Creative Worship: Taizé

Taiz is a small village in eastern France where young adults from all over the world have gathered together since the early 1950s. They come to pray, to worship, and to seek the meaning of life in communion with Christ and sisters and brothers of many races and cultures. The founder and mentor of this ecumenical community is Brother Roger, a "bearer of trust, reconciliation, and peace. " Today there are almost one hundred brothers in the Taiz community from over twenty different countries. They share their material goods, talents, and faith together in a celibate life, and lead Bible study groups, prayer services, and worship for the thousands of young adults who make a pilgrimage to their community. Common prayer is at the center of their life together, whether they are at Taiz or travel to share the life of the poor in India, Africa, or Central America. Taiz worship takes place three times a day and includes meditative and sung prayer, Scripture reading, and silence. The singing, o…