-
The mission for which we are called
Perspectives (Anabaptism@500 activities) Walking tour & Story trails My tour to Zurich first points to my immediate feelings as we approached the bus stop and at a last corner, pointed the river in which Felix Manz was drowned. At once and out of nowhere did I have my emotions rise with little body sweats for…
-
Anabaptist voices in a world on fire
Perspectives (Anabaptism@500 activities) Panel discussion Under the title Standing Between the Lines in a World on Fire, voices from five continents gathered on May 29 at the Friedenskirche. On the occasion of the 500th anniversary, they debated a burning issue: how to remain faithful to the Anabaptist heritage of peace and nonviolence in a world…
-
“Who are my brothers?”
The President’s Corner It was a few years ago that we had a Commissions meeting in the Netherlands. With others I picked up people from the airport. We were at the evening meal when my phone rang. It was someone calling on behalf of a Commission member from Angola whose flight had been delayed. The…
-
Workshops
Perspectives (Anabaptism@500 activities) Activities for the commemoration of 500 years of the Anabaptist movement in Zurich on 29 May 2025 included 18 workshops over two periods. Rooms in several locations throughout the downtown generously provided by the Reformed church were bursting with participants to eager to engage with stories and analysis of Anabaptists living out…
-
International choirs
Perspectives (Anabaptism@500 activities) Among the many highlights of the commemoration day in Zurich was singing. Worship choirs had the privilege of playing a central role in bringing together voices from diverse backgrounds to celebrate faith, reconciliation and unity. The participating choirs included Among these choirs, the Eastleigh Fellowship Centre (EFC) Mennonite Church Choir stood out…
-
A celebration of reconciliation
The bells rang out across the city that full of Anabaptists. An estimated 3 500 or more people filled the streets of old Zurich on Ascension Day 29 May 2025 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism. “Today, as Mennonites in Switzerland we are a small community,” said Gladys Geiser and Lukas Amstutz, co-presidents, Konferenz der Mennoniten der Schweiz, opening the worship service. The host city is the location of the first known adult baptisms of…
-
Living in a new era
César García (right) interviewed church leaders from other traditions who were present throughout General Council meetings in May 2025. (l-r) Paul Tché, Tim Gee, Neil Vigers, Hanns Lessing (with microphone), Samuel van der Maas, Anne-Cathy Graber (MWC secretary for ecumenical relations). “Reconciliation is central to our faith as Anabaptists,” said César García, Mennonite World Conference…
-
A movement that has been diverse and international
The bells rang out across the city that full of Anabaptists. An estimated 3 500 or more people filled the streets of old Zurich on Ascension Day 29 May 2025 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism. “Today, as Mennonites in Switzerland we are a small community,” said Gladys Geiser & Lukas Amstutz, co-presidents, Konferenz der…
-
From celebration to commemoration
Mennonite World Conference (MWC) concludes its triennial General Council (GC) meeting 26-28 May 2025 in Schwäbisch-Gmünd, Germany, with a clear framework for the future.
-
A celebration of ecumenism, joy, confession and hope
We invite everyone to worship with us! The worship service marking the culmination of Mennonite World Conference’s 500th anniversary event in Zurich, Switzerland, will be livestreamed. The event takes place Thursday, 29 May 2025, at 15:00 UTC. (Please note an earlier version gave the incorrect time. 15:00 UTC is when the service begins; tune in…
-
Seeking common witness together
MWC-WCRC dialogue creates statement and study guide “The search for peace starts within the body of Christ,” says Tom Yoder Neufeld, chair of MWC’s Faith & Life Commission. As Mennonite World Conference celebrates 100 years of living out unity within the Anabaptist family, our leaders are also working on our mission to relate with other…
-
Trails of blood, sweat and tears
Celebrate, equip, worship: 500 years of Anabaptism Churches around the world are marking the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism with lectures, hymn sings and even regional events. MWC member church Iglesia Evangélica Menonita del Perú hosted “Celebrar, equipar, adorar” in Cusco, Peru 18-22 January 2025 to mark 500 years of Anabaptism. Church members gathered for the…
