Every year, thousands of young people from across
the world journey to Taizé to seek communion with God and others
through prayer, discussion, silence and a shared way of living.
Many find that it is an opportunity to reflect on the direction of
their lives, to build important relationships and to discover more
about who they are called to be.
What is Taizé?
Taizé is a small village in Burgundy, eastern
France. In 1940, when he was 25, Roger Schütz-Marsauche arrived
there from Switzerland, seeking to found a community that would be
a sign of peace and reconciliation in war-torn Europe. He
began by sheltering refugees, especially Jews fleeing from the
Nazis.
After the War, Roger and seven other men pledged
themselves to living together as a monastic community. Today there
are around 100 brothers in the Community. They come from about 30
countries and from various Christian backgrounds. Most are based in
Taizé, but some live in smaller groups amongst some of the poorest
neighbourhoods in the world. The brothers live solely from the
proceeds of their own work: pottery, paintings and other items
which are sold in Taizé.
What happens at Taizé?
Throughout the year, the brothers welcome young
people to share their way of life. Most arrive on Sunday and stay
for a week. In the summer there can be several thousand visitors
each week.
Prayer is central to life in Taizé. Three times a
day, everyone gathers to meet with God through songs, Bible
readings and silence. The style of worship is relaxed and
contemplative, using the sung 'chants' which have become well-known
in churches around the world.
Each day, the brothers lead Bible studies that are
followed by times of reflection and discussion in small groups.
Visitors also spend time helping with practical tasks - like
preparing meals, cleaning or washing up - but there is plenty of
free time, too! In the evening many people go to 'Oyak', a meeting
area where food and drink are sold and where people gather to play
guitars and sing.
Being with so many others opens up many interesting
conversations, even across language barriers. Yet it is also easy
to find quiet if you want it, either outdoors or in one of the
chapels reserved for silent prayer.
The brothers do not want to impose their beliefs on
those who come to Taizé, recognising that people come from diverse
places and are at different points on their spiritual journey.
However, they do ask that everyone participates fully in all
aspects of the common life and weekly programme.
How will we travel?
We will travel by coach and ferry, leaving
Birmingham on the afternoon of Saturday 21st July and arriving in
Taizé the next morning. We will leave Taizé on the evening of
Sunday 29th, returning to Birmingham on Monday morning.
How much will it cost?
The cost of the trip (including travel,
accommodation and all meals whilst in Taizé) is likely to be around
£180 for those aged 16-24 and £200 for those 25 - 29. We hope to
obtain grants to assist with the cost, and would also encourage you
to see if your church can offer you some help.
Where will we stay?
We will be camping together as a group. The camping
area in Taizé has shower and toilet blocks.
What will we eat?
The money that visitors contribute for their stay
covers breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is simple but
sufficient. It is possible to buy additional snacks at
'Oyak'.
Pilgrimage to Taizé
Saturday 21st - Monday 30th July 2012
Aged 16-29?
Searching for something more?
Looking to explore or refresh your
faith?
Wondering what to do with your
life?
Every year, thousands of young people from across the world
journey to Taizé to seek communion with God and others through
prayer, discussion, silence and a shared way of living. Many find
that it is an opportunity to reflect on the direction of their
lives, to build important relationships and to discover more about
who they are called to be.
What is Taizé?
Taizé is a small village in Burgundy, eastern France. In 1940,
when he was 25, Roger Schütz-Marsauche arrived there from
Switzerland, seeking to found a community that would be a sign of
peace and reconciliation in war-torn Europe. He began by
sheltering refugees, especially Jews fleeing from the Nazis.
After the War, Roger and seven other men pledged themselves to
living together as a monastic community. Today there are around 100
brothers in the Community. They come from about 30 countries and
from various Christian backgrounds. Most are based in Taizé, but
some live in smaller groups amongst some of the poorest
neighbourhoods in the world. The brothers live solely from the
proceeds of their own work: pottery, paintings and other items
which are sold in Taizé.
What happens at Taizé?
Throughout the year, the brothers welcome young people to share
their way of life. Most arrive on Sunday and stay for a week. In
the summer there can be several thousand visitors each week.
Prayer is central to life in Taizé. Three times a day, everyone
gathers to meet with God through songs, Bible readings and silence.
The style of worship is relaxed and contemplative, using the sung
'chants' which have become well-known in churches around the
world.
Each day, the brothers lead Bible studies that are followed by
times of reflection and discussion in small groups. Visitors also
spend time helping with practical tasks - like preparing meals,
cleaning or washing up - but there is plenty of free time, too! In
the evening many people go to 'Oyak', a meeting area where food and
drink are sold and where people gather to play guitars and
sing.
Being with so many others opens up many interesting
conversations, even across language barriers. Yet it is also easy
to find quiet if you want it, either outdoors or in one of the
chapels reserved for silent prayer.
The brothers do not want to impose their beliefs on those who
come to Taizé, recognising that people come from diverse places and
are at different points on their spiritual journey. However, they
do ask that everyone participates fully in all aspects of the
common life and weekly programme.
How will we travel?
We will travel by coach and ferry, leaving Birmingham on the
afternoon of Saturday 21st July and arriving in Taizé the next
morning. We will leave Taizé on the evening of Sunday 29th,
returning to Birmingham on Monday morning.
How much will it cost?
The cost of the trip (including travel, accommodation and all
meals whilst in Taizé) is likely to be around £180 for those aged
16-24 and £200 for those 25 - 29. We hope to obtain grants to
assist with the cost, and would also encourage you to see if your
church can offer you some help.
Where will we stay?
We will be camping together as a group. The camping area in
Taizé has shower and toilet blocks.
What will we eat?
The money that visitors contribute for their stay covers
breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is simple but sufficient. It
is possible to buy additional snacks at 'Oyak'.
What do I do now?
If you would like to find out more, you are invited to a 'Taizé
Taster' event on:Saturday 21st January, 12.30-2.30pmSt Francis'
Church Sycamore Road Bournville B30 2AA (on the no.11 bus route and
a 10 minute walk from Bournville station, with direct trains from
New St).
We will have lunch and there will be a chance to experience
Taizé-style prayer, view a DVD about Taizé and ask questions about
the trip.
If you would like other information, or would like a booking
form but can't come on 21st January, please contactRevd. Susannah
Rudge, one of the pilgrimage leaders:
susannah.rudge@gmail.com
0121 603 2284
It would also be helpful if you could tell Susannah if you can
come on January 21st, so that we know numbers for catering.
You may like to look at the Taizé website:
www.taize.fr
Bookings for the pilgrimage will need to be made by 15th April.
There will be three further gatherings for those intending to come,
in May, June and July, so that the group can get to know each other
and prepare for the experience of going on pilgrimage.
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