FOR THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN ITALY

THE FIRST PRESENTATION

(Editorial)

"CHIESEinFORMA (Churches Inform)" is born, a new newsletter of information and news for the churches of Christ in Italy. Here are a few words of presentation. In regards to the title, we desire that brethren are informed about all the various activities within our congregations. But also, in the title, there is a small play on words. The church that we love and desire is "in formation", always searching to modify, according to the Master's words, its own life. It is strengthened by "walking in love" and never feels it has "arrived" but constantly strives to perfect itself. Furthermore, the church that our Lord wanted will be "in form", meaning "in shape" or in good health, active, always ready to pratice its commission of announcing the Good News to all men. Behind "CHIESEinFORMA" there is a group of brethren from various Italian congregations, from the north to the south, which have in their heart the Lord's work in Italy and which will work, month after month, to bring together the various new items necessary to bring these pages to life. The opportunity to share news is open to all and everyone is warmly invited to send their news item which they feel are useful. So, "CHIESEinFORMA" makes its first presentation with the hope that it will provide much more news in the future and, with time, will become an instrument of service and a unifier between our congregations. Besides the news items from Italy we also want to give those concerning the Lord's work from various parts of the world and we will publish information about books, magazines, films, etc. which, even though not coming from "our" world, will be of interest to all brethren. We are open, naturally, to suggestions and constructive criticism which can make this periodical more useful and more adapted to our and to your needs. Before He was crucified, Jesus Christ lifted a prayer to the Father, called the "preistly" prayer, in which He instensly prayed that all Christians could be unified. Two thousand years have passed and still unity remains a dream and a hope. However, we will not just dream and hope. May this work, launched with great enthusiasm, be (among other things) a small contribution towards unity and towards harmony among all Christians. So, happy reading and may the Lord always bless our efforts and illuminate our steps. - (Vittorio Vitalone)

LECTURESHIPS AND STUDIES

FLORENCE - On March 6-8, at the Florence Bible School, there was a special study on: "The Development of the Canon and of the Roman Catholic Church." The teacher for this study was Bro. Everett Ferguson, professor of Bible at Abiliene Christian University. Brothers and sisters from various congregations participated. The study is available on tape or in written form. Whoever would like copies can ask Jay Walls - Via Spadini, 24 - 50019 Scandicci (FI). The Bible School also has numerous written and taped studies on various topics. Whoever is interested can ask for these at the same address. Your payment will cover only the cost for the copy work and the postage. - (Jay Walls)

ROME - Viale Jonio Church of Christ Since January we have begun a series of studies the last Saturday of each month, inviting brethren from Rome and the Lazio region to participate. In January Paolo Di Luca of Conegliano spoke on "Foundations for a Strong Church". In February Dan Reed of Vicenza held a study on "Fellowship". The first Saturday of April Maurizio Pezzanera of Bologna will speak on "Christians: A People on the Move". After each study, there is a discussion period followed by a meal together where other ideas and opinions can be exchanged. We believe that such studies can contribute to more dialog and to personal growth. For these reasons, we will continue these studies in the following months with the hope of seeing more brethren from the area actively participating. The next annual lectureship, always held at Severa, is in its final planning stages. The theme for this year will be: "Christian Discipleship". We will study what it means to be a disciple of Christ, active in the church and in the spreading of His word. Some who will speak this year are: Paolo Di Luca, Paolo Mirabelli, Maurizio Pezzanera, Italo Minestroni, Dan Reed, Giuseppe De Marco, and Roberto Innocenti of our congregation. The dates for this event are May 16-18. Whoever wants more information can call Giancarlo Balboni (06-8803900) who is also taking reservations. In the next issues, we hope to give you a summary of the lectureship. - (Vittorio Vitalone)

BOLOGNA - Also this year the Church of Christ in Bolonga has organized its 18th annual lectureship for March 31to which all brethren from Italian congregations are invited. The theme on which we will meditate is: "Christians: Living Letters of Christ". The speakers will be Alfredo Gennari (Florence), Carl Mitchell (Florence), and Italo Minestroni (Bologna). - (Circular letter of the congregation in Bologna)

CALABRIA - On the 25th-27th of April in the Sila Mountains (at the hotel on the lake), there will be the annual get together, Fellowship 97, organized by the Calabrian (a southern region) Churches of Christ. The theme will be: "The Body of Christ according to New Testament Revelation: Organism Not Organization, Leaders as Servants, The Only Head and Lord of the Church--Christ". The preacher will be Bro. Harold Paden. The total cost will be 110.000 lire for each person. For more information and reservations, call 0983-514807 (in the evening). - (Paolo Mirabelli)

NEWS FROM THE CONGREGATIONS

CONEGLIANO - The Church of Christ in Conegliano has organized two studies for the public which will be held in municipal buildings. The first will be held March 22 and Paul Robison will speak on the theme: "The Fear of Death: Why?" On April 5th will be the second and it will be entitled: "Euthanasia and Suicide: Valid Solutions?" The speaker will be Paolo Di Luca. All who would like to participate may contact the congregation in Conegliano for other information. - (Paolo Di Luca)

