New constitution
The Assembly of Delegates has discussed the text of the new constitution in two readings over the past three assemblies. The final vote is scheduled for December 18, 2018.
At this assembly, the delegates decided to set up a non-permanent commission to work on a draft of synod rules. The FSPC Council will be tasked with the drafting of financial rules.
Council President’s Address
In his traditional address, Council President Gottfried Locher recalled that the question of God is indeed of central importance when it comes to church. How do we experience the living God among us? This is a question that concerns us both as individuals and as the new Protestant Reformed Church of Switzerland. Disputes on the topic of God have become a rarity as we live in a post-atheistic world: There is life without God just as there is life without thinking about God. Bearing credible witness to God has thus become a matter of existential nature for the church.
Budget
The 2019 budget was adopted by the delegates. The contribution of the member churches has remained unchanged since 2012 at CHF 6,063,102.
Pastoral care at reception centers
The Reformed churches have been providing ecumenical pastoral care at federal reception centers for asylum seekers. The delegates voted unanimously to extend CHF 420,000 in funding for this purpose in 2019.
Agencies
The annual reports of the two mission agencies, DM-échange et mission and Mission 21, as well as the report issued by fondia – a foundation for the support of parish diaconal work in the FSPC are traditionally acknowledged by the autumn Assembly of Delegates. Rosemarie Manser (Lucerne) was elected President of the Fondia Foundation Board for 2019 – 2022.