FSPC Annual Report 2009

Annual Report

2009

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Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches

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Federation of SwissProtestant churches FSPC Sulgenauweg 26 P. O. BoxCH-3000 Bern 23Phone +41 (0)31 370 25 25 Fax +41 (0)31 370 25 [email protected]

3Table of Contents

Word from the President of the Council: The Reformation continues 5

The most important topics for the FSPC in 2009 7

calvin09: Honoring and discussing 9Calvin’s work in depth Religious coexistence: Religious freedom must be 13honored all throughout the world Ecumenical meetings: Reordering church affairs 19Migration policy: The church and social dimensions 21Baptism: Church discussions at many levels 25Climate policy: For a 40-percent reduction of carbon emissions 27Other topics 29

Staff 33

FSPC Organisational Chart 34 National, international, and ecumenical contacts by 36 the Council President and/or Council Members Delegations and Commissions 40 Publication list 43 Political statements 44

Financial Statement and Statistics 45

Financial Figures 2009 46 Statistics of Official Church Acts in 2009 48

Geneva/21/5/2009Many are now rediscoveringthe reformer John Calvin after 500 years.

In 2009, the Reformed churches of Swit-zerland and around the world marked the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin, the Reformer of Geneva, a key fig-ure and personality in the history of the church. Many people were indeed able to rediscover Calvin in the course of his anniversary year. His zeal for the renewal of the Christian church on the basis of the gospel, which led him to make deci-sions that can only be truly understood in the context of the late medieval church, stood in contrast to his empathetic hu-mane qualities. Calvin was a minister and pastoral counselor, who acted success-fully as a mediator (in today’s understand-ing of the word) in conflicts between the traditional families of Geneva and newly arrived refugees of faith. The Reformer of Geneva was a systematic thinker and designer. The Institutes, his introduction to Christianity, was the first systematic presentation of the faith by a Reformer; and as a student of law, Calvin was able to provide the Geneva Church with an external order. He was the mind behind the Consensus Tigurinus, which paved the way for the unity of Switzerland’s Re-formed churches. We must also empha-size Calvin’s ethical views on the econo-my and the environment: The economy, he said, is there to serve the people, and

the beauty of nature is God’s visible gos-pel. Calvin was a humanist and theolo-gian, open to the world and to dialogue with other sciences.

In the coming years, the member church-es of the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches (FSPC) will continue to cele-brate a number of different Reformation anniversaries. In 2019, for example, the churches will celebrate the 500th anni-versary of Huldrych Zwingli’s activity as a pastor at Zurich’s Grossmünster Church. His rediscovery of the closeness of peo-ple to God through Jesus Christ sets us free, both within and outside ourselves. We are liberated and encouraged to live our lives in love and self-responsibility, and to be Christians with a passion and with the courage of our convictions.

With his Protestant understanding, Hul-drych Zwingli adopted ideas that Martin Luther had been adeptly preaching at the time. And 2017 will mark the 500th

anniversary of Luther’s posting his 95 Theses to the door of Wittenberg’s Cas-tle Church, which would soon prove to be a powerful moment of importance to European and world history alike. These beginnings in Wittenberg, however, also had precursors in “pre-Reformation” re-

newal movements. And 2015 will mark the 600th anniversary of the Czech theo-logian and reformer Jan Hus being burnt at the stake. The Reformation was not, however, limited to Wittenberg, Zurich, or Geneva. Virtually every large European town was touched by the movement in one way or another. The Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE) will invite the centers of the Reformation in Europe to participate actively in the Euro-pean Reformation Jubilee in 2017.

As a renewal movement, the Reforma-tion has, to this day, influenced society, politics, culture, and science around the world. Our personal individual respon-sibility in all areas of life, the interplay between faith and reason, the dignity and equality of each individual, and skepticism towards all that would come between God and people, remain un-derstandings, born of the Reformation, that will leave their mark on the Christian Church well into the future.

Thomas WipfPresident of the Council FSPC

The Reformation continues

Word from the President of the Council

Annual Report 20096

77

The most important topics for the FSPC in 2009

Annual Report 20098

The Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches (FSPC) has had a very eventful year 2009. A wide variety of topics connected to matters of faith, ethics, and religion took on a prominence in the year’s public discourse, inviting representatives of the FSPC and its member churches to present their positions to the press and in conversations with people in our society. Much has changed in the course of the year as well in terms of relations among churches both within Switzerland and abroad. We have divided the annual report into thematic sections to allow for a better overview of the FSPC’s activities in 2009. Detailed information is provi-ded in the appendix on our staff both at the church office and elsewhere, as well as statistics and other information on the work of the FSPC.

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calvin09: Honoring and discussing Calvin’s work in depth

“The results exceeded our expectations,” reported an overjoyed Rev. Clifton Kirk-patrick, president of the calvin09 Interna-tional Patronage Committee. At the end of the 2009, the year marking the 500th

anniversary of the birth of the reformer John Calvin, we can confirm the great success of all the celebratory activities, both within Switzerland and around the world, in which the FSPC played a major role.

The aim of “rediscovering Calvin” (FSPC Impulse 6), as FSPC Council President Thomas Wipf put it before the start of the jubilee, was in fact reached, especially with regard to Calvin’s place in history and on the theological and ethical cur-rency of his work to our day. A close and careful reading of his work reveals Calvin to have been a more passionate and sen-sitive figure than one would expect from his reputation as a strict and unforgiving autocrat. During the year, we particularly became more aware of Calvin’s indefati-gable efforts toward the regulation of the incipient capitalism of his time, and his ecumenical work to further the unity of the churches.

The FSPC’s activities to mark the Calvin anniversary were manifold and diverse

and can only be presented here in part. The Federation was involved, among oth-er things, as a sponsor and organizer of official jubilee celebrations. On Pentecost Sunday, for instance, the FSPC hosted a special worship service in honor of Calvin, in cooperation with the Conférence des Églises Romandes (Conference of French-Speaking Churches in Switzerland) and the Reformed Church of France. The service was televised in the United States and Korea, and by Eurovision in several European countries. In mid-June, a festive ceremony launched the summer session of the Assembly, which featured a speech held by Moritz Leuenberger, a member of the Swiss Federal Council, in the presence of 300 attendees from Switzerland and around the world. The speech on Calvin’s social political currency today was re-ceived well, not least due to a strong sense of humor that struck a resonant chord with many.

The FSPC worked on the creation of several materials to provide the general public with a better understanding of the currency and significance of John Calvin in his quincentennial year. The publica-tion of the book, John Calvin’s Impact on Church and Society, 1509–2009 (William B. Eerdmans Publishing), was a means of


“ Through its relations with European and world institutions, the FSPC is a constant reminder to us that we belong to a much larger spiritual entity than our parish and cantonal allegiance. At the same time, it enables us to engage in discussion with the other member churches, and to have a genuine debate about the key issues of Protestantism in our day. ”José Marti, Synod Chair, Protestant Reformed Church of Valais

“ FSPC ‘s member churches are its‘coat of many colours’, which it shows off to admirers in Switzerland and beyond. ”David A. Weiss, Synod Chair, Reformed Church, Lucerne

Annual Report 200910

“ The FSPC is important to us, as a small church, for its areas of specialist expertise. We lack the capacity of the Institute for Theology and Ethics, for fundamental theological study, and of the Department of Ecumenical Relations, for international contacts. ”Monika Hirt Behler, Church Council Chair, Reformed Church of Zug

“ The Federation of Churches is a forum where churches can swap ideas. ”Felix Meyer, Church Council Chair, Cantonal Protestant Reformed Church of Schwyz

calvin09

presenting the current state of research on Calvin to interested readers. The edi-tions published in German, French, and English were quite successful, with over 2,000 copies being sold. A special calvin09 issue of the FEPS bulletin, also published in German, French, and English, provided a venue for theologians from around the world to describe the strong influence of Calvinism on society, and thus the global reach of the Reformer to our own day. In its mobile mini-exhibition, the FSPC pro-vided short and concise texts for a pres-entation on Calvin’s life, work, and influ-ence, to be used, in particular, in church congregations. The presentation was downloaded over 8,000 times from the website, with additional requests coming in from places as far off as Transylvania and Australia, all bearing testimony to the broad interest in the offer. Various adver-tising and networking efforts also played a major role in raising the public aware-ness for the jubilee activities. The multi-lingual calvin09.org web portal with an especially designed jubilee logo served as a central hub for the Calvin Year activi-ties in Switzerland and around the world. The portal provided a diverse selection of educational and informational resources on Calvin’s life and work, events connect-ed with the celebrations from (nearly) all over the world, promotional materials, and interactive media. 800,000 individual internet hits from 160 countries in 2009 alone testified to the great significance of the website for the Calvin jubilee.

Numerous dedicated individuals repre-senting member churches and congre-gations criss-crossing Switzerland from Geneva to Zurich and from St. Gallen to Graubünden acted to support these ef-forts, contributing to the Calvin jubilee with a rich spectrum of local activities.

