Birmingham to host 2017 Taize youth gathering

In cooperation with the churches of the city, the Taizé Community will be facilitating a young adult gathering in Birmingham next year, over the Early May Bank Holiday weekend, 28/04-1/05, 2017. Brother Alois, prior of the community will take part.

Main events over the weekend will take place in city centre churches: St Chad's Catholic Cathedral, St Philip's Anglican Cathedral, The Methodist and URC Church at Carrs Lane and Anglican St Martin in the Bull Ring, (Birmingham's ancient parish church).

The meeting is being held with the blessing of the presidents of Birmingham Churches Together, Archbishop Bernard Longley, Bishop David Urquhart and Reverend Ian Howarth. Support has been expressed by other Church leaders.

16-35 year-olds are invited for the full weekend. 16-18 year-olds may alternatively come for a one day programme, just on the Saturday. The prayer gatherings will be open to people of all ages. See the flyer and website for more details on the programme.

In eight host neighbourhoods of the city, local people of different churches will be working in teams during the coming year to prepare accommodation and a programme for the young participants.

As with all gatherings led by the brothers of Taizé, a regular community prayer will be at the heart of the weekend. Brother Alois, prior of the international and ecumenical monastic community, will speak at some of the evening prayers. Birmingham Church leaders are being invited particularly to the Saturday evening prayer.

Afternoons: workshops in the city centre will celebrate the myriad ways in which people of faith in Birmingham and beyond are striving to make the world a better place, interfaith relations, the welcome of refugees and asylum seekers, engaging with the sick and with prisoners, living more ecologically, becoming aware of the problems of human trafficking, the arms trade and inequalities in financial systems. Afternoon activities will also include music and the arts, and questions of faith, vocation and Christian community life. A church will be set aside for those seeking a time of quiet reflection and prayer.

Sandra Satchell and Fr Michael Dolman, Directors of Birmingham Catholic Youth Services and the Kenelm Youth Trust said: "Taizé is a haven for peace, prayer, discussion and debate, a village of young adults who also are known in every church across the globe for rich prayerful music and songs that are easy to chant along with. It is also a place of diversity where you can stretch your intellectual understanding and ponder life's important questions.

"Thousands travel to the international gatherings to experience the unique sense of Christian community these prayer weekends provide. We are delighted to welcome you and the Taizé Community to Birmingham Archdiocese in 2017 to share this charism. We are excited to welcome young pilgrims from all across the UK and further afield for three days of encounter, simple Christian living, learning and prayer in the heart of our city. The Catholic community are excited to be in partnership with so many to host you here. Be assured of a warm welcome."

Hidden Treasure Inner life and Solidarity
Friday 28 April - Monday 1 May 2017 for 16-35s

For more information see: www.taize.fr/birmingham