The Mennonite Heritage Village Museum (MHV) in Steinbach is gearing up for a special morning this Thursday, May 29th, as they join a worldwide celebration marking 500 years since the birth of the Anabaptist movement, the roots of today’s Mennonite faith.
“It is amazing,” said Robert Goertzen, Executive Director of MHV. “When you think about Mennonites, you often think about your neighbors and your family and your friends. But really, the history goes back 500 years to 1525.”
And while the main event, a worship service hosted by the Mennonite World Conference, is happening in Zurich, Switzerland, Goertzen and his team wanted to make sure locals could still take part.
“Most of us aren't able to attend the actual celebration service that's happening in Zurich,” Goertzen explained. “So, they’ve made it available for live streaming. We thought this was a great opportunity for people to get together, watch, and participate in the service right here in Steinbach.”
The MHV is calling it a “watch party,” and everyone is invited to stop by the museum Thursday morning around 9:30 a.m., with the live stream starting at 10:00 a.m. in the auditorium.
“It’s actually a good time for us,” said Goertzen. “Even though it’s evening in Zurich, it’s morning here. So, we’re inviting everyone to come, find a seat, and join in.”
The event will focus on the worship service being streamed live from Zurich, not the full slate of conference sessions.
“Yeah, it's the worship service that they're having, which is kind of their big evening,” said Goertzen. “If you've ever been to one of these world conferences, it's really something. I remember back in 1990 when the World Conference came to Winnipeg, my wife Monica and I were there, and there were around 12,000 people. People from all around the world. It’s amazing.”
Goertzen said the diversity of global Mennonite communities will be part of what makes the event so meaningful.
“Here in Manitoba, you’d mostly recognize a Mennonite as a Caucasian, but at a World Conference, you’ll see Mennonites from Africa, South America, India, it’s very diverse.”
“In fact,” he added, “there are more Mennonites in Africa now than there are in North America.”
The Zurich service will also include reflections on shared history with other branches of Christianity, such as the Lutherans and Reformers, and how different churches are continuing to build relationships today.
“There will be some conversations about what that has meant over the years and how churches are learning to work together again,” Goertzen said.
The watch party at MHV is free to attend, with donations welcome.
Along with the live stream, there will be a few other quiet activities happening around the auditorium, creating space for community connection and reflection.
“We're just really excited to bring people together for this,” said Goertzen. “It’s a wonderful time to connect with the worldwide Anabaptist Mennonite group of people, and to be reminded that we’re part of something a lot bigger than just ourselves.”
The following additional information is located on the MWC website.
The 2025 Mennonite World Conference notes it is represented in 61 countries, with 110 Mennonite and Brethren in Christ national churches that make up 10,180 congregations.
May 29, 2025, is Ascension Day for those of the Christian Faith. It will be marked with special events during the day, at the 2025 Mennonite World Conference, with vocal ensembles performing on the streets of downtown Zurich, Switzerland. There will also be walking tours of significant sites in the city, with the day closing with a public worship service in the Grossmünster cathedral.