On Monday, March 30, beginning at 7:30 pm, Trinity Episcopal Church will host a service of Taizé for Holy Week.

This tradition of musical worship began years ago in the ecumenical French monastic community called Taizé. Held at Trinity Episcopal Church in the darkened, richly resonant space, the local Taizé services provide an uncomplicated framework for quiet meditation, reflection, readings and music.

There is no Eucharist or sermon during a Taizé service. Instead, the experience has the opportunity of deepening one’s faith through the power of prayer. All are encouraged to participate as the spirit moves them, whether that be in song, prayer, or quiet meditation. There will be an opportunity to light a candle in prayer during the worship.

A volunteer Taizé Choir supported by professional singers are led by Trinity’s Director of Music Ministries Fiona Smith Sutherland in the beautiful, candlelit nave of Trinity Church. The repetitive, beautiful chants and refrains are also accompanied by professional and amateur instrumentalists of the Taizé Ensemble. 

Brother Roger of Taizé wrote: “Nothing is more conducive to a communion with the living God than a meditative common prayer with, as its high point, singing that never ends and that continues in the silence of one’s heart when one is alone again. When the mystery of God becomes tangible through the simple beauty of symbols, then it is not smothered by too many words; then a common prayer, far from exuding monotony and boredom, awakens us to heaven’s joy on earth.”

Trinity Episcopal Church is at 36 Main Street.

For more information about this service or the other Holy Week and Easter opportunities for worship and music at Trinity Church, please Ms Smith Sutherland at 203-426-9070 extension 11 or TrinityNewtownCT.org.