tsc-Jahresrückblick 2020
At the end of the coronavirus year 2020, Claudius Buser’s traditional tsc annual review is more serious and thoughtful than usual. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic and shares many successes.
In the distant Orient…
No, not where the star was sighted by the Magi, which was supposed to point them to the new king, but in the even more distant Orient, far from European civilization, the Magi set out not on a journey, but rather to work. They wanted to craft a new crown, not just for the new king, but for all people.
They weren’t yet ready to show the crown to the people, when it happened: The crown made its own way to the people of this earth. And what many didn’t want to or couldn’t believe came true: This crown for all changed the way people around the world interacted in a way that people couldn’t have imagined in their wildest or most confused dreams at the beginning of 2020, including us at the tsc.
England's undocking maneuver from Europe
On the European island of the Britons, Saxons, Angles, and other Celtic and Germanic tribes, the people had become overwhelmed. They withdrew from Europe definitively. The stars of Europe faded over the island, but the crown from the distant Orient found its way to them as well. Since January 31, England has been an island again. The undocking maneuver from the mainland continues to this day.
180 years of tsc
In the heart of Europe and actually also in the heart of Switzerland, high above the city of Basel, an intercultural group of students and employees celebrated the 180th anniversary of the Pilgrim Mission St. Chrischona, today’s Theological Seminary St. Chrischona (tsc).
The news of the crown for all reached us, too: We began washing our hands and covering our mouths, keeping our distance and avoiding doorknobs, working from home, and using the digital world like never before, because we didn’t want this crown on the mountain of the saints (I mean, of course, St. Chrischona). But it came, as it came to everyone; fortunately, without causing much damage.
We still celebrated 180 years of tsc – at least a little bit – with beautiful digital songs from our choir, witha brochure, which everyone should read, and with many smaller things, we repeatedly reminded ourselves of this celebratory occasion: We’ve been on the road for 180 years, and that’s a reason for gratitude. We feel crowned with much grace and mercy (and not with «made in China»).
“We can handle Corona!”
Unfortunately, this extraordinary year, with its unprecedented lockdown after March 16 (including border closures), forced us to make massive restrictions: Classes could no longer be held in the classroom, but only online. Guests stayed away, conferences were canceled or held online. The tsc booth team had to reinvent itself, and many celebrations remained uncelebrated.
But many new paths were also discovered and creative ideas developed. While we were able to hold the trial days on-site in March, we then had to switch toTrial webinarsfor those interested in studying. Formats such as the video series «tsc aktuell» with information for all friends of the tsc, video messages, and church services went online for the first time. The students‘ unique campaign to write a card to all tsc friends over 80 years old was implemented; prayer mornings and other events were also held in alternative formats. The list is not exhaustive, but already impressively long. We can handle Corona!
And in the middle of the Corona year, we insisted on inaugurating the «Relaunch» meeting place on the Chrischona Campus and – to make both former dining rooms in the Brüderhaus look really good – quietly opening our new coffeehouse «Foodnote» a few days ago, where you can find really, really good coffee.
Adventure Online Teaching
This simply has to be said here: So many people, driven by the news from the distant Orient and the new situation with this crown, have really put in the effort: processes have been rethought and further developed,Lecturerstrained to help them cope with the new situation. Others stepped in and did things they’d never done before or offered to fill in where there were absences. Yes, many simply rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in. Thank you for all these additional investments in crisis teams, training, new digital formats, and new teaching and learning methods, etc.
Thank you all, dear students, dear colleagues, dear everyone who has simply embraced the adventure of online teaching. Thank you.
Joy about a brief return to normality
We are grateful that, despite everything, the entire graduating class was able to graduate at the end of the past academic year and that we at tsc were able to welcome a fantastic group of 33 new students and 27 guest auditors at the beginning of the new academic year.
In September, we were delighted that study activities were getting back to normal—in fact, with all the young, motivated people. We were even able to still hold the seminar trip to Rust and Freiburg. Yes, things were looking pretty good for a while, and we were enjoying a somewhat different, yet more normal, «normal.»
Corona came back
And then Corona came back. Thetsc network conferenceFortunately, the conference had been geared up for some time and was successfully held this way. The following week, everything changed again. The coronavirus pandemic returned with such force that it forced us back into the digital world.
We are looking forward to 2021, when things will hopefully function more “normally,” or rather, the new normal will become familiar and natural to us again.
More reason for hope than for resignation
But the festive days are still ahead. Every day we see the Advent wreath on our tables. This wreath symbolizes: We await the King who rightfully wears the crown and offers everyone the crown of life, who brings peace and festive joy to people on earth.
This King and his crown do not inspire fear, but joy. Those crowned by him always have more reason for hope than for resignation, for he crowns us with his forgiving love and his undeserved care, and forever and ever with the crown of eternal life.
Therefore, confidently and confidently: Merry Christmas 2020, yes: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
And stay healthy.
Peter Schneeberger erklärt Faktoren, die zum Gelingen und Verbleib im pastoralen Dienst beitragen.
Theologisches Forum 2026
Das nächste Theologische Forum des TSC-Netzwerks findet am 24. und 25. April 2026 in der Stadtmission Worms in Deutschland statt.
Leiter von christlichen Gemeindeverbänden tauschen sich über ihre Erkenntnisse vom Theologischen Forum aus.
About the TSC Choir
The choir of the St. Chrischona Theological Seminary consists of approximately 75 singers, including students, staff, and friends of the TSC. It is directed by Susanne Hagen, the head of the Theology & Music program. The TSC choir performs two concerts each year, in Advent and in spring. Since 2020, it has also been producing music videos, which can be heard on YouTube. These videos have already been viewed more than 300,000 times.
tsc collective heard everywhere
Since 2019, several music videos have been created at the TSC, including recordings of the TSC choir. They can be heard under the name "tsc Kollektiv" on the streaming platforms Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and YouTube.