Monthly Events

For a detailed and up-to-date description of activities organised monthly by the Methodist-Presbyterian Church in Brescia, readers can subscribe to our freel Newsletter.

Sunday worship

Sunday morning is for worship, the celebration of Christian faith. The congregation praises God, confesses its sins and listens to the Word of Life. This dates right back to the New Testament, when Christians “spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in fellowship, and sharing in fellowship meals and prayers” (Acts 2: 42).

Service starts at 10.30 am (10 am on the third Sunday each month). It is led by the pastor or by a preacher chosen by the community. The order of worship is very simple: Introduction, Confession of sins, Forgiveness, Sermon, Intercession, Blessing. The congregation takes an active part with Bible readings, hymns or songs, and prayers.

On the first Sunday each month we have a Communion Service, with the bread and wine of the Last Supper reminding us of Christ’s presence in his Church.

Other worship days

Besides Sundays, we meet for worship on Christmas Day and Good Friday evening. Weddings and funerals are sometimes held during the week.

Crèche

During worship parents can leave younger children (aged 2-4) with a babysitting service staffed by volunteers.

Sunday school

At the same time, children aged 5+ are helped to learn the basics of Christian faith and the Bible through games, drawings and other activities. There are currently three different groups divided by age.

Weekly Bible study

A personal reading of the Bible is enriched when you join others and draw on the knowledge of a trained pastor. Every Saturday (3-5 pm) a group of us meet to learn from this challenging and ever-new book, with all its big questions and answers.

Sunday Bible study

Every third Sunday of the month Bible study follows worship. An English translation service is offered so that everyone can communicate and understand others. Attendance is around 40-50 people.

Prayer meetings

Prayer is not only individual but also a shared event. Jesus says that: “Whenever two of you on earth agree about anything you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, I am there with them” (Matthew 18: 19-20). Every two months, after service, we stop for shared prayers, where everyone can express their hopes, fears, faith and doubts to God with his brethren.

Sunday lunchtime

In the New Testament Christians would enjoy their Sunday lunch together. At first even the Lord’s Supper was taken during such meals or “love feasts” (Jude 1: 12). At least once a month we stop for a buffet lunch on our premises. The method is straightforward: everyone brings something to eat or drink and this is shared: there is always plenty to go round!

Open leaders’ meeting

Activities are run by a 7-person Council, which meets monthly on Fridays. At the beginning of each session, church members are welcome to bring their suggestions, comments and advice before the Council.

General assembly

For major decisions and to elect its representatives, the congregation holds a general assembly of all members (currently some 130 people) 3-4 times a year. Again, an English translation service is on hand if necessary.

Newcomers

People who attend our church but were not brought up as Christians or protestants are offered a special course on the basics of our faith in view of Confirmation.

Italian language classes

To meet the needs of non-Italian members we have launched a basic Italian course (conversation). This is run every Wednesday from 11 am-12.30.

English language course

Every Wednesday evening, from 6-7.30 pm a native speaker offers church members and friends a free English course with role-play, writing and conversations activities.

Concerts

Protestant churches enjoy a great musical tradition. Bach, Telemann, Handel, Mendelssohn and Sibelius were all protestants. Hymns (psalms, praises, anthems) play a major part in worship and hymn-writing continues to this day to embrace almost all musical styles. We regularly invite the best protestant choirs from Milan to perform at our church during and after service.

Choir practice

Choirmaster Paolo Tosoni has trained a lively group of singers (some 25 voices) to form a choir that will soon perform during worship. Its repertoire ranges from the Reformation to ethnic hymns, from the classics to contemporary singing. The choir is open to people who do not yet attend our church and meets ever Sunday from 11.45 am to 1 pm. For information, phone 030 2906480.

Church exchanges

The Christian Church is a community that bridges all geographical and denominational divisions. For this reason we try to support the work of nearby congregations and sometimes ask them to help us out. Our closest links are with Bergamo (Chiesa Cristiana Evangelica) and Mantua (Chiesa Evangelica Valdese).

Ecumenical links

Contacts with the Roman Catholic community continue each year, especially during the Week for Christian Unity (January). Before Pentecost our pastor leads a series of Bible studies at a neighbouring parish. We also plan to extend such links to Pentecostal and Orthodox churches in the Brescia area.

School visits

Thanks to the interest shown by teachers who realise the importance of religious pluralism, several parties of high-school students come and visit us each year for a chat with the pastor. They embark on a real voyage of discovery into reformed Christianity!