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- This Year’s Waldensian Synod Is Now Meeting in Torre Pellice
Highlights of this year’s synod which is now meeting will include the election of a new moderator, the Miegge Day focused on artificial intelligence, and a public evening dedicated to the challenges facing democracy in Italy and around the world.
The Waldensian Methodist Synod is now meeting and will continue to deliberate through this coming Wednesday, August 26. The synod is bringing together in the historic Waldensian town of Torre Pellice delegates from all across Italy as well as representatives from churches around Europe and the world. The American Waldensian Society is represented by its executive director, Rev. Dr. Carol Bechtel.
The Synod will discuss a number of key issues and set the agenda for much of the church’s work in the years to come. One particularly important question faces this year’s synod: Who will be the new Moderator of the Waldensian Tavola when the current Moderator Alessandra Trotta comes to the end of her term?
The synod’s work officially began two days ago, on Saturday, August 22, with its opening worship service.
The official opening of Synod was preceded by the traditional Miegge Day, which this year was dedicated to exploring the ethical, cultural, and social implications of Artificial Intelligence. Much of the conversation during this day of study and discussion was shaped by a document on Artificial Intelligence that reflects several years of work by the Commission for Ethical Problems Raised by Science of the Italian Baptist, Methodist, and Waldensian churches.
The traditional public evening was held Saturday evening in the Waldensian Church in Torre Pellice. This year’s public evening focused on the risks and tensions facing democracy in Italy and around the world. The discussion was led by Stefano Allievi and Fulvio Ferrario.
During the next several days, numerous issues central to the life of the churches and of society as a whole will be addressed including peace, social justice, ecumenism, human rights, the protection of the most vulnerable, the sustainability of the environment, and the challenges that are facing Christian witness in this very difficult time.
Before and during the Synod, numerous parallel meetings are taking place, including a meeting on diaconal ministry, a youth pre-synod meeting, and meetings being organized by the Federation of Protestant Women in Italy (FDEI), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
This article is based on a similar article that appeared in NEV, the Italian Protestant press service.