There are holy places on this earth. One of them is Taizé in France. Taizé is a community of Christian brothers from all over the earth, from most church traditions (except Orthodox). It was started by Brother Roger, who died a month before we were there. And it has become a beacon of light, working with dialogue as a means to reconciliation. (forsoning). Thousands of young people from all over the world go each week to take part in the life and prayer of the brothers.
Duncan and I are so fortunate that we were given a trip down there with our colleages by our church. We went in September last year. We went with three colleages and had a great time - together and alone with God. I was very touced by the experience. It was so simple, and so straight forward. The important thing was to be with God.

So it didn't really surprise me when Duncan said that he would like to go there for a week. He wanted to spend a week in silence. I think that because I know the place, it felt perfectly safe to send him away. He has come back different than when he left. God has touched him. It was the right thing to do! And off course it was: taking time out to be with God in a place where they take seeking God and the thirst for him seriously - how could that ever not be a good idea?

Here's some pictures from September:







To find out more click onto www.taize.fr - you'll find a site in your own language. And you can even hear the special singing from Taizé!