For many years, ‘Fa’amati’ has been an integral part of the religious activities of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; it is a cherished tradition.
The initiative is particularly for mothers and daughters.
Na fesiligia ai loa e Tala Fou a le Samoa Newshub le Ta’ita’ifono a le Mafutaga Fa’afouina a Faletua o Faifeau, Faletua o toeaiina, Faletua o Faifeau ua penisione ma mālōlō manumālo, i sona finagalo, talu le fete’ena’iga o manatu i luga o upegatafailagi e fa’atatau i lea mataupu.
In an interview with Samoa Newshub, the Chair for Women’s Renewed Fellowship for Ministers’ Wives, Widows, Retired Ministers’ Wives shared her thoughts about what has been circulating on social media about Fa’amati.
“I respect everyone’s perspective. But from my upbringing surrounded by ‘Fa’amati,’ it embodies the faithful dedication and offering for God’s work.”
“It is done with a sincere heart, without any coercion from the church, for these matters are not paramount, but rather the worship of souls.”
“It’s not merely about payment for ministry work, but rather a service that signifies the heartfelt love of the church members, and my heart is deeply touched by it.”
“However, if the church feels it is time to halt such practice, it is up to the church. The ministers do not interfere, because the souls of the members are important and must not be affected,” Meripa Setu.
“Many have different opinions, but the true essence of the ‘fa’amati’ in the Congregational Christian Church in Samoa, especially as it was initiated, is an offering for God’s work through His servants.”
O le tala na tusia i le Fa’aSamoa, fa’aliliu ai i le Fa’aigilisi
“O le fa’amati, o le taulaga mai le loto malie,” Ta’ita’ifono, Mafutaga Fa’afouina
Ua loa tausaga o avea le fa’amati ma se vaega o le auaunaga a tagata lotu a le Ekalesia Fa’apotopotoga Kerisiano Samoa, e pele foi i le Ekalesia lana lea tu.
O lea fa’ama’ite e patino lava i le ītupa o tīna ma tama’ita’i.
Na fesiligia ai loa e Tala Fou a le Samoa Newshub le Ta’ita’ifono a le Mafutaga Fa’afouina a Faletua o Faifeau, Faletua o toeaiina, Faletua o Faifeau ua penisione ma mālōlō manumālo, i sona finagalo, talu le fete’ena’iga o manatu i luga o upegatafailagi e fa’atatau i lea mataupu.
“Ou te fa’aaloalogia so’o se manatu mai so’o se tagata. Ae i so’u vaivaiga, na ou ola ane lava, o le va’ai agai i le fa’amati, o taulaga ia a tagata lotu mo le galuega a le Atua.
“E fai mai lava i le loto fuatia ifo, e leai lava se agaga i le aufaigaluega e fa’amalosia, aua e le’o mea nei e taua, o le tapua’iga a tagata soifua.
“E le ona o se totogi mo le aufaigaluega, ae o le tautua lea e fa’aalia ai le valevale alofa o nai tagata lotu, ma e momomo fo’i le loto i lea aga.
‘Peitai ane, afai ae finagalo i latou e nafa ma lea galuega e fa’amuta, o le faitalia lena a le Ekalesia, e le a’ia ai le aufaigaluega, aua o le manumanuga, ina nei a’afia le agaga tapuai o tagata lotu,” Meripa Setu.
E mau eseese le to’atele, ae o le a’ano moni o le fa’amati i le Ekalesia Fa’apotopotoga Kerisiano i Sāmoa aemaise i e na amataina lea fa’amaite, o le taulaga lea mo le galuega a le ali’i e tauala i ana auauna.
