The Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACoM) is set to mark a historic milestone this month as it commemorates 50 years of independence from the Anglican Church of New Zealand, Aotearoa, and Polynesia. A weeklong Golden Jubilee celebration will commence on Saturday, 14th June 2025, under the official theme: “Celebrating Our Golden Past, Serving Our Present and Envisioning Our Future Together.”
The celebration signifies half a century since ACoM became an autonomous Province in the worldwide Anglican Communion in 1975 — a moment of reflection, thanksgiving, and forward planning for the Church’s mission in Melanesia.
The Jubilee celebration will begin with a parade from the ACoM Provincial Headquarters and Diocese of Central Melanesia car park at Point Cruz, to the Saint Barnabas Provincial Cathedral, bringing together clergy, members of the religious orders, lay members and students in a colorful and symbolic march of faith and unity.
On Sunday, 15th June at 12:30pm, a Holy Eucharist service at Saint Barnabas Cathedral will formally launch the beginning of the celebrations. This worship service sets the spiritual tone for the week, emphasizing gratitude for God’s faithfulness over the past 50 years.
The Jubilee celebration will coincide with the ACOM Secondary School Games (ACOMSIC), an event uniting Anglican schools from across the Solomon Islands in fellowship, healthy competition, and shared purpose.
Major highlights of the Jubilee Week include:
- ACOM Board of Mission Symposium
An important platform for theological reflection and realignment of the Church’s mission in the face of emerging challenges in Melanesia and beyond. - ACOM Education Department Symposium
A key engagement for educators and church leaders to examine the state of Anglican education and its role in shaping future generations. - Inauguration of John Coleridge Patteson University
A historic milestone that will see the launch of a new Anglican university – named after the first Bishop of Melanesia—promoting academic excellence rooted in Christian values. - Anniversary Thanksgiving Service (Sunday, 22nd June)
A service of thanksgiving to celebrate the official 50th Anniversary of the Church’s self-governance, to be held at the Saint Barnabas Cathedral. - Election of the New Bishop for the Diocese of Ysabel
A significant leadership event as the Church discerns and installs new episcopal leadership for one of its key dioceses.
The Jubilee is more than a celebration of the past—it is a divine moment for renewal, discernment, and future visioning. As the Church continues to journey the rapidly changing world, ACoM leaders are calling for prayerful engagement and community participation.
As we celebrate this milestone, we also seek God’s guidance in realigning our mission to serve our people effectively in these changing times.
Church leaders both in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, representatives from the Melanesian Trust Board in New Zealand and Bishop of Auckland and members from the ACoM Mission partners overseas will attend some of these important gatherings and celebrations.
The Master Program of Events will be posted separately in this page.
Let us join hands in thanksgiving and prayer as ACoM steps confidently into the next 50 years of faith, service, and growth.