THE World Day of Prayer this year has been prepared by the women of the Cook Islands, with the theme: ‘I made you wonderful’ from the beautiful Psalm 139. This Psalm is woven throughout the service, affirming the dignity of all God’s sons and daughters, who are, indeed, ‘wonderfully made’.

The Cook Islands are named after the British explorer, Captain James Cook, who landed briefly on the then uninhabited island of Palmerston, and the mutineers from the ship, the Bounty, landed on Ratotonga during their escape to the Pitcairn Islands.

The great variety of their handicrafts, quilts, hats, garlands, woven baskets and fans reflect the Cook Islands abundance of their natural beauty in flowers, birds and fish. This beauty is reflected in this years’ service, which also reflects the islanders’ love for singing.

The islanders’ greeting ‘Kia orana’ in the Maori language means much more than ‘hello’. It means ‘May you live long and may you live well. May you shine like the sun. May you dance with the waves’. The service is open to everyone and we pray that all those who attend will feel the enriching well-being ‘Kia orana’.

The service is being held on Friday, March 7, in Begelly Church at 2pm, with refreshments served after the service. All welcome!