{"id":120235,"date":"2025-10-29T13:42:33","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T13:42:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/?p=120235"},"modified":"2025-11-04T08:26:51","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T08:26:51","slug":"a-celebration-of-reconciliation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mwc-cmm.org\/en\/stories\/a-celebration-of-reconciliation\/","title":{"rendered":"A celebration of reconciliation\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 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 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

A celebration of reconciliation\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All nations together <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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 or role-playing scenarios of a \u201cstory trail\u201d while more than a dozen workshops offered perspectives on Anabaptism: testimonies, historical surveys and present-day issues. Additionally, Swiss theologian and journalist Judith Wipfler led a panel discussion with today\u2019s Anabaptist leaders who live in areas of conflict and challenge reflecting on \u201ca world on fire.\u201d <\/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

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