The Courage to Love - Finale!

I know, this has been a crazy flurry of posts! 

So unlike me.

I needed to do it this way because I was afraid that it could all be forgotten

without this documentation.

This was an epic journey for me!

OK - here goes the last 2 days of this tour ...

Day 11

On to the bus and away we go to the Schleitheim Museum

Schleitheim is where the first Anabaptist confession was forged

in 1527 and a rare copy is on display here.

The museum has a room where the early Anabaptist history

of this area is well documented.

We spent time reading and learning from the Museum's guide.

Also on display were many interesting artefacts of Scheitheim's

early history.

The museum is in a former school house

Off we go to see the famous Rhine Falls.

We will grab some lunch there.

Umbrellas and raincoats were needed on this day.

From the Falls we travelled to a special secret place

for worship, communion and reflection.

Even tho we needed to walk in the chilly rain for about

an hour to get there - it was an epic experience.

This sacred place was truly a highlight and worth the effort to get there.

Along the way we were greeted and inspected.

We arrived, soaked and weary but exhilarated to find this amazing place.

We sang, we shared communion, sang some more, and 

felt the wonder of this special cave with tears in our eyes.

We did it! I so admire my new friend Nancy who inspired us all!

The warm and dry bus was most welcomed as we travelled

back to Zurich for a nice dinner at the Hotel restaurant - King's Cave.

Tomorrow will be another epic day for this special tour!

Day 12

Mennonite World Conference Gathering for the 

COURAGE TO LOVE

Assembly ...

I didn't get too many pictures from this day - it was a whirlwind!

We gathered in the morning at Predigerkirche 

for a greeting from TourMagination organizers.

They were responsible for all the logistics for many tour groups,

including ours, travelling during this time.

Some of us stayed to admire the antique quilt display (of course)

and then for some fantastic music group presentations as well.

And then it happened ...

We stood for hours outside of the Grossmunster church, not knowing

whether we would be lucky enough to get a seat inside.

The weather was beautiful and we were surrounded by

wonderful people from around the world anticipating this 

special worship service. 

What could be more wonderful?

Success - we got in ...

Those who did not were able to watch a live stream

from the Predigerkirche

or from anywhere around the globe!

You too can view this service now.

Here is the link:

Mennonite World Conference - The Courage to Love 2025

As we exited this glorious church and assembly,

the church bells pealed and hearts of bubbles floated overhead.

This was a once in a lifetime experience for many of us.

Goose Bumps!!

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/d8gQFdW0xqg

One last lap around the beautiful Limmat River near our hotel

before being shuttled to the airport.

Time to say goodbye ... 

I'm not crying - you're crying!

One last important recognition:

This guy, Fred Martin, was the one who had the vision/dream to make this

Grebel tour happen.

Forever thankful Fred and Wanda!

THE END.

Till next time .... my heart is full! Thank you for bearing with me on this long stretch of posts.

                  Fact checkers - please forgive me and feel free to correct.

Cheese from Bern to Zurich

Day 8, 9 and 10

Home base - Bern, Switzerland

Day 8

It was Sunday on this Day 8 and we went to Langnau Mennonite Church

in the beautiful Emmental area - a Canton of Bern, to worship with the 

congregation there.

Langnau is the oldest Mennonite Church in the World.

It began in 1530.

The really cool thing is that my dear friend Ruth

had been a Trainee with Mennonite Central Committee in 

this area many years ago and this is where she attended church.

Not only that - her friend Ruth from here met her at the church and 

they went off for dinner together - Ruth and Ruth!!!

A great reunion!

We then took in the stunning views as we drove over the Emmental hills

to reach a typical Swiss homestead in Hinterhutten.

Here we heard about and saw a secret room in the barn that

once hid Anabaptists from their pursuers.

We also heard a powerful testimony from a descendant, Regulla, who 

still lives on this very farm and has been instrumental in setting up

an amazing historical display.

Views from the bus window as we transferred to Wurzbrunnen Church

Inside the church

Lots of "Gerber" surnames in this area

From this peaceful little church in the hills, we travelled

to the Trachselwald Castle where many captured Anabaptists were detained

before their sentencing!

The Castle Photographer!!

Later that evening we were treated to an authentic

Swiss Fondue, a prelude to more cheesy dinners to come.

Say Cheese! I'm beginning to look tired or is it cheesy???
They say it's time to go home when you start looking like your passport picture!

SO MUCH CHEESE!

We were in Switzerland after all.

Day 9

Monday morning we set out to discover the renowned UNESCO World Heritage town of Bern.

Bern held many stories and reflections at the harbour, where 

Anabaptists were exiled and persecuted.

There was simply too much to see and take in. 

The clock tower

The cathedral

The bear park

The bridges and the Harbour

The turquoise Aare River

An amazing town walking tour led by our interesting and knowledgeable guides,

Troy and David!

Fabulous walking tour pictures taken by our Jen.

Onto the bus once again for a drive to Thun to see the 12th Century Thun Castle.

Another enchanting, Disney like, castle.

