Fiji

      Fiji

  Fiji is a country with a strong Christian heritage, and many members of its two main ethnic groups – the Fijians and the Indians – share a deep faith in Christ.  The church is strong there, with the largest denomination being the Methodist Church, but Catholics, Pentecostals and others also have a presence.

For some years it has been the dream of our National Spiritual Director, Brian Jago, to establish an Emmaus Community in Fiji, and in 2008 approval was given by The Upper Room  to hold a pair of Walks there.  These Walks were hosted by Sydney Community, and a team of men and women from all over Australia was supplemented by Fijian members who had previously attended Walks in Australia.  A total of 36 pilgrims attended and – as usual on a Walk to Emmaus – were deeply blessed by God over the weekend, as their testimonies at the Closings confirmed. 

Some of the team who went from    Australia to assist in the 2008 Walks

Men's Closing

Tentative plans are in hand for another set of Walks, this time to be hosted by Brisbane South Community, but the present situation in Fiji makes the timing of such Walks uncertain.  Watch this space!  Although there are now a number of Emmaus members in Fiji, the next Walks over there will still need some leaders and helpers from Australia.  Meantime, Emmaus Communities in Australia are strongly encouraged to invite Fijian Community members to join their teams – usually in ATL, TL or ASD roles – to enhance the Fijian Community’s experience and readiness for the day when they will be able to run their own Walks.  Agape gifts of money to assist Fijian team members or pilgrims to come to Australia to attend a Walk will be greatly appreciated and should be directed through the national treasurer (see Contacts page) and made payable to Emmaus Aust. Secretariat.

Pray for Fiji

As has been reported in the news, the Public Emergency Regulations in Fiji do impose some restrictions on churches, organisations and individuals in the country.  Do pray for the leaders and members of the Emmaus Community there, especially the National Spiritual  and Lay Directors, for the leaders of the churches, and for the government and officials there.

Contact

To invite Fijian Emmaus Community members to join one of your Conference Room teams, or to offer a place on one of your Walks to a potential Fijian pilgrim, email in the first instance our Fiji contact person, former National Lay Director Greg Shea.  (Click on his name to generate an email).

 To go to the Sydney Emmaus page for the 2008 Fiji walks, click here