Taiz & eacute; service to be dramatic yet simple

Chanting, contemplative prayer and silence mark the ecumenical service.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
BOARDMAN -- An element of drama interwoven with simplicity describes the Taiz & eacute; service planned for Ash Wednesday at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 119 Stadium Drive.
"It's out of the mainstream," said Becky Bodden, director of music at Westminster.
The church will hold two events Wednesday. A traditional service is scheduled for 4 p.m. and the Taiz & eacute; service at 7:30; ashes will be distributed at both.
What is Taiz & eacute;? It's an international and ecumenical community located in the south of France. The name also describes a simple but effective method of prayer and religious contemplation.
Bodden said she knew of the Taiz & eacute; movement because of her background in the Presbyterian Church. "I've led various worship at the synod and at presbytery level," the Boardman woman said. The synod is a governing body within the Presbyterian Church and the presbytery, which comprises 52 Presbyterian churches in the Akron-Youngstown area.
She added that a Taiz & eacute; service took place a few years ago at Westminster. "People responded to it and it was well-received," she said. So it was decided to have this one for the first day of Lent.
One of the participants will be the Rev. David Joachim, who has been pastor for 12 years. "Our church is traditional but with innovation," he said. "But we don't try new things just to do them. We do something different to give people a new experience."
The Rev. Mr. Joachim said the church had been located in downtown Youngstown but moved to Boardman in the late 1950s. "It has a different sanctuary with a contemporary feel," he said.
What's planned
The Taiz & eacute; service will take place in the choir room, a smaller and more intimate setting than the sanctuary. The setting will be relatively dark with candles providing the only light and increasing the atmosphere. The candles will be arranged around a large wooden cross positioned on the floor.
"It's a very visually pleasing arrangement," she said, "and very different from usual Sunday worship."
"If people come with an open mind, anything can happen," said Mr. Joachim.
Surrounding the cross in a circular layout will be sets of choir risers, where people will be seated. "The cross has the position of the central location," she said. "The circle is symbolic because everyone is of equal importance in God's eyes."
The drama of the setting will be further enhanced by two enormous panels that were painted by Beverly Baird, a choir member. "The nine-foot panels, which will be backlit, make a big impression," Bodden said. The panels feature faces of Christ and Celtic icons.
Musical participation
Music also will augment the prayerful scene, and a clarinet, flute and guitar will be played. Members of the chancel choir will blend in among other participants.
The order of worship will be printed on sheets of paper that will be distributed to participants. Though people will be designated to read Scripture and start songs and chants, no one person takes a lead role.
"There is no leader or pastor per say," Bodden said.
The service itself will include communal and silent prayer, songs and silence. "We plan to include Psalm 51, which asks God for forgiveness. A key phrase in it is 'Create in me a clean heart, O God,'" Bodden said.
There also will be a segment with the musical response, "O Lord Hear My Prayer," which will be repeated seven or eight times. "Everyone will sing this, in softer and louder tones," she said. "It's a phrase you can take hold of."
"The idea of silence in a service is new to people, but you feel closer to God, and you step out of the world," Bodden said. "The quietness helps you hear God's word. The silence offers hope and healing."
Chanting also will be part of the service, and its repetitive nature will also offer another measure of comfort. "The choral phrases are accessible to everyone," Bodden said of the short expressions. "People have said to me that they like the sense of being able to participate and not worry about hitting the notes or mixing up words."
Bodden said another appealing part of the service is its "ecumenical" aspect that has Christian roots. Mr. Joachim said his daughter, who is studying in Grenoble, France, recently told him about a trip to Taiz & eacute;. "She described it as contemplative," he said.