Taizé Service                             -  An Inner Journey    

Services on the first and third Sunday of every month

We begin a few minutes prior to 7:00 P.M. on the 1^st and 3^rd Sundays of the month.

The ecumenical candlelit Taizé service is meditative in character and promotes peace and serenity in all who take part. It includes music and singing, interspersed with spiritual reflections, prayer and periods of silence.

Our most recent song for ending our Taize service is Mystery by Jeremy Geffen.  It is from the Missa Gaia /Earth Mass. http://paulwinter.bandcamp.com/track/mystery 

There is another wonderful version on You Tube sung by Jim Scott. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK1gu5PK89I.

Some more music that compliments our Taizé service:

Dante's Prayer by Loreena McKennitt   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7pUIS9757c

I Find Your Love in Everything by Beth Nielsen Chapman  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2GDG1sNHJE

Tchaikovosky  Hymn of Cherubim http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyFkPd6fEuI

Deep Peace  Choral arrangement  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0J7Zx-F1uA

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Our Taizé service is comprised of six parts which often parallel the mystical meditative journey.

Part One  - Preparation                                                                We begin a few minutes before 7:00 PM.  To the sounds of meditative music you are asked to place a lighted candle on the Taizé table in front of the altar.  Then you are to find a comfortable place to sit, embrace the sacredness of the gathering, and begin to focus on being intentional about what hopes you have for the meditation or contemplative period to come.

Part Two – The Journey Begins -  Letting Go                    Beginning with the bells of Taizé and the Alleluia chant the service begins.  During this period you are invited to listen to several spiritual reflections.   Following each spiritual reading you are encouraged to raise your voice in chant, in English or Latin to the simple Taizé songs presented.  The meditative character of these beautiful, yet simple songs repeated over and over permit you to center yourself.  An inner calming begins.

Part Three – Illumination                                                  Illumination is a fifteen minute period of silence.  Here you have an opportunity to silently pray, reflect, contemplate or meditate.  For those who know Centering Prayer or any other meditative form using a sacred word or mantra this time allows the mind and heart to be open to the Presence and to receive that which may be given.

‘Silence means leaving to God what is beyond my reach and capacity.’

 ‘When words and thoughts come to an end, God is praised in silent wonder and admiration.’

Part Four – Union                                                                           Union begins after the period of silence has ended and the reflections and chanting resume.  Any insights received or problems clarified are taken back out into the world.  You may likely feel grounded and empowered and in communion with the Holy, for silence has calmed the agitated and restless mind. 

‘The reasons not to love and not to forgive fade into insignificance.  Inner peace leads to union with God and we take that love of God back out into the world.’

Part Five – Final Blessing                                                                  We wish each other and all creation peace, by chanting Shalom. We then listen to and/or sing along with the final blessing

Part six – The Dismissal                                                                    The tolling of the bells and the final meditative music selection indicates the service is over.  We quietly go out into the night.