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| Along the Way 8-27-10 |
 "ALONG THE VIA" Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church 27 Agosto 2010 The days are speeding by so very quickly. Soon we will return to Savannah to be with you and involved in your lives again. God has blessed us so richly here, and we pray that we have been of use by God for the small flock of the Methodist Church of Pont San Angelo. I type these words from the parsonage of this congregation, breezes blowing into the flat from the Tiber River. Every night we sit on the rooftop terrace surveying Rome, enjoying the full moon, admiring St. Peter's Basilica bathed in light just a few blocks away. Today we we had two very moving experiences. First we took a bus to the Catacombs of Priscilla, where early Christian martyrs and even 5 early popes were buried. The popes wanted to be buried there because they wanted to rest near the martyrs. Even a pope could recognized that those who die for their faith are in a class all of their own. Not only was this visit inspiring, but the temperature in the catacombs, well beneath the streets of Roma, was 13 degrees Celsius, somewhere near 58 degrees. Then we visited a tribute to Mother Theresa. Yesterday (August 26) was the 100th anniversary of Mother Teresa's birth. Observances are being held all of the world in her memory. Last night we attended a mass in her honor, presided over by a cardinal from the Vatican. Although much of it was in Italian, we understood the Great Thanksgiving and prayed the Lord's Prayer with the congregation and also passed the peace. A chorale sang movingly in English and Italian. The exhibit we saw today reminded us of the utter humility and servant heart of this tiny woman, used of God, who received over 700 honors in her life, including the Nobel Peace prize, all because she followed Jesus. This Sunday will be our final Sunday with our new Methodist friends in Rome. We have much to say to them. After one month in their midst, our parting will be sweet sorry. Then we will return, joyful, to be with you again. We will have much to share with you over the coming months. Creede Hinshaw |
