October2016

The Bridge No. 11

Newsletter of

Ponte Sant`Angelo

Methodist Church Rome

“I look upon all the world as my parish.” John Wesley

Copy for next month to Pastor Tim by 26th October. This edition will be available on the first Sunday in Novemberwith details of activities up till Christmas.
Minister’s Letter for October 2016

John Wesley famously said that “The world is my parish”. This forms part of the logo of OPCEMI, of the Methodist Churches in Italy. It reminds us at Ponte Sant`Angelo that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Part of a Rome Circuit and 3rd District of the Tavola Valdese.Part of the European Methodist Council of which OPCEMI is a member. And part of the World Methodist Council, a fellowship of over 80 million Methodists the world over, in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Sunday by Sunday we look around and see people from around the world here. And we rejoice to be part of this tremendous body.

I`ve been privileged to attend three conferences in the space of a month +where representatives of these bodies have gathered to worship, to talk, to deliberate and the receive the inspiration of God`s Spirit for our ongoing work. That`s why I was missing for four Sundays! First to Torre Pellice for the annual Synod, then to Houston Texas for the meetings of the World Methodist Council and Conference, and then to Oporto in Portugal for the European Methodist Council.

So what if anything were the common themes that I detected and the similarities between our Methodist people across the continents?

  • We are a people of praise and a people of the book (the Bible) who sing our theology as much as speak it. We seek to be a movement of revival and renewal of hearts and minds and souls in God`s world.
  • We are ONE (as the theme for the WMC reminded us) as children of the Wesleyan and Methodist traditions which bind us together. Yet we are very diverse in our expressions of worship and theology and church order (from the Nigerian prelate looking and sounding like the Pope to the casual and consensual approach of churches of the North).
  • We share our passion for the poor and dispossessed of the world, for issues of migration, and of peace and justice and the care of creation in God`s world.
  • We seek to be the “friends of all and the enemies of none” as we reach out in love to our Christian sisters and brothers and to peoples of all faiths or none, declaring the love of God for all in Christ.

I hope that we can exhibit these marks of our Methodist identity at Ponte Sant`Angelo and provide a Protestant witness here in the heart of Rome, especially as we enter the Year of Reformation starting on 31st October (see details in this newsletter) .

May God bless the people called Methodists in this New Year and prosper the work of our hands in this 60th anniversary year as we seek to offer God praise and glory in all we do in his name.

Pastor Tim

THE WORLD IS MY PARISH

Pastor Tim and Angela have been to Houston Texas to attend the World Methodist Council/Conference and World Assembly of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women. In addition, Pastor Tim attended the annual Synod at Torre Pellice and the European Methodist Council in Oporto, Portugal. Here are their brief impressions of the encounters with Methodists from around the world.

ANNUAL SYNOD AT TORRE PELLICE

I spent four days in the Waldensian Valleys in the company of the ministers and then joined by lay representatives for the annual synod, the highest decision-making forum for Waldensians and Methodists in Italy. The fellowship, renewing old friendships and making new ones, was as usual more rewarding than the endless conversations and reading of reports of the churches, important though these are. This year there were no ordinands but at the opening service of Synod we welcomed Daniel and Grace Pratt-Chapman-Morris and their three children who have come as British mission partners to live and work in Milan. I presented a brief report on the work of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome. On the morning between the CorpoPastorale and the start of Synod I had a long walk up the Angrogna Valley discovering two of the early Waldensian chapels and revisiting the Chiesa della Tana, a cave to which the persecuted Waldensians fled from their farms when Catholic troops came to arrest them. It reminded me how much improved ecumenical relationships are now compared with those hard times.

Tim Macquiban

WORLD METHODIST COUNCIL/CONFERENCE

This was held in hot and humid Houston, the fourth largest city of the USA and home to the Houston Space Centre (Angela visited this – I was too busy …). Tall skyscrapers dominated the view from our hotel window. But in between the blocks there were some oases of green and calm as with the Heritage Park where some early houses (yes some nearly 200 years old!!) had been reconstructed. Houston became a boom town when oil was discovered in the region. But we discovered pockets of poverty even in this wealthy city.

Ecumenical relationships featured largely for me in the meetings of the WMC as we welcomed the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Rev Dr Olav Tveit, and Anglican, Baptist, and Roman Catholic representatives of those dialogues which we have with other Communions. I attended both workshops of the Standing Committee overseeing these and was elected its Chair for the next quinquennium, chairing its meeting during the incoming Council meeting. Other committees which met and worked together included Evangelism and Education, Family Life and Social Issues.

