Taize

Taize is a small town, and within that town is a community of Monks who live and work (creating music, pottery, jewelry, and writing books). They also open their doors to Christians from around the world and those who facilitate the visits are multilingual. People come for a day, or weeks and months.

On the way there, our bus driver got sick from an allergic reaction to a prescription drug, so he had to pull over and leave with the EMS guys. The cops came, the boss came. A dozen of us just had to wait for a substitute driver. The whole thing put us about an hour off schedule, but we weren't in a hurry.

At Taize, our English-speaking German facilitator (who was probably still in college, or just out) explained to us the rules and procedures of the site: a typical day's schedule, the dress code, the meal tent (they serve simple food), the church, the lodging and the quiet hours. She asked us our ages, and since Matt was 29 and I was 30, she was going to put us in two different sections: the youth vs. the grown ups. Those two groups have separate housing and eating areas and Bible study groups. I gently insisted that since we were married, we'd like to experience it together. She had to ask permission and I overheard her say: "we have one grown up and one non-grown up". Hahahah! So she let us chose our group. When we arrived at Taize, the place was swarming with teenagers and college-aged Germans, Frenchies and others. To me, it looked like a huge summer camp. To Matt, it looked like Woodstock. That's why we chose to spend our two days with "the grown ups". Oddly, drinking and smoking and revealing clothing was not allowed at the site, but so many were smoking (and dressed to shock the Monks--so inconsiderate!) and on top of all of that, there was a "snack bar" that served beer and alcohol after the evening prayer!! If I were the director, there'd be some major changes! Taize is supposed to be a place of prayer, contemplation and meditation. You're not in your back yard, you're staying at a Monastery! Sheesh.

Anyway, here's Matt relaxing in our tent, among the respectful and quiet grown ups.

There was a prayer session at 8:30 am, 11:20 am and 8:30 pm inside the church and with the Monks. No sermon, but scripture reading, prayer, and LOTS of singing in multiple languages (for which they are known worldwide). It was very different than anything I had experienced. Singing a 2-3 line song 16 times was something to get used to, but by the second day it was already getting easier and sounding more beautiful. It was distracting at first, but then I found myself really focusing on the truths of the words.

Between prayer services, we were free to walk on the grounds, specifically at 'La Source de St. Etienne' which was a wooded area with a lake. It was supposed to be 100% silent.

Matt and I also walked around the neighboring towns, an area that had beautiful old stone homes and country flowers.

There were guest speakers and Bible studies and small group meetings too, but a lot of down time was supposed to be restful meditation and quiet prayer. It was certainly a great experience.
Here, you can see part of the multipurpose room and the tents where the non-grown ups ate.

Where Matt should have stayed.

 My favorite picture: check out the yellow sign, then guess the licence plate country of origin. Non, mais, pour qui il se prend??