The great interest for Calvin, both on the part of church members and the general public, has inspired the maintenance of the web portal as a central information platform for international collaboration on the topic into the future. This will serve to keep the name of John Calvin on peo-ple’s tongues – and not only thanks to the sweetness of the calvin09 Pralines cre-ated just for the anniversary year.

Bern/24. 1./2009Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres gallia Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres gallia


Geneva/14/6/2009Moritz Leuenberger, Member of the Swiss Federal Council, honors Calvin at the Fustrerie before 300 political, business, and church leaders from Switzerland and abroad.

Geneva/21/5/2009Rev. Liz Vuadi Vibila of the Democratic Republic of Congo speaks on the significance of comport, righteousness, joy, unity, and peace at the festive church service to mark the Calvin Jubilee at the Cathédral Saint-Pierre.

Zurich/6/11/2009SEK Council President Thomas Wipf speaks out on Swiss television for peaceful coexistence among the religions and against the Referendum to Ban Minarets.

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Religious coexistence: Religious freedom must be honored all throughout the world

The FSPC has long understood the impor-tance of interreligious communication at various levels, and is working to face this challenge. This past year, the FSPC has focused in particular on the situation of Christians abroad who face discrimina-tion and external threats. In view of the fact that coexistence between Christians and Muslims has been a particular source of conflict, the FSPC is especially dedi-cated to upholding respect for human rights, and especially for the honoring of religious freedom on the part of state and society. The FSPC brochure Impulse 7 “Solidarity and Action” took a look at Chris-tians facing discrimination and threats throughout the world, delving into the examples of a few countries (Turkey, Iraq, Iran, India, Egypt) and analyzing them within their particular contexts. The Fed-eration presented its position of solidarity with churches in a variety of minority sit-uations as well as the major initiatives of its member churches, and its associated agencies and mission organizations. The publication followed this up with general recommendations for working within the context of interchurch assistance.

The FPSC is also preparing a delegation to four Middle East countries in autumn 2010. The delegation will work to de-

termine, in both ecumenical and inter-religious contexts, what attitudes and actions would be constructive in pro-moting the coexistence of all religions, and of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in particular, both within Switzerland and globally.

One prominent sociopolitical topic in Switzerland in 2009, and one that the FSPC focused on in particular, was the debate on a referendum to prohibit the construction of new mosque minarets in the country. After publishing a compre-hensive position paper in opposition to the initiative in 2008, the FSPC worked to steer away from the narrow view of the initiative and toward real social chal-lenges, while also remaining active in the campaign against the referendum. In addition to its position paper, the Fed-eration provided its member churches and the general public a wide range of information on its website, including 10 questions and answers on the initiative, information on key words, and a flyer with the most important arguments from a theological perspective. This proved to be a very popular service, and the flyer itself had to be reprinted twice for over 12,000 copies in German and 3,000 in French to be distributed by the member


“ The FSPC should speak out for Jesus Christ and say what needs to be said on socio-political issues, at federal level and internationally. The FSPC should be a beacon for and with its member churches in theological, ethical and ecclesiological matters. ”Daniel de Roche, Synod Chair, Protestant Reformed Church of Fribourg

“ I expect the FSPC to represent the individual interests of independent member churches in relations with the Swiss Confederation, with the Chambers of the Federal Council and ecumenical and intra-Protestant dialogue at in national and inter-national levels. ”Lukas Kundert, Church Council Chair, Reformed Church of the City of Basle


churches. Upon the express wish of the churches of Canton Ticino, the flyer was also translated into Italian and printed 600 times. There was also great interest in the position paper, which was down-loaded nearly 12,000 times in German and around 3,700 times in French from the FSPC website.

The Swiss Council of Religions (SCR), whose president, Thomas Wipf, is also the president of the FSPC, was also ac-tive in working for religious freedom and against the anti-minaret initiative. For the first time in its history, the SCR took a public position on an issue, and the inter-est of the media and the general public in the SCR’s paper was consequently quite large. Even the Al Jazeera news network sent a correspondent to Bern for the me-dia conference on the position paper.

The Federation pursued a nuanced un-derstanding and examination of the issues involving integration, religious freedom, and religious coexistence in its publications, at church events, at the Open Forum Davos, and in the numerous television and radio appearances of the president and other FSPC officials. The FSPC also took on difficult tasks involving moderation and mediation. While as the representative of Switzerland’s Reformed churches, the Federation remains re-sponsible to all the individual members of the member churches, as the repre-sentative of the Christian religious com-munity, it also bears a particular respon-sibility with regard to its interreligious dialogue partners.

The controversy involving the handling of the Muslim population of Switzerland cut straight across the Reformed church-es, with considerable differences in terms of the reaction to the position represent-ed by the FSPC. The FSPC indeed entered into these discussions with a full under-standing that this type of controversy is not a sign of failure but has indeed dis-tinguished Reformed Christians since the earliest years of the movement. Pursuing a constructive, goal-oriented culture of discourse is virtually a trademark of Re-formed Christians, and is an important ability when it comes to living together with people from different cultural and religious views in solidarity, and in an honest, critical, open, and trusting man-ner. It is part of the work of the FSPC to pursue these goals both at the national and international level.

Religious coexistence

“ For the UMC in Switzerland, the FSPC is an excellent platform to represent the Protestant church in relations with the public. ”Bishop Patrick Streiff, United Methodist Church in Switzerland

“ The FSPC is a coordina-ting umbrella organiza-tion, the think tank and mouthpiece of Swiss Protestantism. ”Kurt Kägi-Huber, Church Council Chair, Protestant Reformed Church of the Two Appenzells


Bern/2/ 9/2009The Swiss Council of Religions takes a public position on a social topic for the first time, opposing the Anti-Minaret Initiative.

Davos/30/1/2009Is there a contradiction between human rights and religion? Susanne Wille led a discussion at the Open Forum Davos with Daniel Thürer, professor of international law at the University of Zurich, the Russian priest Mark Macarios, Imam Abu Eesa Niamatullah of Great Britain, German writer and women’s rights activist Serap Cileli, and Frank Mathwig, FSPC senior officer for theology and ethics (from left to right).

Lyon/15/7/2009At the CEC General Assembly: FSPC representative Carla Maurer (left) meets the Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania and Swantje Röhl, social deacon at the Reformed Churches Bern-Jura-Solothurn.

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The meeting of the World Council of Churches WCC Central Committee in Geneva (August 26–September 2, 2009), which involved one representative of the FSPC, included the important business of electing a new general secretary. The committee went on to elect the Nor-wegian pastor Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, 48, whose passion and vision for the ecu-menical movement won over the del-egates. In his post-election address, Tveit expressed his view that the world need-ed a global association of churches like the WCC as a sign of a united humanity. He also expressed his support for a close interlinking of theological work with ad-vocacy and ethical endeavors. The unity that already exists among the churches in Christ, he added, entailed caring for peace, justice, and creation.

The question of where the next WCC Assembly is to take place in 2013 was a matter of lengthy debate. A clear major-ity, in the end, supported the choice of Busan, South Korea, which is over 40 per-cent Christian. A report submitted by the Working Group on Governance, Account-ability and Staff Policy drew considerable attention, leading to a decision to consult with the member churches on the ques-tion of the WCC governance structure, to

be combined with latter efforts to review the WCC constitution.

The Faith and Order Plenary Commission was held on the Greek island of Crete from October 7–13, 2009. The meeting’s motto was “Called to be the One Church”. The discussion centered on a study on the “Nature and Mission of the Church” and the reactions of the churches to the study. Work was also conducted on the topics of “Moral Discernment in the Churches” and “Sources of Authority”. De-spite linguistic barriers to understanding and differences of approach, the FSPC delegate, Rev. Dr. Isabelle Noth, saw the conference as “an important step toward the goal of visible unity of the church and towards a deepening of our common dialogue and exchange.”

The World Alliance of Reformed Churches WARC has been preparing for its next as-sembly, which will mark a milestone in the history of the Reformed churches. The assembly, to meet in Grand Rapids, Michigan in June 2010, will indeed not only unite the WARC and the Reformed Ecumenical Council (REC), a smaller com-munity of Reformed churches mostly with a Dutch heritage, but will also adopt a new constitution for a newly founded

Ecumenical meetings: Reordering church affairs


“ I don’t want the Federation of Churches to proffer an opinion on everything under the sun, but to represent the Church of Jesus Christ credibly. ”Wilfried Bührer, Church Council Chair, Regional Protestant Church of Thurgau

“ My hope is that the member churches of the FSPC will follow the constitutional process to renew and strengthen their federation. I hope they will do this in mutual solidarity, and in recognition of their different resources and needs. ”Theres Meierhofer-Lauffer, Chair, Federati-on of Protestant Reformed Parishes of Obwalden


organization to be called the World Com-munion of Reformed Churches (WCRC). The new institution is to be a “church communion” and not just a mere alliance of churches. The FSPC has worked with great intensity on the preparations, par-ticularly with regard to three occasions:

> In early March, the FSPC hosted a pre-paratory meeting in Rüdlingen, Can-ton Schaffhausen for the European region, concentrating on theological and ecclesiological issues connected with the new institution;

> In September, a FSPC delegation went to Johannesburg, South Africa for a preparatory conference on issues of witness and church efforts for global justice;

> The FSPC played a major role in the drafting of the articles of the future WCRC constitution, particularly an-chored in its experience within the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE). Pulpit and table fellow-ship and the mutual recognition of or-dination and ministry will be expressly included in the draft to be presented to delegates in Grand Rapids.

