All Saints Rradford’s Pre-Easter in Taizé

In the week before Holy Week a group of parishioners from All Saints Church in Radford made a retreat and pilgrimage to the Community of Taizé in France. During the week they participated fully in the life of the community, praying with the brothers three times a day, receiving communion each morning, studying the Bible in groups and taking responsibility for allocated chores.

They had some inspiring and humbling encounters, not least with a group of Russian women, one of whom is already in exile, who are risking their liberty to speak out against the war with Ukraine. The women asked for support through prayer and by simply keeping in touch.

The theme for the week revolved around three questions: ‘what are you seeking’, ‘whom do you seek’, and ‘where are you on your journey with Christ’? The ultimate discussion centred on ‘what kind of church do we want to be part of’?

The group was again amazed by the attraction that Taizé has for young people. The food and accommodation are basic and physical work is required of them, yet week by week they attend in hundreds or thousands, from across Europe and the wider world. The key seems to be authenticity in worship and in the search for a deeper spirituality.

Gill Page shared, “To go to Taizé requires some effort in terms of travel and life in community (don’t expect five star accommodation and sumptuous meals) but all agreed that there were life-defining moments and uplifting worship which made it all worthwhile!”