Praying with the songs of Taizé, Tuesday, September 4, 7:30 pm

Come join us on Tuesday, September 4. We’re having community worship with Eucharist at 5:30 p.m., followed by supper at 6:30 p.m. And then — praying with the songs of Taizé at 7:30 p.m.

The service is contemplative and meditative in character, using short songs, repeated again and again in a candle lit chapel. We invite you to participate in our practice of Taizé which includes singing, prayer for Metropolitan Richmond, and a period of silence.

Taizé prayer is the creation of a monastic community in Taizé, France, founded in the 1940s by a Swiss man known as Brother Roger. The brothers there emphasize service and ecumenism, particularly reconciliation between divided peoples and divided Christians.

“It is a time to rest in God, to let the words listened to and sung penetrate one’s being.” — Brother John, a Taizé monk, says this in his lectures and writings, explaining what the service is all about.

Using just a few words, the songs express a basic reality of faith, quickly grasped by the mind. As the words are sung over many times, the hope is this reality will gradually penetrate one’s whole being. Meditative singing can be a way of listening to God.

Our leader, Jim Bennett, is a skilled musician. He leads this time of worship with a variety of musical instruments.