Let the Children Come to Me

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The children have been rehearsing for weeks. Parents will or have shopped for white clothes and all the accessories and this Sunday, the voices of the children will resonate from churches throughout the territory.

It’s White Sunday and the children are kings and queens for a day. They will recite Bible verses, act out plays and sing their hearts out.

White Sunday is a special day for children, its origin dates back to the days of the early London Missionary Society, missionaries who after seeing how children do the chores and serve and eat after their parents , decided to give them center stage on the second Sunday of October.

White Sunday is now celebrated not only in Samoa and American Samoa but in many countries where there are large Samoan communities.

After morning church services, the children will be served a feast with their favourite foods.

And then in the afternoon more performances. Luckily there’s a public holiday on the day after White Sunday for the children, parents and Sunday school teachers to recuperate.

For us in American Samoa the Monday after White Sunday is Columbus Day.

Samoa has a public holiday for children after White Sunday just like it has a holiday after Father’s Day and also after Mothers Day.

Governor Lolo Moliga speaks to parents in his White Sunday message reminding that stable and well rounded children is the product of “embracive love that’s continually demonstrated throughout a child’s life and time investment to mentor and guide our children towards fulfillment of God’s plans for them.”

He says on White Sunday “we lavishly provide for our children placing them in the forefront of all activities including bountiful feasts, generous gifts and unparalleled liberty to do what they want. Regrettably these actions are short lived, reserved only for one day out of the year and yet the rearing and the upbringing process is a 24/7 responsibility if we are to ensure that our children actualize and realize God’s plan for them.”

The governor asks that as we celebrate White Sunday that we remember “children who are abused and malnourished facing hopelessness and despair caused by manmade and natural disasters and political conflicts.“

On behalf of Lt Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga, his wife Ella and family along with first Lady Cynthia Malala Moliga and their family, Governor Lolo wishes the children of American Samoa a joyous and happy White Sunday.

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