The Conference of European Churches CEC invited delegates of its member churches to Lyon, France for its Assembly, which meets once every six years. While the Assembly was expected to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the European ecu-menical institution, many delegates were in no mood for celebration in light of the great challenges that the CEC now faces. The organization is now on the quest for a new clear vision, ecumenical goals, forms of cooperation, and efficient struc-

tures, twenty years after the fall of the Iron Curtain and the end of its function as a bridge between East and West. The eight-member FSPC delegation traveled to Lyon to support, among other things, the CEC’s restructuring plans, which had been drawn up together with the FSPC. Following intensive discussions, and thanks, in particular, to the mediation of the Swiss delegation, the delegates set-tled on a compromise, in which a new working group was to be formed to re-vise the CEC constitution by 2013 with a view to framing a new vision and creat-ing new structures.

The FSPC has been represented in the process by Charlotte Kuffer, president of the Protestant Church of Geneva, who, as a member of the working group, has been closely involved with the project. The FSPC also participated with one elected representative in each of the three CEC working groups: Rev. Dr. An-dreas Hunziker (University of Zurich) on the Churches in Dialogue Commission (CiD); Rev. Serge Fornerod (FSPC) on the Church and Society Commission (CSC); and Simon Röthlisberger (FSPC) on the Churches› Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME), which was included into the CEC structures at the Lyon meeting.

Ecumenical meetings

“ The FSPC should continue raising the concerns and putting across the message of its member churches in public. It should go on representing them in relations with the Swiss federal authorities and international bodies. The FSPC is the voice of the Reformation churches in Switzerland. ”Ruedi Reich, Church Council Chair, Regional Protestant Reformed Church of Zurich

“ Pioneering innovations often originate from the cantonal churches. It is important for the FSPC to co-operate in this regard, in a relationship of trust. ”Claudia Bandixen, Church Council Chair, Regional Reformed Church of Aargau

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The FSPC study on New Migrant Church-es in Switzerland provided a basic un-derstanding of new churches recently founded by Christian immigrants to the country. This poses a challenge to tradi-tional Swiss churches on how they can exist side by side within the Church. As a response to this question, a view of inte-gration is in the works that will connect both theological and sociological per-spectives. This interdisciplinary approach will take into account the fact that inte-gration issues arise at different levels at the same time:

Firstly, there is the matter of the rela-tionship between the migrant churches and the member churches of the FSPC and the FSPC itself. From a theological point of view – and as the ecclesiologi-cal counterpart to the sociological view of integration – this poses the question of church unity and of constituting the Church together.

Secondly, this is connected with the is-sue of integration in society as a whole. As autonomous migrant organizations, migrant churches serve to help their members maintain their identities, just as they are places of community that support individuals in their ability to

find their way through society. Migrant churches thus fulfill an important cohe-sive function of significance to society as a whole.

According to surveys conducted within the FSPC member churches and among the free churches of Switzerland, there are an estimated 300 new migrant churches in the country, with several thousand members. These immigrants have come chiefly from Latin America, Africa, and Asia, and in some cases are in a precarious position with regard to their legal status in the country. This has a direct effect on the social character of these churches, which are strongly af-fected by their limited economic means and the class-specific social networks of their members. Migrant churches often have less than solid structures, and are by no means always organized as offi-cial associations. Migrant churches are also not always organized along ethnic and linguistic lines, and may not in fact be homogenous groups from the same geographical areas.

The study also goes on to mention spe-cific means of action that can be taken, calling in particular for getting to know members of the migrant churches and

Migration policy: The church and social dimensions


“ I hope the more important FSPC documents can also be published in Italian, which would improve understanding of the FSPC in the Canton of Ticino. ”Tobias E. Ulbrich, Synod Chair, Protestant Reformed Church in Ticino

“ The FSPC is a valuable resource for the churches, offering theological, ecclesiological and ethical reflections. The churches can draw on its input when they speak out at cantonal and local levels. ”Charlotte Kuffer, President, the Protestant Church of Geneva (EPG)

Annual Report 200922Migration policy

“ I expect the FSPC to become much more of a platform for the exchange of projects and initiatives between individual regional and cantonal churches, so that others can join in good time or come on board, as the need arises. ”Alfred Meier, Church Council Chair, Regional Protestant Reformed Church of Glarus

“ The FSPC gives Swiss Protestantism a face and a profile. It stands for the unity of the Protestant churches in Switzerland and worldwide. ”Silvia Pfeiffer, Church Council Chair, Protestant Reformed Church of Schaffhausen; Vice-President, FSPC Council

leaving room for a common theological area of inquiry.

In its January 2009 publication on future perspectives for the persecuted and the resettlement of refugees in Switzerland, the FSPC spoke out for the recontinu-ation of a policy of accepting quotas of groups of refugees who cannot return to their home countries and who have no means of integration in the countries in which they currently reside. 66,000 such refugees were resettled around the world in 2008, mostly in the United States, Can-ada, and Australia, while Europe provided a permanent home to only 4,278 of such cases that year. Its commitment to sup-port a humane asylum and immigration policy is also evident in the FSPC’s alter-native to the “Expulsion Initiative”, which would deport foreigners convicted of certain crimes, and its comments on changes to the asylum law and on the adoption of repatriation guidelines as part of the Schengen Agreement.

The FSPC provides direct support in terms of its coordination of pastoral care for asylum seekers in the five reception centers and in the transit zones of the Ge-neva and Zurich airports. Most of the ap-proximately 16,000 people who sought asylum in Switzerland in 2009 spent time in a reception center and were able to benefit from the ecumenical pastoral services, which often operate on an inter-religious basis.

Bern/3/11/2009The study on new migration churches in Switzerland is presented in the FSPC bulletin. The photo shows a church service in a migration church in Zurich Wipkingen.

Bern/2/11/2009The delegates commission the FSPC Council to introduce suggestions for new church ordinances on baptism.

Bern/2/11/2009Delegates discuss the FSPC paper on baptism. In the picture, Rev. Jean-Pierre Ducommun of Neuchâtel baptizes a child.

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The topic of baptism has been a matter for theological debate at a number of lev-els. The FSPC position paper on baptism from a Protestant perspective was pre-pared taking into account the results of the discussion process and presented to the autumn Assembly of Delegates. The paper received a warm reception by the delegates, even if there is as yet no full consensus on baptism among the mem-ber churches. The Assembly of Delegates commissioned the Council with the de-velopment of suggestions for church order texts on the topic to be submitted to the Assembly. This should ensure that the search for common solutions to the questions of “baptism and communion” and “baptism and membership” may con-tinue. It was the first time that the FSPC was asked to develop reference texts to be adopted into the individual church orders.

The practice of baptism within the mem-ber churches is generally characterized by a tension between the doctrine of baptism and the expectations of dis-tanced church members who may have difficulties with fulfilling their duties in terms of providing their children with a Christian upbringing. In terms of the doctrine of baptism, the FSPC is called

upon to implement the agreements of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE), for which baptism is a precondition for church membership. The FSPC position should put into words practicable recommendations that are capable of achieving a consensus within this area of tension.

The dialogue commission between the FSPC and the Conference of Mennonites in Switzerland concluded the dialogue it had pursued since 2006 with a festive worship service at Bern’s Friedenskirche (Peace Church) on November 29 and the publication of the document Chris-tus ist unser Friede – Schweizer Dialog zwischen Mennoniten und Reformierten 2006–2009 (“Christ is our peace – Swiss dialogue between Mennonites and Re-formed 2006–2009”). The dialogue result-ed in the Reformed churches agreeing to stop baptizing infants “indiscriminately” (i.e. without the parents and godparents being willing to raise them as Christians and to introduce them to Christian teach-ings). The Mennonites in turn agreed to stop rebaptizing “indiscriminately”, i.e. recommending to their congregations that they not rebaptize those who join a Mennonite church if they live their lives and their faith in accordance with their

Baptism: Church discussions at many levels


“ The FSPC faces a twofold challenge: to join in working towards cohesion in the activity of widely differing cantonal churches, and to make heard a common Protestant voice in Switzerland and with international partners. The theologi-cal, ecclesiological and ethical reflection in which the FSPC engages is essential for this purpose. ”Gabriel Bader, Synod Chair, Protestant Reformed Churches of Neuchâtel

“ The FSPC should be a dedicated channel of joint witness to the values which inspire us, across the diversity of Protestantism. ”Christophe Monnot, Synod Chair, Evangelical Free Church, Geneva


baptism. The dialogue commission thus decided against an unconditional rec-ognition of baptism, while supporting a pastoral approach to solving any differ-ences that may exist.

