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(Narrator) Even in the dead of winter...
traditional Sunday clothing at
Calvary United Methodist Church...
can mean sandals and skirts.
(Greeter at church door) Talofa. In English, Hello
(Michael Seui) No matter where we come from...
this is what we look forward to.
♪ (Choir sings Samoan hymn) ♪
(Narrator) These Tacoma, Washington residents,
many born 5,000 miles away in Samoa,
look forward to familiar hymns, traditional dress and dances,
♪ (singing) ♪
as well as readings from the Samoan Bible.
(Michael Seui) Verse 15... (repeats in Samoan)
(Narrator) The service has special meaning
to elderly Samoans...
♪ (Children singing) ♪
(Narrator) ...who speak no English.
The congregation initially worshipped in another
building with an English- speaking church but...
(Kalolo Krause) older folk could not understand a word.
They like to worship, but they would like to
understand what the pastor is saying.
(Narrator) For young Samoans, who attend secular
schools and speak English at home, this weekly service
can be their only exposure to native customs.
(Senai Gasetoto) I think it's important to keep our
native tongue through our tradition.
Basically just keeping it on from generation to
generation so it's easier for us to communicate with Samoans.
(Narrator) Sefulu Taufeetee drives more than 40 miles
to bring his family.
(Sefulu Taufetee) We understand English,
we can speak English ...but, I think, to me
it's more effective when you listen in your own native tongue
and you can feel it with your heart.
(Preaching in Samoan)
(Narrator) Parents hope these children will carry
on traditions learned here...
♪ (Children singing) ♪
(Narrator) ...and pass their heritage on to
future Samoan-Americans.
(Joyce Taufetee) When I come here, you know,
everybody here, they're always smiling.
That's what Samoans do. They smile.
They give you hugs just to welcome you.
(Michael Seui) With warm hearts, open hearts, and
open hands, we welcome anybody and everybody.