The Swiss Reformation started as a movement of renewal, but soon became a story of separation and persecution. The Reformed Church of Zurich wishes to acknowledge this era of intolerance in the historic city, where the roots of both the Reformed and the Anabaptists are found. Heinrich Bullinger, successor of Zwingli, born 500 years ago, has been recognized by a memorial on the northwest wall of the Grossmunster. On June 26th a historical marker for Felix Manz and his friends will be placed by the Limmat River, where they were drowned as martyrs of the Anabaptist Movement. During this conference we will recall that era of separation and persecution.

Workshops will offer a deeper look at various aspects of our history, and will help us reflect on the possibilities of a common future. A festive service in the Grossmunster will recognize the common bond both groups share in our Lord, Jesus Christ. A cultural evening program will conclude this historic occasion.

Simultaneous translation will be provided

This conference is a common project of the Evangelical-Reformed Church of the Canton of Zurich and the Swiss Mennonite Conference.


SCHEDULE

12:00   Lunch

2:00     Workshops

4:15     Festive service in the Grossmunster

6:00    Dinner

8:00     Dedication of the memorial for Felix Manz at the Limmat River

9 00     Cultural Evening Program in the Grossmunster
            - Mennonite and Amish stories by John Sharp, featuring Roland van Straaten, Blues Harp
            - Clips from the new film about Mennonites in Switzerland and USA by Peter von Gunten
            - New Swiss Folk Music

WORKSHOPS

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
To deepen our common understanding of Anabaptist and Reformed traditions (Please register)

1.         Reformed and Anabaptists today
Pierre Bühler, Professor of Theology, discussion with representatives of both traditions

2.         If one member suffers …
Bible study: One text – two traditions

3.         On the traces of the Anabaptists in Zurich
A special sightseeing tour

4.         500 years Heinrich Bullinger
Viewing the exhibition in the Grossmunster

5.         Peace, State and the Church
Political workshop

6.         Anabaptist roots in Switzerland
Forum on living Genealogy, with Gary J. Waltner

7.         Music-Workshop
Songs tell our history, with Liliane Gerber and Daniel Schmid

8.         Reformed and Mennonites
International Dialogue, Larry Miller (Mennonite World Conference) and Setri Nyomi (World Alliance of Reformed Churches)

9.         Sense and nonsense of today’s “events of reconciliation”
What the spirit is saying to the churches today by Hanspeter Jecker

Please select your first and second choices for the afternoon workshops, and send them to johnes@goshen.edu

Participants will make their own travel arrangements. Those who wish to add an Anabaptist tour of Western Europe may join a tour led by Willard Roth and John Sharp, June 9-23. Contact TourMagination for more information and to register. Call 1-800-565-0451 or Email: office@tourmagination.com. Or you may join a tour led by Dwight and Joanne Martin, June 22-July 6. For more information call 717-349-79-35. Attendants from North America and Europe will be the guests of the Reformed church for the weekend, June 25-27, 2004.

Sunday will offer opportunities for worship in the Grossmunster and in local churches, and tours of the city and adjacent areas including a worship service in the Anabaptist cave.

If you have not yet registered your intention to attend this conference, send your name and contact informtion to:

John E. Sharp, Director, Mennonite Church USA Historical Committee
1700 South Main Street, Goshen, IN 46526-4794
E: johnes@goshen.edu
T: 574-535-7477

North American participation is limited to 100 people.

For additional Information contact:

Rev. Peter Dettwiler
Evangelical-Reformed Church
T. ++41 1 258 92 38 (in english)
E: peter.dettwiler at zh.ref.ch
Hirschengraben 50, 8001 Zurich
Switzerland

Thomas Gyger
President of the Swiss Mennonite Conference
T. ++41 32 937 11 54
E: thomas.gyger at bluewin.ch
Budgnon 19, 2316 Les Pont-de-Martel
Switzerland