Rev. Emau Petaia, a retired pastor of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (CCCAS), was one of the keynote speakers at the 22nd National Biennial Convocation of the United Church of Christ Pacific Islander and Asian American Ministries.
This was hosted for the first time by the Pacific Northwest Region last week in Federal Way, Washington.
CCCAS and the United Church of Christ have declared a “Partnership in Mission and Ministry encouraging Samoan churches established in the US to become actively involved.
Rev. Petaia was honored during the celebration by PAAM and President of the UCC, Rev. John C. Dorhauer.
The reverend and wife Si’alei were called to pastor the CCCAS Seattle II church at the completion of their studies at Malua Theological Seminary, Samoa in 1978.
This is where Rev. Petaia became involved as a member of the Pacfic Islander and Asian American Executive Committee.
He ministered at the CCCAS in Ft. Lewis, Washington and served two terms as General Secretary of the CCCAS of American Samoa .
Rev. Petaia was pastor for the CCCAS Siona le Mauga Paia in Leone until his retirement in 2010.
Other Samoan church leaders and members who attended the convocation camed from Washington State, California and Missouri
