Districts in Australia hold gatherings to mark 104 years of CWS

By JENNELIN P. GUANZON and CHELSI ANNE S. CASTILLO

Date Posted: December 24, 2022

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In commemoration of the 104th anniversary of the Pagsamba ng Kabataan (PNK) or Children’s Worship Service (CWS), its officers from every congregation in the ecclesiastical districts of Australia West and Australia East held special gatherings simultaneously on November 27, 2022. Together they offered praises and thanks to the Lord God for His abundant blessings and graces to the PNK that His Messenger in these last days, Brother Felix Y. Manalo, began in 1918 for the religious education of the children in the Church.

Australia West

In Australia West, Brother Romeo Beltran, district supervising minister, and Brother Felix Santos, assistant district supervising minister, officiated at the houses of worship of the local congregations of Altona and Perth, respectively. CWS officers from other local congregations attended in the venue closest to them; others, virtually attended via videoconferencing.

In their Bible-based homily, the two ministers reminded the CWS officers to continue fulfilling devotedly their God-given responsibilities in guiding the children under their care towards having a strong faith. In the said gatherings, a total of 15 new CWS teachers took their oath of office.

“Teaching children is very crucial, as it must start at a young age, and most of what they’re taught they will remember when they grow old,” said Shane Dela Rosa, a CWS teacher from the Local Congregation of Kingston City. “As for me, I will lead them in doing what is right, which is God’s will, to bring about their being steadfast in the faith.”

Jesse Kiel Medenilla, who holds the same teaching office in the Local Congregation of Melbourne, said, “I will make sure that the lessons taught to me is all the more taught to the children or youth members of the Church, which are to train and guide them in rendering worship services and being active in giving praises to our Lord God.”

Australia East

In the eastern half of the country, Brother Seth Gutierrez, district supervising minister, officiated at the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Minchinbury, New South Wales. Aside from this, there were seven remote sites, including the houses of worship of the local congregations of Brisbane and Gold Coast.

Basing on the Holy Scriptures, Brother Gutierrez taught the CWS officers how they could be effective in teaching and taking care of the children and in so doing live up to what God expects of them.

“That the children inside the Church are taught God’s will is vital for their future and salvation; that is why CWS officers are there to not only teach them but, more importantly, lead them in obeying God’s teachings,” the district minister said.

After the homily, 13 new CWS teachers took their oath of duty. One of them, Justine Vicente, from the Local Congregation of Minchinbury, said, “My father is also a CWS teacher, that’s why I always wanted to be a teacher, too. Thus, from being a CWS Committee chairperson to CWS teacher, I feel very happy and blessed for I have made it to be among those who took oath during this gathering.” — With assistance from Mark Andro T. Milan

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