Taizé services have been part of worship at Nacoochee Presbyterian for many years. They have traditionally been held monthly on Sunday evenings between the months of October and March. This fall we are excited to announce that the services will be held on the second Wednesday of each month from September through May.

We are also thrilled that members of the Women’s Spirituality Group will be taking the lead in setting up the church for these beautiful services; they will also put away all the items used in worship at the conclusion of the services.

The Taizé community was officially founded by Brother Roger on Easter Day of 1949 in the village of Taizé, France. It has grown to become an ecumenical community of over 100 brothers. Our services at NPC are based on the services held at Taizé. Almost all the music we use has been written within this monastic community and consists of scripture-based songs that are sung by the congregation. The service also contains a period of silence as well as a time for offering prayers at the Table. For more on the Taizé community, visit https://www.taize.fr/en_article6526.html.

Our Taizé worship at Nacoochee Presbyterian begins with a harp prelude offered by Mary Raymer beginning at 5:30 pm. The music Mary provides offers us a chance to let go of our preoccupations and to turn our focus solely to worship and prayer. The service itself begins at 6:00 pm.

Please speak with Barbara Luhn, Joy Pruett, Bob Prim, or Gary Bagley should you have any questions. We hope you will join us for these special services.

Adrianne Bonham, our Clerk of Session, has written the following reflection.

Nacoochee Taizé

Harp playing as a hum under the breath.

Last slant of sun falling on bare tree trunk

and etching sharply through its sweeps and twirls.

Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.

Wait for the Lord: be strong, take heart.

Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.

Wait for the Lord: be strong, take heart.

Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.

Wait for the Lord: be strong, take heart.

Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.

Wait for the Lord: be strong, take heart.

Shaded pasture rising slowly and smoothly

into the trees above,

dark solid evergreens

hovered over by bare gray mist of winter branches.

Mountains in blue-gray and deep blue shadow,

shifting shape from moment to moment

as the sun sinks

somewhere over my shoulder.

Holy Spirit, come to us.

Veni sancte Spiritus.

Holy Spirit, come to us.

Veni sancte Spiritus.

Holy Spirit, come to us.

Veni sancte Spiritus.

Holy Spirit, come to us.

Veni sancte Spiritus.

Then only a dark silhouette against a dark sky

and candles reflected in the dark window.

Stay with us, O Lord Jesus Christ. Night will soon fall.

Then stay with us, O Lord Jesus Christ, light in our darkness.

Stay with us, O Lord Jesus Christ. Night will soon fall.

Then stay with us, O Lord Jesus Christ, light in our darkness.

Stay with us, O Lord Jesus Christ. Night will soon fall.

Then stay with us, O Lord Jesus Christ, light in our darkness.

Candles with light softer than even the setting sun

but with the flickering warmth

and awe

of the oldest cathedral.

Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.

Live in charity and steadfast love, live in charity; God will dwell with you.

Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.

Live in charity and steadfast love, live in charity; God will dwell with you.

Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.

Live in charity and steadfast love, live in charity; God will dwell with you.

Then go, to love and serve the Lord.

Adoramus te Domine.