At its October 19, 2009 meeting in Chur, the plenary meeting of the The Swiss National Ecumenical Council AGCK-CH commissioned the presidency to install a working group to pursue a common rec-ognition of baptism among the AGCK-CH churches, similar to Germany’s Magde-burg Declaration of 2007. The goal will be for all of the AGCK-CH member churches to expressly recognize the baptisms of the other member churches. The FSPC, the Swiss Bishops’ Conference, and the Christian Catholic Church of Switzerland have all been recognizing each other’s baptisms since 1973.

The FSPC and the Swiss Bishops’ Confer-ence rolled out the commission with a mandate entitled “Baptism as an ecu-menical sacrament”. The commission, at

its retreat on October 11 and 12, 2009 in Basel, discussed its initial thoughts on methods and important issues. Following an intensive reading of the document that forms the basis of the recognition of baptism of 1973, the commission is to work on three main themes: today’s baptismal practice and its challenges; maintenance, expansion, and further thinking on the common understanding of baptism; and an ecumenical baptismal liturgy.

Baptism

“ The FSPC supports the cantonal churches in important aspects of their ecclesial and social witness. ”Dölf Weder, Church Council Chair, Protestant Reformed Church of St. Gallen

“ The FSPC is the link with the Swiss Confederation and other countries, the umbrella organization for the cantonal churches, and a fulcrum of diverse skills. ”Verena Enzler, Synod Chair, Protestant Reformed Church, Solothurn

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Climate policy must be framed in the long term. It needs to foreshadow the development of the 2nd half of the 21st century and take into account the rights of future generations. It must prevail as a testing ground for innovative and sus-tainable economic activity. Climate poli-cy is also a particular challenge for global justice as climate change hits those the hardest who have done the least to cause it: the poor of the Global South.

Climate policy therefore requires an ethi-cal foundation and a commitment that goes beyond a meeting of interests today. It has been and continues to be impor-tant to the FSPC to take a public position on this issue that is anchored in the Chris-tian faith – in solidarity with its member churches and agencies, and in coopera-tion with its ecumenical partners. 2009 was a decisive year in this regard, both within Switzerland and around the world.

The year started off with the ecumeni-cal campaign of the Brot für Alle (“bread for all”) aid agency, including a Lenten campaign, raising awareness for climate justice with the title “A Healthy Climate to Guarantee Daily Bread”. The FSPC worked to make the campaign a success with talks held at various events and at con-

gregations, building on the foundations of the FSPC “Energy Ethics” study of 2008. The Open Forum Davos also focused on climate change and a special edition of the FSPC bulletin provided insight into the topic from a church perspective.

In its response to the discussion process on a revision to the CO2 law, the FSPC Council took a climate policy position that corresponds with the positions of these agencies. The Council demanded decisive climate goals, especially includ-ing goals to be implemented within Swit-zerland, that take into account the vast challenges involved. To prevent global temperatures from rising two degrees, Switzerland would have to play its part by reducing carbon emissions by 40 percent through 2020 (based on 1990 levels). This would have to be combined with a call for comparable reduction measures abroad (“40+40”).

The Iustitia et Pax commission of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference came to a similar conclusion, paving the way for a formal and public ecumenical agreement with regard to climate policy. This was enacted in a letter by the three national churches entitled “Churches for climate justice”. The letter was addressed in Oc-

Climate policy: For a 40-percent reduction of carbon emissions


“ I see the FSPC as contributing on three fronts: the pooling of experience and realization of challen-ges; fertile theological input; and clear stances. These three aspects together help each of our churches to clarify its identity, position itself better in a world undergoing profound change, and remain an important partner with the political authorities at both cantonal and federal levels. ”Esther Gaillard, Synod Chair, Protestant Reformed Church of Vaud

“ The FSPC is a partner of vital importance to the regional churches. Its core task is to ensure internal dialogue and make the reformed voice heard among the public at large. ”Andreas Zeller, Synod Chair, Reformed Churches of Bern, Jura and Solothurn


tober to the Swiss Federal Council and the Swiss delegation to the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (COP15).

The FSPC also contributed in symbolic terms to the encouragement of a delib-erate climate policy. The FSPC Council, for example, signed the “Climate Flag” of the climate alliance in September that was later brought to Copenhagen by the Swiss delegation. The FSPC also passed on the recommendation of the World Council of Churches to ring church bells around the world on December 13 at 3 p.m. local time to raise awareness for the serious nature of the climate situation and to express the prayers and concerns of the churches. The FSPC also provided its churches with liturgical materials to this end. The great differences in the way the member churches reacted to this rec-ommendation and the discussions that

ensued on the significance – or indeed the pointlessness – of ringing the bells did not in fact hurt the cause. On the contrary: all of the churches supported the cause, even if some viewed the ac-tion itself to be controversial.

Climate policy

“ Sometimes I would like the FSPC to urge its member churches to be less non-committal. ”Martin Stingelin, Church Council Chair, Reformed Church of Baselland

“ FSPC Council and the Office serve functions which are important even to the smallest regional church, but which that church could not handle for itself. The joint events held between member churches strengthen their Christian self-understanding. ”Annemarie Fariña-Hirzel, Church Council Chair, Regional Protestant Reformed Church of Uri

Human rightsIn the context of the global economic crisis, the ecumenical declaration on Hu-man Rights Day 2009 raised our aware-ness of the ethical foundations of social cohesion. This issue was also the center of the international discussion on the human rights document of the Russian Orthodox Church, in which the FSPC also played a strongly active role. The work of the FSPC on the Swiss Commissions for Migration and against Racism focused on the political consequences of the referen-dum initiative to ban minaret construc-tion. On behalf of the FSPC, the human rights office of Swiss Interchurch Aid (SIA) pro-vided support for 10 individuals and 5 projects with contributions from its human rights fund. The agreement be-tween Swiss Interchurch Aid (SIA) and the FSPC was adjusted in 2009 to guarantee the long-term continuation of the fund.

Social policy In response to the discussions on the measures to revise disability insurance, the FSPC welcomed the introduction of assistance to reduce the institutional costs for people living with disabilities and to provide a true improvement for pensioners on disability. The FSPC took the position that the disability insurance fund needed to be financially overhauled and rehabilitation measures needed to be conceived in a way anchored in the principles of solidarity, justice, and free-dom, and not in a manner detrimental to these values.

Security and peace policyIn its address at the hearing on the Swiss Federal Council’s security policy report, the FSPC agreed with Leonhard Ragaz and Karl Barth that we should take not war, but peace most seriously. The FSPC thus spoke out for a preventative ap-proach to security and for the prioritiza-tion of civil means to achieve this goal. The FSPC accordingly criticized the ex-port of war materials, while it only par-tially agreed with a complete ban, as de-manded in a referendum initiative.

> Copyright: The FSPC concluded an agreement with VG Musikedition of Kassel, Germany on the right to photocopy songs for church services.

> Federal State and Churches: A working group of the Swiss National Ecumenical Council (AGCK-CH) made a list of all the current contacts between the churches and the Swiss federal government along with the respective needs of the churches and the government in their collaboration. This followed up on ideas for the introduction of an article on religion to the Swiss constitution and for a federal contact office for religious matters. The churches are currently conferring on their future approach to this issue.

> Swiss Bishops’ Conference SBC: Delegations of the FSPC Council and the SBC met twice to exchange information and to coordinate their positions on church and sociopolitical affairs. Topics included the referendum to prohibit the construction of new mosque minarets in the country, the development of church-state law, and a new mandate for the Protestant-Roman Catholic Dialogue Commission.

Other topicsThe most important topics for the FSPC in 2009 In other news


Suicide assistanceThe FSPC played an important role in the national discussion on organized suicide assistance in Switzerland, submitting its own suggestions on a revision of Article 115 of the Strafgesetzbuch (criminal law code) as part of the Swiss Federal Coun-cil’s discussion process. In addition to various discussion events in which the FSPC was involved, the legal discussion was also presented at a separate meeting with experts of law, ethics, and pastoral care, which took place in Bern in Novem-ber. The FSPC also lent its support to a political and structural expansion of pal-liative care in the Swiss health system.

