United Church gets new moderator

The United Church of PNG has a new moderator. He is Reverend Bernard Siai. Reverend Siai was inducted at the close of the 23rd General Assembly of the church in Alotau at the weekend. 

He is the 6th Moderator of the United Church of PNG. He takes over long-serving moderator Reverend Sir Samson Lowa.  Reverend Sir Samson served in the top post of the church for 14 years. Rev. Siai, from Panaeati Island, is the first Milne Bay church leader to be elected moderator. 

There was much celebrations on Saturday and Sunday as United Church congregations from all over Milne Bay Province gathered in Alotau for the induction ceremony. 

A traditional Misima feast was thrown for the event. Rev. Sir Samson, when placing the red stole on Rev. Siai urged his successor to “set your own targets of where you want the church to go in the future”.

He also called on all the United Church regions around the country to give the same level of support they had given him during his 14-year term. In his maiden address as moderator, Rev. Siai said he will pursue the theme of “Fear God and Serve Him”. 

He said he believed the church is at a stage where there is a need renew God’s covenants with the people. “When we fear God, it makes us to serve him faithfully. The way to become wise is when we fear God. The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge,” Rev. Siai said.

He also called on all leaders of the church to stop fighting for positions, but to work together to serve God and the people. He thanked Rev. Sir Samson for ably leading the church in the past 14 years during which prosperity for the church had begun to be achieved.

He further assured he would take on from where Rev. Sir Samson left off, especially with the major programs including setting up a university for the United Church and the reconciliation and further evangelization. 

Governor Titus Philemon was among those that congratulated the new moderator and also thanked and bade farewell to the out-going moderator. Mr Philemon gave to Rev. Sir Samson a Trobriand carved ebony walking stick and a highly-valued bagi necklace as gifts.