Experiment in worship

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33060, 30 October 1972, Page 2

Experiment in worship

About 70 persons of all ages spent the weekend at Woodend experimenting with new and simple forms of prayer, meditation, singing and thanksgiving under the! leadership of Brother! Michel, from the Taize' community in France. Brother Michel is in New Zealand sharing the community’s concepts of worship and ecumenism with interested persons. The brotherhood attracts about 50,000 i young people a year from all over the world.

The group at Woodend discussed what was wrong with modern worship, and attempted to learn a new style with a view to adapting it in their home churches. They joined in an 11 p.m. candlelight service in which ‘scripture was read against a {background of quiet singing. 'There was also an eightj minute period of silence. The group defined worship as an attitude of thanksgiving to God which expressed itself directly in helping others. Mr J. Fergusson, a spokesman for the group, said that every member enjoyed the silence and wanted more of

it. There needed to be more of the Taize feeling of community in the churches today, as the only thing people saw was the back of the person in front Some of the articles of furniture in the church could also be eliminated. ’ After the camp a public meeting was held to discuss the impact made, and to share the concept with others. A similar pattern of worship was followed, including a reading from James K. Baxter, and the singing of gospel ballads. Plans are being made to continue similar meetings.