Economic crisisThe uncertainty created by the financial crisis has also posed a major challenge to the churches in times that demand both ethical orientation and economic exper-tise. After its reading by the Council, a draft study was submitted to experts for a critical evaluation, and then published for the Open Forum Davos 2010 in the bulle-tin and on the website in an abbreviated form as “Fair Play in the Global Arena”. The draft can thus be analyzed and discussed by anyone who so wishes. The final ver-sion of the study will appear in summer 2010 following the period of open con-sultation.

CreedsAn intercantonal initiative group led by the Evangelical Reformed Church in Canton Zurich developed a workbook with creedal texts to be discussed by the member churches of the FSPC. At the summer Assembly, the Council was com-missioned with introducing the discus-sion process and with having the results of the process evaluated (see motion in appendix). The workbook was sent to all the congregations of the German and French-speaking member churches. Work on the texts was launched with dis-cussion meetings at different sites. These initial reflections were taken into account in formulating the questions for discus-sion.

Diaconal Conference and Women’s ConferenceThe Diaconal Conference discussed health issues at both of its meetings, delving into the topics of the health craze and the connection between health and poverty. At its spring meeting, the Women’s Conference tackled the types of problems that affect people between the ages of 40 and 60. At its autumn meet-ing, the conference discussed economic issues connected to caregiving (support-ing the sick, childcare, household work, etc.) Beyond these particular topics, the meetings served as excellent opportuni-ties for an exchange of views and life ex-perience.

“ I appreciate the important work of the FSPC in representing Swiss Protestantism at home and abroad. I am also grateful for its groundwork on principles and argu-ments in theological, ecclesiological and social policy matters. ” Lini Sutter, Church Council Chair, Regional Protestant Reformed Church of Graubünden

“ I expect the FSPC to provide services and to network with the cantonal churches. ”Karin Gerber-Jost, Church Council Chair, Protestant Reformed Church of Nidwalden

> Commission for Foreign Relations: The committee coordinates the international operations of the four agencies and mission organizations and the FSPC. The Commission’s meetings focused on matters such as the situation in Honduras, and the upcoming founding of ACT Alliance, a global network of aid organizations to be active in emergency aid, developmental cooperation, and advocacy work. ACT Alliance will work under the aegis of the World Council of Churches (WCC).

> Liturgy Commission: It will serve increasingly as a platform for the exchange of liturgical experience. Its new website can be accessed at www.sek-feps.ch/organisationen/liturgiekommission.html

> “Dependably Open”: The Church and Tourism Commission focused on matters such as the Verlässlich geöffnet (“Dependably Open”) Project. This led to a new Internet portal (www.kirche-tourismus.ch) and a flyer for pastors and church staff. The commission was also present with an ecumenical church booth at the Igeho 2009 in Basel (International Exhibition for Hotels, Catering and Extra-Domestic Consumption).

> Military pastoral care service: This service has had recruitment problems, and will seek to meet this challenge in part through structural changes. The FSPC and the Swiss Bishops’ Conference will collaborate on a workshop on the topic in 2010. In one discussion session, the FSPC elicited the opinions of its member churches on potential relevant restructuring measures.

Interchurch Aid/Bread for AllThe motion introduced by the Northwest Swiss churches in 2004 with regard to the future of Interchurch Aid and Bread for All was dismissed by the autumn 2009 Assembly of Delegates at the request of the SEK Council. Following several years of negotiations on possible options, the Council asked both agencies in Septem-ber 2007 to continue to discuss the pos-sibilities in bilateral discussions. As these discussions led to no results other than a declaration of intent to work more closely together, the Council recommended that the motion be dismissed.

Petition: HEKS Quo Vadis?At the beginning of 2009, the “Commit-tee for a Politically Active and Prophetic HEKS” has launched a petition that gath-ered more than 3000 signatures in the Swiss churches. The petition was officially handed over to the FSPC during the As-sembly in June 2009. On the occasion of this Assembly, the FSPC Council respond-ed to an interpellation of the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton Zurich regarding this petition. The FSPC has expressed its confidence in the Board of Trustees of HEKS.

Collaboration with the agencies and mission organizationsThe foundations of cooperation between the FSPC and the agencies and mission organizations have been in a process of renewal over a period of several years. The FSPC has been working together with the agencies DM – échange et mission and mission 21 on a cooperative model to be presented to the Assembly in 2010 as a way of committing to strengthening cooperation with mission organizations. This would not only serve to supersede the previous framework agreement and its structures, but would also provide the foundations for renewed reflection on the basic mission of the church.

Agreement with the German Protestant Kirchentag Swiss participants regularly make up one of the largest groups of non-Germans at the German Protestant Kirchentag (Church Congress). And yet the Kirchen-tag is still not known as well as it could be in Switzerland. The agreement between the Kirchentag and the FSPC should help the Kirchentag to become better known as a living form of the Protestant church. A Swiss liaison group will work toward ex-panding this network in Switzerland, and in turn will ensure that more ideas from Switzerland are incorporated into the Kirchentag. The Protestant Conference and Study Center in Boldern serves as an operative hub for the Kirchentag, the Swiss liaison group, and other groups.

The most important topics for the FSPC in 2009Other topics

In other news

Annual Report 2009

> Swiss Churches Abroad: The responsible Commission worked on topics such as the appointment of Nicole Jakubowitz to the position of Youth and Parish Worker for the Swiss Church of London, and the issue of the future orientation of the ministry of the Reformed congregation in Milan following the announced departure of the current pastor there in late 2010.

> Fund for Women’s Ministries: In the course of the year, the Fund for Women’s Ministries received CHF 92,110.00 in collections from church congregations and member churches. The fund chiefly promotes, as per statute, the work of Protestant women in Switzerland. This extended to include projects for women and children with family histories of international migration, as well as events such as the World YWCA Council in Zurich and the WIDE Switzerland Annual Conference.

Financial planningThe Assembly held an extensive discus-sion on the financing of the FSPC and other tasks of its member churches that are relevant to Switzerland as a whole. The Council will have to work out a budg-et in which the membership fees are two percent lower than in 2010. At the same time, the Council resolved to introduce a commission to examine the financing of tasks relevant to the entire country and/or its linguistic regions, and to seek out synergies and opportunities to save financial resources. This particularly in-volves funding for media work, for the training and further qualification of pas-tors, and for the various agencies.

Protestant-Jewish Dialogue CommissionAfter a long preparatory phase, work was completed on the Joint Declaration on Dialogue between Jews and Protestant Christians in Switzerland, the first such declaration in the country. Unlike previ-ous Jewish-Christian dialogue, the proc-ess will not focus on characterizing one another, but instead on the character and meaning of the dialogue itself. In this vein, the declaration develops the con-cepts of freedom and responsibility that are central to both traditions, and sheds light on the fundamental significance of scripture.

Council report and petitions to the Assembly with regard to a revision to the constitution In 2007, the Assembly commissioned the Council with the drafting of a back-ground report for a future revision to the FSPC constitution. To begin the proc-ess, the Observatory of Religions at the University of Lausanne, run by Prof. Jörg Stolz, was commissioned with an analy-sis of the challenges that the churches will face in the future. This study has now been carried out and returned to the FSPC. An organizational analysis has also shed light on the current structure and work of the churches. These two docu-ments will provide a basis for the Council to make recommendations for a consti-tutional revision to be submitted to the Assembly in autumn 2010.

Other topicsIn other news

33Other topics

33

Staff


FSPC Organisational Chartas of 31 December 2009

26 member churchesThe member churches elect 70 delegates who represent them in the AoD.

Assembly of Delegates

The Assembly of Delegates (AoD) is the parliament (legislature) of the FSPC. It meets twice a year.

> 70 delegates of the member churches

> 4 conference representatives without voting rights

FSPC Council

The Council is the executive organ of the FSPC. Usually it sits once a month for two days.

> Rev. Thomas Wipf (President), Bern

> Dr. phil. Silvia Pfeiffer (Vice President), Schaffhausen

> lic. rer. pol. Irène Reday (Vice President), Versoix GE

> Helen Gucker-Vontobel, Zurich

> Rev. Lucien Boder, Vauffelin BE

> Dr. phil. Karl Kohli, Kreuzlin-gen TG (until 31 Dec. 2009)

> Rev. Kristin Rossier Buri, Lutry VD

> Dr. theol. h.c. Peter Schmid, Muttenz BL

> Rev. Urs Zimmermann, Niederrohrdorf AG

Management

The office employs more than 30 full-time and part-time staff.

