seetal chile Post 12/2025

Dear friends of the seetal chile

by Matthias Altwegg

I probably spent the most intense seven days of my life on the educational trip to Israel. What we saw and experienced was like a time lapse.

It is truly impressive to stand in the place where Hezekiah built a tunnel around 700 BC to ensure the city's water supply during a siege. Or to see the excavations of the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed the man born blind (John 7). Or to stand at the Gihon Spring, where Solomon and other kings were anointed. Such sacred moments get under your skin and make the Bible appear in 3D. The Christian faith is not merely a divine revelation, but is based on the concrete history that God has written with people at specific times and places. Experiencing this makes one worship Yahweh, our God, in awe.

The events of recent months in Israel have also touched us deeply. Afterwards, we learned that Keith Siegel, a hostage of Hamas who had been held captive for 484 days, had been on the same plane as us. Siegel lived with his wife Aviva Siegel in Kibbutz Kfar Aza and was forcibly abducted from his home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on 7 October 2023.

We visited Kfar Aza, where more than 750 people lived before the attack. Ralph, a survivor, guided us through the ruined village and recounted dozens of horrific stories. As he spoke, we repeatedly looked into the reddened, tear-filled eyes of our group members. It was also impressive how Ralph thanked us at the end for coming. It means a great deal to people in crisis when they are not left alone, but are comforted by visitors.

These are just two facets of this fascinating people living on the narrow strip of land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. It is God's people who found a home here after the Holocaust. Although threatened on all sides, God will keep His hand over these people and all of Israel will be saved: «Then all Israel will be saved, as it is written in the prophets: A saviour will come from Jerusalem, and he will deliver Israel from all ungodliness.»(Romans 11:26). Let us love and bless this chosen people – and we will experience how we ourselves are blessed.

Developing voluntary work

by Adrian Hasler

Volunteering has been at the heart of our community for many years. It works well and shapes our community life. However, with the growth of seetal chile and the increasing number of tasks, there has also been a desire to further develop volunteering and strengthen it for the future. That is why, on 3 November 2025, the VL decided to launch the «Developing Volunteering» initiative.

The focus is on supporting our team leaders and employees. In order to provide better and broader support, responsibility for volunteer work will now be distributed among five functional unit leaders (FEL), which also includes our pastors. This new structure takes into account the growth of our congregation and at the same time relieves the pastors – allowing them to concentrate more on their core tasks. Team leaders will be informed of the new responsibilities in due course.

The goals of the initiative are clear: team leaders should feel better supported, and volunteers should be more motivated and satisfied in their work. Everyone should be able to experience how valuable their contribution is to the life and development of seetal chile. We hope that even more people in our community will discover that worship is not just on Sundays – it happens wherever we build God's kingdom together.

It will also be easier to take on temporary or temporary work. This offer will be posted on our employee platform in the coming weeks.

The functional unit managers are currently working on the content and preparing a training course for all team leaders in the first quarter of 2026.

Our finances

by Christoph Leimgruber

We are simply grateful that we can (almost) always report on a very positive financial situation. Especially with regard to the series «Possessions & Faith», it was certainly valuable for Cédric not to have to preach from a position of financial hardship. Thank you very much for your personal contribution to this encouraging picture.

Information in a nutshell

Our parking situation is a perennial issue. Although we have an above-average number of parking spaces, there are often space problems on Sundays. It would be very nice if we would park our cars in the village out of consideration for older people, visitors and families with small children!

The AGM on 24 November was attended by 68 of 215 members. The proposed budget for 2026 was unanimously approved. It includes donations totalling an impressive CHF 661,000.

Info about people

Simona & Tobias Spichtig, Luca Siegenthaler, David Walti, Samuel Altwegg and Joachim Walter are applying for membership of seetal chile. We are delighted about this and are therefore opening the 14-day period during which existing members can raise objections.

Silvan and Deborah Senn and Silas Burgherr have applied for membership. As there were no objections, we are pleased to welcome all three as new members.

Ruth Hardmeier However, she is ending her membership with us. We regret this, but wish you, dear Ruth, God's rich blessings!

In the cleaning team there are numerous changes. Terminating the service: Hans Fischer (specialist group), Chrigi Leimgruber, Madlen and Peter Inäbnit, Elke Kramer, Susanne Hopf, Ayra Müller, Mirjam Dätwyler, Esther and David Mettler and Ariane Luginbühl. New additions include: Carmen Stempfel and Hansruedi Werder (both specialist groups), Patrick Hugentobler, Vreni Frei, Conny Fina, Brigitte Friess, Claudia Aliyev, Jasmin Dietsche, Kurt Müller, Adrian Hasler, Sandra Bieli, Marc Spoon, Urs Fuchs, Thiemo Schlatter and Sina Fuchs.

Further mutations: Marc Loeffel (new Männer Event), Tamara Baur & Jasmin Dietsche (new Sisterhood), Denise Pival & Evelyne Fuchs (new prayer team), Riika Franz & Edith Anliker (new bistro). Seraina Staehelin (Farewell to glow Next).

We would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone – whether for their willingness to help out as part of a team or for their past contributions!

Deborah Schreiber is expecting her second child in mid-March. She will therefore be on maternity leave from March to August 2026 in her role as Head of Children's Services and will not be available in the office. She will remain the contact person for Kigo during this time, but her response time may be longer than usual. Deborah will also receive additional support from the Kigo core team (Tom Widmer, Meli Hauser) during this special time. In urgent cases, Cédric Brügger will be available for all matters in this area. As part of seetal chile, Deborah will continue to be present at church services during this time and will resume her regular Kigo duties in June.

For the agenda

At 3 December from 5 p.m. is the Opening of our Advent window, which was designed by Ruth Michel and Evelyne Fuchs. It would be lovely if you could come along that evening to take a look for yourself while enjoying some delicious refreshments!

At 11 December from 12:00 noon we celebrate with the Generation+ Advent with lunch, music and devotional thoughts on Christmas by Bernhard and Rosmarie Hohl. You are cordially invited to register for this event.

At 21 December at 10:00 a.m. we celebrate Christmas together with the Kigo. You are cordially invited to attend this event and the lunch afterwards. Nobody has to register for this.

At 24 December at 17:30 celebrate the people who would otherwise be alone or alone for two, Christmas together in the seetal chile. Please register via our blog.

At 28th December we celebrate our last Church service this year on the Herrnhut motto for 2026: "God says: Behold, I make all things new!»During the Holy Communion, there is also the opportunity to draw a personal annual lot.

From 10–20 April The seetal chile trip to Israel will take place together with Kultour. It is a very good time to travel to Israel and gain a lot of momentum for your personal faith life.

From 22-25 May we are the whole community in Bad Schussenried. The Community weekend offers excellent opportunities to come into relationship with each other and with God.