The conference itself was inspirational, gathering over 2,000 Methodists from around the world in a colourful array representing the churches from the Americas, Africa, Asia and the Pacific and Europe. The Opening Worship was vibrant, with a presentation of our praise for God the Creator of the Universe (yes, we had images of the first trip to the moon and the first word uttered was HOUSTON!) with Dr David Wilkinson as a British contribution, as an astro-physicist, reflecting with a colleague on the work of God in Creation. The concluding act of worship was a communion service with singing and dancing and some good bible studies in different styles. We even sang some Wesley hymns!! During the Conference the World Peace Award was made to Rev Dr Jo Ann Lyon who leads a global Christian relief and development agency working in 30 countries of the world. She gave an inspirational address challenging us to serve the needs of the communities around.

But it was the conversations over breakfast and coffee and lunch that made the conference what it was – a big family gathering. I gave out all my leaflets and cards. So we can expect many more visitors to Rome in the next few years. The Steering Committee of WMC decided to hold its next meeting here in October 2017. Watch this space!

Tim Macquiban

The World Came to Houston

‘’Houston, Tranquillity Base here- the Eagle has landed!’’ These memorable words were flashed around the world in July 1969 when they were spoken to mission control in Houston from the surface of the moon. I was thrilled to visit NASA recently and see the control room where the staff on the ground received the famous message.

Last month the Methodist world came to Houston Texas for the World Methodist Council and Conference, an event held in a different part of the world every 5 years. While Tim attended the 2 meetings I was at the World Assembly of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women, in another part of the huge hotel. Around 850 women came from countries in North/South America, East and West Asia, Africa, Australasia, the South Pacific and Europe. There were just 2 from Italy – Pastor Eric Noffke’s mother, Lidia, and me.

It was an exciting, vibrant, colourful and sometimes loud few days. Our theme was ‘Chosen People, Called to Proclaim’ and this was developed in Bible studies, workshops, presentations and worship. Our 3 Bible study leaders each took a different approach to the passage from I Peter 2, ‘’You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood…’’ from their own contexts as women ministers from Korea, South Africa and Kenya. Worship was led by groups from different countries and the singing was uplifting, fervent, reflective and meditative in turn. The large numbers from Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Kenya wore their WFMUCW ‘uniforms’, colourful dresses and matching headgear which always make those of us from western Europe look under-dressed!

I shared a little of the workshop I attended on Trafficking in a recent service led by Rev Tom Stuckey. This evil is prevalent all over the world and we were inspired by the leader, Cat, who organises teams of church members to rescue young women victims of sex trafficking and provide safe places to start rebuilding their damaged lives. Another workshop I attended on Hospitality focused on migration in the USA context where so many citizens live in fear for their national security. An agency of the United Methodist Church, Houston Justice for our Neighbours, provides legal services for immigrants and helps them to know their rights. It also educates churches to be more welcoming and less suspicious of those who are perceived as a threat.

Each of the 8 geographical areas of the World Federation gave a presentation about the culture of their countries: a song or dancing, a sketch or short video. Also they reported on the work they had been doing over the past 5 years to implement the UN Millennium Development Goals. The WF has NGO status with the UN Economic and Social Council and has reps in New York and Santiago de Chile.

It was wonderful to meet so many women from around the world during the week and to share stories with them from our own churches and groups. The trip to NASA was a popular option for the final day! In 2021 we shall meet in Scandinavia for the next World Assembly - I hope there will be some from PSA to swell the numbers from Italy!

Angela Macquiban

BAKE SALE on 16th OCTOBER

As our 60th Anniversary year draws to a close let’s make a big effort to meet our targets of providing a container for the Ghana project and furnishing the church balcony with new chairs. On Sunday 16thOctober there will be a baked goods sale after church, an opportunity to buy and sell both small cakes and biscuits or other finger foods to enjoy with coffee and tea, as well as larger cakes and other baked or savoury goods or jars to take home. There are several ways you can help to make this event a success. If you are a good cake maker please bring along whatever your favourite recipes inspire and if you have taken advantage of summer fruits to make jams or other conserves, please bring them too. If on the other hand you are not a keen cook, no need to feel left out – in the next few weeks when you do your food shopping, why not look out for a special jar of something tasty or an unusual packet of tea or biscuits, for example. Something that other people will want to buy and enjoy. Let’s do our best to make this a happy occasion for our congregation and visitors and a boost to our anniversary economy!

Just a reminder for those bringing baked goods – it would be very helpful if they could be packed in a way that those purchasing them will be able to easily carry home without damage. And for those planning to buy – please start putting aside your loose change so we will not have issues with lack of small change on the day.

