First worship service in Italy

Today I attended church service at the Christ Church Anglican/Episcopal church of Naples, about 5 blocks from my apartment. It is the only English-speaking congregation I have found, although I heard there was one at the US Navy base. Anyway, I was intrigued by the church. We walked by last Sunday and met the pastor. I took a couple photos. I suppose it would hold 300 people or so but today there were about 50 in attendance. It was a commemorative service today for the 71st anniversary of the Battle of Britain, 1940. Many of the people in attendance were in UK military uniforms, with a couple USN as well.

Christ Church, Naples, Italy

The service was very structured with all the prayers, readings and responses, and words to the songs written out in a booklet they give you when you come in.

There was a small 9 person choir which sounded magnificent with the great acoustics inside this large domed sanctuary. I thought to myself, "Wouldn't our Double Quartet sound terrific here!"

The stain glass windows are beautiful as well. I was moved by the service in spite of the unfamiliar style of worship, and the formalized manner of it. The Holy Spirit was there! And the pastor gave a very good sermon as well.

There doesn't seem to be any Sunday school and the few children that were there squirmed around a lot. I don't see any Bible studies or other gatherings during the week. It is not exactly what I was looking for, but, you never know what the Lord has in mind.

I plan to call the vicar and see if he would like to meet for coffee this week sometime after work. "Meeting for coffee" in Italy can mean you have tea, coke or any other beverage, and you might end up eating as well!

Sanctuary of Christ Church

The biggest surprise of the whole service was the closing hymn: God Save the Queen, sung to the tune of My Country 'Tis of Thee. Wow! I never had any idea it was the same tune. I suppose we stole the tune and some American put new words to it. Hm.

All in all it was a lovely, hot Sunday in Italy in September. The congregation gathered in the garden behind the church and shared a "biscuit" and glass of cold water or cold tea after the service. Poor Father Kingsley was sweltering hot in that long robe and vestments he wore during the service.