This morning’s General Synod/Hinota Whanui opened in a manner fit for chiefs. 

Synod members were treated to the pageantry of full traditional protocol – Fiji Islands style. 

Delegates getting off the bus from their hotel were met by 200 Anglican youths from the Diocese of Polynesia, who led them to the opening ceremony ground at St Christopher’s Church, Nadi.

First off, prayer was led by a multicultural youth team from St Christopher’s Nadi. 

Next the visiting Maori and Pakeha archbishops and the 160 synod delegates were honoured with a Fijian welcoming rite traditionally reserved for chiefs.

Polynesia’s tangata whenua made a cultural concession for their Maori and Pakeha visitors. As the opening began, Bishop Apimeleki Qiliho quipped we were going to step out of Pacific time now – and into “General Synod time.”

“That’s because we’ve only been given two hours to welcome you today. Not two Pacific hours, but two General Synod hours. So we’d better get going” he said.

Later Archbishop Winston Halapua reminded the delegates their morning tea break wouldn’t be on Pacific time either. The sumptuous homemade spread laid out by St Christopher’s parish and friends would have to be enjoyed in “only ten minutes please.”

The cultural welcome ran like a liturgy you know very well, but which comes in a different language. The respect, the warmth, and the care was evident throughout.

In a break from usual protocol, the hosts paused to offer their visitors space to respond.

Archbishop Brown Turei honoured and thanked the Church in Fiji and across the Diocese of Polynesia for the huge amount of work they’d put into preparations. He lauded the generosity and hospitality that had shone through the event.

''You have gone out of your way for us. You’ve turned on the weather so well too – we have been freezing in New Zealand. 'We’re enjoying this warmth you’ve organised for us, but mostly the warmth of your welcome,'' he said.

As part of the welcome a whale tooth, (which is culturally precious in Fiji and set apart for sacred use) was presented to Archbishops Brown Turei and David Moxon. Gifts of kava, a pig, taro and fine mats were offered, while speeches in Fijian welcomed the guests. 

Festival of colour and movement

With the formal part of the morning over, the ceremonial ground erupted into a festival of colour, movement, rhythm and song put on by Diocese of Polynesia youth.

Youth from Nadrala (Sigatoka), Viti Levu West, Suva-Ovalau, Tonga and Samoa presented music and meke (Fijian for dance). Youth from Fiji presented Fijian, Rotuman and Indian dances.

Those dances were marked by a special quality that Archbishop Winston pointed out to delegates as the performances concluded.

“When we were planning this, I challenged the churches and said, 'Let’s not bring in anyone from outside to do this, let’s do it for ourselves.

“So I asked the clergy in Fiji to create these dances for us. I said, ‘You can do it’ and they have proven that they could, and brilliantly too.”

One of the dances was choreographed by Rotuman priest the Rev Taito Varea, vicar of St Lawrence’s Church in Suva.

His dance told the story of the Anglican Church’s journey to Fiji for the General Synod.  

Another meke, telling the creation story, was put together by the Very Rev Fereimi Cama, Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Suva.

Other dances were composed by the young Anglicans who danced them.

Those performances were offered from the heart, and shared with the whole family.

Those two qualities might be some for synod members to hold close at hand, as they set off on the journey of the next few days.