What is Taizé?
In our busy lives, we seldom find the time, space, or clarity to listen to the voice of God speaking deep into our hearts. That is what we are striving for at our 9:00 a.m. Taizé worship service on the first Sunday of each month. In this service we provide the freedom and space to hear God's voice.
In addition, a contemplative, ecumenical Taizé-type service is available on the third Thursday of the month beginning at 8:00 p.m. in the church library. This gathering, which lasts about 30 minutes, is open to anyone who wishes to attend.
Taizé is a small village in France, where in 1940 Brother Roger settled and began a religious community. For years, he had been an invalid suffering from tuberculosis. During that long illness, the call had taken shape in Brother Roger to create a community where simplicity and kind-heartedness would be lived out as essential Gospel realities.
The spirit of Taizé embodies prayer, silence, simplicity, and faithfulness. In a Taizé-type service, instead of gathering to talk to God through prayer, the worshippers gather to listen. Instead of talking about the Scripture, the Scripture is read and left to speak for itself in the silence that follows. By singing simple songs of prayer over again, the mind calms and the soul opens to God, who speaks in the silence and the heart hears.
Please come to a Taizé service at WUMC on either Sunday morning or Thursday evening as we share a quiet time of worship and meditation.