TAIZE GATHERING

As we came together in the courtyard at our recent gathering for our quarterly Taizé service, I looked around and realized that it had been more than 18+ months since I had sung in the company of others. In light of Covid precautions, we were all masked and were as socially distanced as possible. It felt right that our first corporate singing experience would be engaging in both the ancient and current practices of Taizé. 

We sang and chanted short, simple and profound phrases that invited us to connect with our bodies where the Divine dwells, nature and with others as they sang with us. 

Our Taizé invites us to slow down and rest. As a community we believe Contemplative practices help to ground and sustain us in the work of dismantling the effects of systemic oppression in ourselves and in our communities. 

Below are the words to “Guide Me” by Kate Munger, one of the chants we sang together. I invite you to reflect on it and perhaps chant it aloud, even if it is only in the shower.

Guide me through the darkness

Guide me through the light.

Abide with me

Through seas of doubt

And in the sacred starry night.