We explored the displays, climbed the tower

and had a delicious Indian food lunch on the patio of a restaurant downtown.

There were warm blankets to keep us cozy while we ate.

Next we were driven to a Gondola Boarding Point in Erlenbach

to ride up to Chrindi to Stockhorn!

It was foggy but beautiful non-the-less ...

Erlenbach is where Jakob Ammann, founder of the Amish movement,

was baptised as a child in the Reformed Church there.

Ammann later joined the Mennonite Church and was rebaptized.

He then led a break-away group to form the Amish.

Amish is my heritage.

Up and away ...

Back to Front - a fun bunch!

Time for dinner and winding down from another fabulous day!

We giggled when the floppy drink menu on a stick came out.

Day 10

Our last day staying in Bern and heading to Zurich.

We were in for the time of our lives ...

The day started with a walking tour in Zurich and a visit to

the Conrad Grebel House.

Conrad Grebel is the name sake of our University College

where many of us on this tour work, worked and/or are associated with!

He was a key figure in Anabaptist history, baptized George Blaurock

in 1525 which was considered the first adult baptism associated with the

Reformation.

Conrad Grebel House

David led us through the historical sites in Zurich.

Here we stood in front of another Conrad Grebel marker.

Grebel tour group picture opportunity!

 Truthfully, this was information overload for me.

I regretted not having studied and researched more on my own to

have a better understanding of this place along the Limmat River

where it all began!!

Perhaps now I must read Troy's book and appreciate what I have all 

experienced here.

What a privilege to have him as one of our guides on this tour!

Troy's book:

Radicals and Reformers

David led us through the streets of Zurich,

dodging construction workers and jack hammers.

Thankfully we had our "whisper system" earbuds on so that we could hear him.

He took it all in stride and carried on ...

Glimpses of THE GROSSMUNSTER church!
This is where the tour will all come together for the
"Courage to Love" Assembly.

After the walking tour and exploring on our own along the
Limmat River, we travelled  to Einsiedeln Abbey at Kloster Einsiedeln
for their 4 p.m. Vespers
No pictures were allowed inside the Abbey but such an interesting experience.

Now it was time to settle into our very centrally located hotel
and look forward to sharing our second huge feed of cheese.

Raclette at Wallisser Kanne Raclette!!

Time for bed ... with tummies full of cheese once more.

I may have lost you all by this point dear readers and I can't blame you - eek!

Till next time ... final glorious days in Zurich and then home.

• 
  

Secret Cellar and Alsace

Day 6

Today we're off to Weierhof Village, Research Centre and Archives.

Here are many original copies of such things as the 

Martyr's Mirror, Ausbunds, Bibles,

and so much more documented Mennonite History.

 This centre is of great interest to all History Scholars and Historical Societies

 that do research on Mennonite history.

An incredible resource!

We strolled through the pretty village where families live and

where many history students come to stay and study.

We then travelled to Sinsheim for lunch and to visit the Steinsfurt Cellar

and to climb the Steinsfurt Tower for a panoramic view of fields, orchards,

and vineyards.

The climb was well worth it!

The cellar was discovered, not that long ago, by John L. Ruth and friends

who guided such tours as this for many years and had been looking for this 

secret place for some time!

We gathered in this hidden cellar and heard stories about how

53 Anabaptist worshippers were arrested there.

https://studio.youtube.com/video/xrwx15BJWXM/edit

We sang in the cellar - I was unsuccessful in uploading the video

but you can click on the above link to hear a wee clip.

A very emotional and beautiful experience.

On the "porch" of the cellar house.

This evening we travelled to Strasbourg, France!

This is where my ancestors (Great Grandparents) came from, directly to Canada in the 

mid 1800's.

Strasbourg - the best pizza I've had in a very long time
and a sweet after dinner creme brulee and splash of Kir!

Day 7

We took a walking tour of Strasbourg this morning.

We learned about Pilgram Marpeck who was once a local Anabaptist leader.

So pretty here!

The most stunning Gothic Cathedral was revealed as we rounded 

the corner from the city's Cathedral Square.

Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg

What a view!

Also, the most unique, ornate, medieval building was seen in the square.

Maison Kammerzell

A pyramid of macarons in the shop window caught my eye - so very French, so beautiful!

I wanted to linger longer in this place ...

... but we had more places to go and things to see!

Off we went to the picturesque town Riquewihr.

An old walled town where we had some free time to wander

and wonder and also to grab lunch.

Quiche Lorraine for me and Tarte a l'Oignon for Ellie!

Oh, and a cold crisp glass of white wine - what could be better?

So quaint and welcoming

Next stop to our hotel and dinner

in Bern, Switzerland.

We will be staying here for the next 3 nights - beautiful Hotel Savoy.

Tomorrow is Sunday and we will gather for a worship service

at Langnau Mennonite Church in the Emmental area.

This marks the halfway point of the tour - Wow!

Guet Nacht!

Till next time ... pausing at every breathtaking site and savouring the delicious cuisine!