OUR mission to the UK is truly a successful and a blessed one” Head Brother of the Melanesian Brotherhood Br. Mathias Tovotasi said.
A Ten Member team from the four religious orders of the Church of Melanesia began the journey on the 21st March departing Honiara International airport.
Upon arrival in London, we were met and greeted
by Fr. Richard Carter and the companions who then took us to Hillfield, the Society of Saint Frances head quarter, where we spent two weeks before we proceed on with our mission.
“One of our highlight and that we will always treasure is our visit to Archbishop of Canterbury
Justin Welby at Lambeth Palace”.
During their time with Archbishop Welby, they spend time together in prayer, singing and conversation.
On that night the Brothers and Sisters also pledged their desire to work for “peace and reconciliation in the Anglican Communion”.
According to the MM UK website, “the Brothers and Sisters shared their experiences of prayerful living, peace and reconciliation, mission, outreach and environmental issues during the evening with the Archbishop”.
Head Brother of the Melanesian Brotherhood Br. Mathias Tovotasi said, the mission was really touching to the lives of many who attended their programs, which includes action choruses, panpipe, and drama and sharing on Gods words.
“We share with men, women and children on what we did here in Solomon Islands and they were eager to listen to our missions and vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and how we live here” Br. Tovotasi said.
As part of their gratitude to Archbishop Justin, Franciscan Brother Clark who is responsible for the team in this mission presented the Archbishop a cross hand-carved by Novices from the Melanesian Brotherhood; MMUK stated.
Brother Clark said the cross symbolised “a pledge to you of our desire and our willingness to work for peace and reconciliation in the Anglican Communion and to help deepen spirituality and prayer life wherever we go”, MMUK website stated.
The Melanesian Religious Orders became internationally known in many parts of the UK after seven of Melanesian Brothers were martyred while carrying out reconciliation work during the civil unrest in the Solomon Islands in 2003.
According to MM UK website, On Saturday prior to their return to Solomon Islands the Simple Living Mission Team held a very special retreat day at John Keble Church in Mill Hill attended by many members of St Martin-in-the-Fields.
Former Archbishop Rowan Williams celebrated a beautiful Eucharist and preached and spoke about the importance of prayer and the Mission team performed a drama written and directed by Richard Carter about the Prodigal Son which made the audience both laugh and weep.
On Sunday the 2nd June a Thanksgiving Eucharist for the Mission was held at St Martin-in-the-Fields during which the Brothers and Sisters danced and sang their way into many hearts and filled those present with a sense of the joy of the Gospel and a vision of how to live it with greater simplicity. It was followed by a marvellous meal organised by the St Martin’s hospitality team who fed more than 200 people.
The Brothers and Sisters played their panpipes.
The Spirit was infectious and got everyone dancing aged 6 to 96 and no one wanted it to end, MM UK website stated.
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