Marching in Solidarity with Students

The Christchurch march was one of 20 rallies held throughout Aotearoa, to ‘raise awareness about the urgent need for climate action and to demand meaningful policy changes to combat the climate crisis’.

Last year the Durham Street Parish Council decided to actively engage in activities relevant to the MCNZ 10-year commitment to Rekindle the Vā of Papatūānuku. A presentation by leading journalist and business and climate commentator Rod Oram, speaking at one of Durham Street's monthly Theology Discovery sessions, inspired the group to participate in the School Strike 4 Climate. Oram died suddenly on 19 March and significantly, the first climate strike of the year was on the same day as his Auckland memorial service. The service was deliberately scheduled to ensure attendees could make it to the Auckland march.

The Durham Street congregation has supported peace marches and other protest rallies in the past and are now becoming more intentional about raising their profile as a church group seeking justice. A banner created this year, features an image of the Aldersgate centre’s high-profile and visually stunning stained-glass window, the name "Durham Street Methodist" and the parish signature byline "Open hearts, Open minds, Open doors". The banner had its inaugural showing at the local Pride March earlier this year and has been effective in drawing attention to the presence of the congregation supporting causes for climate and social justice.

We did also attract some negative comments on our church's Facebook page , but the over-whelming response was encouraging and supportive..

Christchurch Central Methodist Parish Superintendent Rev Philomena Kinera was proud and excited to be part of the group walking alongside the protesting students. “The congregation is very affirming. We want to be more visible around showing our support for issues that affect everyone in New Zealand,” she says. “We talk about visibility but we need to be out there.”

Rev Philo said that the young participants in the ‘extremely well organised and executed climate march’ were well informed and passionate about the climate issue.