two of the Tarbut VTorah students David Gindi and Alex Sable opened […]
Transforming our tight spots
Friday 17 June 2011 | Published in Church Talk
Im in a tight spot is a familiar phrase we often hear when people find themselves in a predicament. This is like having all four walls closing up on you. Its where problems press you down with only little space to breathe and no freedom to move or run. Here are some tight spots that […]
Activities mark Girls Brigade
Friday 10 June 2011 | Published in Church Talk
Girls Brigade companies on Rarotonga have been running community activities this week to commemorate the 46th year since the amalga- mation of the Girls Brigade movement. The Girls Brigade movement was formed in 1893 in Dublin, Ireland and the Girls Guildry was formed in 1900 in Scotland. The Girls Life Brigade was formed 1902 in […]
From stress to rest at work
Friday 10 June 2011 | Published in Church Talk
This is the second part in an article by Pastor Tevai Matapo. Our key scripture is found in Matthew 11.28-29: Then Jesus said, Come to Me all of you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, let Me teach you because I am humble […]
Hunger for a living relationship
Friday 3 June 2011 | Published in Church Talk
The world is facing huge challenges and undergoing rapid changes, with a lot more to come. Before the second coming of Jesus, Paul wrote describing the days that we would be living in as perilous and dangerous -2 Tim 3:1. Most nations have for a long time walked away from the principles of the Word […]
Feats of strength for Jesus
Friday 3 June 2011 | Published in Church Talk
Team Xtreme performs awe-inspiring feats at the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) centre two weekends back. The show featured strongman feats like the blowing up of hot-water bottles, tearing of phone books from Australia, breaking of flaming bricks and a fire knife final. Its overarching goal was to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through […]
Spirit of the living God
Friday 3 June 2011 | Published in Church Talk
This year Sunday June 12 is Pentecost Sunday, when we commemorate the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles and to the Church. One of the great gifts of the Spirit, and one that is much needed today, is the gift of self-acceptance. By his grace we are enabled, not to escape our humanness, […]
College commemorates Christian Brothers
Monday 30 May 2011 | Published in Church Talk
Nukutere College celebrated holy mass with the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the Christian Brothers dedication and service to the school, diocese and to the wider community. The image, which is above the plaque, is of Mary the mother of Jesus known as Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Christian Brothers throughout the world have […]