Taizé Services at St. George’s

Taizé Worship takes place, generally once a month.  All are welcome.

How did it come about?

On a hill in southern France a community of brothers opened its doors to the world as an act of hospitality. Young people from around the world now flock to Taizé to be near the brothers to pray, be silent, to be simple, to be faithful. Time in Taizé is more like a melodic, holy rhythm, than the frenzied pace of everyday life. Three times a day, visitors are called to prayer by the chiming of bells. The prayers are not like ordinary prayer meetings or worship services. Instead of coming together to talk to God, the community gathers to listen instead. Instead of talking about the Scripture, the Scripture is read and left to speak for itself in the silence.  By singing simple songs of prayer over and over again, the mind calms and the soul opens up, God speaks and the heart hears.

Our services at St. George’s follow a similar pattern.  The services take place in the chancel, lit only by candles. Music is accompanied by keyboard and flute and different cantors lead the chants. Some of our young people help in the service by lighting candles and reading short prayers. Others help by just being there, emphasising the informality of the occasion by sitting on cushions scattered around the floor.

The chancel in St George's
laid out for Taizé worship

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