The Anabaptist movement is a child of the Reformation. 500 years after the first Anabaptist congregation was founded in Zollikon near Zurich, Anabaptist related churches are celebrating this jubilee as a worldwide movement, looking back and looking forward. The motto of the anniversary year is "Courage to love". The Anabaptist anniversary is the third Reformation jubilee - after 2017 (Martin Luther) and 2019 (Huldrych Zwingli).
Jürg Bräker, General Secretary of the Swiss Mennonite Conference, writes: "Even though we look back on a long history, this celebration should focus on the present of the Anabaptist movement. Who are we today as a worldwide community? What is important to us? What are we committed to in this world? We want to share what we are and what we have. Not only with other churches. To live today as Anabaptists following Jesus means for us to work in this world for peace, for reconciliation, for cohesion in society, so that we can sense something of the coming of Christ's kingdom of peace like the first scent of spring. We summarize this commitment under the theme 'Courage to Love'."
The unique commemoration, organized by the Mennonite World Conference,will take place in Zurich on Ascension Day, 29 May 2025. Church services, lectures, workshops, concerts, theater performances, panel discussions, a station trail in the city center and art are planned.
How will the Anabaptists traveling to Switzerland experience Switzerland 500 years after the conflict-ridden beginnings of their movement? The Anabaptist Welcome Campaign aims to build bridges. The guests should get to know Swiss Christians personally beyond Ascension Day.
Website Anbaptism@500 Latest news relating the anniversary in Zurich, 29 May 2025
Website of the Mennonite World Conference on the anniversary
Website of the North American Mennonites on the anniversary