For Many, Taize Worship is a Beautiful Experience

Most Christians are observing the season of Lent now, a 40-day
period of preparation for Easter.
  Morgan Hill’s Advent Lutheran Church, 16870 Murphy Ave.,
invites South County residents at 7pm March 12 to a unique
opportunity for deepening their spirituality.
Most Christians are observing the season of Lent now, a 40-day period of preparation for Easter.  Morgan Hill’s Advent Lutheran Church, 16870 Murphy Ave., invites South County residents at 7pm March 12 to a unique opportunity for deepening their spirituality.

This event will be a Taize worship service, known throughout the world as a beautiful experience that is held around a cross and includes prayer, song and word. This style of worship has proven popular with people of all ages and Christian traditions, especially young adults.

Todd Corgill will lead this service as cantor.  A well-known musician, Corgill has studied piano for 13 years, played bass clarinet in the Annapolis Symphony and recently toured the United Kingdom on a 10-concert tour as a member of The Choral Project in San Jose. 

Taize service is held by candlelight, with a large cross at the foot of the altar as focal point.  Worshippers are seated around the cross.  Prayer chants – short, simple prayers sung repeatedly to praise God – are led by the cantor. The congregation listens to God’s word and allows his message to come to them. Extended periods of silence allow them to gather their thoughts in prayer as directed by the cantor.

Those wanting to bring petitions may come forward to the cross, if they wish, kneel down and touch the cross as they give their prayers to God. People release their burdens as they pray for family, friends and those suffering in the world.  Many leave the service with an overwhelming feeling of serenity and relaxation from this experience.

Taize worship is based on the experiences of Brother Roger Schultz, who left his native Switzerland in 1940 at the age of 25 to found an ecumenical religious community in the village of Taize in the south of France. Today there are more than 100 brothers who support themselves  while living  in small groups (called “fraternities”) around the world. They serve the poor while engaging in prayer three times a day. They work for reconciliation of all Christians and are concerned with all  humanity.

This international ecumenical community includes members of all major Christian traditions, and on some days up to 7,000 people  visit the original community in France and join in the communal prayer services. 

Last August, Brother Roger tragically died after being stabbed by a mentally ill woman attending a prayer service.  His death was mourned by the world’s religious leaders as well as the millions of ordinary people touched by his message of reconciliation, love and compassion.

The Rev. Anita Warner, Pastor of Advent, warmly invites the community “to come and experience prayer in the international ecumenical style of Taize.” She hopes people will find it an inspirational and uplifting evening.

Taize Service

– For more information on the Taize worship service, which will be held March 12 in Morgan Hill, call (408) 779-3551.