Events - 2009

Anglican - Methodist Covenant Celebrations

In Temuka at 10.00am on Sunday 5th July, a combined Anglican and Methodist worship and communion service was held at St Peters Anglican Church, Dyson Street, Temuka.

In Christchurch at 5.30pm on Sunday 24th May - Wesley Day - a special combined service was held at ChristChurch Cathedral in the Square, to celebrate the signing of the national covenant between the two churches. It was jointly organised and led by the Methodist Synod and the Anglican Diocese, with special Methodist guest preacher, Rev John Wesley, a.k.a. Rev Dr Jim Stuart. A time of fellowship was enjoyed over a cuppa following the service.

Below: 'Rev John Wesley' is welcomed to the Cathedral by the Dean, Peter Beck

Below: Dean Peter Beck, Bishop Victoria Matthews, Rev Norman West and Susanne Spindler lead the affirmation of the Covenant on behalf of the Anglican Diocese and the Methodist Synod

To read more about the background and the signing of the Covenant click here

August Synod

Our August Synod, from 7th to 8th August was again a live-in event. This year it was held in Ashburton, and we met at St Davids Union Church, Allenton. Overnight accommodation was arranged in a local motel, the Bella Vista Motel, and we were very well looked after there by hosts Evan and Heather. During our meeting our beautiful new Synod banner, designed by Gordon Abernethy, was presented to the Synod by Anne Abernethy, who made the banner along with the late Audrey Leadley. It was great to have our new banner on display at the Methodist Conference which was held in Christchurch in November. During the youth report to Synod we were also treated to a display of chainsaw mastery by Alan K Webster, who re-enacted part of the June youth camp worship service, cutting a cross shape into the front of a wooden box to enable the light to shine out from within.
Below: Anne Abernethy presents the new banner to Synod Superintendent Rev Bruce Anderson; Rev Alan K Webster makes a powerful point with the chainsaw

District Youth Services

These are held monthly and hosted by different parishes and youth groups.
The next youth service will be on Sunday 21st February, commencing at 7.00pm, and will be hosted by the Beckenham Youth Group. It will have an "Avatar" theme, and promises to be a great evening.

Please contact Sue Spindler sue.spindler@gmail.com to enquire about future services.

CSI Synod Youth is now on Facebook - visit our page at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/CSI-Synod-Youth/328014279739?ref=nf and become a fan!

Christmas Youth Service at the Timeball Station
Our last district youth service for 2009 was one with a difference. On December 20th we met at the Chapel, Winchester Street, Lyttelton, where Rev Mark Gibson introduced the heritage Christmas pilgrimage theme of the evening and talked about some of the early Methodist history in Lyttelton, starting with a small group of Methodists who arrived on the first 4 ships of Canterbury settlers. We then walked about a kilometre to the historic Timeball Station for a BBQ meal (indoors as the rain had set in by then!) and worship service which explored the Christmas themes of love, joy, peace and hope at the same time as we explored the many rooms within the Timeball Station. Towards the end of the worship time we all climbed the circular stairs to the rooftop and watched the Timeball being raised then lowered. It was a wonderful event, and our thanks go to Mark for his creative initiative and to Jan Titus, Property Manager at the Timeball Station for her support for and participation in this event. Here are some of the photos of the evening.