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Peace PilgrimageA Taize Month at Rolling Ridge
"The restoration of the church will come from a new
monasticism which has in common with the old only the uncompromising
attitude of a life lived according to the Sermon on the Mount in the
following of Christ. I believe it is now time to call people to this." We joyfully invite you to come to the Peace Pilgrimage at Rolling Ridge, a month long "Taize experiment" where we will gather together in a daily rhythm of sung prayer, silence, shared meals, common work, conversation, reflection, and play. Come for a part of a day, a day, a few days, a week or more. Bring your own musical instruments to join in the song. Come alone or with your friends. Come with your children or your animal friends. All are welcome. There is no set fee for this time, though we will take up weekly contributions to help out with the food expenses. Stefan Andre Waligur is a contemplative musician/composer, retreat leader, and peace activist connected for many years with the Church of the Saviour in Washington DC. For the past ten years Stefan has been going to Taize, an ecumenical Christian monastic community in France where most weeks during spring and summer between one and six thousand young people descend upon the small community to join them three times a day in simple Taize chants, common meals, reflection on questions of "inner life and humand solidarity", and simple work and play.
Here in the United States there is a great need for such a community: a community that unifies the Body of Christ and engages both the inner life of prayer and at the same time struggles to respond to the social and political injustices of our time. The Pilgrimage of Peace is a public first step toward the realization of this vision. We hope you join us as we explore everything from walking meditation to sacred sounding, from pondering whether now is the time for creating a new Taize community in our country to constructing a new Rolling Ridge straw-bale community house, from working in the community garden to engaging each other in lively questions about what is important in our lives. Stefan Waligur has served as Liturgical Musician for the ecumenical Church of the Saviour in Washington, DC, as chaplain at American University, and as adjunct faculty at Memphis Theological Seminary. His music has been performed by such ensembles as the Chamber Brass of Boston, the Artaria String Quartet, and the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble. After a life-changing visit to the Taize community in France he began to write music in a similar style to be sung at prayer in Catholic and Protestant communities. Although similar to Taize chants, these new chants incorporate American rhythms and harmonies, Celtic melodies and the call and response style of Indian raga. He has been invited to lead chanting at Stanford University and his music has become a part of the contemplative liturgy at Grace Episcopal Cathedral in San Francisco. Now a growing number of churches in the US and Europe are regularly using these chants as a part of their liturgical life. In addition, Stefan has been engaged as a teacher of English chant by the Buddhist community Plum Village, which was founded by Thich Nhat Hahn, and is located in the south of France. For the past ten years, Stefan has traveled extensively while sharing his music in Europe, the United States, and Israel/Palestine. This summer, Stefan will tour churches in Ireland, Scotland and England to share the new Celtic Mass with songs and chants based on traditional Irish melodies. You can explore these links for more information: E-mail: stefan@songsofpeace.net Listen to a conversation with Stefan Waligur, as he talks with Sojourners Magazine Assistant Editor Jeannie Choi about how a visit to The Taize Community in France changed the way he composed music forever. To listen to one of Stefan Andre Waligur's songs, Lord Have Mercy, from his 2006 album, Blessed are the Peacemakers, click here. To order his album, click here. See also: Sojourners Magazine, Make a Joyful Silence: While Protestants traditionally emphasize the Word and words, many are learning to meet God in quiet contemplation, by Ruth Haley Barton. Peace Pilgrimage FAQ When exactly is it? from when to when? We start on Friday, August 7 and end on Monday, September 7. You can come for as little or as long as fits your availability -- part of a day, a few day, a week or more. Let us know when you plan to arrive, and how long you plan to stay. Will there be music? What kind? Each day, our common worship will include chants and songs inspired by the Taize community, but coming from Stefan's own original collection of music. Who can come? Any age limit? Can couples be together? We are open to any one coming, including children, though we do not have planned separate programs for children. Whatever programs we have for the week will grow out of our collective capacity to meet whatever need arises. We have some double beds for couples, as well as camping space for those who would prefer this option. How much does it cost? There is no fixed cost. We will take up a voluntary collection to help with food costs and other expenses. You pay what you can afford. What will be the daily schedule? Will there be free time? We are considering this as a possible schedule, but will flow with the needs of each particular day.
What are the grounds like? Rolling Ridge is one of the largest private wilderness preserves near Washington DC. We are located on 1400 acres of wilderness, extending from the Appalachian Trail to the Shenandoan River. We have miles of hiking trails, five mountain streams, and cascading waterfalls throughout the land. Will there be work to do? There will be optional times to participate in community work if so desired, ranging from working on the new straw bale community house, working in the community garden, and clearing trails. We do not have a paid kitchen staff -- which means that we will need to take collective responsibility for purchasing food and preparing each meal. What is the purpose of this event? Based upon the experience of the Taize Community in France, this is a conscious attempt to provide a similar time within the American context. It is a time to gather in a daily rhythm as in Taize where each day there is morning, mid-day, and evening sung prayer, daily common work appropriate to a person's abilities and interest, a time of teaching/conversation around a Biblical theme, small group meetings, and free time to relax, play, hike or pray. We consider this to be a community experiment to explore whether the time is right to start a "Taize like" community in the United States. Who will be facilitating this? Stefan Waligur, along with Bob Sabath and others from the Rolling Ridge community, will be the primary facilitators for this time. Will there be provision for vegetarians? Yes, we will be eating from our own organic garden. Please let us know if you have special food requirements or other special needs. What should I bring? blankets? toiletries? You should bring your own bedding (sheets, pillow case, sleeping bag if desired, wash cloth and towel). Bring bug spray and hiking boots if you wish to get out into the wilds. Where will I sleep? Do I need to bring a tent? Sleeping bag? Mostly we will be staying at the Retreat House. Some of the weekends are already scheduled with other events, and we may need to move into tents or staff housing during these times. If you prefer to camp in our camp area, bring your own tent and camping gear. How long is the normal stay? One week? Can I just drop by? There is no normal stay. Come just for part of a day, a whole day, several days, a week, or the whole lmonth. Feel free to drop in unannounced for one of the Taize prayer times, but please let us know if you are coming for meals or plan to stay overnight. I'm not sure how religious or spiritual I am, or even whether I call myself a Christian. Can I still come? We hope to create an open environment where people with vital heart questions can feel at home and welcome to explore with us how to deepen our connection to what is most important in our lives. How do I register? Whom do I contact? To register e-mail Bob Sabath at bsabath@rollingridge.net or phone hime at 202-531-7572 and let him know when you will plan to arrive, any special needs, and how long you will stay. |
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A prayer has been
forming in Stefan ever since his first visit: could something like
Taize be born here in the United States? Has the time come to
create a "little Taize" for this country -- an ecumenical
monastic community of both men and women that is self supportive, is devoted
to simplicity, creates a beautiful sung prayer, has a heart for
the poor, and offers a deep welcome to all who come to visit.