“In this time when the church and its members are being persecuted and are victims of wars that have bereaved many families, it is urgent to place unity, peace and solidarity at the heart of the work of evangelism,” writes Rev. MUSOBWA KISHAKU Ernest. He is the representative for Kivu, the fourth district of MWC member church CEFMC, (Communauté des Églises de Frères Mennonites au Congo) in the eastern part of DR Congo which is experiencing much violence.
“Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday represents a precious opportunity for all of us to draw closer to the people, to heal internal wounds, to contribute to the healing of trauma, and to restore the social fabric that has been deeply affected by the consequences of war,” he says.
Every year, Mennonite World Conference (MWC) circulates a worship resource package to assist congregations around the world with celebrating this day. With a shared theme, Scripture passages, prayers and testimonies, congregations can enter more fully into fellowship, intercession and thanksgiving with and for the global faith family.
This year, congregations celebrated on Jan 19 or 26, the Sundays closest to 21 January. On that date in 1525, the first Anabaptist baptism took place in Zurich, Switzerland.
Here are some snapshots of how Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday was celebrated in our member congregations around the world.
Mennonite Church Bhilai in India celebrated Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday with great enthusiasm. Prayers were offered for the five continents by various groups, including the youth group, women’s group, church council and the pastor. A potluck lunch was also organized as part of the celebration.
Casa da Comunidade, part of the Mennonite Brethren church in Lisbon, Portugal, used the good Samaritan story from the worship resource for their AWFS service.
At Castañeda Anabaptist Church in the Philippines, members were divided into five groups to represent the five MWC continental regions. In those groups, they discussed stories of showing solidarity with peace, listening and forgiveness, support and perseverance.
At the Mennonite church of Bussum-Naarden in the Netherlands, seven congregations from the region (Ring Midden-Nederland) held a joint service where they lit candles for all the continents.
Binuangan Mennonite Christian Church in the Philippines celebrated Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday through singing “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “Blessed Assurance,” “Trust and Obey” and “God You’re Good.” Some of the songs were sung in the language-Ilokano. Ilokano serves as the common dialect used alongside local dialects such as Kankana-ey, Bugkalot, Ibaloi, Kalanguya, and others.
The congregation of Mennnonitengemeinde Worms-Ibersheim in Germany followed their AWFS Sunday service with a coffee break with cakes. The church building stands on land donated to the parish by a Mennonite at the end of the 19th century. The middle of three stained glass windows depicts Christ standing on “a Mennonite foundation,” says pastor Andreas Kohrn.
“We are very grateful to Mennonite World Conference to share AWFS material so that we all can worship in one spirit. It is a time for us be united and accept the challenge that we need to be courageous to love to everyone and grow in solidarity,” says Ashisha Kumar Milap, pastor of Sunderganj Mennonite Church Dhamtari in India.
They organized a colouring competition in Sunday School of the drawing shared for AWFS.
After a potluck, the members shared things that affect solidarity or help to strengthen it.
At Level Ground Mennonite Church in Abbotsford, B.C., Canada, children enjoyed the colouring pages while the congregation prayed for the global Anabaptist communion, especially noting their solidarity with the people of Venezuela.
How did you celebrate Anabaptist World Fellowship Sunday? Send us our pictures! Share your testimonies! Send to photos@mwc-cmm.org.
Continue with solidarity
May our prayers move us to action. In 2026, Mennonite World Conference focuses on solidarity. We invite you – particularly during this season of focus before Easter – to join in solidarity with the global Anabaptist through your prayers.
Take a photo or video to share with the global family how you are praying in solidarity. Use the text below. Send your photo or video to photos@mwc-cmm.org.
We pray in solidarity with sisters and brothers from ____________ (insert country name or national church name).
OR
__________ (insert your congregation name) prays in solidarity with sisters and brothers from __________ (insert country name).