CCCAS concludes conference with new officers appointed

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — One of the largest denominations in the territory, the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (CCCAS) appointed new officers at the conclusion of its biennial conference that concluded this past Friday.

Rev Elder Leatulagi Faalevao who was vice chairman automatically takes over the Chairmanship position. Reverend Elder Faaitete Saifoloi was voted as Vice Chairman.

The vice chairman will accede to the chairman’s seat after the next general conference.

Deacon Ufagafa Ray Tulafono, a former director has been elected to replace Mrs Fiasili Haleck as treasurer.

Mrs Haleck has held the treasurer position for a number of years and is currently overseas for medical reasons.

Rev Nafatali Falealii has been re-elected as the secretary.

The new chairman of the Elders Committee, is Rev Elder Falelua Lafitaga.

Also approved during the conference is the church’s unaudited financial report for June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021. The financial report was presented by the secretary of the finance committee, Paepae Joseph Faiai, in the absence of the CCCAS treasurer.

According to the report, the churches finances recorded a surplus of $947,248.96.

Revenue collected for the year under review was $2.51 million with expenses amounting to $1.56 million.

The report says $1.75 million was collected from the church’s annual taulaga (collection) — $92,500 from the taulaga from Elders and Church Ministers; $50,000 from pension fund; $93,591.86 from the schools and personnel subsidy amounted to $130,656.16; with $9,800 from the print shop among other revenue collections.

However Samoa News notes that although the individual figures are not consistent with the totals for collections and expenses, they are the numbers provided.

Under expenses, $1.13 million was spent on personnel costs; $20,642 was spent on materials and supplies; $30,000 on pension gifts; $50,000 on scholarship, training and seminary staff development.

Furthermore, $104,182 was spent on the church’s missionary programs and $2,670 was for the general conference expenses.

Under all others, which included utilities for the main office, compound and high school; allowances, and automobile expenses — amounted to $155,196.98.

Regarding the church’s fixed assets, the financial report states that the land in American Samoa is valued at $12.26 million; $67,384 for Oklahoma land; $330,000 in North Carolina, and $35,000 for land in New Zealand.

The total land assets amount to $12.86 million.

The conference was held at the church’s headquarters at Kanana Fou, while overseas parishes participated remotely.