"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."
-- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, A Testament of Freedom
For the past two years, each summer, hundreds of people from all over the country have come together to experience the peace of daily song, chant, silence, reflection, rest and work in the beauty of nature in what is called a Pilgrimage of Peace. This daily rhythm in a loving community brings healing and refreshment to both body and soul. This summer from August 1 - 14 we will gather at Still Point on the beautiful grounds of Rolling Ridge in West Virginia for the third annual Pilgrimage of Peace. Part of a new monasticism, this gathering offers a deep welcome to all people of all faiths and traditions. Together we search for the sources of peace: peace of heart and peace in this world.
In order to welcome all people we offer this event on a donation basis. There is no set cost. People with little share little and those with more share what they have. This is in keeping with the Spirit of Jesus who welcomes all at the table.
So, come to the Pilgrimage of Peace 2011. Stay for as little or as long as you wish. Come for a day or an evening, a weekend, a week or the entire time. This is your time to make your personal Pilgrimage of Peace.
Br. Stefan, also known as Macushla, an Irish term of endearment, meaning "heartbeat of the Beloved" is the facilitator of our time together. A composer, monk, and retreat leader, he travels the United States, Europe, India and the Middle East sharing his original music, poetic questions and an inspiring Celtic spirituality. As an Oblate of the Shantivanam Ashram in India he brings together east and west in both music and philosophy. His music blends Celtic melodies, Indian Kirtan and simple Taize-like harmonies and is sung in churches, universities and Cathedrals in the U.S. and abroad. Once each month Br. Stefan leads a gathering of new songs and chants at the National Cathedral in Washington DC.
We joyfully invite you to come to the Peace Pilgrimage at Rolling Ridge,where we will gather together for the first two weeks in August 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 chants, common meals, reflection on questions of spirituality and social justice, and simple work and play.
A prayer has been forming in Stefan ever since his first visit: Has the time come to create 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?
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 ecumenical monastic community in our country to constructing a new wilderness camp site at Still Point, from helping prepare common meals 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.
You can explore these links for more information:
E-mail: stefan@songsofpeace.net
Web: www.songsofpeace.net
Blog: www.speakingofpeace.blogspot.com
Watch You-Tube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmLQx6JYuxY
Listen to Blessed are the Peacemakers: www.cdbaby.com/cd/sawaligur
Listen to CELTIC: Mass, Songs and Chants: www.cdbaby.com/cd/sawaligur2
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 Monday, August 1 and end on Sunday, August 14. 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.
| 8:00am- 8:45 am | Morning Sung Prayer |
| 9:00am -9:45 am | Breakfast |
| 10:00am-10:45 | Conversation/Teaching |
| 11:00am - 12:00 pm | Work/Free time |
| 12:15pm - 12:45 pm | Mid-day Sung Prayer |
| 1:00pm-2:00 pm | Lunch |
| 2:00pm-3:30 pm | Small Groups |
| 3:30pm- 5:30 pm | Free time or Work |
| 6:00pm -7:30 pm | Dinner |
| 7:45pm- 9:00 pm | Evening Sung Prayer |
| 9:00pm- 11:00 pm | Free Time |
| 11:00 pm | Lights Out Quiet Time |
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 helping to prepare common meals, working on a new wilderness campsite along the Shenandoah River, 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?
Drawing inspiration from what happens at 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 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 as a kind of experiment to explore whether there is a desire for a more permanent community to grow out of it.
Who will be facilitating this?
Stefan Waligur and a core group from previous retreats will be the primary facilitators for this time.
Will there be provision for vegetarians?
Yes. 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 Still Point Mountain Cabin, the River House, and the Good House along Christ Church Road. 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.
Is this affiliated by or sponsored by the Taize community in France?
The simple answer is no. From the very beginning Brother Roger at Taize has insisted that, because of its vocation to reconciliation, Taize is not a movement to join or a model to be copied. It is the name of a village in France which is the site of an ecumenical community that shares its life with large numbers of people, mostly young, who come for a week and then return to their own groups, churches or congregations. Taize discourages those who meet regularly to pray with their music and in their style not to speak of a "Taize prayer" or "Taize group", so as not to give the impression that Taize is interested in creating a reality parallel to, or even in competition with, existing churches. We are using the word Taize to describe a vision that many people are familiar with. A recent correspondence with the Taize community remarked that "imitations do not bear any lasting fruit. We all need to sart from our own poverty and create from there, as Brother Roger would have said."
How do I register? Whom do I contact?
To register e-mail Mary Ann Welter at stillpointretreat1@gmail.com or phone her at 301-332-5780 and let her know when you will plan to arrive, any special needs, and how long you will stay.
What are the best directions to get there?
Follow the directions to Still Point at the Rolling Ridge Study Retreat web site:
http://www.rollingridge.net/index.cfm?action=about_us.directions
Please note that Google maps do not get you to Still Point. If you use Map Quest or Google, please print out the directions for the last ten miles from the Rolling Ridge web site above.
You can learn more about Still Point and Friends of Silence here:
http://www.rollingridge.net/stillpoint
http://www.friendsofsilence.net