CERVIGNANO - Bro. Paul Robison, missionary of the Gospel in Italy for several years and the present evangelist at the congregation in Cervignano, has obtained his financial support. This will allow him to remain in Italy and continue his evangelistic activity for another 3 years. We thank the Lord for all the workers who He sends to labor in His harvest (Matt. 9:35-38). Furthermore, during the last few weeks, the congregation in Cervignano has moved to another place for their worship services which is in Monfalcone - Romana St., 97. You can also write to: C. P. 19 - 34074 Monfalcone (GO) - Italy. - (Paul Robison)

TARANTO - During the past few months there have been some special studies on the Word of God. Such topics as the following have been presented: "The Christian Education of Children", "Eternal Life", "Who is Jesus for You?", "And if the Gospel is True?" The plans are to have additional studies. Whoever is interested can contact the Stefano Spina family. - (Stefano Spina)

PETILIA POLICASTRO - Bro. Mario Cardamone, of the congregation in Petilia Poliastro (CZ), will be residing for a period of time in Bardonecchia (TO) because of his job and he will not lose this chance to speak about Christ to his fellow workers. The congregation in Petilia Policastro has received 7 requests for a Bible Correspondence Course. - (Debora Mirabelli)

PRATO - Sunday March 9 was a special day for the congregation in Prato since they were able to witness the new birth into Christ of a young man named Orfeo Magnanimo. - (Paolo Mirabelli)

APRILIA - Via Guarneville Church of Christ Bro. Giancarlo Negri and other members in the congregation at Aprilia are typing into computers several books which have been translated. In the next issue we will try to give further details. - (Giancarlo Negri)

PADUA - Daryl and Rebecca Rogers (along with Jeff Brauer) have been now in Padua for several months working as missionaries in collaboration with the local congregation. They will remain in Italy for at least 2 years. - (Daryl Rogers)

PUBLICATIONS

Max Lucado's book "When God Whispers Your Name" has been published by Gribaudi under the title "Quando Dio Sussurra il Tuo Nome". It is available in the major bookstores or through the publisher, Gribaudi Editore, of Milan.

The first issue of a new periodical, "Officina di Restaurazione" (i. e. Restoration Workshop), has been published. It will appear 3 times a year and discusses biblical, theological, and pratical themes. It is produced by Pino Negli - C. P. 36 - 73100 Lecce.

There are now available a series of color posters produced by Amedeo and Marta Riccardi. For other information, write or call Paolo Mirabelli.

There has been published and mailed to all congregation a study entitled: "La Comunione dei Santi e La Disciplina" (i. e. The Fellowship of Saints and Discipline) by Paolo Mirabelli and Paolo Di Luca. The congregations which may not have received it, may ask for it by writing Paolo Di Luca - C. P. 9 - 31015 Conegliano.

SHORT NEWS ITEMS

God willing, in the next months of April and May, Harold and Sally Paden will be in Italy in order to visit and to conduct studies in various Italian congregations. Naples--In May there will be an evangelistic campaign in Naples by a group of past American missionaries.

GERMANY - From Rheda writes GianPaolo Fascella asking for information about the churches of Christ in this area. Whoever wishes to communicate with him can use this address: Fascella GianPaolo - Berliner Str. 7 - 33378 Rheda - W. Germany.

U.S.A.- We have heard from the following and they send their brotherly greetings: Earl and Natasia Mansur, Becca Sowell, Earl Weldon. All these brethren have worked as missionaries in the past. We hope they will be back among us very soon. We have received the February newsletter of "The Italian Literature Program" by Bro. Charles Moore.

NEW THINGS: On-Line Bible or the The Bible on Computer

The Bible "On-Line Riveduta" is a computer program available in 9 disks or on CD-ROM with a 100 page manuel in Italian. This program has word and phrase search capabilities. The version on disks contains the "Nuova Riveduta" version, the "King James" version, and an English concordance with 5,000 biblical themes and 600,000 parallels. The version in CD-ROM, besides what is on the disks, has the "Nuova Diodati" version and 25 other versions in various languages (English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, Portugese, Greek, Hebrew, Arab, Turkish, etc.), various commentaries, articles on archeology, theology, science, biblical ideas, and many other interesting topics which can help to enrich one's study of the Bible (all in the English language). This program needs: 486 or higher processor, 8 MB of RAM, and at least 22 Mega on the HD. For other information or to order: La Casa della Bibbia - Via S. Botticelli, 10/13 - 10154 Torino, tel. 011-2052386.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Bro. Vito Ligorio of Latiano, who has worked several years as a missonary in Valona (Albania) together with Bro. Stefano Spina of Taranto, asks your prayers for the brethren in Albania. As we all know, the situation in these days in Albania has drastically worsened. Whoever wants more information can contact Bro. Virgil Jackson, preacher of the congregation in Valona, and guest of Vito Ligorio during this period.