> Rev. Theo Schaad, Director > Rev. Serge Fornerod, MPA, Ecumenical Relations Division CRD

> PD Dr. Christina Tuor-Kurth, Institute for Theology and Ethics ITE

> Rev. Simon Weber, Communications COM

Office of the Assembly of Delegates

> Rev. Dr. theol. Didier Halter (President), Sion VS

> lic. iur. Theres Meierhofer-Lauffer (Vice President), Engelberg OW

> lic. iur. Verena Enzler (Vice President), Lostorf SO

> Rev. Theo Schaad (Secretary), Bern

Audit Comission

> Jean-Michel Sordet (President), Morges VD

> Pia Grossholz-Fahrni, Muri BE > Regula Kummer, Schlattingen TG > Dr. Margrit Schneider-Schardt, Basel

> Rev. Elisabeth Wyss-Jenny, Winterthur ZH

Nomination Commission

> Rev. Claudia Bandixen-Widmer (President), Aarau

> Charlotte Kuffer, Geneva > Daniel Reuter, Zurich

35

> Rev. Lucien Boder > Rev. Kristin Rossier Buri > Dr. theol. h.c. Peter Schmid > Dr. phil. Silvia Pfeiffer > Rev. Urs Zimmermann > Helen Gucker-Vontobel > Rev. Thomas Wipf > lic. rer. pol. Irène Reday > Rev. Theo Schaad (Director)

(from left to right)

FSPC Council


National, international, and ecumenical contacts by the Council President and/or Council Members

Jan. 7 Swiss Council of Religions, in Zurich

Jan. 12 Discussion with a delegation of the Swiss Federation of Jew-ish Communities, in ZurichJan. 16–18 Council of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE), in Oslo Jan. 19 Meeting of the Swiss Re-formed Pastors Association, in Basel

Jan. 21–22 Participation in the 3rd Swiss Symposium in Bern organized by the Swiss Organization for the Assistance of Refugees and the UNHCR

Jan. 29–31 Open Forum Davos Jan. 30 Meeting of the Swiss Association for Protestant Church Law, in Chur, presentation

Feb. 8–10 Presidium of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), in Tirana, Albania

Feb. 22 40th anniversary of the ecumenical campaigns “Bread of All” and the Lenten Campaign in cooperation with the “Partner sein” agency, in Bern, opening address

Feb. 24 Working meeting with a delegation of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference, in Bern

Feb. 26 Meeting at the Institute for Ecumenical Studies, in Freiburg, presentation

Mar. 6 Seminar for MBA alumni of the University of St. Gallen, in Lucerne, presentation

Mar. 8–11 European Consultation of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC), in Rüdlin-gen

Mar. 12 Central Conference for Central and Southern Europe of the Evangelical Methodist Church in Bülach, opening address Mar. 13 Synod of the Evangelical Church in Württemberg in Stuttgart, presentation

Mar. 17–19 Working meeting with a delegation of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), in Bern

Apr. 2 Discussion with Moritz Leuenberger of the Swiss Federal Council and head of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, in Bern

Apr. 20–21 Protestant Conference in Vienna in the run-up to the 2009 Assembly of the Conference of European Churches, presentation

Apr. 24 Opening of the Calvin Exhibition at the Musée international de la Réforme, in Geneva

May 4 Church Conference on the Rhine, in Strassburg

May 4 Celebration with the Swiss National Ecumenical Council upon the presentation of the Oecumica Award, in Zurich

May 8–10 Europe Week at HafenCity Hamburg with a presentation at the Ecumenical Chapel

May 18 Swiss Council of Religions, in Bern

May 19 Discussion Group on Church and the Economy, in Zurich

May 20–24 German Protestant Kirchentag in Bremen, panel discussions

May 21–24 National synod of the Reformed Church of France, in Paris, opening address

May 24–27 International Congress on Calvin and his Influence, 1505–2009, in Geneva, opening address

May 31 Calvin Jubilee Service at Geneva’s St. Pierre Cathedral

June 14 National ceremony for the Jubilee calvin09, in Geneva

June 18 Discussion with Pascal Couchepin, Member of the Swiss Federal Council and Chair of the Federal Depart-ment of Home Affairs, in Bern

June 19 Discussion with a delegation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria (ELKB), in Bern

June 19 Discussion with delegations of the Association of Free Churches and Communities in Switzerland (VFG), the Swiss Evangelical Alliance and Réseau évangélique, in Bern

Rev. Dr. Ivana Bendik (60 %)Senior Theological Affairs Officer ITE

Dr. Céline Ehrwein Nihan (40 %)Senior Social Ethics Officer ITE

Rev. Matthias Hügli (90 %)Executive Secretary for Church Relations in Switzerland and Abroad ERD

Rev. Serge Fornerod, MPADirector of the Ecumenical Relations Department ERD

Jacqueline Dähler (60 %)Assistant Accounting CS

Mirjam Schwery (60 %)Receptionist CS

Dr. habil. Frank MathwigSenior Theology and Ethics Affairs Officer ITE

Beatrice Bienz Administrative Assistant to the President of the Council

Rev. Simon Hofstetter (50 %)Academic Assistant ERD

Rev. Dr. Martin HirzelExecutive Secretary for Ecumenism and Religious Communities ERD

Christine Messer (40 %)Secretary ERD

Manuel Eberhardt (20 %)Web Assistant COM from March 1, 2010


July 3–5 Celebration of the first opening of the Iron Curtain, in Sopron, Hungary, presentation

July 8 Discussion with a delegation of the Swiss Federation of Jew-ish Communities, in Zurich

July 9–12 Calvin celebrations of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), in Berlin, presentation

July 10 Memorial celebration of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and the Église Protestante de Genève to mark the birthday of John Calvin, in Geneva

July 15.–21 Assembly of Conference of European Churches (CEC), in Lyon

Aug. 17 Presidium of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE), in Vienna

Aug. 26 Swiss Council of Religions, in Geneva

Sep. 2 Media conference of the Swiss Council of Religions on the initiative for a referendum to prohibit the construction of new mosque minarets in the country, in Bern

Sep. 2 Discussion with a delegation of the Conference of Mennon-ites in Switzerland, in Bern

Sep. 3 Working discussion on Swiss Army chaplaincy, in Kreuzlin-gen

Sep. 6 Festive church services and presentation of a new book on the Consensus Tigurinus on the occasion of the Calvin Jubilee, in Zurich, opening address

Sep. 12 Installation of Dr. Harald Rein as the Bishop of the Christian Catholic Church of Switzer-land, in Zurich, opening address

Sep. 20Religious celebration of the Conference of African Churches in Switzerland, in Aïre

Sep. 24–26 Workshop of the future of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), in Kassel, presentation

Oct. 2–4 Council of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE), in Geneva

Oct. 8–9 Council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches Europe (WARC), in Wuppertal, Germany

Oct. 15 Media conference of the Swiss Federal Council on the 29 November 2009 referendum “against the construction of minarets”, presentation

Oct. 24–26 Synod of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), in Ulm, opening address

Oct. 29–31 Assembly of the Reformed Alliance, Frankfurt, Germany, presentation

Oct. 31 Party Conference of the Christian Democratic People’s Party of Switzerland, Dietikon, presentation

Nov. 7 Synod of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Canton Solothurn, in Solothurn, presentation

Nov. 12.11. Panel discussion of the Romanshorn Cantonal School on the referendum “against the construction of minarets”, in Romanshorn.

Nov. 14–15 Consecration of the renovated Swiss Church in London, opening address

Nov. 16 Presidium of the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE), in Zurich

Nov. 18 Swiss Council of Religions, in Solothurn

Nov. 20 Working meeting with a delegation of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference, in Bern

Nov. 29 Worship service of the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches (FSPC) together with the Conference of Mennonites in Switzerland to conclude their bilateral dialogue, in Bern

Dec. 9 Discussion with delegations of the Association of Free Churches and Communities in Switzerland (VFG), the Swiss Evangelical Alliance and Réseau évangélique, in Bern

Dec. 16–19 Central Committee of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) in Geneva

National, international, and ecumenical contacts by the Council President and/or Council Members

39

Elisabeth Balmer (80 %)Secretary ERD

Rev. Dr. Otto Schäfer (80 %)Senior Theology and Ethics Affairs Officer ITE

lic. phil. hist. Simon Röthlisberger (60 %) Senior Migration Affairs Officer ITE

Dipl. theol. Thomas Flügge (60 %) Executive Secretary for Public Relations COM

Anja Scheuzger (70 %)Secretary ITE

Christiane Rohr (80 %)Administrative Assistant ERD

Rev. Markus Sahli (70 %)Personal Assistant to the President of the Council

Maja Peter (60 %)Editor COM

Jacqueline Blaser (60 %)Administrative Assistant Reception CS

Christine Maurer (80 %)Receptionist CS

Michèle Laubscher (70 %)Secretary ITE

André Röthlisberger (20 %)Web Assistant COM until January 31, 2010

Helene Meyerhans (60 %)Administrative Assistant to the Council


Delegations of the FSPC

Swiss National Ecumenical Council (AGCK-CH)

> FSPC delegation in the plenary meeting: Rev. Lucien Boder, Vauffelin BE; Rev. Martin Hoegger, Le Mont VD; Rev. Dr. Ruedi Reich, Zurich; Rev. Ysabelle de Salis, Neuchâtel; Rev. Thomas Wipf (FSPC Council); Rev. Dr. Martin Hirzel (FSPC); FSPC delegation in the presidium: Rev. Lucien Boder; Rev. Thomas Wipf (Rat FSPC)

