15 November 2015 - Rome Baptist Church

It has been quite some time since we gathered with other Christians on a Sunday morning; since Inverurie, Scotland, in fact (August).  Now that we are in a big city again and we can walk everywhere, the Rome Baptist Church was a good choice.

Our walk there was lovely as walks in Rome are and we passed  by the Chiesa del Sacro Cuore del Suffragio.  We paused to take in the lovely Gothic style against the blue sky but didn't have time to cross the road and go in.  Our church service started at 10.30 and we were running a bit late.

Chiesa del Sacro Cuore del Suffragio

Rome seemed quiet on a Sunday morning

Getting GPS coordinates!

The church building itself in the historic Piazza san Lorenzo in Lucina is next to the Louis Vuitton shop and is thought to have been the stable of the 16th Century Palazzo Ruspoli.  The welcome was warm and we were a little late and arrived to the hymn; "To God be the Glory"!  It gave me goosebumps and I immediately felt it was a great group to be part of.  The congregation was very international with people from many parts of Africa, Asia, USA and UK but we were the only Australians there today.

The Bible reading, was fittingly from Romans (3:1-20) but it really brought home to me that Paul's letters were written to Christians in Rome many centuries ago and we are now in that very same city.  The children's address briefly talked about all the places we, the current congregation, came from, and just how far the Christian message has spread. Luke sat up and was very engaged at this point!

He was very disappointed that there were hardly any children there but apparently there are road blocks preventing people travelling into Rome because of the terrible smog problem.  Sometimes we notice the horizon is a bit hazy but after India, we barely notice the haze!

After the service we chatted to some lovely people: a Ugandan woman working in community development, a former Commonwealth Games athlete (swimmer) and a couple from South Carolina (Tom and  Mary Turner), celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary in Italy.  They are home schooling their 12 year old daughter so we had lots in common.  Who knows, may be our paths will cross again!

Rome Baptist Church

Rome Baptist Church

Written in Italian, this Bible looked too old to touch.

 Just across the Piazza from the baptist church is the Basilica san Lorenzo di Lucina.  There has been a church on this site since 4 th Century and there may be some relics of this in the walls of the portico.  The interior is Baroque with beautiful frescoed ceiling and golden angels.  The naves were bought by local wealthy folk who used them as mausolea.  In contrast to the warm fellowship of the baptist church, there was no one else in the Basilica, and beautiful as it was, it was just that, a work of art.

Baroque interior of Basilica san Lorenzo di Lucina

In the portico - old remnants of the original 4 th century church - I believe!

Not sure what it said but sure looks like ancient Rome to me!

Luke riding a lion in the portico

 It seemed to be a long walk home, but, by chance, we did pass by Giolitti's ice creamery, which I fondly remember being taken to when I was in Rome with Denise (Webber) in 1985:  It has been in my mind and on my taste buds EVER SINCE!  Hopefully, we will get to try their delicious gelati before we leave Rome!  We must have chatted for a while because it was "uber lunch" by the time we got home.

Ah! Giolitti's! you are STILL there 30 years later!

Sweet shop - so tempting!

Very "Smart" parking....Smart cars all in a row!

When we arrived home, Annika had just cut her finger on the very sharp knife here so I was just in time for first aid.  I don't think it needs stitches.  We really don't want any casualties at this tail end of our trip! Please!!!

Twilight!

Even our street looks lovely in the twilight!

Darkness descends so early and just on the cusp of twilight Tim, Annika and I managed a quick "constitutional" around the block and that was the end of that!  The funny thing is that it is still so warm (22 C) and doesn't feel like it should be dark!