A Tongan feast

from w
Last Saturday night at the East Geelong Uniting Church we had a significant occasion, the Ordination and Induction of our new minister, the Rev Ikani Vaitohi. About three hundred and fifty guests were there on this occasion, including many Tongan people. It was a memorable night, and particularly sad as there had been a fatal accident during the afternoon. The elder sister of our minister had died in a road accident. We were shocked when we were told at the beginning of proceedings, but this strong man insisted that the worship service proceed and this was all done with dignity. I played some of the music and my tears meant it was difficult to read the music at first. Anyway two hours later we all enjoyed a huge Tongan feast in the halls, people sitting in passages, the narthex, the chapel, outside eating Island food, which included at least four large pigs. I took photos of the evening, but only one during the service at the end when gifts were given to the minister's family. The mourning and the work of supporting the bereaved family had to wait until midnight when the last guests left.