The call to vote became a call to worship with voices of ‘vinaka’ at a thanksgiving service in Suva’s Holy Trinity Cathedral today. 

Archbishop Winston Halapua said Fiji was in transition with a new government being formed, and there was a need to pause and be in community.

The service came about because the church could offer space to gather, whatever the outcome of the election.

“After the coups and eight years with no voting, there was fear and uncertainty and a sense of trust had disintegrated," the Archbishop said. 

"Our liturgy, prayed across centuries, is a place for that trust to be known and identified, as our worship is stronger than any other language we have to stand alongside the nation on its new journey.” 

The President of Fiji, Epeli Nailatikau, attended the service along with diplomatic staff and their families from New Zealand and Australia.

Australian students from Armidale were also present with children from St Christopher’s Home, where the students are on work placement. 

The worship recognised the Church's three-tikanga relationship by also giving thanks for the elections in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Archbishop Winston asked diocesan youth to lead the first part of the service as a statement about Fiji's future. 

Ms Claire Manulevu, of St Peter’s Latoka, reflected on how each person had talents to use in community as the nation comes together under a new government.

She included the performing arts among talents that give glory to God.

Youth in the aisles and on the balcony of the sanctuary then danced to the hymn How Great Thou Art.

Archdeacon Sepiuata Hala’api’api, who coordinates diocesan youth, said lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 had focused young people on the election.

“The young people have talked and watched what is happening, so the sense of transition is across all generations.”

Archbishop Winston told the congregation there had been prayers right up to the election.

Words of campaigning were replaced with prayers of thanks as a reminder to all, including the government, that they journeyed together.

The Cathedral has been a place of prayer for the election.

Likening the Cathedral congregation to the first disciples, Dean Claude Fong Toy said: "We are continually in transition, on a pilgrimage to where God wants us to be and it may or may not be comfortable.

"What was important today was that we sought God’s blessing on the election, the leaders appointed, and our journey as a nation.”