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
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
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
“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
Aldersgate was alive last Sunday for a special celebration to close Pride Week in Christchurch. Just under 60 people of all ages took part in a colourful and creative celebration, under the theme of We Are Loved. Opening with the haunting sounds of the song “Draw the circle wide” from our lock-down friends at Eastminster … Continued