Danka Bogdanovic
September 26, 2024
Stefan Weller is a parish and hospital pastor at the Basel-Bethesda Methodist Church. Until summer 2024, he was on the board of Connexio hope and develop, the relief organization of the Methodists in Switzerland. In recent years, he has been thinking intensively about volunteering.
"The United Methodist Church is not a national church, but a world church. Our strength is that we are international," says Stefan Weller. Because Methodist churches exist on all continents. "We call the way we maintain contact and support each other across countries and oceans 'connexio', which is Latin for association or fellowship." Accordingly, the names of the two Swiss-based associations are also their program: "Connexio hope" stands for the mutual support of the church partners. "Connexio develop" stands for the charitable commitment together with the partners, which is effective beyond their own borders for the people of this world.
According to Stefan Weller, part of Connexio's work consists of collecting financial resources to provide concrete support to our partner churches and organizations. Both associations are closely linked to parishes and individuals who expect their donations to be used reliably, responsibly and sustainably.
"But Connexio is much more than just a donation account," says Stefan Weller. "It is also not just an aid organization that alleviates the symptoms of global injustice a little. Precisely because of the great differences in terms of power and wealth in the world, we try to meet each other at eye level in our international partnerships and find out what we have to give each other beyond financial means." This shows that "connexio" is not a one-way street, but a give and take in many areas.
Stefan Weller emphasizes: "The most important thing that is needed is people - people who not only ease their conscience with donations, but who are passionate about the idea of "connexio". We call them ambassadors for Connexio. Through them, international solidarity is given a face on the ground. If you want to be one of them, you don't need any qualifications and you don't have to work through a list of duties. Ambassadors are anyone who shows their face for Connexio. All they need to do is keep Connexio's concerns alive in their own community - and perhaps even beyond."
Ruth Läubli belongs to the Methodist Church in Bülach and experiences it like this: "For me, Connexio is like a window to the world. I feel connected to people from the global church." She has gained valuable direct insights through her work in the former departments and through meeting trips. She is very impressed by how social projects, which are also open to people outside the church, are part of most places. "I think that's becoming increasingly important here too." Every two months, she leads the Connexio prayer in the church service. She enjoys taking part in events and meetings offered by Connexio. "For the Connexio prayer, I always bring an old window that I decorate with photos. This then stays up for a while and also stimulates conversation."
"Working for a peaceful, just and inclusive society is very important to us," emphasizes Sister Elisabeth Meier, deaconess at the Bethesda Sisters in Basel. "That's why we are grateful for Connexio". They have been supporting the Miss Stone Center in North Macedonia for a long time - some of the sisters know Christina Cekov personally. "She has been very committed there. The staff look after the welfare of old, lonely and helpless people with a lot of love and dedication. Many of these people say that they could not survive without this help. This impresses us greatly - and at the same time makes us grateful for all the good that we are allowed to have in such abundance. We are amazed at how the work is growing and constantly responding to new needs."
From a legacy and with the monthly "soup lunches", the sisters' community supports Connexio projects or responds to emergency situations. "But just as important to us as giving is intercession for the people who receive help and for the people who organize or provide this help themselves." The three daily prayer times and prayer evenings are helpful vessels for this, as are the personal prayer times. "We are particularly pleased that Connexio supports women in earning a living and helps women to gain respect and justice through training courses."
Text: Stefan Weller, Member of the Executive Board
Picture of Ruth Läubli: Hanspeter Minder
Picture of Sr. Elisabeth Meier: at your disposal
Organizing Advent sales, inviting foreign guests, preparing Connexio breakfasts, fair trade shopping, intercessions, maintaining community partnerships, running in the walking marathon, decorating and selling chocolate, pressing the solidarity alarm - a heartfelt thank you to all those who support Connexio's concerns in one way or another.
Helping has many faces.
If you do not have time to actively support our organizations at this time, please make a donation.
So we can continue our work for a fairer world thanks to your help!
Working together for the good of all:
We contribute to a peaceful and just world for all people.
