Young Pacific Islanders with family roots in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji participated in a United Methodist leadership conference in Washington, D.C. While there, the group was invited to blend voices and perform at Foundry United Methodist Church on a Sunday morning.
Script:
(Musical performance at Foundry UMC)
In 2018, these Pacific Islanders were invited to perform at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C.
Gwenda Martin, Foundry United Methodist Church: "When they started singing, I thought of "South Pacific," one of my favorite movies. Their voices were just angel-like and they had so much love in their music."
They sounded like a professional choir. In reality, they had just met!
Soana Fieeiki: "Within 24 hours, we came in and we really didn't know each other."
They learned the songs and perfomed, while attending a three-day leadership conference for United Methodist young people.
Choir director: “Altos, you’re gonna go… Saa-moO-ah.”
In their native Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, or Hawaii... music is a part of the culture.
Monalisa S. Tuitahi: "Our worship is a part of our culture."
Jefferson Saini: "In the songs, you can hear it. The harmonies of our people tell a story."
Soana Fieeiki: "Pacific Islanders are good at being able to come together and combine voices and share love through our voices."
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Learn more about Pacific Islanders in The United Methodist Church.
This video was produced by United Methodist Communications in Nashville, TN.
Media contact is Fran Walsh, 615-742-5458.
This video was first posted on September 28, 2018.