Recent Posts

Kevin Frederick, the president of the American Waldensian Society, has written the following reflection for Waldensians and their friends in the United States and around the world. For months now, an historical fact about the Waldensians has been swirling through my mind. In recent days, it has risen to a crescendo of urgency.  Back in … Continue reading Stand and Be Counted!

A few weeks before the next synod meeting of the Evangelical Waldensian Church of the Rio de la Plata, the South American Waldensian publication “Tenemos Esperanza” interviewed the church´s moderator, Pastor Marcelo Nicolau. Marcelo, who is pictured above wearing a t-shirt imprinted with Spanish words that translate, “We are all family,” spoke about the work … Continue reading South American Waldensianism is Looking Forward to its Upcoming Synod Meeting

The executive committee of the Alliance of Presbyterian and Reformed Churches of Latin America made the following statement about the current situation in Venezuela: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among human beings of good will, in whom God is well pleased” (Luke 2:14). The man pictured in the photograph lost a large … Continue reading Statement About the Current Situation in Venezuela

The Conference of Protestant Churches of the Latin Countries of Europe (CEPPLE) recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of its founding. The Conference of Protestant Churches of the Latin Countries of Europe (CEPPLE) brings together the Protestant churches of Belgium, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and French-speaking Switzerland. These churches – all located in traditionally Roman Catholic countries – experience their minority … Continue reading Witnesses to a Word That Can Transform Hearts

Every Christmas season brings reminders of generosity, moments that rekindle our sense of compassion and connection. As this year draws to a close, one story stands out, stretching from the sandy shores of the Mediterranean Sea of Italy to the rugged expanse of the Sonoran Desert along the United States-Mexico border. It is a story … Continue reading The Gift That Keeps on Giving

The following is an Advent sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Gretchen Schoon Tanis, a member of the senior pastoral team at Hope Church (RCA) in Holland Michigan. Gretchen and her husband, Phil, (who helped to create the new AWS website, waldensian.org) recently moved back to Holland, Michigan from Hannover, Germany. Her message is one we all … Continue reading Seeds of Hope

The following article written by J. Javier Pioli gives a short insight of how people experience Advent and Christmas in the Rio de la Plata. Javier´s article does not focus on ecclesiological or theological questions but on current mental health issues in South America and about the way that popular culture and consumerism – with its … Continue reading Christmas Milonga or Christmas Blues

Matt Matthews, a co-pastor at Waldensian Presbyterian Church in Valdese, North Carolina, is “mindful and praying and pacing” about the possibility whether that “ICE will come to our little town of Valdese?” He wrote this story to share his concerns with members and friends of the American Waldensian Society.  Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been … Continue reading Will ICE Come To Our Little Town of Valdese?

As we approach the season of Advent our focus is once again drawn to the message of the prophet Isaiah: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, those that dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.” Isaiah 9: 2. These words serve as a prelude to … Continue reading Advent Greetings From the American Waldensian Society

This Thanksgiving greeting to members and friends of the American Waldensian Society was written by the Society´s Executive Director, Carol M. Bechtel. As I was walking down a small street in Torre Pellice, Italy, last summer, I was tempted by the beautiful fruit that was displayed outside a small shop. The local plums were particularly … Continue reading Thanksgiving’s Call to Gratitude and Grace