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 Mennoniten der Schweiz, opening the worship service. The host city is the location of the first known adult baptisms of the Anabaptist movement. “But as we can see in this service, we are part of a movement that has become diverse and international.”
All nations together
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.
“Today we can all gather here: all nations as it says in the Word – all nations, all tribes, all languages – together here. This is special because it’s only the Lord who could do things like this,” said Jean-Claude Ambeke, a Mennonite Brethren from Angola, currently living in France.
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.
Participants could stretch their legs while following a historical walking tour or role playing scenarios of a “story trail” while more than a dozen workshops offered perspectives on Anabaptism: testimonies, historical surveys and present-day issues. Additionally, Swiss theologian and journalist Judith Wipfler reflecting on “a world on fire.” Today’s Anabaptist leaders who live in areas of conflict and challenge.
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 “Ewe Thina” and “Kirisuto no heiwa ga.” A new song was introduced by Songs of Peace with a chorus calling “We want justice, we want peace!”
An important church
Line ups for the closing worship service began midafternoon. The 1 200-seat Grossmünster was full to capacity, as were the approximately 200 seats in each of the other four overflow venues – and still 100s were left outside, sitting in the plaza or scattered to cafes, watching on tiny cellphone screens.
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).
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.
A journey of reconciliation
“We 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,” said Janet Plenert in the worship liturgy.
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. “I assure you of my prayers that our fraternal relations will deepen and grow,” the cardinal read.
While MWC’s John D. Roth and WCRC’s Hanns Lessing confessed their communion’s “common witness to the unity of the church,” general secretaries César García and Setri Nyomi washed each others’ feet “in a tangible expression of our commitment to reconciliation,” said J. Nelson Krabyill.
Another concrete expression of support was the free use of Reformed church buildings – including the iconic Grossmünster at no charge.
“Meeting again in the Grossmünster 500 years after the division – now as a ‘reconciling family’ – created a powerful new moment in our collective memory that I hope will change the way the next generation tells our story,” said John D. Roth.
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, “we are marching in the light of God.”
* 111 member churches as of June 2025