DAP Executive 2017-2024
DAP President: Deaconess Meresiana Kuricava (*)
Deaconess Meresiana N. Kuricava is an ordained Deaconess of the Methodist Church in Fiji. Currently she is the Principal of the Methodist Lay Training College in Davuilevu Nausori. She was once the Administrator of the Methodist Deaconess Order and Head of the Deaconess Training Centre at 29 Moala St, Samabula, Suva. She has served in the Dilkusha Home in 1994 with orphanage children before further serving in 2 other Circuits/ Parish.
She is a graduate of the Pacific Theological College in Suva with a Bachelor of Divinity. She obtained her M. A. Mission Studies at the University of Birmingham, UK in 2003. She later served as Tutor at the Deaconess Training Centre from 2003 – 2010, and serving as Administrator since 2011 till today. In her work as Administrator she sees the implementation of better quality theological training for deaconesses and for the daily running of the Deaconess House.
Her spouse is a school teacher, with 2 young boys in Primary school. She was the Coordinator of Sunday School in the Indian Division. She has organized rallies and, camps for children and workshops for Sunday School teachers within the Indian Division. The family attend the Baker Memorial Church in Davulevu, Nausori.
She joined DAP in a meeting in Adelaide in October, 2016. From then on it has been an exciting journey with having to know and learn about Diakonia associations in the Pacific. The first World Assembly she was part of was in 2017 in Chicago.
Being part of the World Executive Committee is a challenge and a joy as a horizon is extended to learn and know more about the histories of diakonia and to help paddle a new course in this changing world.
DAP Executive Committee – Vice-President
Rev Deacon Christa Megaw (*)
Christa Megaw is a Deacon currently in congregational ministry at Henley Fulham Uniting Church, South Australia – one congregation on two sites near the coast. One of Christa’s roles is to encourage and equip members of the congregation to make connections with the local and wider community in a range of ways. The congregation has recently won a grant to employ a part time deacon candidate, Chelsea Size as community pastor, which is very encouraging.
Before this placement, Christa worked for the Uniting Church in the area of International Mission, encouraging individuals and congregations to make links with people in our partner churches through sharing stories of faith, prayer and mutual visits.
Previously Christa has volunteered for some years, supporting refugees and asylum seekers. She was ordained in 2011 after working as a primary school teacher.
Christa is married to Phil, who retired for a short time but has gone back to work in a part time capacity, helping to maintain a Uniting Church conference centre.
Christa has completed degrees in education and theology.
Christa also serves on the DIAKONIA World DIAKAID Committee.
Rev Deacon Judy Knowling (alternate on the Executive)
(*) DAP representatives to DIAKONIA World Executive Committee)
(Archdeacon Anne Russell Brighty from DANZA also served on the DAP Committee during this term)
