Anabaptist 500 stories

Folks from our congregation who went to the Anabaptism 500 day-long event in Zurich, Switzerland tell histories, stories, experiences and places with us. Jonas & Laura Beachy brought us the historical backdrop to our 500 year anniversary. Nancy Chupp brought us thoughts on "Who Are These People" from today, back to the 70's, and back to the 1500s. She reflects on the lack of women's stories and how she didn't know any early Anabaptist women's names - and now she does. John Flickinger brought us insights into Mennonite World Conference and what Mennonites look like around the globe, and milling around outside big churches. Finally, Doug Basinger brought details about the experience itself and about how Mennonites have spread their history and stories. You should ask them all to share their photos, and to explain about that stolen baptismal font.

Stories begin at minute markers:

Jonas & Laura Beachy, history - 3:22

Nancy Chupp, Who Are These People (especially the women) - 16:12

John Flickinger, Global Mennonites in Zurich - 24:25

Doug Basinger, Zurich event and Mennonite stories - 31:02

 Acts 8.26-40

Resources:

• Poem: Sarah Kinsel, “You are like trees planted by streams of water,” Drawing Near: A Devotional Journey with Art, Poetry & Reflection, ed. Eileen R. Kinch and John D. Roth (Herald Press, 2025), 180.
• Image: detail from Matthew Regier, “Trees of Living Water,” Drawing Near: A Devotional Journey with Art, Poetry & Reflection, ed. Eileen R. Kinch and John D. Roth (Herald Press, 2025), 179.