Tuesdays 4:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

      Prayer is a serene force at work within human beings, stirring them up, transforming them, never allowing them to close their eyes in the face of evil, or wars, of all that threatens the weak of this world. From it we draw energy to wage other struggles – to enable our loved ones to survive, to transform the human condition, to make the earth a place fit to live in. Brother Roger of Taize Taize (pronounced tah-ZAY) is a monastic community in southeastern France. It was founded in 1940 with the mission of healing the divisions between Christians and within the human family. The community seeks to create an environment where reconciliation could become a concrete reality every day. It is an ecumenical community which includes 100 brothers from over twenty different countries. Thousands of Christian people from all over the world, young and old, gather at Taize every week to pray, to search, to sing, and to find refreshment and renewal. The Taize service is marked by its depth and by its simplicity. It lasts for about an hour and consists mostly of singing with periods of silent meditation, prayers of intercession, and with readings from the book of Psalms and Gospels. The songs are not meant to be sung as hymns, but rather as a series of prayers. Some are sung in Latin and others in English. They are repeated many times over transforming themselves into melodic chants and mesmerizing mantras. The hope is that the repetitiveness will be helpful in not only learning the words and music, but also in allowing the songs to become prayers of the heart. Time is suspended in a Taize service. Silence is a central part of this service and is a gift to those leading busy, hectic lives. It provides an opportunity to commune with God through the heart and bring a measure of peace to one’s mind and spirit.

      The purpose of our Taizé Tuesday services at The Downtown Presbyterian Church is not to recreate the services of the Taizé community in France. Rather, our purpose is to invite people who may stressed or tired from a long day to enter into an atmosphere of relaxation in the presence of God. To that end we employ many of the usual elements of Taizé services: candles, contemplative music, a cappella refrains and antiphonal prayers. Services are held every Tuesday. The schedule is: 4:45 – 5:10 A time of silence in the chapel. Come as you are, when you can, and simply sit with others in silent contemplation. Listen to the words of the meditative music, watch the flames of the candles dancing, feel the anxiety of the day and the tension of the week drain out of you. The doors are usually open by 4:30 so you may come early if you wish. 5:10 – 5:30 A formal service of evening prayers. We incorporate scripture, a cappella singing and time for silent meditation into a service of evening prayers. The prayers are printed in the bulletin with time for silence so that individual prayers may be offered from our hearts. 5:30 - ??? A period of fellowship. Coffee, tea and supper are offered to everyone who has time to sit and chat and enjoy being with one another. Please enter through either the double glass doors on the alley side of the building or the middle set of glass doors on the 5th Ave side. (Look for the signs taped to the door.) Once you are inside the church, follow the signs and the candles to the chapel.

For more information on the Taize Community, visit: http://www.taize.fr/en/index.htm

Here's a link to a website in which all the songs found in the Taize service are listed and can be played. http://www.taize.fr/music/musind.htm