Sandra Mi

Impressions so far

Having been in Rome for 3 weeks now, I was asked to write a little of my initial impressions and on how I am settling in. So far, I am loving being here! While the city is certainly busier than I’m used to, and at times overwhelming, I have loved being able to explore and getting to know the city better. It really is a beautiful place and there is so much to see!

I have been attending language classes at the Gregorian University every morning for 4 hours, and while the course is certainly intensive and a lot of work, I’m thoroughly enjoying myself. I am also part of a ‘Buongiorno Roma’ at the Lay Centre which has meant that I’ve been able to do a few “cultural” activities with them and meet some others who are visiting Rome or who have just moved here too. I was initially nervous about moving to a city where I knew nobody, but I am very thankful that I have been able to make friends and connect with people. I also feel very grateful for the warm welcome I have received at Ponte Sant’Angelo! Thank you to you all for making me feel welcome and for taking the time to chat to me on Sunday mornings!

I am slowly settling into the admin side of the work that I will be doing for the church and for the Methodist Ecumenical Office, and we have started to think about how I will be of help in moving forward with the ‘Heritage Project’. We have also started to connect with several organisations working with Migrants and Refugees here in Rome and we are looking to meet with them and start building connections and relationships.

All in all, a positive first few weeks here in Rome! I am settling in well and looking forward to the coming year!

Lucy Cowpland

Notes from the Church Council

We welcomed our new member Federico Milani and Lucy Cowpland our intern to the meeting. We reviewed the arrangements over the summer and it was suggested that in the absence of the Pastor, a Church Officer should welcome the visiting minister and any other visitors. Attendances and collections were significantly down in August. The congregation should be reminded that the bills still have to be paid even when people are away. Regular giving through the envelope scheme should be encouraged. The language school for migrants would start in early October again. Consulta was appealing for volunteers who might be interested in helping with a welcome service once more, by way of professional advice and practical help in settling in to life in the city. If you are able to consider this, please see Jenny Smith. An update on work on the balcony and schoolroom was given; this should all be completed by 2nd October. The new chairs suitable for church use would be purchased as soon as possible. Pastor Tim reported on the grant of 10,000 euros from OPM to help a heritage project. Quotes for the necessary equipment to show DVDs and videos and powerpoint presentations in church would be obtained. The repainting of the historic tablets outside would be commissioned. The 60th anniversary year was fast drawing to a close. The Bake Sale on 16th October would hopefully raise sufficient money to add to the 2,356 euros already raised. Half would be spent on the new chairs and the remainder on the container for the Disability project in Ghana. Mary Owusu would get the necessary estimate. Some discussion about our users and the terms and conditions under which they operate was held. It was important to make sure that our neighbours were not unduly disturbed by noise or the misuse of the refuse facilities. Dates for the rest of the year were discussed . Those to December are to be found below as well as events associated with the start of the Reformation Year (500 years since Luther) on 30th October.

RESOURCES:

Fresh from the Word 2017 - excellent daily Bible readings published by Christian Education UK. Jenny Smith will be collecting names for an order to be despatched later in October, so that we can be sure the books will arrive in good time. Cost per book will be Euro 12.50. Topics covered in the 2017 will include Stories from Judges. Do not be afraid, Esther, covenants and promises and readings in the Gospel of Matthew.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Italian classes for migrants and refugees
The Scuola di Italiano in Ponte S Angelo church rooms will start the new academic year on 3 October with classes on Monday/Tuesday/ Wednesday afternoons from 15.00 to 17.00 hrs; the teachers, as in previous years, are retired professori from Italian schools. There will be 2 classes to start with: beginners and second year students. This activity now operates under the auspices of the Consulta of the Italian Evangelical Churches in the Rome Area.
Celebration of the Festival dellaRiforma
Following the Inauguration earlier this year of the Piazza Martin Lutero on Colle Oppio, the Italian Evangelical Churches plan to hold a service there - in which it is hoped that as many of the small Evangelical churches in Rome aspossible will participate, on 30 October from 15.00 to 17.00 hrs. The celebration would normally take place on 31 October - the day on which Martin Luther presented his 95 points of Reform; however since it falls on the eve of a Bank Holiday (1 November) it has been decided that Sunday, 30 October is a more opportune moment.
To note in advance that 2017 will be the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's treatise on the doors of the Church in Wittenberg, Germany, this started the Reformation.There will be a series of special events taking place during the year. See the poster on the back wall for further details.