By Benjamin T. Beasley, Asheville NC
Posted: January 7, 2018 online at ashevillestake.org
Cold and clime could not chill the warm hearts and loving hands of diverse Pacific islanders as they came together for the first time in an evening of food, fun, and fellowship December 30, at the Stake Assembly Building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Asheville, North Carolina.
Following a private planning dinner previously hosted for interfaith leaders by President and Sister Benjamin Beasley of the Hendersonville 2nd (Pohnpeian ) Branch, about 250 non-LDS Pohnpeians and other Micronesians joined with members of the Branch to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season and to focus on what they share in common: a deep love for the Savior and the desire to join together as “strangers and foreigners” (see Ephesians 2:19-20) in this first-ever of its kind Asheville-based ecumenical gathering.
It was a grand affair. The Revs. Alson Mudong and Benster Etse, two protestant ministers, lead the Asheville group along with their wives and local LDS leaders. Benito Optaia, Captain of Police for the island of Pohnpei visiting in the United States, was among those who joined friends and native islanders for a delightful evening of celebration with new-found acquaintances and members of the recently-established Pohnpeian Branch. The Stake Assembly Building’s Cultural Hall was just large enough to accommodate tthe large numbers passing by the long banquet tables—with piles of islander culinary dishes and other cultural specialties extending more than half way down the length of the assembly hall—and the four teams of island dancers who put on energetic displays of synchronized dances. Children and others were also invited to participate, in typical island style, and even Rev. Benster Etse, though wheelchair bound, drew enthusiastic applause as he joined in for rounds of circular dancing of his own invention with his equally talented wife Alicia.
A special highlight of the evening came when the Rev. Nelson N. Pelep, a Senator from the Federated States of Micronesia who has served for over 30 years representing the State of Pohnpei, joined with President and Sister Beasley and others at the head banquet table for the evening’s events. In spontaneous remarks after dinner, he graciously expressed his thanks and appreciation to LDS Church leaders for all they are doing to facilitate LDS and Non-LDS groups coming together to love and serve others in a spirit of mutual Christian friendship and brotherhood, in this church setting.
The event lasted well into the evening. Prior to closure, however, Senator Pelep accepted an invitation to a soon-to-be-held dinner and long-range planning meeting at the home of President and Sister Beasley. They plan to continue discussions as to how to best further synchronize the resources of the Church with the needs of the large non-LDS Micronesian community in the Asheville area. Already extended in that visionary plan has been the gracious invitation to local LDS leaders and missionaries to visit those of the non-LDS Micronesian community in their homes.
And the spirit of mutual trust and giving continue. Before the evening was over, Sister Darlene Beasley, along with Sister Faith Queen and Sister Sheri Higginson who are serving with their husbands as Senior Live-at-Home Missionary Couples in the Branch, were presented personal gifts of appreciation by their new friends, including exquisite hand-embroidered dresses made by native islanders.
These were presents that will last a lifetime. But the more important gifts were the open hearts and mutual respect burgeoning in new-found friendships—ones based on mutual trust and love for the Savior, and for all their brothers and sisters in Christ, on this dark and cold December evening.
Benjamin T. Beasley is Branch President of the Hendersonville 2nd (Pohnpeian) Branch, Asheville, NC Stake
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Photos: Contributed by Elder Skip Queen and Bruce Tipton
Photo #1 Senator Nelson N. Pelep and Wife Nieves Pelep with Branch Members Darney Alati and President and Sister Beasley
Photo #2 Rev. Benster Etse and Family with President and Sister Beasley
Photo #3 Revs. Benster Etse and Alson Mudong Open the Gathering, with Elder and Sister Skip Queen, President and Sister Beasley and Senator Nelson Pelep at the Head Table
Photo #4 A Long Buffet Table Served Attendees, with Plenty to Spare
Photo #5 Green Team Dancers by the Head Table
Photo #6 Young Dancers Delight the Crowd
Photo #7 Spirited Dancing was No Handicap for Benster Etse and Wife Alicia
Photo #8 Young LDS Elders with New Micronesian Friends
Photo #9 Young Teens with Parents Enjoy the Show
Photo #10 Elder and Sister Joseph Higginson with Benito Optaia at the Head Table
Photo #11 Bruce Tipton, Author, Political Commentator and LDS Church Representative Also Attended the Evening's Events
Photo #12 President and Sister Benjamin Beasley
Posted: January 7, 2018 online at ashevillestake.org
Cold and clime could not chill the warm hearts and loving hands of diverse Pacific islanders as they came together for the first time in an evening of food, fun, and fellowship December 30, at the Stake Assembly Building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Asheville, North Carolina.
