ON the first Friday of March, the annual Worldwide Day of Prayer took place, this year prepared by the women of the Cook Islands.

The service held in Begelly Church had a table laid with a blue cloth representing the sea that is so important to the many islands. On the table were fruit, shells and other artefacts representing the richness of the Cook Islands’ natural resources.

The service was based on the 139th Psalm, with the theme ‘You are wonderfully made’. Three women described how they came through hardship to recognise God’s love for them, and that they were indeed ‘wonderfully made’; then that they should recognise in all others their dignity as wonderfully made and loved by God.

Some of the moving music and hymns were composed by the Cook Islands women and contributed to a truly beautiful service.