Program details

Choir Profiles

At the one-day event 29 May 2025, each choir will perform two times: one indoor concert at the Predigerkirche or Friedenskirche and an outdoor concert at the Zwingliplatz in front of the Grossmünster without any amplification. The choirs will also participate in the final worship service at the Grossmünster church which will be livestreamed.  

Worship Service

The culminating event of “The Courage to Love” will be a worship service (17:00-18:30pm) held in the historic Grossmünster church, which the Reformed Church of the City of Zurich has graciously made available to MWC. One important element of the service will include a recognition of ecumenical guests – particularly representatives of the Catholic, Lutheran and Reformed tradition – to acknowledge the steps toward reconciliation that have taken place among our churches since the divisions of 500 years ago. 

 

Participants should be aware of several important details related to the Grossmünster church and the worship service: 

  1. Limited visibility: Although the space is designed to hold more than 1000 people, the front of the church will not be visible to many who attend. We cannot guarantee a clear view of the speakers; however there will be video monitors at strategic locations. 

  2. Seating: The doors of the Grossmünster will open for participants at 15:45. Because seating is limited, please understand that you may not reserve seats for others. Ushers are instructed to seat people as they arrive as efficiently as possible. 

  3. Language: The primary language of the worship service will be English, with a limited number of headphones available for German, French and Spanish speakers. We will also livestream the service to three other locations that can accommodate more people: German (Predigerkirche); Spanish (Freie
    Evangelische Gemeinde); French (Friedenskirche) 

  4. Headphones: German, French and Spanish speakers attending the service at the Grossmünster will be able to sign out headphones for live interpretation. Because the headphones are expensive, be prepared to leave a personal ID card or 20 CHf/Euros/dollars, which will be returned at the end of the service. 

  5. Livestreaming: the worship service will be livestreamed. 

Workshop details

Those attending “The Courage to Love” will have an opportunity to participate in one (or two) of 18 workshops: 9 options will be offered between 11-12:15 and 9 additional options will be offered between 14:00-15:15. Each of the workshops is 75 minutes long. Space is limited; workshops will be closed when room size is filled. Consult the website for more detailed descriptions regarding location, language and room occupancy. 

Historical Walking tour

Given the historical significance of Zurich for the early Anabaptist movement, we have created a self-directed walking tour with 10 stops. Each stop will provide important historical information and invite participants to reflect on several questions as you journey from station to station. Information will be accessible in German, English, French and Spanish. The tour begins in the Schipfe park overlooking the city of Zurich. Stations are clearly marked on the event map.

NOTE: The tour is largely confined to the city centre and can be completed in roughly 90 minutes. But it does involve some elevation and cobblestoned walkways, so keep that in mind for those with lower endurance and those who require mobility aids.

Panel Discussion

The panel discussion “Standing between the Lines in a World of Fire” will explore what it means to be Anabaptist in today's conflicts and how to work nonviolently for peace. Moderated by Swiss journalist Judith Wipfler, the event will feature voices from conflict zones, including Amos Chin (Myanmar), Rebeca Gonzáles (Mexico) and Siaka Traoré (Burkina Faso), as well as voices from the global North, Hansuli Gerber (Switzerland) and Carolyn Yoder (USA). They all have extensive experience in peacebuilding. Through personal insights and dialogue, the panel will reflect on how Anabaptist principles of nonviolence and reconciliation can address today’s global challenges.