Tongan Youth Seek Grounding as Easter People

San Carlos -- April 16, 2007

Princess Pilolevu, the late Tongan king's daughter, joined in communion at a peninsula Tongan Easter camp at Falehufanga UMC over the extended Easter weekend. Three peninsula churches -- First Tongan of San Bruno, and the Tongans of First UMC of Palo Alto, and Falehufanga -- went to 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday -- after late evening dinners -- and to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

It started with youth illustrating the passion of Christ on Maundy Thursday evening. They dramatized its different aspects in word and song. And they did it in the Tongan language --assuaging long-standing concern of first generation parents that their American-born children are losing Tongan speech."The Last Passover" was the theme for San Bruno First Tongan UMC youth, and Falehufanga youth acted and sang of Gethsemane and Caiaphas. Palo Alto First youth dramatized the Crucifixion.

The next day's Good Friday worship, and later services, were largely led by adults.

After going until 11:30 Friday night, everyone was back for Holy Saturday at 7:30 a.m., breaking into Bible study groups after early morning worship. Weather prevented youth sports on Saturday afternoon, but another passion drama was quickly substituted. Everyone was back for Easter Sunday at 6 a.m. -- worshipping sunrise 'til noon. Bible study continued in the afternoon.

The Rev. Kalatini Ahio of First Tongan San Bruno asked for prayers for Tongan youth -- actually, for all young people of second or third generation ethnic minorities, who are struggling with cultural shocks between what they know of America, often the only place they have grown up, and the cultures in their homes. The Rev. Ahio says these young people are often confused about where to go in this world. There were gang war shootings in January, and there was a teenage suicide in February. "We pray that these young people can find more secure grounding and meaningful lives as Easter people, and grow to be productive and good citizens in America," Rev. Ahio commented.