Pastor Latulala Toetu'u

Our calling started seventeen years ago when Losaline my wife and I moved from Hawaii with our four children (Lu’isa, Ema, Latulala Jr and Makelesi) to the Bay Area to attend seminary studies at Pacific School of Religion (PSR) in Berkley. Our two younger boys Roy and Luke were born here in California. I graduated seminary in 2005. We moved to Sacramento for two years, then we moved back to the Bay. We attended churches such as Lake Merritt UMC in downtown Oakland, Laurel UMC east Oakland and St. Luke UMC in Richmond where I served as an assistant pastor for seven years. It was from St. Luke UMC that we were called to serve in Carlin UMC, northeast of Nevada. Being appointed to a new church has always come with dual consequences- the excitement of the new appointment and the sadness of leaving the old one. Between the end of June and the beginning of July every year is always a hectic time of the year, especially when pastors are on new appointments. The goal is always to make sure that the transition and moving are timely. We have moved here to Orland Federated Church from Carlin UMC, northeast of Nevada. We had served Carlin church for three years. With our transition and moving now done, we settled in and are ready for our new church family. However we are still overwhelmingly joyous for the welcoming and hospitable spirits of the people of Orland Federated Church. Your welcoming spirit was extended to us even before we move here. The Lay-leader and SPRC chair promptly contacted us on behalf of the church to make sure that everything is alright and ready for the transition. Honestly, it made us feel at home already! The month of July comes to an end, but our ministry continues. Yes, the ministry of love and faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. My wife Losaline and daughters Lu’isa (‘Isa) and Makelesi (Esi) and sons Roy and Luke have already experienced the love and the warmth welcome from the people of Orland Federated Church since day one. We don’t have enough words of thanks to give to you all for making the parsonage ready for us. Thanks for all your words of welcoming, prayers, gifts of food and many other things. I know there were costs involved putting into that week of cleaning and preparation. There were costs of time, money and man-power. There is no doubt, my family has received the fruits of your love and labor, but the blessings of the Heavenly Father have bestowed upon each and every one of you. I am sure you have done all these not because of my family but simply to witness your love of the Lord and your belief in the proclamation of His Word, as St. Paul shared these words with the church in Philippi, “ I can endure all things through the power of the one who gives me strength.”(Philippians 4:13). Indeed, you have done all these things through the power and strength given to you by our Lord Jesus. I believe that having the same power and strength will empower me and my family to do God’s ministries together with you in Orland Federated Church and also to the community of Orland.

Pastor Latu