As we approach the Triduum at the end of our Lenten journey, it is important to focus on the meaning of Christ's death and resurrection. With this in mind, we have decided to forego a Taizé service for this March and will continue again in April.
Thank you to all who have been so supportive of this new ministry in our community. I encourage you to contact me with your thoughts, ideas, and prayers as we continue to offer Taizé at Saint Paul.
Peace, Jeff Steen
A Look Back at Taizé
Friends,
As we approach our sixth service at St. Paul, marking six months of Taizé, I think it's nice to look back on what we've been able to bring to the community—and what you have helped make a sacred space as we look forward to more Taizé worship in the coming months.
Also, you probably have noticed the disappearance of service recordings. Not to worry—these will be back. We're simply getting our ducks in a row and ensuring that licensing and all of that business is taken care of. You'll be able to listen in shortly. Please check back frequently for both old and new recordings.
And, as always, I welcome your thoughts and ideas. Please feel free to contact me.
Peace and blessings, Jeff Steen
The Spirit of Taizé — March 2010
Friends and Members of Saint Paul,
As Lent procedes and we reflect on not only the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ, but on our own lives, I encourage you to take time out of your schedules to pray and sing in a dedicated space of reflection.
Many of you have already experienced Taizé—at Saint Paul, at other churches, or in the community in France. While our service is unique in many respects, it is meant to capture the heart of Taizé services the world over. It is an opportunity to recognize the gifts we have been given, to gracefully approach God in contrition and thanks, and to renew ourselves for the journey ahead.
For those of you unfamiliar with Taizé, it is, in the most general sense, a meditative approach to worship with music. Often, these services are conducted by candlelight and incorporate one or more cantors, one or more instrumentalists, and a participatory congregation. The nature of the service is reflective; that is, the music is very repetitive, very simple, and very conducive to thought and prayer. For more information, learn more about Taizé I encourage you to visit the following websites: www.taize.fr (site of the original Taizé community in France) and Wikipedia.
While I have received generous support and wise guidance from Carolyn Bolden and Cindy Buschagen, I would like to reach out to others in our community who would be interested in helping make this worship service a reality.
I'm very excited about the prospect of beginning this new service at St. Paul, and I encourage you to welcome your friends and family into the fold! As this is, by nature, an ecumenical service, a diverse congregation (as always) is very much encouraged! For more information on Denver-area Taizé services, please visit the Reinventing Sunday Website.
If you have further questions, or would like to volunteer or donate, please contact me, Jeff Steen. I will also be available after most 10:30am Sunday services if you would like to speak in person. Thank you to all who help make our community one of love and inclusion!
Taizé Needs Musicians, Cantors
We're very excited about the next Taizé service at St. Paul but we still need willing cantors and musicians to help us round out the service. The time commitment is minimal—1 rehearsal and 1 service per month.
If you have a gift for music or worship—singing, playing piano or another instrument, reading, organizing, campaigning, marketing, or decorating—please join us! The more people helping out, the less those involved will have to do on a regular basis.
Also, since I haven't yet offered the communities of St. Paul a look at what Taizé is, I thought it would be a good idea to present the video below. This offers a good audiovisual picture of the diversity and richness of Taizé services the world over.
Thank you to all who have been unwavering support for this new ecumenical worship! Please know that it has already touched many people, both here at St. Paul, and those who have come to experience Taizé for the first time. If you have questions or concerns, or would like to be involved, please don't hesitate to contact me. I am also available after the 10:30am services most Sundays.
As we approach our sixth service at St. Paul, marking six months of Taizé, I think it's nice to look back on what we've been able to bring to the community—and what you have helped make a sacred space as we look forward to more Taizé worship in the coming months.
Also, you probably have noticed the disappearance of service recordings. Not to worry—these will be back. We're simply getting our ducks in a row and ensuring that licensing and all of that business is taken care of. You'll be able to listen in shortly. Please check back frequently for both old and new recordings.
Friends and Members of Saint Paul,
We're very excited about the next Taizé service at St. Paul but we still need willing cantors and musicians to help us round out the service. The time commitment is minimal—1 rehearsal and 1 service per month.
