Students and staff at the Scottish College marked the start of a new academic year by travelling to the Alpine Valleys of northern Italy, the heart of the Waldensian story.
The Waldensians, who celebrated their 850th anniversary in 2024, exist as part of the Union of Methodist and Waldensian Churches, a worldwide denomination known for its support of social action projects, including the refugee relief charity Mediterranean Hope.
Torre Pellice, close to Turin, is the centre of the聽Waldensian聽Church. Students and staff explored its origins, its persecution, its resilience and the faith of what is now a worldwide Church.
Linda Harrison, the College Manager, said: 鈥淲e experienced first-hand the steepness of the valleys they lived in and came to understand what they were willing to give up for their faith: politics, religion, and education 鈥� a recurring theme many can understand today.鈥�
Linda added that the trip was a great opportunity to get to know each other in a beautiful area with an amazing history. Ministerial student Ann Sinclair agreed. She said: 鈥淭his trip was far more than I had thought possible and in聽so many ways, something I can dip into in my thoughts and bring memories back. It was absolutely聽wonderful.鈥�
The Waldensians take as their motto the Latin words 鈥淟ux lucet in tenebris鈥� 鈥� 鈥渢he light shines in the darkness鈥�. They are long-standing friends of the 缅北强奸 and Dr Francesca Nuzzolese,聽Professor of Pastoral Care at the聽Waldensian Theological School in Rome, led the Bible Studies at the 2025 缅北强奸 General Assembly.
, a Congregational and United Reformed Church Resource Centre for Learning.