The Sunday Assembly, the ‘Atheist Church’, has arrived in Christchurch

Sunday Assembly Christchurch will formally launch on Sunday September 28th, 2014.

The Sunday Assembly, dubbed by the media as the ‘atheist church’ (as in ‘without god’ rather than ‘anti god’), is formally launching in Christchurch on September 28th. Sunday Assembly was founded in London in January 2013, and since then it has exploded across the world over 30 Assemblies up and running (it’s the ‘fastest growing church in the world’ according to the Daily Beast).

After hearing about the Sunday Assembly on Radio New Zealand’s Nine to Noon and via social media, local organizers from Christchurch contacted Sunday Assembly’s London HQ for help in setting up their own congregation. They were inspired by the Assembly’s core creed - “to live well, help often and wonder more”. Now William, Will and Cam, and a small team of helpers are about to formally launch Christchurch’s own assembly.

The event takes place at The CBD Bar, 208 Madras St, Christchurch. It kicks off at 11am on the 28th of September and entry is free.

Sunday Assembly is all the best bits of church, emphasising fun, music, togetherness and universal human values, without the religious baggage that so often causes division and derision. Each service is based around a values-based theme, with a guest speaker, reading and songs all inspired by that idea.

William said: “We were lucky to have access to a great space above the CDB Bar provided by the same people behind the Christchurch Fringe festival but we will soon need a bigger venue. We’ve been hosting assemblies there since June as a precursor to the official launch on the 28th of September.”

Will added “We are also looking for more volunteers to help with organizing the assemblies and joining our “help often” initiatives, such as our planned bake-a-thon for the local homeless and our helping alongside Forest & Bird and others at a recent working bee in a native plants reserve.”

Each Sunday Assembly aims to energize, vitalize, restore, repair, refresh and recharge by sharing thoughts and themes that can solace worries, foster kindness and inject a touch of transcendence into the everyday. Sunday Assembly Christchurch will be a place of love and compassion, where, no matter what your situation or belief (you don’t have to be an atheist), you will be welcomed and accepted.

What’s more, this is just one part of a global story. There will soon be 100 Sunday Assembly congregations on seven continents (there’s even been a once-off Assembly in Antarctica).

Sanderson Jones, the co-founder said: “We welcome everyone from across the world to join our wonderful movement. We didn’t expect to go global - but it sure is fun!”

The Sunday Assembly Background

The Sunday Assembly is a godless congregation that celebrates life.
Our motto: live better, help often and wonder more.
Our mission: to help everyone find and fulfill their full potential.
Our vision: A Sunday Assembly in every town, city or village that wants one.
The Sunday Assembly was founded in London in January 2013 by Sanderson Jones and Pippa Evans, who are two comedians who love to celebrate life.

Notes to editors

Information about Sunday Assembly Christchurch:
https://www.facebook.com/sachristchurch
http://www.meetup.com/Sunday-Assembly-Christchurch/

Event information

Location: Above CBD Bar, 208 Madras St
When: 11am to 12pm, Sunday 28th of September, reoccurring on the last Sunday of every month.
Price: Free
September Speaker: Kaila Corbin of TEDxCHRISTCHURCH on Urban Renewal

ENDS

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