Once again, Durham Street Methodist Church is proud to support and participate in Pride Month 2025. A group joined the Pride Walk of Support on 1st March, and individual members will be attending other events. Later in the month our regular Games Night will be Pride-themed and all are invited to our Pride Service on … Continued
A contingent of Durham Street members joined a hīkoi on Waitangi Day to protest against the Treaty Principles Bill which is currently before Parliament’s Justice Committee. Below are a few pictures from our march from Victoria Square to New Brighton. As members of the Methodist Church of New Zealand – Te Hāhi Weteriana o Aotearoa … Continued
As in previous years, we will be combining with other Christchurch churches during the summer. Services will be at the Aldersgate Centre with morning tea at 10am and the service starting at 10.30am. Leaders are: 29 December: Lucy D’Aeth, Christchurch West Methodist Church 5 January: Rev Anne Preston, Christchurch North Methodist Church 12 January: Rev … Continued
Over the weekend of 26th and 27th October 2024, the Durham Street congregation welcomed many friends and past members to celebrate 160 years since the original stone church was completed. We reflected on many years of the church serving the city and being a witness for peace and social justice; shared food and fellowship at … Continued
Te Hāhi Weteriana o Aotearoa/The Methodist Church of New Zealand is in its second year of a decade focusing on climate justice, entitled Rekindle the Vā of Papatūānuku. Each year, churches are encouraged to focus on the natural world during the month of September. This year our children’s activity for several Sundays involved the creation … Continued
The first Durham Street Methodist Church was completed in 1864 and this year the congregation celebrates 160 years of worship and service. Former members, ministers and friends of the church are warmly invited to participate in the celebration, which will take place over Labour Weekend, 26-27 October 2024. Events include: Saturday 26 October 6.30pm Celebration … Continued
Celebrate Matariki with us! There will be a special Matariki-themed Friday Games Night on 28 June at 7.30pm. Delicious desserts will be on offer in addition to the usual snacks! We will also continue the celebration at our Sunday Gathering, 10:00am Sunday 30 June, followed by a special shared lunch together. Matariki is a time … Continued
The congregation of Durham Street Methodist Church are proud to be supporting and participating in the 2024 Pride Celebrations! We invite you to join us in any or all of the following events: Thursday 14th March 5.15pm, Cashel Mall (starting at the Colombo Street end). Join our contingent at the Walk for Support to demonstrate … Continued
The first South Island school of theology, Kete Aroha o Waipounamu – Theology on the Edge took place at Aldersgate Centre from 28-30 January. Keynote speakers and topics were: Dr Peter Lineham – Christianity on the margins: discipleship in a new age Rev Tara Tautari – Rekindling the vā of Papatūānuku Dr Kathleen Rushton RSM … Continued
It was great to join up again with the Christchurch West, North and South congregations for five combined Sunday services during late December and January. The services were led by different worship leaders each week. Thanks to everyone who led and attended the services!
The beautiful Aldersgate Christmas display this year has been kindly provided by the team from Youth Housing, part of the Christchurch Methodist Mission who share the building with the Durham Street congregation. The Christmas origami on the pinboard behind the display was made by the children of the congregation. During Advent, you are invited to … Continued
On the closest Sunday to 1st November, All Saints Day (traditionally called All Hallows Day, which is why the previous day is All Hallows Eve, or Hallowe’en), we celebrated the ‘saints’ of Durham Street. Members of the congregation were asked to bring in photos of ‘saints’ who had been an important influence for good in … Continued
Should churches get involved in politics? We think they certainly have a role to play in helping people to be informed and to debate the issues prior to casting their vote, and in giving a voice to the disadvantaged. The Aldersgate Centre has recently hosted a Tax Fairness Election Forum organised by EcuAction, a multi-faith … Continued
During September and October, our church took inspiration from the national Methodist Church’s decade long focus on climate justice, Rekindle the Vā of Papatūānuku. Vā is a term used by many Pacific cultures to denote space between, or relationship with, and Papatūānuku is te reo for Earth mother. The emphasis of our Durham Street Festival … Continued
Last Sunday we welcomed Craig Watson from Diverse Church NZ who not only gave an inspiring reflection on Radical Hospitality, he also unveiled our new rainbow bench. This beautiful bench has been gifted to Durham Street Methodist Church in recognition of our contribution to hosting the Awaken Conference in March. It will be a permanent … Continued
On April 23rd, Rev Philo Kinera was privileged to welcome Kenny into the church through baptism. In a moving ceremony, Kenny was supported by his partner and a close friend and by members of the congregation. The picture shows our beautiful stone font, and a shell from Kenny’s home country which was used to perform … Continued
On 16th April we celebrated the life and hymns of William (Bill) Wallace who had recently turned 90, and he unveiled a new plaque for the sculpture ‘Ways of the Way’ that he gifted to the church when the new Aldersgate Centre was completed in 2019. Bill has had an amazing life of prolific hymn-writing, … Continued
Christchurch’s popular earthquake memorial artwork by Peter Majendie,185 Empty White Chairs, was dismantled last weekend and the chairs distributed around the city. Christchurch residents were given the chance to take a chair home to put in their garden, and Durham Street Methodist church now has one of the chairs in the Huritau Garden, in memory … Continued
The 2023 Awaken – Maranga Mai conference brought three days of colour, fun, workshops, worship and great kai to Aldersgate Centre last weekend! Huge thanks to all the volunteers who made the conference such a success.
The Durham Street congregation is very excited to be hosting the annual Awaken – Maranga Mai Conference for queer people of faith at Aldersgate Centre as part of Pride Week Otautahi 2023. It will be the first time this conference has been held in South Island and we look forward to meeting participants from across … Continued