From the January-March 2010 Issue
A tale of two churches
Daniel Webber
Pietro and TeresaThe more I go to Sicily, the more I seem to enjoy it. I think this is in large measure because each time I go I get to see a little more of the island, and the Christian people who inhabit it. On this occasion I was accompanied by Michael Steedman. He is indispensable in such circumstances and had purposely travelled from Forli to act as my translator during this six-day visit.
There were several good reasons for making this journey. In April 2009 Pietro Lorefice suffered a serious stroke and I wanted to see how he was getting on. I was also keen to have talks with the other church officers in Ribera about their prospects for obtaining a new pastor. In addition I wanted to visit the other church in the province of Agrigento where EMF has an interest – in Santa Elisabetta – and speak with Vito Tangorra. Of course, this being Sicily, there were ‘issues’ to discuss which required more than a single session, and there was preaching as well. So Michael too had plenty to do. But let me use this occasion to briefly re-introduce you to the tale of these two churches.
RIBERA
The town of Ribera is situated approximately 220 metres above sea level and, especially at night, can be seen from quite a distance. It is on the south side of the island, 120 kilometres from Palermo, and boasts a population of 21,000. It is part of a much wider agricultural area and is well-known for its strawberries, grapes, almonds, olives, and especially its very juicy oranges.
The ‘Grace and Peace’ church has been in existence for nearly forty years and for most of its life has had Pietro Lorefice as its pastor. Although he officially retired from the pastorate in 2006, in the absence of a replacement, he has continued to serve the congregation in whatever way has been necessary. He has also continued to function as an itinerant preacher, actively cooperating with other men in advancing the interests of the gospel throughout Italy.
The stroke which he suffered last April initially resulted in paralysis down his left side and several weeks’ hospitalization. Thankfully, since then, and with the help of physiotherapy, Pietro has made good progress towards what we hope will prove a full recovery. This whole experience has, however, served to focus the minds of the leaders of the congregation and the hunt for a new pastor is now seriously on. This is clearly urgent and these brethren need both our prayers and the Lord’s wisdom as they earnestly seek to discover his will in this matter.
SANTA ELISABETTA
The town of Santa Elisabetta is situated just 52 kilometres east of Ribera. However, to make the journey between these two towns takes the best part of an hour by car. This is because the second section of the most accessible route involves steep climbs, sharp bends and entertaining potholes. It is a journey that is not best undertaken by someone of a squeamish disposition sitting alongside a somewhat erratic driver! Nevertheless, it is all about arrival, and the visitor to Santa Elisabetta can always be sure of a warm welcome.
The town itself is home to just 3,000 inhabitants and yet, in a comparatively short period, it has come to house a vibrant evangelical community. This work first began in 1994. It was started by six Christians who formed a church and appointed Vito Tangorra as its pastor. Since those small beginnings the congregation has grown, mainly through conversions, and now has a regular Lord’s Day gathering of around 60 people.
Vito joined the EMF in 2001 and earlier this year, accompanied by Pietro Lorefice, completed his first period of deputation meetings in the United Kingdom.
No matter what the ‘issues’ may be when visiting these two congregations, it is always a pleasure to be among them. As might be expected, each church has its own tale to tell, and they are clearly different in terms of history and character. Nevertheless, they are united in their love of the gospel of God’s sovereign grace and it is a very real joy to witness their visible response to the proclamation of God’s Word.