April 25, 2008
by Rev. Tom Lenhart
This spring The First Congregational Church is exploring contemporary worship genres. Our next worship experience, from the Taizé tradition, will be this Saturday, April 26 at 5:00 p.m.
The Taizé community was founded in France around 1940 by Frère Roger (Brother Roger), who was its leader until his death in 2005. Though Western European in origin, this ecumenical faith community welcomes people and traditions from across the globe. Some say this sense of internationalism can be felt in its music and prayers.
Songs are sung in many languages and come from many traditions. The community focuses on prayer and meditation and is devoted to reconciliation within the wider human family. It has never sought to create a movement or organization centered on itself, but instead sends people back from meetings and worship to their local church, to their parish, group or community to undertake “a pilgrimage of trust on earth.”
Darkness and candlelight
Taizé worship is especially meditative and often held in near darkness with many candles. Besides scripture and prayer, it particularly emphasizes singing short, easy-to-learn melodies repeated over several minutes. It also includes moments of silence. People from all over the world and from different faith traditions have said that they find this form of worship extraordinarily meaningful, enriching and restorative. The associate minister of The First Congregational Church, Peter Dennebaum, has participated in quite a few Taizé services and is eager to share the experience.
Peter Dennebaum
The service will be held in the sanctuary with candles and in low light. The music will be led by a small group, which includes singers who have participated in Taizé services in Europe. The prayers and other elements of the service will be lay and minister led. All are welcome.
The Reverend Tom Lenhart is pastor of the First Congregational Church, at the corner of Orchard Ridge Road and Route 117 or Bedford Road.
Here’s a YouTube snippet that will give you some idea of what a Taizé service is like:
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