Church Talk
Church Talk: I have overcome world
Friday 1 September 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
These are the very words of the Lord Jesus Christ – John 16:33. What did Jesus mean by he overcame the world? “I have overcome the world” The word “overcome” comes from the Greek word nikos, which can be translated to overcome, but is also the word for victory writes Reverend Vakaroto Ngaro, Ekalesia Avarua.
A journey of faith: Mitiaro youth leader at World Youth Day event
Monday 28 August 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features
World Youth Day (WYD) is a recurring Catholic festival held every four years - a meeting of young people from around the world with the Pope.
Church Talk: ‘Do right all shall be restored’
Friday 25 August 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
The first and greatest of all commandments Jesus in Mark’s Gospel Chapter 12: 29 – 31 reminds a young Pharisee lawyer, “Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is One Lord: 30, And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength, writes Bishop Tutai Pere.
Church Talk: Take heart, do not be afraid
Friday 18 August 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
The Gospel that I preached on last Sunday was taken from Matthew 14:22-23: “And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid,” writes Bishop Paul Donoghue of the Catholic Church.
Church talk: Living by faith
Friday 11 August 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
The scriptures teach us what faith is, and the prophets direct us in whom we should have faith. However, when we are faced with the challenges and trials of life, we can often question our faith and turn to rely solely on the wisdom of man, writes Tamatoa Jonassen of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Christianity lands on Mangaia
Saturday 5 August 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Art, Church Talk, Features, In Depth, Memory Lane, Weekend
Historian and author Howard Henry has been fascinated by the birth of Christianity in the Cook Islands for many years. In a weekly series, Henry chronicles the arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands and its role in building the nation. In this article, he talks about the arrival of Christianity on Mangaia.
Church Talk: Celebrating God, who shaped our nation
Saturday 5 August 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
Last week people from all around New Zealand and Australia arrived in numbers for the celebration of the 200 years since the arrival of the Gospel to the Cook Islands, writes Pastor Eric Toleafoa from the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The monument that ‘tore’ Vaka Puaikura people apart
Saturday 29 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features
Tinomana Tokerau Ariki and the Arorangi Ekalesia unveiled a large and prominent monument that had been shipped all the way from Italy to commemorate 200 years of Christianity in the district.
‘The Spirit of God … will never die’
Saturday 29 July 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
Historian and author Howard Henry has been fascinated by the birth of Christianity in the Cook Islands for many years. In a weekly series, Henry chronicles the arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands and its role in building the nation. In this article, he talks about the new Church and Mission laws.
Church talk: Is there more to the 200 year story?
Friday 28 July 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
This week has been a beautiful crescendo of many months of planning, fundraising, organising and no doubt, pressure to navigate the many ceremonies in commemorating the preaching of Christ through the arrival of the gospel 200 years ago throughout the Ngaputoru and finishing with Rarotonga, writes Paul Kauri, lead pastor at The Arepua Gateway Assembly of God Church.
Puaikura pays tribute to Tinomana Enuarurutini Ariki and Papeiha
Thursday 27 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Culture, Features, National
Vaka Puaikura celebrated 200 years of Christianity Arrival to Arorangi with the unveiling of stone carved monuments and vibrant culture on Tuesday afternoon.
Hundreds gather to mark 200 years of Christianity in Rarotonga
Wednesday 26 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features, Local, National
The re-enactment of the arrival of Tahitian missionaries Papeiha and Vainehino and Rarotongan Te-Iro, returning from Aitutaki, to Avarua harbour 200 years ago on July 25, 1823, kicked off the Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) festivities yesterday morning.
Mitiaro celebrates 200 years of Christianity with week of festivities
Tuesday 25 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features
Celebrations on Mitiaro continue following the 200-year commemoration of the Gospel on Saturday.
Raro to re-enact Gospel arrival
Tuesday 25 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features
Rarotonga will celebrate 200 years of Christianity today starting with a re-enactment scene of the time when Reverend John Williams of the London Missionary Society (LMS) sighted Rarotonga on July 25, 1823, in his bid to bring the Gospel to the island.
Puaikura to celebrates Bicentennial arrival of the Gospel with grand feast
Tuesday 25 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features
Vaka Puaikura has been hard at work preparing for today’s Bicentennial “Arrival of the Gospel” celebrations in their district of Arorangi.
Nukuroa and Akatokamanava commemorate 200 years of Gospel
Monday 24 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features
People from all walks of life attended the Mitiaro/Nukuroa and Mauke/Akatokamanava Bicentennial “Te Arikianga o te Evangelia – the Arrival of Christianity” celebrations over the weekend.
The ‘Ekalesia of Rarotonga’ is established
Saturday 22 July 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
Historian and author Howard Henry has been fascinated by the birth of Christianity in the Cook Islands for many years. In a weekly series, Henry chronicles the arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands and its role in building the nation. In this article, he talks about the major epidemics that killed thousands and the establishment of the Ekalesia of Rarotonga.
Rejoicing in the Gospel: Mitiaro and Mauke set to celebrate Bicentennial
Saturday 22 July 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
Several hundred people are expected to attend the Bicentennial ‘Te Arikianga o te Evangelia – the Arrival of Christianity’ to the respective islands of Mitiaro/Nukuroa and Mauke/Akatokamanava this weekend.
Atiu celebrates Gospel Bicentennial
Friday 21 July 2023 | Written by Supplied | Published in Church Talk, Features
The island of Atiu this week kicked off Nga Pu Toru’s ‘Te Arikianga o te Evangelia – Arrival of the Gospel Bicentennial’ celebrations.
Atiu’s Gospel : Bicentennial celebrations witness harmonious blend of tradition, faith
Thursday 20 July 2023 | Written by Melina Etches | Published in Church Talk, Features, National, Outer Islands
Before the break of dawn, the island of Atiu or Enuamanu rose to the drums of the tangi kaara signalling the beginning of the official ceremonial events to commemorate the 200-year anniversary of Te Arikianga o te Evangelia, the arrival of Christianity in 1823.
