Ponte Sant’Angelo Methodist
Church Rome
Easter 2015
Wishing you a very
happy Easter!
Tim and Angela Macquiban
Minister`s
letter : Easter 2015
Dear Friends,
We are approaching the season of Easter when Christians
the world over celebrate the Resurrection. But the story
doesn’t finally unfold without all that has preceded it. It’s
the consequence of journeys made at cost and with a
commitment to listen and be open to new possibilities.
Jesus’ journey to the Cross took him on many encounters
around Jerusalem. To Bethany and the raising of Lazarus
as a sign of what was to come. To the Garden of
Gethsemane with its foreshadowing of Jesus’ final
torments. Life and death experiences exist side by side.
And the disciples didn’t see the significance of it all until
Jesus appeared to them in the city, on the road to
Emmaus and by the lakeside, a ripple effect of the
realization of his risen presence, which brought peace
and power to those who encountered the Risen Lord.
This was particularly so when he broke bread and shared
fish as their companions on the way: “Then their eyes
were opened and they recognized him”.
Pilgrimages to places of Christian heritage are
opportunities to have our eyes opened, to experience
the presence of the risen Christ in worship and fellowship
with other people of faith. Angela and I found this on our
visit one Eastertide to Iona, that wonderful island where
Christianity has flourished for nearly 1500 years off the
west coast of Scotland. We have a group of friends from
Cambridge coming to join us after Easter this year and
then they are going with us to Assisi, Ravenna and
Venice. Many thousands of pilgrims will be in Rome over
Holy Week and Easter. And that`s why the Church
Council has agreed to go ahead with plans to improve
our facilities at PSA to enhance our visitor ministry and
ministry of interpretation in a cultural as well as a religious
context.
Visiting the sites and stories of special Christian
significance help us to unfold the gospel story of “what
wonders God hath wrought” (John Wesley). Not just as
part of Christian history but as tools for contemporary
mission and evangelism, to tell the good news to others.
But we can all go on pilgrimages, on journeys of the soul
as we journey with Christ in our daily lives, reading the
scriptures, reflecting on our world, and exploring our own
communities for signs of God at work among us. That
risen presence comes in many and varied ways, in
worship, in our care for creation, in our growth and
nurture. May we be open to the promptings of God’s
spirit as we journey on.
Forth in thy name, o Lord, I go, My daily labour to pursue,
Thee, only thee, resolved to know in all I think, or speak, or
do. (HP 381)
Have a very happy Easter as you share in the
resurrection joy. May the peace and presence of
Christ be with you and family and friends.
Pastor Tim
SERVICES OVER THE EASTER
SEASON
All services at 10-30am unless otherwise – do
come and join us!
29th March
Palm Sunday Service with
Procession of Palms
2nd April
Maundy Thursday Informal
Communion in the Manse 7pm
(please sign up)
5th April
Easter Day Communion with
Confirmation of New Members
12th April
Pastor Tim – visit of Wesley
Cambridge group
19th April
Pastor Tim – visit of
Rotterdam School
26th April
Easter Offering Service
(envelopes available on Easter
Day and Sunday after)
3rd May
Pastor Tim - Holy Communion
10th May
Pastor Tim and Pot Luck Lunch
ENTERTAINMENT AT PSA
OVER THE EASTER SEASON
Saturday March 28, 2015 - 8.30 p.m.
Trio Mythos
Giuliano Cavaliere violin
Rina Tou violoncello
Marios Panteliadis pianoforte
L. van Beethoven: Trio Op.11
F. Mendelssohn: Trio N.1 Op.49 in re minore
Saturday April 4, 2015 - 8.30 p.m.
Akanè Makita pianoforte
F. Liszt: Giochi d’Acqua a Villa d’Este
C. Debusy: Pour le piano
M. Ravel: Giochi d’Acqua – Jeux d’Eau
M. Ravel: Gaspard de la Nuit
Saturday April 11, 2014 - 8.30 p.m.
Marco Marzocchi pianoforte
W.A. Mozart: Sonata K 309
W.A. Mozart: Sonata K 310
W.A. Mozart: Sei variazioni sopra l’Aria Salve tu
Domine K 398
W.A. Mozart: Fantasia in Do minore K 475
W.A. Mozart: Rondo in re maggiore K 485
CHURCH COUNCIL UPDATE
The plans for the Church`s 60th anniversary year
(starting on Advent Sunday), are well advanced.
Invitations to the past four ministers to come and
preach during the year have been sent. Suggestions
for a project to support and other events are welcomed
(as also people to help organise them!)
The Council agreed that we should proceed with a
heritage project. The aim would be
 To tell the story of Methodism and Protestantism
in Italy
 To give a welcome to visitors with advice on
their stay in Rome
 To provide up-to-date facilities for classes and
conferences for cultural enrichment
We deferred for a further discussion at a later date the
details of how to manage the project and raising some
bigger questions facing us as a growing church.
 Do we need to retain the pews and communion
rail?
 Should we dispense with the organ? And/or use
the piano more?
 Is there a better use of the gallery and
connection with other parts of the premises?
We plan to have a full discussion at the General
Church Meeting (24th May). Meanwhile speak to
Pastor Tim or a church council member if you have a
particular point of view on any of these questions or
could offer to help manage the project we propose.
Ask yourself IS THERE SOMETHING HERE I CAN DO
TO HELP? OR SERVE ON THE CHURCH COUNCIL?
The Council agreed that we use non-alcoholic nonfermented red grape juice in communion services in
future (in line with some of the churches from which
we have come).
We also agreed that, once a quarter, we should have
an all age worship service, such as we had before
Christmas and recently when the Scouts had a parade
service. And that we should continue to have a bible
study after a Sunday morning service each quarter.
Poem: Easter by George Herbert
RIse heart; thy Lord is risen. Sing his praise
Without delayes,
Who takes thee by the hand, that thou likewise
With him mayst rise:
That, as his death calcined1 thee to dust,
His life may make thee gold, and much more, just.
Awake, my lute, and struggle for thy part
With all thy art.
The crosse taught all wood to resound his name,
Who bore the same.
His stretched sinews taught all strings, what key
Is best to celebrate this most high day.
Consort both heart and lute, and twist a song
Pleasant and long:
Or, since all musick is but three parts vied
And multiplied,
O let thy blessed Spirit bear a part,
And make up our defects with his sweet art.