I have visited the Grossmünster in Zürich, Switzerland, on many occasions over the years in my trips to Switzerland while visiting my wife Esther's family and tracing my Swiss roots. I have never wanted to be there more than today, May 29, 2025. It is where the worship service was held as the culmination of Mennonite World Conference's celebration of 500 years of Anabaptism in Europe. I had to settle for watching the live stream from my home in Harrisonburg, VA.

View of the Grossmünster in Zürich, Switzerland

Despite not seeing it live in Zürich, the ceremony touched me deeply. The service opened with a traditional hymn "Grosser Gott Wir Loben Dich," a hymn that has been loved through the years by Mennonites. In English it is known as "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name." The mass choir consisted of people from all over the world, representing the diversity of the Mennonite church worldwide.

For me the highlight of the celebration was the statements of reconciliation between Mennonites, the Catholic church, the Lutheran Church and the Reformed Church. All three of these church movements persecuted the original Anabaptists.

The Catholic Cardinal present read a statement from Pope Leo IV. That the head of the largest Christian denomination in the world, knew about the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist movement was a pleasant surprise.

Foot washing ceremony

The other reconciliation moment that was moving was when the leader of the world conference of the Reformed Church, and the leader of Mennonite World Conference washed each other's feet; one an African, and the other a Latin American.

The 2-hour service ended with a recessional while everyone sang the African song "Siyahamba" or "We are Marching to the Light of God." 

Some Latin American friends in the audience

César García, President of MWC delivers the sermon

EMU's Choir was part of the mass choir.

EMU's Nancy Heisey led in prayer

Expanding My Horizons: Five Languages and Six Cultures in One Day

A street scene from Italy

Probably like many of you, I am sick of the political nonsense that surrounds us these days. I can't go on to any social media platform without being bombarded by posts from all ends of the spectrum. It leaves me exhausted and full of dread--especially regarding the future of my five grandchildren. I need perspective. I need to broaden my horizons.

Yesterday I did just that. While being in English and in the USA most of my day, I had delightful forays into other cultures and languages.

While I was exercising on my stationary bike, I watched an episode of an Italian film on my PBS/VPM app. Although my understanding was aided by English subtitles, I was delighted with how much Italian I could understand.

Later in the day, I was reading a novel that took place simultaneously in England and Australia. Although the language was English, I encountered many unfamiliar words and expressions. 

Immediately after dinner, I taught Spanish to two adult learners at the Spanish Lab and Learning Center that was established by a former language assistant of mine at Eastern Mennonite University. Along with typical grammatical and vocabulary exercises, we looked into some of the cultural aspects of Peru. Previously we had studied other Spanish-speaking countries--Mexico, Guatemala and Puerto Rico. 

Finally, my wife Esther and I watched a documentary in German about two elderly women in Austria who continued to farm with no machinery like their ancestors. Although the film director spoke in Standard German, the women's responses were in the Austrian dialect. Even though their answers were given in standard German in the subtitles, my familiarity with other dialects of German aided my understanding.

Antigua, Guatemala

Five languages and six cultures in one day. Not only did this help lift the fog of the political nonsense enveloping me, but also expanded my horizons. At the end of the day, as I reflected on where I had experienced God (consciousness examen) I was able to fall asleep grounded it the fact that I am not alone, and that the world is bigger than the bubble most of us live in.

Solo Dei Gloria