Touchstone September 2006

The very human face of civil unions
By Paul Titus
New Zealand’s civil union legislation came into affect in April, 2005. A civil union gives same-sex and opposite-sex couples the option to enter into a legal relationship that carries the same rights and obligations as marriage. In its first year less than 400 couples opted for civil union. While the numbers are not large, the choice of civil union is very important for some couples. read more...

Unity, respect mark well-loved queen’s send off
By Paul Titus
Methodist Church leaders and lay people were among those who played a part in the momentous gatherings that marked the tangi and funeral of the Maori queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. read more...

Wesley Wellington Samoans toast 50 years
Past and present members of the Wesley Wellington Samoan Congregation gathered at Wesley Church, Taranaki Street, Wellington on Saturday 10 June to mark 50 years since the first Samoan language service. read more...

Faith, fellowship, and kimchi at Methodist women’s world assembly
Fellowship, a new awareness of social justice issues, laughter, and high tech toilets are some of the memories Mataiva Robertson has from the World Assembly of Methodist and Uniting Women. read more...

Where do archivists come from?
By Diana Roberts
Hazel Simpkin is retiring from her voluntary position in the Auckland Methodist Archives after more than 20 years of recording and researching, setting up systems and stacking shelves. read more...