There will be something for everyone at The Courage to Love, a one-day event to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism, 29 May 2025. Activities for the registration-free event in Zurich will include a panel discussion and a “story trail.”
A world on fire
“Most early Anabaptists advocated for nonviolent witness in a context of spiritual, political and economic upheaval. Today we’re also standing in a world on fire and are kind of caught in the middle of conflicts,” says Simon Rindlisbacher, communications coordinator for Conférence Mennonite Suisse and panel organizer.
A panel discussion will examine these questions at Mennonite World Conference’s one-day event in Zurich, Switzerland, 29 May 2025.
Anabaptists from Myanmar, Mexico, Burkina Faso, Switzerland and the USA will speak to the questions of being a peace church today. Must a peace church be neutral? How do we live out nonviolence?
The event will be moderated by well known Swiss journalist Judith Wipfler, an expert in interreligious dialogue, theology, church and Judaism, religion and music.
“Talking and shouting is increasing while listening and understanding is in decline,” says panelist Hansuli Gerber of Switzerland, as threats like climate and creation, renewed nuclear threat, weapons proliferation and, closely related, corporate rule take politics hostage, “Our panel could be a test on how we can talk to one another from our different angles and perspectives.”
Who to trust? Story Trail brings history alive
Visitors to Zurich can put themselves in Anabaptist shoes. For Mennonite World Conference’s one-day anniversary commemoration in Zurich, visitors can join teams of 2-8 people to walk a Story Trail.
“It is envisioned as a choose your-own-adventure, story experience, set in the context of Zurich in the midst of the faith convulsions going on in the Christian world in the time of the Reformation,” says David Stutzman, the activity’s creator.
Participants choose a character – a visitor to Zurich, like themselves – for the 30-60 minute activity. A booklet will guide them through narrative decision making and puzzle solving as they discover the sites in Zurich.
“We have two characters developed at this point, each coming as strangers to Zurich for their own reasons. One is looking for her brother, who has disappeared after being drawn to Zurich and the reforms taking place. The other is deserter from the Peasant Wars, drawn to Zurich, looking for refuge and a new start,” says David Stutzman.
The activity has appeal for all ages, but the designers have paid particular attention to making it fun for youth and young adults.
Participants must ask themselves: “Who to trust? How much does one divulge? Should I be fearful of the Anabaptist?”
Story Trail designers David Stutzman and Chris Blickensdoerfer are both avid gamers with experience leading group events, such as Power Up! gaming retreats. David Stutzman leads a small Mennonite church community in Mannheim. His work is connected with Arbeitsgemeinschaft Mennonitischer Gemeinden in Deutschland and Virginia Mennonite Missions. Chris Blickensdoerfer is a social worker and former youth pastor who creates his own escape rooms.
David Stutzman is excited to participate in the global 500th anniversary event. As an American living in Germany and previously ministering with an Indonesian church in the USA, he is grateful for global connections. “The movement that started here in Europe is truly a global communion today,” he says.
Learn more
More information will be posted on the Zurich website as it becomes available.
The closing service (at 17:00 CEST) will be livestreamed so people around the world can participate from home or organize a watch party.
Also check out the “related events worldwide” section where you can find special events marking the anniversary around the world.