World Council of Churches (WCC) > Central Committee member: Rev. Dr. Martin Hirzel (FSPC)

World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC)

> Vice President and member of the Executive Committee: Rev. Dr. Gottfried W. Locher, Bern

Conference of European Churches (CEC)

> Member of the presidium: Rev. Thomas Wipf (FSPC Council)

> Church and Society Commission: Rev. Serge Fornerod (FSPC)

> Churches in Dialogue Commission: Rev. Dr. Andreas Hunziker, Aarau

> Commission for Migrants in Europe: Simon Röthlisberger (FSPC)

Community of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE)

> Council President: Rev. Thomas Wipf (FSPC Council); Deputy member of the Council: Rev. Dr. Martin Hirzel (FSPC)

FSPC Commissions Council

Protestant/Roman Catholic Dialogue Commission

> FSPC delegation: Rev. Markus Anker (Co-President), St. Gallen; Rev. Sven Büchmeier, Baden AG; Rev. Jean-Baptiste Lipp, Belmont-sur-Lausanne VD; Rev. Dr. Niklaus Peter, Zurich; Rev. Dr. Pascale Rondez, Zurich

> FSPC Office: Rev. Dr. Martin Hirzel

FSPC/Conference of Mennonites in Switzerland Dialogue Group

> FSPC delegation: Rev. Ruedi Heinzer, Spiez BE; Rev. Esther Schweizer-Rüegg, Schaffhausen; Prof. Dr. Martin Sallmann, Lützelflüh GE

> FSPC Office: Rev. Dr. Jacques-Antoine von Allmen

Protestant/Jewish Dialogue Commission

> FSPC delegation: Chair: Lucie Kaennel, Zurich; Rev. Albert Frey, Prahins VD; Rev. Bernhard Krebs, Enggistein BE


Council Finance Commission > Chair: Helen Gucker-Vontobel (FSPC Council); Rev. Lucien Boder (FSPC Council); Werner Macher, St. Gallen; Willy Oppliger, Bern; Daniel Strebel, Baden AG; Dieter Zaugg, Zurich; Rev. Thomas Wipf (FSPC Council)

> FSPC Office: Rev. Theo Schaad

Ecumenical Relations

Commission for External Relations > Chair: Rev. Serge Fornerod (FSPC); Rev. Martin Breitenfeldt (mission 21); Rev. Dr. Beat Dietschy (BFA); Rev. Jacques Küng (DM); Ueli Locher (SIA); Rev. Thomas Wipf (FSPC Council).

> FSPC Office: Christian Vandersee

Commission for Swiss Churches Abroad

> Chair: Rev. Thomas Müry, Basel; Marianne Bianchi, Manno TI; Rev. Barbara Brunner Roth, Schaffhausen; Rev. André Joly, Lausanne; Rev. Norbert Wysser, Cordast FR

> FSPC Office: Rev. Matthias Hügli

Commission Church + Mission > Adjourned

Protestant Working Group for New Religious Movements

> Chair: Rev. Martin Zürcher-Weilenmann, Aarau; Rev. Kristiana Eppenberger Vogel, Bülach ZH; Rev. Heimberto Kunkel, Carouge GE; Rev. Susanna Meyer, Bern; Marcus Sartorius, Thun BE (guest); Rev. Martin Scheidegger, Lucerne; Prof. Dr. Georg Schmid, Rüti ZH; Jörg Weisshaupt, Zurich


Delegations and Commissions As of 15 January 2010

Nicole Freimüller-Hoffmann (70 %) Administrative Assistant to the Director of Communications COM

Rev. Theo SchaadDirector

Rev. Simon WeberDirector of Communications COM

PD Dr. Christina Tuor-Kurth (80 %)Director of the Institute for Theology and Ethics ITE

Rev. Dr. Jacques-Antoinevon Allmen (60 %)Senior Theological Affairs Officer ITE

Christian Tappenbeck, lawyer (80 %)Executive Secretary for Church relations in Switzerland and Church law ERD

Brigitte Wegmüller (90 %)Administrative Assistant to the Director of the ITE

Eva Wernly (70 %)Administrative Assistant to the Director

Cécile Uhlmann (80 %)Accountancy Officer CS

Dr. Hella Hoppe (60 %)Senior Economic Affairs Officer ITE

lic. theol. Christian Vandersee (90 %)Executive Secretary for External Relations, Agencies and Missionary Organisations ERD

lic. theol. Carla MaurerExecutive Secretary at the Conference of European Churches in Strasbourg ERD


Pools of Experts (PEX)

PEX Arab countries, Middle East, Central Asia

> Angela Elmiger, Bern (HEKS) > Irénée Haniss Pierrehumbert, Genève, DM – échange et mission

> Matthias Hui, Bern (OeME BEJUSO)

> Jost Keller, Chur (OeME GR) > FSPC Office: Christian Vandersee

PEX Latin America > Heinz Bichsel, Basel (mission 21 – evangelisches Missionswerk Basel)

> Nancy Carrasco, Zurich, (DM – échange et mission)

> Daniel Frei, (Reformierte Kirchen Basel-Stadt und Basel-Land)

> Karl Heuberger, Zurich (HEKS) > Andreas Staempfli, Zurich (Connexio) > FSPC Office: Christian Vandersee

PEX East Africa > Alexander Flisch, Oberwil (Dägerlen ZH) (Mission am Nil)

> Petra Graf, Zurich (HEKS) > FSPC Office: Christian Vandersee

PEX West and Central Africa > Petra Graf, Zurich (HEKS) > Jean-Daniel Peterschmitt, Chavornay (VD) (DM – échange et mission)

> Verena Ramseier, Basel (mission 21) > Permanent guest: Heinz Rothacher, Aigle (VD), Mission évangélique Braille (Blindenmission)

> FSPC Office: Christian Vandersee

PEX Southern Africa > Irénée Haniss Pierrehumbert, Genève (DM – échange et mission)

> Valentin Prélaz, Lonay (VD) (HEKS) > FSPC Office: Christian Vandersee

PEX East Asia > Michel Baumgartner, Zurich > Jean-Jacques Beljean, Colombier (NE) > Meehyun Chung, Basel (mission 21) > Doris Grohs, Basel (mission 21) > Cheuk-on Lo, Basel (mission 21/Tsung Tsin Mission)

> Christine Luginbühl, Haldenstein (OeME GR)

> FSPC Office: Rev. Matthias Hügli

Institute for Theology and Ethics

Diaconal Conference Committee > Chair: Konrad Meyer, Basel; Anne-Marie Droz, Dompierre (VD); Olivier Favrod, Vevey (VD) (OPF); Christine Huck, Zurich; Sergio Jost, Zurich (Schule für Diakonie Greifensee); Antoinette Killias, Zurich (HEKS); Rev. Hélène Küng, Lausanne (CSP Vaud); Roland Luzi, Rodersdorf (SO) (DVS)

> FSPC Office: PD Dr. Christina Tuor, Anja Scheuzger (Secretariat)

Women’s Conference Committee > Chair: Rev. Sabine Scheuter, Zurich; Eva Maria Fontana-Hübner, Binningen (BL) (EFS); Carmen Jud, Luzern (Frauenkirche Zentralschweiz); Lilian Studer, Oberbuchsiten (SO) (HEKS); Rev. Simone Weil, Rapperswil (SG); Rev. Lisbeth Zogg Hohn, Walkringen (BE)

> FSPC Office: Dr. Céline Ehrwein Nihan, Anja Scheuzger (Secretariat)

Commission for the Fund for Women’s Ministries

> Chair: Irène Reday (FSPC Council); Barbara Marti, Bern; Nicolasina ten Doornkaat, Bern; Ria van Beek, Versoix (GE)

> FSPC Office: Dr. Céline Ehrwein Nihan, Michèle Laubscher (Secretariat)

Church and Tourism Commission > Chair: Rev. Thomas Schweizer, Bern; Jacques Brunnschweiler, Aigle (VD); Hans Jörg Fehle, Wattwil (SG); Barbara Grass-Furter, Chur (GR); Monika Knöpfel, Zurich; Rev. Michael Landwehr, Samedan (GR); Stefan Otz, Interlaken (BE)

> FSPC Office: Anja Scheuzger (Secretariat) Liturgy Commission

> Chair: Rev. Arend Hoyer, Thalwil (ZH); Rev. Peter Gumbal, Adliswil (ZH); Rev. Dr. Andreas Marti, Liebefeld (BE); Rev. Simona Rauch, Vicosoprano (GR); Rev. Katharina Vollmer Mateus, Geneva; Rev. Marianne Weymann, Geneva

> FSPC Office: Rev. Dr. Jacques-Antoine von Allmen, Michèle Laubscher (Secretariat)

The annual reports of the individual commissions can be downloaded at www.sek.ch

Delegations and Commissions

43

Publication list in English LanguageThese publications can be ordered at www.sek-feps.ch/shop or downloaded as PDFs.

