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From a solitary figure, a lasting relationship has grown—one that has connected congregations in Libertyville, Illinois, and Milan, Italy, for more than two decades. The figure I have in mind is a strong and humble man who served as a faithful elder of the Waldensian Church of Milan, Italy, pictured above, over the course of … Continue reading A Relationship Rooted in Welcome and Shared Faith

The photograph above is of Pope Pius XI and Benito Mussolini at a meeting in 1932. Kevin Frederick, the president of the American Waldensian Society, recently had free time to read a number of old American Waldensian Society newsletters. This is the third of three articles in which Kevin summarizes what these newsletters reveal about … Continue reading Excerpts From AWS Newsletters: Italian Fascism and Its Partnership with the Roman Catholic Church

The co-pastor at the Waldensian Presbyterian Church in Valdese, North Carolina, Matt Matthews, wrote this report. My wife and I have lived in Valdese for just over a year and a half, and we still have much to learn about the tenacious Waldenses who founded this town in 1893.  They fled hunger and over-population in … Continue reading From Italy, Europe, to Italy Street, Valdese: Learning the Waldensian Story

This report from the recent synod of the Evangelical Waldensian Church in the Rio de la Plata was written by Dennis Smith. Dennis represented the American Waldensian Society at the synod meeting and, not coincidentally, served for many years as the Regional Liaison for the Presbyterian Church (USA) in South America.  Dennis is also a … Continue reading How does a Cuban Baptist pastor end up as the newest minister of the Evangelical Waldensian Church of the Río de la Plata?

Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and … Continue reading Resurrection

An Open Letter to Those Who Preach and Listen to Easter Sermons Matt Matthews, the co-pastor of the Waldensian Presbyterian Church, wrote the following open letter that everyone in the American Waldensian Society who either preaches or listens to Easter sermons will find interesting and amusing. Allow me a preacherly moment on the eve of … Continue reading On Preaching the Easter Sermon

The 62nd Synod Assembly of the Evangelical Waldensian Church of the Rio de la Plata recently adjourned, after meeting for four days in the Parque 17 de Febrero in Uruguay. This initial report was written by the synod’s vice president Mariano Chialva. In describing the results of the recent synod assembly, it is important to … Continue reading Report From the Waldensians in the Rio de la Plata

The end of World War II on May 8, 1945, revealed a continent devastated by the ravages of six years of war. Globally more than 60 million people had died. In Europe, tens of millions had been left homeless, destitute, and starving. Food, clothing, and medical supplies were virtually non-existent across vast areas of Europe. … Continue reading How Italian Waldensians Helped Rebuild Italy and the World After World War II

Matt Matthews, the co-pastor of the Waldensian Presbyterian Church, sent the following letter six days ago, Tuesday, March 3, to all the members of his congregation. Regardless of in what continent or country they live, members and friends of the American Waldensian Society will likely find this letter informative and touching. Dear Friends, Today is … Continue reading Election Day in Valdese

During several snowy days in January, Kevin Frederick, the president of the American Waldensian Society, had free time to read a number of old American Waldensian Society newsletters. Some of the newsletters that he read date to 1921. In this article, Kevin summarizes what these newsletters reveal about impact of Fascism and war on Italian … Continue reading Fascism and the Waldensians 1922 – 1945