Oceania Laca

Masthead for the new PTC newsletter

THE TITLE: OCEANIA LACA

The choice for Oceania Laca as a title for the college newsletter represents PTC’s deep connectedness to peoples, values and cultures of the Oceanic communities we serve. We decided to use the Fijian word laca, meaning ‘sail’, to acknowledge the hospitality of the people of the Vanua for kindly allowing the only ecumenical regional institution to be situated on their land. But we also acknowledge the fact that the concept is Oceanic, found in all cultures of Oceania.

The following highlights how the Oceania Laca is a powerful metaphor:

1. It is cultural: The Oceania Laca is culturally rooted. It is born from the philosophies and values rooted in the cultural contexts and the creative imaginations of the Oceanic communities. Hence the newsletter should be able to embrace not only the multiple cultures of Oceania as a strategic way to communicate with our local communities, but also as a ground-up approach to addressing issues by using the newsletter platform.

2. It is relational: The Oceania Laca is relational and transpatial. Traditionally, the materials that are used to produce mats (pandanus) and build houses (sinnet made from coconut husk-fibres) for land-based activities are the same materials used to produce the laca for the ocean-based activities. This Oceania Laca invites readers to PTC life and ecumenical values of relational interconnectedness as well as the interweaving of different spaces, peoples, cultures, stories and communities.

3. It is contextual: Like the laca in its traditional setting, the Oceania Laca is contextual. It invites the readers to the many adjustments, changes, and shifts that the college has been through according to the challenges of the contexts it encounters whether it is turbulent or calm. The Oceania Laca should be able to reveal and promote one of PTCs purpose, which is contextualization and its ability to respond throughout the years to the unpredictable challenges it finds itself in.

4. It is resilient: Like the traditional laca, the Oceania Laca is resilient. It should be able to invite readers to experience how the PTC is resilient in confronting and withstanding the challenges of the open sea. It must be durable to adjust to certain challenges and to recover from dangerous and life-threatening experiences. Hence the Oceania Laca should be able to inspire individuals and communities to be resilient in the midst of their struggles and issues.

5. It is open: The raising of the laca signals its opening stage. The Oceania Laca represents the beginning of its openness to new journeys, new seas, new discoveries, new heights and new challenges. This newsletter presents and represents both the importance of openness and dynamism that the college has been promoting. It encourages an open, fluid, and dynamic ecumenical culture and dialogue on issues that matter for the churches of the Pacific.

6. It is original: The laca is an original revolutionary creation of the Oceanic communities. Hence the Oceania Laca attempts to capture the Oceanic communities’ originality in arts, cultural knowledge and creativity. It aims to reveal the original revolutionary creation and programs that PTC has. It will continue to offer new insights for the Pacific churches and for the international community in the years to come.

Rev. Dr Upolu Luma Vaai

PRINCIPAL

The Lay Preacher

Sauileoge Pouli Jr won the Pacific Theological College Prize for Overall Academic Excellence for the Master’s Programme. The thirty-seven year old from American Samoa shed tears of joy with his wife Liai Pouli as he received the award from the PTC Principal Rev. Professor. Dr Upolu Vaai at the College’s 53rd graduation ceremony. Sauileoge and...
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Go Out and Be Reformers

Fourteen students celebrating academic milestones at the 53rd graduation of the Pacific Theological College were challenged to be reformers. Chief Guest Rev. Dr Epineri Vakadewavosa who is the President of the Methodist Church of Fiji and the Deputy Chair of the PTC Council and Executive, challenged the graduates to be reformers. ‘Our Pacific needs more...
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New Appointments

For the first time, the Pacific Theological College has a new Manager Human Resources. The appointee to the position is Vijay Kumar. He is Fijian. Mr Kumar joins PTC from the University of Fiji where he held the same position. He holds a Masters degree and brings with him a rich experience in dealing with Human...
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Reweaving an Ecological Pacific

Growing the Movement The Institute for Mission and Research (IMR) of the Pacific Theological College is organising a series of webinars and online meetings on the theme ‘Changing the Story (CTS) of Development in the Pacific Meeting Series.’ The meeting series scheduled weekly, one week for young Pacific Islanders conversations and the other for the...
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Talanoa with Dr. Cosden

Dr. Darell Cosden, who is from the United States of America, joined the Pacific Theological College this year as Senior Lecturer Theology and Ethics. He also serves PTC as its Academic Dean, taking over the role from Rev. Dr. Gwayaweng Kiki who held the role for the past three years.  The College is at a...
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Psycho-Social/Spiritual Support

Fijian Church leaders are calling for greater psycho spiritual/psycho social support for Fijians following the COVID 19 pandemic and a recent spate of Cyclones. Many voiced their concerns about the emotional and psychological wellbeing of Fijians at a Psycho-Social Forum organised in Suva recently by the Institute of Mission and Research of the Pacific Theological...
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Rededication of Islander Missionaries Memorial Chapel

‘We present this newly renovated chapel to you to be re-consecrated for the worship of God and the service of all people,’ the congregation proclaimed together. ‘And by what name shall this chapel be known?’ asked Deputy Chair of the Pacific Theological College (PTC) Council and Executive Rev. Dr. Epineri Vakadewavosa.  ‘Islander Missionaries Memorial Chapel,’...
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Jasveer’s PTC Journey

‘My dad is Punjabi while mum is Nepalese!’ shared the Pacific Theological College’s Manager Maintenance and Properties.  ‘I’m a mixed breed Indian, hailing from a very strict cultural background but working here at PTC has been an enriching cultural experience.’ ‘There are many cultures here at PTC that have since amazed me. So diverse, different...
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No Church Silence on Violence

A founding member of the Pacific Theological College says there will be no silence on violence in the face of growing statistics of violence against women and children in the Pacific Islands region. Methodist Church of Fiji President Rev. Dr. Epineri Vakadewavosa gave this assurance at a meeting with the World Council of Church committee...
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