Appendix


FSPC Input into the Swiss Legislative Discussion Phase in 2009

Mar. 17, 2009Discussion phase on the revision of the CO2 Law

Mar. 17, 2009Discussion phase on changes in the Asylum Law and the Federal Law on Foreigners

Apr. 15, 2009Discussion phase on a change to the Federal Law on Foreigners as an indirect alternative suggestion to the “Expulsion Initiative”

Apr. 15, 2009Preimplantation diagnostics: Discussion phase on changes to the Reproduction Medicine Law

May 18 2009Discussion phase on the 6th disability insurance revision

Aug. 11, 2009Federal resolution on the approval and implementation of the exchange of notes between Switzerland and the European Community with regard to the adoption of the repatriation guidelines (extension of the Schengen Agreement)

Sep. 5, 2009 Federal resolution of 13 June 2008 on temporary additional financing of disability insurance through an increase in value added tax rates

FSPC Statements

Sep. 27, 2009 Swiss federal referendum “against the construction of minarets”

Nov. 25, 2009Swiss federal referendum “for a ban on the export of war materials”

Nov. 25, 2009“Prevention of violence – between individual freedom and state regulation”Rationale of the Council of FSPC on the popular initiative “For protection from armed violence” national referen-dum pending

FSPC Position

Mar. 30, 2009Statement on the new constitution of the future World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC)

May 7, 2009Statement on the text “Statement of eco-justice and ecological debt” of the Central Committee of the WCC

Pending motion (in accordance with Art. 53 of the Rules of the Assembly of Delegates)

Motion of the Evangelical Reformed Church in Canton Zurich, co-signed by the Reformed Churches of Bern-Jura-Solothurn, and other supporting churches on the topic of the Creed Workbook, submitted to the summer Assembly in 2009.

Political statementsAs of 15 January 2010

4545

Annual Statement and Statistics


Expenditure in Swiss Francs Sum Expenditure Revenue

Operational expenditurePersonnel expenditure Church Bodies: Council and Assembly 452 404 Department of Ecumenical Relations 953 989 Institute for Theology and Ethics 1 080 450 Communications Department 482 179 Department of Central Services 1 136 072 Infrastructure and Properties 112 896 Total Personnel Expenditure 4 217 990 Material Costs Assembly of Delegates 103 539 Council 151 983 Council and Assembly Projects 359 187 Department of Ecumenical Relations 139 961 Institute for Theology and Ethics 52 072 Communications Department 342 279 Department of Central Services 28 917 Infrastructure and IT 188 859 Properties 89 829 Depreciation 150 000 Total Material Costs 1 606 626 Total Operational expenditure 5 824 616 Non-Operational expenditure Copyright payments 364 504 Fees to international organizations 496 500 Fees to Swiss organizations 105 031 Total Non-Operational expenditure 966 035

Revenue in Swiss Francs Expenditure Revenue

Membership fees 6 186 838 Contributions for projects and administration costs 256 831 Financial revenue 111 149 Revenue from publications 85 877 Withdrawals from funds and reserves 26 020

Totals in Swiss Francs

Expenditure surplus 123 936 Total 6 790 651 6 790 651

Financial Figures 2009The figures provide a brief overview and are structured differently than in the official annual accounting reports.

47

Transitory items in Swiss Francs Solidarity fund for member churches 130 000 Financing for pastoral care for asylum seekers 220 000 Swiss churches abroad 396 582 Fund for women’s ministries 110 849 Human rights fund 46 948 Service agreement with mission organizations 931 350 Collection for the Ecumenical Institute Bossey 50 705Collections and donations transferred to recipients 110 025 Total transitory items 1 996 459

Balance in Swiss Francs Breakdown Assets Liabilities

Assets Liquid assets 531 513 Debtors 211 332 Securities and bank accounts 4 152 614 Transitory assets 383 Properties 303 185 Computer systems 176 009 Liabilities Creditors 181 610 Transitory liabilities 181 115 Reserves 1 435 094 Total funds 1 692 329 – Fund for Swiss churches abroad 667 894 – Fund for women’s ministries 152 457 – Human rights fund 103 947 – Huldrych Zwingli Fund 768 032 Capital J. Jeffries 1 270 012 Equity 614 876 Total 5 375 036 5 375 036



Statistics of Official Church Acts in 2008

Member church Members * Baptisms Confirmations male female adult total male female total

Aargau 189 603 633 636 1 269 1 038 1 068 2 106Appenzell AI/AR 26 795 134 119 253 189 169 358Basel-Landschaft 103 400 340 346 18 704 545 536 1 081Basel-Stadt 36 100 189 282Bern-Jura-SO 650 782 2 205 2 169 24 4 398 3 510 3 371 6 881Freiburg 34 401 136 113 5 254 184 220 404Geneva EPG 66 695 88 112 32 232 39 48 87Glarus 16 016 63 47 110 86 93 179Graubünden 74 031 364 304 668 442 477 919Lucerne 39 426 142 136 2 280 170 167 337Neuchâtel 58 996 110 135 5 250 159 184 343Nidwalden 4 024 14 13 27 20 23 43Obwalden 2 415 8 7 15 11 16 27St. Gallen 117 465 432 435 5 872 682 705 1 387Schaffhausen 34 017 105 86 5 196 186 170 356Schwyz 17 553 70 41 111 89 64 153Solothurn 31 065 98 97 2 197 141 160 301Ticino 17 730 20 21 5 46 26 36 62Thurgau 96 054 408 348 10 766 570 560 1 130Uri 1 770 3 5 8 7 5 12Vaud 242 273 553 569 14 1 136 717 783 1 500Valais 15 433 44 46 90 17 24 41Zug 17 760 60 72 132 74 77 151Zurich 483 409 1 648 1 621 35 3 304 2 097 1 943 4 040Geneva, EELG 600 1 11 12 Ev. Methodist Church 6 952 24 25 24 73 150 Total 2008 2 384 765 15 592 22 330Total 2007 2 384 765 15 300 22 641 * Figures according to the survey for membership dues, 2008 ** if not specifically mentioned, the marriage figures are included as “interconfessional”. Source: Member churches

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Marriages Funerals Parishes Parish Pastors/ Other Deacons Posts pastors

Prot. mixed mixed Total

interconf. interrelig. **

218 106 6 330 2 006 75 158 /122,9 50 27 38 65 349 20 27 2 4 101 62 40 203 1 143 35 79 /64,25 11 38 20 22 42 400 8 28 /23,95 19 23 943 578 1521 7 200 229 484 /280 12 148 39 22 61 254 32 /27,15 8 6 82 38 120 646 34 46 /39,75 15 7 12 12 24 217 13 15 /10,15 2 1 163 102 265 788 128 105 /93,8 20 12 22 41 63 312 19 37 /28,15 6 6 55 28 83 836 12 51 15 6 6 29 3 4 /3,25 1 5 6 19 2 2 /1,5 86 133 219 1 325 55 99 /84,15 52 52 57 27 84 453 31 44 /28,1 6 8 11 27 38 96 6 9 1 21 8 15 44 298 14 24 /19,2 4 7 7 18 25 135 3 8 /7,5 1 1 113 109 222 1 093 67 83 /67,9 5 24 2 2 4 15 3 2 /2 445 134 579 2 974 195 /155,25 118 43 12 31 43 165 10 12 /9,8 1 3 10 23 3 36 112 7 19 /12,5 3 12 570 474 1 044 5 588 179 366 /307,56 81 235 5 5 8 6 9 /6,4 46 5 51 129 120 78 /69 6 11 4 240 26 590 5 187 26 567



Imprint

©Federation of SwissProtestant churches FSPC P. O. BoxCH-3000 Bern 23Phone +41 (0)31 370 25 25Fax +41 (0)31 370 25 [email protected], www.sek.ch

Circulation:3100 German, 700 French, 300 English

Head of Communications:Simon Weber

Administration:Nicole Freimüller-Hoffmann

Editor:Maja Peter

Design/Layout:Meier Media Design, Zurich

Images:P. 1, 3, 11, 16, 18, 23, 24 bottom: Thomas Flügge, FSPC P. 35, 37, 39, 41: Daniel Rihs, Bern-WorblaufenP. 24 on top: Pierre Bohrer, Le LocleP. 15: Keystone

Translation:Man Ray, David Dichelle

Proofreading:Martina Sitling

Print:Schläfli & Maurer AG, Interlaken

Annual Report

2009

www.sek.ch

Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches

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Federation of SwissProtestant churches FSPC Sulgenauweg 26 P. O. BoxCH-3000 Bern 23Phone +41 (0)31 370 25 25 Fax +41 (0)31 370 25 [email protected]

Documents

FSPC Annual Report 2009