Over time, more and more people joined the group. Some of them, out of an inner conviction that man, on his earthly pilgrimage, can achieve his goals faster and safer in fellowship with like-minded people rather than alone, founded the cooperative, Methernitha, on January 24, 1960 in Linden.
"For where two or three have gathered together in my name,
I am there in their midst."
-Matthew, 18:20
The desire to better implement the core message into daily life with others of a like-mind led to the founding of a residential and working community, which is registered as a cooperative in the Swiss Commercial Register. The Swiss Law of Obligations (OR) and the cooperative’s own Articles of Association form its legal foundation.
The Board of Directors is elected from among the members and is responsible for administrative matters.
The purpose of the cooperative is the joint procuration of the resources necessary by which to live and provide for social security in old age. To achieve this objective each member works to the best of his ability, trying to place the well-being of the community above his own individual well-being, according to the guiding principle:
“One for all, all for one.”
Anyone, who is a member of the fellowship, is willing to recognize the cooperative’s statutes and contribute to the best of his ability to reach the cooperative’s goals, can become a member of the cooperative. Members may resign from the cooperative at any time.
The jointly procured resources are for the upkeep of the community and the livelihood of its members. The cooperative is responsible for all social benefits and costs of living. In addition, each member receives a monthly allotment of cash for personal expenses.
