Introduction.

I am going to write a short critique of a theme of the music and liturgy of the Iona and Taize
communities based on the books below.
Taize community
The Taiz Community is an ecumenical monastic order in Taiz, Burgundy, France with more
than one hundred brothers, from Catholic and Protestant traditions, from thirty countries across
the world.
Taize Community was founded by Brother Roger in 1940, a Swiss Christian Leader and a monk.
Taizes vision of Christ; love and compassion, communion and reconciliation, attract many and
meet their spiritual hunger and yearning for the living God.
Taize music and liturgy uses a certain order in their prayer and service. The order consists of
one or two opening songs; verses from a Psalm while everyone sings in response with
Alleluia; Song of light( optional); song ; Second short Bible reading which does not require
explanation; Silence; Prayer of intercession or adoration; Our Father; Concluding prayer ;
repetitive Meditative songs; Prayer around the cross(optional) or Celebration of the resurrection
(optional). The prayer of Intercession and Adoration can be introduced by singing Kyrie eleison
which is Lord have compassion. Twice weekly, the prayer around the Cross and Celebration of
the Resurrection of Christ passing from death into life and as a communion with Christs
crucifixion and suffer with those who suffer. While the meditative songs continue, anyone could
come up to the Cross to pray placing their forehead on the wood of the Cross signifying trusting
and casting of their burdens onto Him. The resurrection of Christ is the promise of our own
resurrection and this is celebrated by songs and each one lighting a candle so that the whole
Church is full of light. There are also practical suggestions to make the Church welcoming and
beautiful by objects like across, an icon or an open Bible, candles and perhaps flowers and sitting
facing the same way seeking Christ.
Iona Community
The Iona Community is an ecumenical dispersed community of about 200 members,900
associates and 200 friends from all walks of life, seeking a new ways of living the Gospel in
todays world. It was founded by the Rev. George Macleod in 1938 to seek to build the common
life of the Church in the world by breaking down barriers between prayers and politics, between
the religious and the ordinary. The Community first gathered after the restoration of the ruined
monastic buildings of the Abbey and today welcome to its centers on Iona and Mull people of all
traditions and faiths. More than 100,000 visitors come to the island each year.
The Iona music and liturgy consist of songs created, composed and rooted in the folk song of
Celtic legacy of the Columban Church that faith should be both sung and spoken. The Iona
holds their existence as a Community to the central Gospel conviction that worship is all that

they are and all that they do. They also believe that they are not brought there to be changed
more religious but more fully human. Their music and liturgy uses different themes, like
Welcome; Justice and Peace; Healing; Pilgrimage; Commitment; Celebration and Mission for
each day of the week with its morning, evening or day liturgy which includes prayers, songs,
rituals and stories. They also have service of prayers for healing and the laying of hands;
commitment and Celtic liturgy. The daily morning short services consist of short alternate
reading from the leader and everyone with a hymn. The hymns lyrics are very much on creation
of God, nature, the world besides God, Christ and the Spirit. The Saturday service is longer and
has hymn, prayer of confession; prayer for Gods help; Psalm; the reading of the day; Song of
praise and, prayer of thanksgiving and intercession; silence and the closing responses. The
Sunday service is a structured liturgy of celebrating the sacrament of Christs Presence.
Both Taize and Iona Communities have commendable music and liturgy. But Ionas weekday
morning liturgy gives us the evidence that they are rather short and therefore may not suit some
people who would like a more lengthy worship service. Both Communities show that they love
God and men in their music and liturgy. Iona seems to also give us the impression that they care
more for Gods creation through their songs and liturgy. Some people may have issue with this
style of worship. Taizes music and liturgy does not show that but instead they focus more on
praising and adoring Christ and the use of meditative repetitive songs which are helpful and
attract many to them. Taize encourages praying placing their forehead on the wood of the Cross
signifying trusting and casting of their burdens onto Him. Superficially, this evidence of the icon
of the cross shows that they seem to associate Christ with the wooden cross and this can look
idolatrous for some people because Christ is Spirit. Conversely, looking at the meaning of the act
is really commendable as it wants to identify with Christs crucifixion and others suffering.
Taize has short Bible reading that does not require explanation shows that they do not have much
Word of God in terms of sermon for the people during the liturgy. Iona seems to emphasize more
on welcome, peace and justice in their music and liturgy than Taize. Taizes use of lighting the
candles for the liturgy is welcomed as it signifies the light of Jesus burning brightly around our
daily life.
Both Taize and Ionas music and liturgy is suitable for the Western world, but it may not fit into
the context of other parts of the world like North Africa where majority is of Muslim background
and this style will look really foreign.
Conclusion
Both Communities are to be praised for their love for God and men all these years through their
wonderful love, welcome, communion, commitment and peace towards fellow human being.
Thousands of people are greatly blessed and continue to be blessed by them yearly.

Bibliography
Iona Community. The Iona Community Worship Book. Glasgow: Wild Goose
Spink, Kathryn. A universal heart: the life and Vision of Taize. London: SPCK, 2005.
Taize community. Songs and Prayers from Taize. London: Continuum, 2007