Worshipping Away from Home

The sanctuary at St. Leonard's Anglican Church in Assisi
It is a pleasure while traveling to worship with different congregations. On our recent trip to Italy and France, my family and I worshipped with an Anglican congregation in Assisi. The congregation meets in the oratory of Saint Leonard with its medieval frescoes.

The priest, Brother Thomas Anthony ssf, had the congregation create the sermon by facilitating a discussion of "What is the Good News in our readings for this morning?" The group had some insightful comments. After the 11 a.m. communion service, we were asked to join the congregation, not for coffee, but for a glass of wine in their parish hall (pictured at right) with its frescoes and a door leading out to a lovely garden where much of the group (a mix of expatriates and tourists) congregated.

A week later, we were in Villecroze, France where the only option was the town's one church, a Roman Catholic one. Their was no organ or other instrument, so the congregation sang accompanied by a compact disk player. But their singing was gorgeous in that stone building. They had a cantor who led singing and responses to some parts of the liturgy and though I could understand little of the French, it was beautiful and worshipful. The smell of the incense, the sound of the voices ringing in worship and the young parents with a little boy playing with toys on the seat between them were all memorable. Later in the week, I would see folks with whom I had worshipped around our little town and I felt a connection to them.

Our final Sunday, my wife and daughter and I were at an airport hotel, an expensive cab ride away from the nearest church. So we celebrated communion in our room and followed the practice of the congregation in Assisi in creating the sermon together by talking about the Good News in our readings.

I strongly encourage all to seek out churches while on vacation. We have always found it a delight to hook up with congregations in other towns if only for that one hour or so of Sunday worship. If you are traveling in the U.S., look up Episcopal congregations in advance at parishfinder.org When going overseas, check Anglicans Online for their online directory.

peace,
Frank+
The Rev. Frank Logue, Pastor

Worshipping at the Catholic Church in Villecroze, France