We are a community based at La Riponne for over 150 years. Inspired to follow a new direction, we have reimagined how to be a church. Convinced that we are called to engage wherever we are, we support activities that promote unity in diversity especially those in which we work together.
We are inspired by our Methodist traditions of grace for all and “social holiness” meaning both social justice and right relationships.
The grace and love embodied in Christ produce:
Because it takes a village to raise a child. Because in a village, every person matters and brings something unique and essential to the community. A village needs a variety of skills and interests, as well as goodwill and openness to dialogue.
Our texts and traditions remind us that we are all interconnected (1 Corinthians 12:12–27). We believe that Christ calls each of us to recognize the sacred value of every human being, to live in solidarity, and to support one another in realizing the potential God has given us to help transform the world.
Because we all have unique shapes, colors, and textures that, when brought together, create a vibrant work of art. We celebrate the diversity given to us by God and believe it should be honored accordingly.
The name also refers to the city’s artistic identity with visible mosaics in Vidy, as well as mosaic-inspired pieces like those in Chauderon and the Parc de la Brouette.
Born into a Thai Buddhist and American Christian family, Erika Stalcup grew up in a rural town in Kansas, USA. After studying music at the conservatory in Prague and at Emory University, Erika earned a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School in 2007 and a Ph.D. in the history of Christianity from Boston University in 2016. After serving in seven Methodist congregations across the United States, Erika worked as pastor of the Lausanne United Methodist Church from 2015 until the community chose to renew itself by supporting the creation of the Village Mosaïque in 2022.
Erika especially feels that ministry is meaningful when it helps someone think in a new way, to understand a former idea through a fresh lens. She sees Christ as a bold advocate for social justice who, at the same time, gathers people together and breaks down the barriers that keep us from authentically living as God’s beloved children. For her, the church is a community where we learn to put our convictions into action through how we live and the choices we make.
Erika is a member of SafePlace, a network of pastors who offer space to discuss issues related to sexuality and spirituality.
Born into a Methodist family in Winterthur, my path led me to an apprenticeship in technical drafting at Sulzer in Geneva. Together with my husband, I spent more than 30 years working in a metal construction company. After raising my children, I became interested in university studies and decided to pursue them to nourish my intellectual curiosity. Eventually, I took on the challenge of studying theology, which brought me great joy and satisfaction.
The freedom I discovered in God gave me the courage to get involved in the church. That’s how I began, in 2019, as a pastor in St-Imier.
Convinced that the church must evolve and adapt to society, I am deeply committed to this “Church Otherwise” project here in Lausanne.
I am also involved in broader levels of the Methodist Church as a member of the Swiss Council and treasurer of the Central Conference.
What I love most are connections and discussions, reading, playing games, singing, and dancing!
Thanks to his monastic experience and travels across various cultures, ideologies, religions, spiritual approaches, and natural therapies, Claudio has made it his mission to cultivate healthy relationships with oneself and with others as a priority in both his work and life. His paternal grandfather was a Methodist pastor in Angola, and his maternal grandfather a Reformed pastor in Bern (Wohlen).
Claudio is a certified Life Coach, youth minister at the Reformed Church of Montreux-Clarens, and currently also teaches pastoral training at the University of Geneva. He is certified in holistic healing practices (kinesiology, aromatherapy, and nutritional therapy).
Father of two daughters, Claudio returned to Switzerland with his wife and children after living 12 years abroad in Angola, Sweden, and the U.S., where he worked as an adult education pastor for the United Methodist Church and trained in coaching at Princeton University. He created the coaching method Reconcile With Life (reconcilewithlife.com). After settling in the canton of Vaud, he joined the co-creation of the intentional interfaith community “Village Mosaïque,” because, for him, the Divine is alive in relationships. “Our relationships, therefore we are” is his motto. The Village Mosaïque offers a beautiful opportunity to live out the body of the universal Christ the church in flesh by following the Living God who protects, nurtures, and liberates the strength of life everywhere and at every moment of our existence.
“I came to the women’s circle during a difficult time. Sharing each month, with gentleness and respect, helped me regain confidence. We laugh, we pray, we support each other.”
“I’m not a Christian, but the Godfulness retreat deeply moved me. I found spiritual depth and open-mindedness. It was beautiful to meditate with people from different backgrounds.”
“At Village Mosaïque, I discovered a space where I can truly be myself, without pressure. The Sunday service helps me reconnect, and I’ve met truly kind people there.”
Here, diversity is a source of richness, faith an open path and a shared mission.
The Village Mosaïque welcomes you, whatever your background or beliefs.
IBAN:
CH30 0900 0000 1000 2814 0
EEM Lausanne
Badenerstrasse 69
8004 Zürich
