Methodist Women’s Fellowship Convention

Thursday 28 September 2006

Good Evening and welcome to Christchurch. Spring is always such a lovely season in our city and I hope that you have time to enjoy our gardens.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if New Zealanders could enjoy Easter at this time of year in the way they do in the northern hemisphere. We could then truly rejoice in the idea of resurrection and new beginnings.

The Methodist church has as part of its vision “to be peacemakers between people and in the world”. Christchurch shares this vision. We were the first peace city in New Zealand, and the first city in New Zealand to be nuclear free.

This year Christchurch has celebrated its 150th anniversary. The Canterbury Association planned Christchurch as a Church of England settlement. They sold land to Anglican families to settle and with the money they built roads, schools and churches. Thus began Christchurch’s long history of social involvement.

Modern Christchurch is a multi cultural city with people of many faiths. We still look after our own and have the second largest public housing portfolio in the country.

Our values are that of an inclusive society that wants the best for our people.

Welcome to Christchurch and my best wishes for a thoughtful and enjoyable convention.