Taizé Prayer at St. Mary's Church, Grand Rapids

St. Mary’s Church (Grand Rapids), in collaboration with our local NPM chapter, will be hosting Taizé prayer each month in 2007, and possibly beyond. Everyone is invited, of course. Musicians are especially needed to participate, regularly or for specific dates as you are available. This is an event we hope will be at least city-wide, so help us spread the news.

Who?

• All people are invited to come and participate just for the opportunity for prayer.
• Instrumentalists are needed to help lead the prayer. Tell me who you are, when you are available, and we’ll use you where we can! I have parts on-hand for various instruments in C, Bb, F and Eb treble clef, and C bass clef. So far.
• Vocalists will be used to add harmony and confidence to the singing.
• Cantors will be needed for psalmody, intercessions, and verses sung over ostinato refrains. Bilingual (Spanish/English) experience helps, but is not required.
• Readers are needed for scripture and a spoken prayer.
• People to help set up the environment and tidy up afterward would also be appreciated!
• We can use help from anyone and everyone to help share the news about these events. I have flyers and posters in English, Spanish and bilingual. Ask, and you will receive, as a computer (PDF) file or printed on paper. Please post these flyers, hand them out to your friends/ acquaintances/ colleagues/ antagonists, whatever you can do.
• In preparation for each month's prayer service, we also welcome anyone who would like to be part of the planning: the selection of songs & prayers to be used each month.

Where? St. Mary’s Church is at 423 First St NW, Grand Rapids MI 49504-5277 [map]

When?

• The prayer events are scheduled for the 2nd Mondays of each month at 7:30 PM.
  (2008: ...Mar. 10, Apr. 14, May 12, June 9, July 14, Aug. 11, Sep. 9, Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8)
• Practices will take place the same night, starting at 6:30 PM.

What?

• Do you want to look at the songs ahead of time? Click here to see the outline of the next month's music selections, or contact us.
• As many of you know, Taizé prayer is a meditational style of prayer, known for its short songs sung in a mantra style. Various languages, including Latin, are often used in the singing. Scripture, silence and petition prayer round out the evening.

Why?

• In the times we live in, we need to pray for peace. The intention of each of these Taizé prayer events is to pray for peace, compassionately, without taking sides or pointing fingers. The world needs it. We need it.
• Many people benefit from and enjoy this form of prayer. NPM-GR has supported Taizé prayer in the past both locally and at conventions. We, and the people we serve, can draw strength from such prayer opportunities.
• Of course, we ourselves benefit from the time spent in prayer. The personal connection to God's peace that can be strengthened by participating in this prayer not only benefits ourselves, but can flow through us to others we meet.

Please let us know if you are able to participate in any way, and we will work out the details with you!
Contact us to volunteer (or ask questions) at: taizeprayer@npm-gr.org or Tel. 616.459.7390 x16
For more information:
St. Mary’s web site: www.stmarygr.org
The Taizé web site: www.taize.fr/en [English] or www.taize.fr/es [Spanish]
A description of Taizé: http://www.giamusic.com/bios/taize.cfm