The Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) is the first and oldest church in the nation and this year the church is hosting its 34th General Assembly.

Hundreds of delegates and parishioners from Rarotonga, the Pa Enua, Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand rejoiced in the opening of their General Assembly on a glorious morning which was held at the Are Pure Ebenezera church in Ngatangiia yesterday.

The Boys Brigade and Girls Brigade played an active role during the opening parade for the invited guests and delegates to enter the church.

Their unique style of singing combines traditional and choir vocals to form distinctive island hymns.

The delegates are being accommodated at the six Ekalesia around the island - Avarua, Arorangi, Nikao, Titikaveka, Ngatangiia and Matavera.

During the General Assembly the 11 member Executive Council will be elected - these elections are held every four years.

The council oversees the implementation of its resolutions and the general management of the church from its headquarters in Takamoa.

The current council members are: president - Rev. Tuaine Ngametua, Legal Advisor - Junior Ngatokorua, Treasurer - Tangi Tereapii, Representative, Committee of ministers - Tinirau Soatini, Rarotonga CICC council representative - Vaka Ngaro, Southern Group Islands - Panu Rouru, Northern Group Islands - Makirere Poila, Principal, Takamoa Theological College - Rev. Tere Marsters,  New Zealand branches - Oirua Rasmussen, Australia branches - Mona Ioane, General Secretary - Nga Mataio.

Today and tomorrow the CICC workshops will be at Takamoa, on Wednesday the assembly will be held in Nikao, on Thursday in Arorangi and Friday in Titikaveka, Saturday is a leisure day for the delegates and the closing will be held at the Ngatangiia CICC church on Sunday.

The assembly will be conducted in Cook Islands Maori; however speakers may speak in English if they wish to.

There are 23 church branches in the Cook Islands, 26 in New Zealand and another 26 in Australia, they are looked after ordained ministers who were trained at the churches’ theological training institute at Takamoa.

The London Missionary Society (LMS) introduced Christianity into the nation in 1821.

In 1965, the LMS operations ended, which heralded the creation of the CICC.

It has a constitution passed by Parliament in 1968, which was updated in 2003.

The 34^th General Assembly was initially planned for October 2021 on the island of Aitutaki to coincide with their 200th anniversary of the Arrival of Christianity celebrations.

However, due to the Covid-19 Alert Level developments that year and the uncertain outlook for travel both locally and overseas, the CICC committee was compelled to cancel the event.

This month is a busy and important period for the CICC.

The island of Atiu will celebrate their Bicentennial Arrival of the Gospel on 19 July, Mitiaro will host theirs on 21 July, the island of Mauke on 23 July, and Rarotonga on 25 July.