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
Durham Street Methodists will not be meeting at Aldersgate this Sunday, but instead we will be meeting in your living room. Don’t worry – no need for an extra tidy up or a rush to the supermarket for extra morning tea supplies. As we discovered last year, in the age of COVID we can do … Continued
With life in Aotearoa New Zealand feeling almost normal again, and bubbles opening up with Aussie and Cook Islands, its easy to forget there are still more than 2,800 people currently in Managed Isolation & Quarantine (MIQ) behind the black mesh fencing, and just under 4,000 expected to arrive in the next 14 days (as … Continued
Recovery after a major disruption can feel comforting. We just want to get back to the way things were – the warm blanket of the familiar and the easy, after all the stress, and change, and challenge. Mark Gibson, from New Brighton Union and Port Hills Uniting Churches reminds us, however: “Recovery is not a … Continued
While the Prime Minister has emphasised the role of the ‘team of five million’ in achieving no active Covid-19 cases in such short time, its also good to see some media coverage given to the behind-the-scenes local heroes in fighting the virus. Did you notice the photo of Stephen Chambers in this weekend’s Press? Professor Stephen … Continued
We have kept connected through emails and personal phone calls. However, on the 3rd of June we took another step forward breaking out of our bubbles, being around more people. We came together at Wallace’s place for fellowship and rejoicing with Nancy Lemke on her 90th birthday. Nothing mattered except being in the presence of one … Continued
May the 14 has been declared by a number of world religious leaders as a day of prayer, fasting and supplications for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. More information on the day can be found in this article. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200508005369/en/Higher-Committee-Human-Fraternity-Calls-Global-Day In response to this call, the Canterbury Interfaith Society has coordinated religious leaders and congregations from … Continued
Our Church Community’s Experience of the Lockdown:During Virtual Sunday this week (10 June 2020), Matthew asked us to share photos of what we missed most, or what we appreciated most during the lockdown. Here is the result:
There is something about a crisis that makes us want to cling onto certainty even tighter. I have heard it said that the two things that people need most in a crisis is certainty and connection. And during the Covid-19 lockdown that separates us (for very good reasons) into our own little bubbles, I guess … Continued
Over 50 people gathered on-line during the lockdown to celebrate our Virtual Easter Sunday with the Durham Street Methodist community. Thanks to Hugh for grabbing these pictures of the diverse bunch of participants we are, some decorated eggs and colourful hats – that we were asked by Philo to bring along for the celebration. Her … Continued
This Easter: Don’t go to church, be the church
On the night of his arrest, Jesus gathered at table with his disciples in an upper Zoom.
Christchurch Methodist Mission, as a part of the collaborative Housing First initiative, has been given access to 25 motel units across four complexes (and potentially more if required) to provide shelter for people who are currently homeless, while the country is in lockdown. In the first instance, ring 0800 43 24 24, and the person … Continued
We survived our first Virtual Sunday – meeting as church in the age of the virus. About 26 people over 19 connections meet together and encouraged each other. Only one person was brave enough to come in their pyjamas. Nobody was injured, and we didn’t break the internet. In fact, some people said it was … Continued
We’ll be gathering this Sunday at 10:00am at your place, but don’t worry, no need to do an extra clean-up or get in more morning tea supplies. Instead you are invited to an exciting new experiment in doing church differently in the age of the virus: Virtual Sundays: Church-Not-As-Usual. This is not just a video of … Continued
As an act of solidarity, and perhaps even mystical connection, we are encouraging everyone who can, to light a candle in their window (or on their table) at 7:00pm each Sunday evening and say a prayer for the vulnerable, alone or elderly in our community (those we know and those we don’t), and to give … Continued
Our building may be closed. Church gatherings may be suspended, but we are still here for you. Just to prove it, when many others were doing their last minute panic shopping before the lock-down came into force, Philo and Jeff were doing their panic setting-up of a fun Easter window display – Easter eggs, bunnies, … Continued
Dear friends, You are all precious in God’s eyes and loved by the Aldersgate Community. We have taken the advice of Health professions and the Methodist Connexion to suspend all services until further notice. Please take the necessary precautions to stay safe. Reflections will be posted on our webpage and we will do all we … Continued
Today we received notice that the Methodist Church of New Zealand Te Haahi Weteriana o Aotearoa has suspended all church services – this includes ours at Durham Street. This is not only in consideration of the risks of those attending, but also to reduce as much as possible any further spread of the virus to … Continued