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16 July 2024
Taizé trip was life-changer for young people
Bishop Jonathan led a trip to the Taizé Community in France with young people from ... read more
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22 June 2024
Island students heading for Taize
Students from The Bay C of E School and Christ the King College on the ... read more
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25 July 2023
Young pilgrims enjoy trip to Taizé
Young adults from across our diocese spent a week with thousands of others across the ... read more
Taizé trip was life-changer for young people
STUDENTS from two of our church schools enjoyed a pilgrimage to the Taizé Community so much that they’d love to go again.
Bishop Jonathan led a group of teenagers from Christ the King College in Newport and The Bay C of E School in Sandown to the ecumenical Christian community in France in June. They joined hundreds of other young people for worship, prayer and discussion about the Christian faith.
They experienced the daily chores and regular worship that helps to crystallise the sense of community there, as they discovered more about the Christian faith.
It’s the second year in a row that the bishop has led a pilgrimage for young people to Taizé. Fourteen students from the Bay C of E School joined 17 students from Christ the King College, travelling by coach and ferry. Among them were those who happen to go to church and those who were just keen to explore more about faith.
Students from The Bay C of E School in Sandown enjoyed the meditative singing and chanting which is the hallmark of worship at the Taizé Community. They also appreciated that the sharing of chores was essentially in building up community spirit.
Alesia Gidley, 15, who goes to Holy Trinity Church, Bembridge, said: "The worship was beautiful, and the sense of community was amazing. And we met people from all over the world, including from Germany, Ireland, Spain, Poland and so on. I wasn't sure if I was a Christian before I went, but I believed in God already and knew that someone was protecting me. But I felt at peace immediately and could really feel it."
Classmate Megan Ayling, also 15, said: "The singing wasn't like the hymns you might find in church. A lot of it was in a different language. I had been questioning my faith, but I found RE interesting. I felt like Christianity would suit me, and I was excited to go to Taizé. It has really affected me in a positive way, and I'd like to find a church to go to."
Alfie Bacon, 15, found himself clearing out the rubbish as one of the chores that was needed around site. He said: "It was hot and sweaty and we had to pick out the recycling from all the other rubbish. But I like how simple the community living was, and that everyone was involved. Every time we had a meal, we couldn't start until there were enough people to hand it out and wash up afterwards."
Elliott Parr, 15, said: "I really liked it. It was nice because it felt comfortable in so many different ways. You weren't bothered about sitting on the floor or on a hard bench."
And John Job, 15, who goes to Christ Church, Sandown, said: "It was a special place, with beautiful scenary, and I loved the crypt under the chapel. saw so many people there who were helping other people that it really inspired me to think about helping others as a doctor."
Hari Blair, aged 16, who goes to St David’s RC Church in East Cowes as well as Christ the King College, said: “It was life-changing. The worship was beautiful, and you feel the presence of Jesus around you, and with the people around you. It’s something I’ve never experienced before.
“I found peace and happiness I didn’t have before, especially a sense of patience, which is difficult in a world where you are consciously watching or listening to things all the time.”
Charlie Holt, 16, who is also from Christ the King College, said: “The choir was heavenly in every form. It was a unique experience singing in Latin, German, and some Polish – along with French and English – and it helped with connecting others who weren't from the same country.
“I also found the silence one of the few opportunities I’ve had to pray without being disturbed by cars or children playing outside. I was also able to fully hear myself think as well which helped with my prayers to God and for others such as my family and people suffering from disease, war and famine. So it was the silence that helped me pray for those in need and that God would help them.”
Amelie Reddecliff, aged 17, said: “I liked that we broke into smaller, international groups to talk about the passage that day. Also, we became a really close-knit group by the end of the week because we were sharing with each other and being vulnerable.”
Amy Elcome-Wright, 16, said: I got a brand new experience having never left the UK, with people whom I'd never spoken to as such and met new from all over the world and from the other school. The silence was a challenge and it felt very overwhelming but slowly I grew to the peace and overall it was a really nice experience to reminisce on what to be grateful for and reflect."
Classmate Matteo Marango, also 16, said: “I found it a peaceful environment, especially as the worship includes 10 minutes of silence each time. I felt a lot calmer afterwards.”
Harry Cooksey, 16, said: “My favourite part was the songs and chants, because it sounds so beautiful when everyone sings. It’s also good because it’s not just one form of Christianity that you discover there.”
Pepper Bohol, 15, said the worship reminded her of worship back in the Philippines. And Kai Doidge, 15, said the inclusive atmosphere was very moving. Joshua Magura, 16, enjoyed the sense of community, while George Parkman, 16, said the experience made him feel more confident.