Following a private planning dinner previously hosted for interfaith leaders by President and Sister Benjamin Beasley of the Hendersonville 2nd (Pohnpeian ) Branch, about 250 non-LDS Pohnpeians and other Micronesians joined with members of the Branch to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season and to focus on what they share in common: a deep love for the Savior and the desire to join together as “strangers and foreigners” (see Ephesians 2:19-20) in this first-ever of its kind Asheville-based ecumenical gathering.
It was a grand affair. The Revs. Alson Mudong and Benster Etse, two protestant ministers, lead the Asheville group along with their wives and local LDS leaders. Benito Optaia, Captain of Police for the island of Pohnpei visiting in the United States, was among those who joined friends and native islanders for a delightful evening of celebration with new-found acquaintances and members of the recently-established Pohnpeian Branch. The Stake Assembly Building’s Cultural Hall was just large enough to accommodate tthe large numbers passing by the long banquet tables—with piles of islander culinary dishes and other cultural specialties extending more than half way down the length of the assembly hall—and the four teams of island dancers who put on energetic displays of synchronized dances. Children and others were also invited to participate, in typical island style, and even Rev. Benster Etse, though wheelchair bound, drew enthusiastic applause as he joined in for rounds of circular dancing of his own invention with his equally talented wife Alicia.
A special highlight of the evening came when the Rev. Nelson N. Pelep, a Senator from the Federated States of Micronesia who has served for over 30 years representing the State of Pohnpei, joined with President and Sister Beasley and others at the head banquet table for the evening’s events. In spontaneous remarks after dinner, he graciously expressed his thanks and appreciation to LDS Church leaders for all they are doing to facilitate LDS and Non-LDS groups coming together to love and serve others in a spirit of mutual Christian friendship and brotherhood, in this church setting.
The event lasted well into the evening. Prior to closure, however, Senator Pelep accepted an invitation to a soon-to-be-held dinner and long-range planning meeting at the home of President and Sister Beasley. They plan to continue discussions as to how to best further synchronize the resources of the Church with the needs of the large non-LDS Micronesian community in the Asheville area. Already extended in that visionary plan has been the gracious invitation to local LDS leaders and missionaries to visit those of the non-LDS Micronesian community in their homes.
And the spirit of mutual trust and giving continue. Before the evening was over, Sister Darlene Beasley, along with Sister Faith Queen and Sister Sheri Higginson who are serving with their husbands as Senior Live-at-Home Missionary Couples in the Branch, were presented personal gifts of appreciation by their new friends, including exquisite hand-embroidered dresses made by native islanders.
These were presents that will last a lifetime. But the more important gifts were the open hearts and mutual respect burgeoning in new-found friendships—ones based on mutual trust and love for the Savior, and for all their brothers and sisters in Christ, on this dark and cold December evening.
Benjamin T. Beasley is Branch President of the Hendersonville 2nd (Pohnpeian) Branch, Asheville, NC Stake
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Photos: Contributed by Elder Skip Queen and Bruce Tipton
Photo #1 Senator Nelson N. Pelep and Wife Nieves Pelep with Branch Members Darney Alati and President and Sister Beasley
Photo #2 Rev. Benster Etse and Family with President and Sister Beasley
Photo #3 Revs. Benster Etse and Alson Mudong Open the Gathering, with Elder and Sister Skip Queen, President and Sister Beasley and Senator Nelson Pelep at the Head Table
Photo #4 A Long Buffet Table Served Attendees, with Plenty to Spare
Photo #5 Green Team Dancers by the Head Table
Photo #6 Young Dancers Delight the Crowd
Photo #7 Spirited Dancing was No Handicap for Benster Etse and Wife Alicia
Photo #8 Young LDS Elders with New Micronesian Friends
Photo #9 Young Teens with Parents Enjoy the Show
Photo #10 Elder and Sister Joseph Higginson with Benito Optaia at the Head Table
Photo #11 Bruce Tipton, Author, Political Commentator and LDS Church Representative Also Attended the Evening's Events
Photo #12 President and Sister Benjamin Beasley
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