The Dunedin Methodist Parish and the Methodist Church of New Zealand – Te Hāhi Weteriana O Aotearoa, have made the decision to close the Broad Bay Methodist Church. Members of the Broad Bay congregation will continue to participate in the Dunedin Methodist Parish but will be leaving the present building.

A de-commissioning and closing service will be held at Broad Bay (65 Greig Street) on Sunday 30 November 2014 at 11am. The service will be followed by a shared lunch* with time to talk and share memories.

An invitation is goes out to anyone who has had an association with the Broad Bay Methodist Church, and the wider Otago Peninsula community to join in the closing service which will be one of celebration and moving on.

The service will be addressed by the Vice President of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, Arapera (Bella) Ngaha and there will be recollection of the history of this congregation which has had a presence on the Otago Peninsula since 1859 when William Bacon set up a room in his home for Methodist worship.

There will be a small display of photos and other memorabilia and if anyone has material to add please use the contacts below. A pot luck lunch will be held after the service, so please bring finger food or food that doesn’t need reheating. Out of town visitors are not expected to bring food – as Peninsula parishioners will ensure there will be plenty to share.

For more information please contact;

Jenny Winter, 03 478 0491, mob 021 168 9272, email mcleanwinter@clear.net.nz

Elspeth McLean, 03 478 0547, email elspethmclean@actrix.co.nz

Rev Siosifa Pole, 03 466 4600, email siosifap@dmm.org.nz