Vanuatu
 Kathrina Tarip is the librarian at Onesua Presbyterian College.
The Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu (PCV) has worked hard to ensure equal rights for women. Women now serve as pastors, elders, and deacons in the church. At Onesua Presbyterian College, there are equal numbers of male and female students, and many of the teachers are also women.
Pastor FiamaRakau, currently the principal of Talua Ministry Training Center and the former assembly clerk of PCV, recalled that prior to the General Assembly deciding to allow the ordination of women, the women would sit on mats on the ground during meetings. After ordination was approved, the men told the women that they could now sit on chairs alongside the men. Pastor Fiama told David Walter, regional liaison for the Pacific, that it would have been more appropriate for the men to sit on the ground with the women as a sign of humility and respect, rather than for the women to sit on the chairs with the men. This is typical thinking for people in the PCV, who are filled with a keen awareness of the plight of others.
Today the church works to confront spousal abuse, promote equality for women, and take the lead in seeking justice. Women are an integral part of the planning and work of every aspect of church life. This year at one of the larger churches in the country, David was pleased to meet the clerk of session, a woman.
Partners/Ministries
Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu: Pastor Kalsakau Urtalo, assembly clerk
Onesua Presbyterian College: Jonathan Tarip, principal
Talua Ministry Training Center: Rev. Fiama Rakau, director
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Hillary Harris, GAMC
Deborah Harrison, OGA
Dennis Harrold, GAMC
Creator God, we know that you love each one of us exactly as we are. Keep us ever mindful of your call to make it possible for everyone to enjoy the rights and privileges that the powerful already exercise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Ps. 92, 149 Ps. 23, 114
Jer. 31:23–25; Col. 3:12–17
Luke 7:18–28 (29–30) 31–35
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