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
At the opening ceremony for the new Aldersgate building in February 2020, representatives of other faiths were invited to participate in the celebration and also to gift a banner or other item representing their faith. These banners are on display in the church. From left to right: 1. Banner presented by representatives of the Hindu … Continued
Join us after church on Sunday 26th February for an informal BBQ in the Huritau Garden. Good kai, good conversation, good connections. We will be hosting members of the Sunday morning AA group to help build connections. There is no charge but please register with David by email (davidp@otiake.nz) before Wednesday with number of people … Continued
Many thanks to the Christchurch West, North and South congregations for joining with us for four combined Sunday services in January. It was great to see so many people of all ages coming together and to hear different worship leaders. The photos below are from three of the services.
Members of the Durham Street congregation were deeply saddened to hear of the death of Rev. Rob Ferguson on 8th December 2022. Rob came out of his second ‘retirement’ in 2016 to be our church’s first StreeTs minister and spent over two years wandering the streets of Christchurch, bringing a church presence to the city … Continued
Ben Nowland-Foreman has done it again, producing a new story for Christmas 2022. Written and illustrated by Ben, this year’s story is called The Lucky Magic Talking Train, and is about a boy who thinks that the more toys he has, the happier he will be… until something happens to change his mind. Printed copies are available … Continued
On the first Sunday in Advent, Durham Street Methodist Church unveiled this year’s Advent Calendar, in the Toi Gallery. The white plastic box is for donations such as non-perishable food, toiletries, grocery & petrol vouchers which will be donated to appropriate charities such as Christchurch Methodist Mission, Housing First, Social Housing, Child & Family Services, … Continued
Sunday August 28th saw the launch of a book of prayers by Dorothy Drew. Now 95, Dorothy has been a member of the Durham Street Methodist Church for many decades, and her prayers have been a very much appreciated part of her huge contribution to the church over the years. They have been described as … Continued
Thanks to everyone who came to our Pride Week events: an evening of board games, fun, food and laughter on Friday and a wonderful service on Sunday!
Durham Street Methodist Church invites you to join us as we celebrate Pride Week! Look for the rainbow steps at 309 Durham Street, or enter off Chester St West and admire the lights in the Huritau Garden on your way into the building. On Friday 24th June at 7.30pm, join us for a special session … Continued
During easter week, Rev Philo Kinera convened a small meeting at Aldersgate with Qtopia and others interested in supporting and advocating for queer people of colour. It coincided with a visit to Christchurch of Cayathri Divakalala, co-founder of Adhikaar Aotearoa – who is based in Hamilton. Adhikaar Aotearoa provides education, advocacy and support so that all LGBTQI+ … Continued
Durham Street member, Ben, is featured in this month’s national Methodist newspaper, “Touchstone“. And we understand it is the most read and most downloaded article in the edition! Our most famous story-teller has just finished his latest story, “The Easter Penguin“. It’s about a misfit little blue penguin or kororā, named Curious, jealous of the … Continued
Are you naturally friendly and enjoy dealing with all kinds of people? Love serving the community and good causes? Well organised with a a practical bent? Attracted by a challenge? This could be the position for you. Since its official opening in February 2020 the Aldersgate Centre facilities have been well used — being booked … Continued
“Conversion therapy” has very little to do with what Christians would normally associate with ‘conversion’, and is less like legitimate ‘therapy’ than a form of physical and or mental torture. It assumes that being LGBTQI+ is a “sickness” that needs to be “cured”, which we firmly assert it is not (along with all the major … Continued
It still may not be church as usual, but as from Sunday 03 October we are back meeting in person for our Sunday Gatherings at Aldersgate. As much as we enjoyed staying in touch with Virtual Sundays again, we are so looking forward to seeing each other again in person. As usual, we really don’t care … Continued