Taizé service

[Susan Unger]

Has anyone been to one of these? The local Episcopal church is conducting one of these tonight which I am going to. I was wondering what to expect.

[Hans Deventer]

Haven't been there, but Taizé is known for silence and meditative songs with simple lyrics (quite a lot of Latin) that are repeated many, many times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXifX8OQb08

[Ryan Scott]

Lots of candles.

[Susan Unger]

Haven't been there, but Taizé is known for silence and meditative songs with simple lyrics (quite a lot of Latin) that are repeated many, many times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXifX8OQb08

At this particular church, I have always enjoyed how easily I could pray and reflect in the services. So, I look forward to being able to do that again.

[Susan Unger]

Lots of candles.

Candles are good.

[Murray Woods]

Susan, I am looking forwards to your report. There will probably not be any guitars or video presentations.

[Andy Mistak]

Susan, I am looking forwards to your report. There will probably not be any guitars or video presentations.

I should say not. Taize services are favorites of Roman Catholic and other high church folks.

[Wilson Deaton]

Has anyone been to one of these?

Been to one? I have no recollection of having heard of one!

(And previous to this, I really didn't perceived myself to be completely out-of-touch...)

Wilson

[Susan Unger]

Susan, I am looking forwards to your report. There will probably not be any guitars or video presentations.Actually, there was a guitar but it was a regular guitar not one attached to an amp blasting away [forget what these types of guitars are called]. The scheduled pianist didn't show up, so the guitarist was our only accompianment. It was very tastefully done.


I should say not. Taize services are favorites of Roman Catholic and other high church folks.
Before I went, I tried to describe what I thought it might be to my parents. I said "I think it is the liturgical version of a Prayer and Worship service. We had just had a series of Prayer and Worship services at our Naz church a few weeks ago instead of Revival services. Our church has a rock band for the worship part of the service.


Been to one? I have no recollection of having heard of one!

(And previous to this, I really didn't perceived myself to be completely out-of-touch...)

Wilson You can go to Wikipedia or www.taize.fr/en for more information. I forget where I first heard about it but it has been at least in the last 5 years.

[Andy Mistak]

Been to one? I have no recollection of having heard of one!

(And previous to this, I really didn't perceived myself to be completely out-of-touch...)

Wilson

I live in a L'Arche community (ecumenical religious community where we live with disabled folks), and I hadn't heard of it either before I came here. I have mostly encountered Taize prayer at L'Arche retreats and at Roman Catholic churches.

[Susan Unger]

It reminded me of their regular church service, but without the sermon. In place of the sermon, there were periods of silence.

We had:
1. Meditative music, prayer, silent mediation,
2. bible reading, short sung chant, silent meditation,
3. bible reading, short sung chant, silent meditation,
4. bible reading, short sung chant, silent meditation,
5. The Prayers - we gathered around the cross for this - the reader read the prayer while we said "hear our prayer"
6. the confession, absolution, peace
7. Eucharistic Prayers and Eucharist,
8. short sung chants, silent meditation, prayer.

Before each period of meditation, a bell chimed. It also chimed during the Eucharist.

The guitar played during the short sung chant and a fill in played a simple version of Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God.

As it was the first time they've done this, no one thought to have candles. But, they will try to add them in next time.

I found it very peaceful and relaxing. Even going grocery shopping afterwards seemed more "holy" than usual.

Thankfully, they are considering doing this once a month on Sat nights. :):smilies0262::smilies0262:

[Susan Unger]

I live in a L'Arche community (ecumenical religious community where we live with disabled folks), and I hadn't heard of it either before I came here. I have mostly encountered Taize prayer at L'Arche retreats and at Roman Catholic churches.One of the Presbyterian Churches in downtown Harrisburg has had them before. I could never attend as it conflicted with my schedule.

As for living in the L'Arche community - that sounds interesting. How did you come about living there? I have heard of them before but thought they only existed in Europe.

[Andy Mistak]

As for living in the L'Arche community - that sounds interesting. How did you come about living there? I have heard of them before but thought they only existed in Europe.

I had a friend who graduated from college (MVNU) and lived in a L'Arche community in Australia for a year. When he came back to Ohio he kept giving me Jean Vanier (L'Arche founder) books to read, and I decided to come live here. There are 16 L'Arche communities in the US and more than that in Canada.

The biggest US community is in Erie, Pa. If that's your neck of "Penn's Woods" I guarantee they'd love to have you over for dinner.

[Susan Unger]

I had a friend who graduated from college (MVNU) and lived in a L'Arche community in Australia for a year. When he came back to Ohio he kept giving me Jean Vanier (L'Arche founder) books to read, and I decided to come live here. There are 16 L'Arche communities in the US and more than that in Canada.

The biggest US community is in Erie, Pa. If that's your neck of "Penn's Woods" I guarantee they'd love to have you over for dinner.Unfortunately, that's not in my neck of the woods but it does sound interesting.

[Rich Schmidt]

I heard about it when we lived in KC, MO for seminary in '97-'99. I think some area churches may have done services of that sort, with that label attached. One of the Lutheran churches here in Valparaiso offered them for a while, too. I've never attended one.

I think our church in the KC area might have used a song or two that originated in Taize, too. I think I remember seeing that name in the copyright.

Thanks for sharing what your experience was like!

[Lorie Hatcliff]

Our local Congregational Church has these services. They sometimes have a sign that says "Take Time For Taize" in their yard. I saw it for years and always wondered what it was til finally I looked it up on the all-knowing wikipedia. Sounds peaceful, but I've never experienced it.

[Susan Unger]

Our local Congregational Church has these services. They sometimes have a sign that says "Take Time For Taize" in their yard. I saw it for years and always wondered what it was til finally I looked it up on the all-knowing wikipedia. Sounds peaceful, but I've never experienced it.It was very peaceful.