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PNC grants 10 Samoan pastors dual standing

Cindy Bauleke, chair of the Committee on Ministry westside, reported that the sanctuary of Fauntleroy UCC in Seattle “overflowed with joy as Samoan hymns filled our souls and Spirit flowed through the Dual Standing Installation of 10 Samoan ministers” on Sunday, June 29.

Samoan pastors, wearing white, are from the left the Rev. Kelekolio Koloi, Rev. Talosaga Patea, Rev. Tavita Tolu, and seated Rev. Etele Ma’aele; second row Rev. Savali Talalemotou, Rev. Elder Topelagi Siva and Rev. Nofoaiga Moi. First row continuing from the left to the right of Rev. Phil Eisenhauer are Rev. Iotamu Falealili, Rev. Fili Togi and Rev. Elder Tauoa Head of the UCC Council for Racial Ethnic Ministries who taught UCC polity and history in Samoan to those granted standing Not shown is Rev. Aunu’ua Vasega.

The pastors and their congregations affirmed their covenant of commitment to the PNC-UCC with PNC-UCC clergy and members responding in kind, promising to “share the love of Christ, to be concerned with your welfare, be co-workers in mission and turn to each other for assistance in the work Christ calls us to do together.”

Those installed with dual standing in the United Church of Christ were included two leaders with positions of authority in the Samoan district.

• Rev. Elder Nofoaiga Moi, of the Ekalesia Fa’apotopotoga Kerisiano Amerika Samoa (EFKAS) Seattle IV (#4) Church and a regional leader in the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (CCCS), and the

• Rev Elder Fopelagi Siva of Emanuelu Church in Algona and regional leader of the Congregational Christian Church in American Samoa (CCCAS).

The CCCS traces its roots to the arrival of missionaries from the London Missionary Society (LMS) in 1830, according to the Global Ministries of the UCC. In the early years the LMX missionaries developed a written Samoan alphabet. By 1855 the whole Bible was translated into Samoan. In 1844, they founded Malua Theological College. Global Ministries said that the pattern of ministry by the end of the 1800s “was modeled on the Samoan village structure and value systems with the pastor as the spiritual leader.”

The CCCAS, which separated in 1980, promotes the Samoan language and offers spiritual and practical support for members.

The CCCS and CCCAS work closely. There are also Catholic and Methodist churches in Samoa.

The other pastors installed with dual standing are:

• Rev. Etele Ma’aele, pastor of the First Samoan Congregational Church in Seattle (#1);

• Two pastors of the Samoan Congregational Christian Church II (#2) in Seattle, the Rev. Kelekolio Koloi and the Rev. Savali Talamoto;

• The Rev. Fili Togi, pastor of Ala I Le Ola Church #5 in Seattle;

• Two pastors at the Savali o le Malamalama Church of Samoan Congregational Christian Church #6 in Seattle, the Rev. Aunuua Vasega and the Rev. Talosaga Patea;

• The Rev. Tavita Tolo, pastor of Live in Salvation, which worships in Tacoma, and

• The Rev. Iotamo Falealili, pastor of the first LMS Church Samoan Alaska V in Anchorage.

Other Samoan churches that are part of the PNC-UCC are Alaskan churches—Faavae Fou, led by the Rev. Edwin Galeai, Feagaiga Fou (New Testament), led by the Rev. Niutunu Faiupu, and the Christian Worship Center UCC, led by Va’a Alaelua, in Anchorage—and First Samoan Congregational UCC (#1) of Auburn, led by Ili Tuiasasosopo; First Samoan Congregational Church of Tacoma, led by the Rev. Ulumo’o Ale.

Cindy said the pastors granted dual standing worked on that status for two years with the Westside and Eastside Committees on Ministry.

Worship was led by the Samoan pastors, sharing their music, followed by a meal served with Samoan hospitality.

“As I have learned more about the Samoan culture, I have learned that the pastors’ wives, tin-as, have a very important role in the church, as mothers have an important role in their culture,” Cindy said.

Most of the wives attended seminary with their husbands but are not ordained, she added.

Pastors and their wives return to American Samoa for their church’s General Assembly every two years.

Dawn Koloi, who is on the PNC-UCC Board of Directors, has been actively incorporating Samoan singing, dancing and gift giving in recent PNC Annual Meetings. She and her husband Kelekolio (Jay) are on sabbatical in Samoa.

Va’a was ordained in the UCC after graduating from the seminary in American Samoa and studied at Pacific School of Religion. He is now working on a doctor of ministry degree. His wife, Mai, is a member in discernment.

Edwin served on the Eastside Committee on Ministry and was ordained as a UCC pastor. He is now on the Board of Directors.

Cindy added that many of the pastors’ ministries focus on education and youth programs because of their mission to teach them both the faith and the culture so they can continue the churches. They involve youth in local, regional and national youth events.

For information, call 360-303-1941, email cindybauleke@gmail.com or visit https://www.globalministries.org/partner/eap_partners_congregational_samoa.

 

Pacific Northwest Conference UCC News © copyright Fall 2025

 

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