Taizé news

Taizé 2009

2nd-9th August (click here for pictures)

When Brother Roger founded the Taizé community, he wanted “a community where kindness of heart and simplicity would be at the centre of everything”. Four years after his death this image still continues, and was once again experienced by those who spent the first week in August there. The now annual trip to the “hill” in Burgundy is a week of new experiences, different languages, but most importantly a week to spend reflecting where we are with God, and what impact He has on our life.

Every summer, the Taizé brothers welcome over 5,000 young people a week to their community, and to live their life of simplicity and prayer. The Taizé day revolves around prayer and reflection. The day starts and ends with services in the Church of Reconciliation, where the beautiful Taizé chants are sung, and a period of silence is observed to enter a peaceful communion with our Lord. During the day we took part in Bible introductions held by a brother of the community, and then continued discussions and questions that had arisen in small groups.

The young people also involve themselves in the maintenance of the community, each taking on a particular duty. This year some of us were involved in cleaning, working in the social area ‘Oyak’, ssh-ing people in church before prayer, and two brave volunteers took up night welcome.

This year the Taizé community welcomed two high profile guests from the UK in the week we were present: Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York. On the Friday afternoon, the young people of the UK were given a question and answer session with the Archbishop of Canterbury where questions ranged from the serious (a discussion of the Holy Spirit, the role of personal prayer, the nature of vocations, church and society, Catholicism and Anglicanism) to the ridiculous (how do you eat a cream egg, and preference for Taizé tea or hot chocolate in the morning).

The last few days of every Taizé week celebrate the Easter mystery, with Friday night prayer ending with praying around the cross, and Saturday evening having the service of light celebrating the resurrection. This year during the candle-lit service Brother Simone from Senegal made his life commitment to the community, a celebration for him, the community, his family and all who were there to witness this occasion.

Every year I am so excited about the weekly trip to Taizé and the opportunity to take time out, to reflect, to discuss and to discover where you are with God. The community gives the space and support to do this and allows for a healthy vulnerability to explore your faith and your relationship with God. It is heartening to see the uptake of those wanting to visit the community increasing every year, and listening to the experiences that others have. Trying to express everything the community does is almost impossible, and will not do the experience justice. I truly recommend the young of the church to experience it for themselves.

Finally, I should like to thank the Knights of St Columba for sponsoring the cost of one young person to go this year who would otherwise have been unable to do so. THANK YOU!

From January next year, we will be having monthly Taizé services here at St James, to provide the opportunity for us all to sample and experience the communities simple yet beautiful way of praying.

Zosia Bajorek

___________________________________________________________________

Taizé 2008

See the pictures (In a new window)

From 2nd-9th August a group of eleven of us travelled (by mini bus and air) to Taizé in Burgundy, France, together with about 5,000 others! We were visting the world famous Taizé Community, an ecumenical and international Christian community of brothers, who are vowed for life (like all monks) to poverty, chastity and obedience. For some of us it was a return, for others a brand new experience of religion, with the unique Taizé music, the international friendships and conversations, the Bible studies and the chores!

Taizé days are built around Morning, Midday and Evening Prayer, helping us to focus on our relationship with God. Silence plays an important role. But there is much fun and laughter - a fantastic place to be!

Saturday evenings are always a celebration of Easter, with the church filled with candlelight, and this year we were lucky enough to see an new brother admitted to the community - Brother Wotjek from Poland.

It was a fantastic week and already people are asking about next year (when several young families will be coming also). This week is open to ANYONE in the Petts Wood Churches - so keep an eye on the Taizé page of the St James' website for updates. There will be a special, Taizé-style service on Sunday 23rd November at 7.30pm in Christ Church, Willett Way - so come and 'taste' a bit of Taizé!

Our thanks to Fr Bryan and Teresa for taking us...and here's to 2009!! There are lots of pictures which you can see by clicking here.

Zosia Bajorek.

___________________________________________________________________

More Taizé reports and pictures

The 2007 visit

Images of 2007

Taizé service at St James' 25th November 2007

Images of Taizé service at St James' 29th June 200 8