{"id":115915,"date":"2025-06-30T16:40:57","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T16:40:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/?p=115915"},"modified":"2025-07-11T00:42:44","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T00:42:44","slug":"diverse-international-movement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/diverse-international-movement\/","title":{"rendered":"A movement that has been diverse and international\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The bells rang out across the city that full of Anabaptists. An estimated 3\u202f500 or more people filled the streets of old Zurich on Ascension Day 29 May 2025 to commemorate the 500th <\/sup>anniversary of Anabaptism.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday, as Mennonites in Switzerland we are a small community,\u201d said Gladys Geiser & 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 the Anabaptist movement. \u201cBut as we can see in this service, we are part of a movement that has become diverse and international.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All nations together <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\u00c1gape Band, Paraguay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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TIARA (The Indonesian Anabaptist peRforming Art), Indonesia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) Chamber Singers, USA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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 Eastleigh Fellowship Centre (EFC) Mennonite Church Choir, Kenya<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Songs of Peace, Switzerland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
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From its beginnings with a few courageous believers in Europe, now Mennonite World Conference has 111 member churches* after the Executive Committee meeting a few days earlier in Germany, in 61 countries around the globe.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday we can all gather here: all nations as it says in the Word \u2013 all nations, all tribes, all languages \u2013 together here. This is special because it\u2019s only the Lord who could do things like this,\u201d said Jean-Claude Ambeke, a Mennonite Brethren from Angola, currently living in France. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A slightly overcast morning turned into a sunny day for walking historic streets, cramming into lecture rooms or listening to choirs. Courtesy of the Reformed church, there was even a pop up vendor giving out ice cream.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants could stretch their legs while following a historical walking tour<\/a> or role playing scenarios of a \u201cstory trail\u201d<\/a> while more than a dozen workshops<\/a> offered perspectives on Anabaptism: testimonies, historical surveys and present-day issues. Additionally, Swiss theologian and journalist Judith Wipfler reflecting on \u201ca world on fire.\u201d Today\u2019s Anabaptist leaders who live in areas of conflict and challenge.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Five choirs from around the world gave an indoor and outdoor concert and joined a mass choir for the worship service. They led Assembly favourites like \u201cEwe Thina\u201d and \u201cKirisuto no heiwa ga.<\/em>\u201d A new song was introduced by Songs of Peace with a chorus calling \u201cWe want justice, we want peace!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An important church <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Anabpatism@500<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Line ups for the closing worship service began midafternoon. The 1\u202f200-seat Grossm\u00fcnster was full to capacity, as were the approximately 200 seats in each of the other four overflow venues \u2013 and still 100s were left outside, sitting in the plaza or scattered to cafes, watching on tiny cellphone screens.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile around the world, thousands tuned in online on personal screens or together with others at churches, offices (such as Everance and MCC) or museums (such as Mennonite Life and the Mennonite Heritage Village Museum).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With representatives from 13 global communions and 3 multilateral ecumenical organizations as honoured guests, the service was not only about Anabaptism but another step in the path of reconciliation.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A journey of reconciliation <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cWe all inherit a legacy of pain from Reformation divisions. We know that differences of theology and practice remain, but we rejoice in the journey of reconciliation that we have shared together,\u201d said Janet Plenert in the worship liturgy.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The service featured leaders from the Lutheran World Federation and World Communion of Reformed Churches and a message from Pope Leo XIV brought by Cardinal Kurt Koch, prefect of the Dicastery on Promoting Christian Unity. \u201cI assure you of my prayers that our fraternal relations will deepen and grow,\u201d the cardinal read. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While MWC\u2019s John D. Roth and WCRC\u2019s Hanns Lessing confessed their communion\u2019s \u201ccommon witness to the unity of the church,\u201d general secretaries C\u00e9sar Garc\u00eda and Setri Nyomi washed each others\u2019 feet \u201cin a tangible expression of our commitment to reconciliation,\u201d said J. Nelson Krabyill.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Another concrete expression of support was the free use of Reformed church buildings \u2013 including the iconic Grossm\u00fcnster at no charge.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMeeting again in the Grossm\u00fcnster 500 years after the division \u2013 now as a \u2018reconciling family\u2019 \u2013 created a powerful new moment in our collective memory that I hope will change the way the next generation tells our story,\u201d said John D. Roth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event which was strategically framed as a commemoration thus closed on a note of celebration. Choirs from five regions formed a tunnel of song as guests exited the church to the notes of Siyahamba, \u201cwe are marching in the light of God.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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