There's something powerful about silence. It offers an opportunity for reflection and meditation, and it's an integral part of a Taize worship service.

Named for the Taize region of France where it originated, the service includes elements of Catholic and Protestant traditions, with a focus on spirituality.

A Taize service is held on the first Saturday of the month at St. Luke Episcopal Church, 209 S. Market St., Mount Joy, beginning at 5 p.m. The next service will be offered on Saturday, Sept. 2.

The Rev. Martha Harris leads the service, which began at St. Luke under the direction of former pastor Rev. Beth Mollard. After Harris became priest in charge in January, she took over the Taize service in February.

"The church is an ideal venue because of its small sanctuary size," Harris said. "It's an intimate setting." The sanctuary is darkened for the candlelit service.

Participants enter the church in silence, and the service includes psalms of praise, read-and-respond recitations, prayers, Bible readings and chants. Worshippers are invited to light a candle at the altar during the service in memory or honor of someone as well.

Initially, the Taize service featured recorded music, but after April's service, Harris recruited musicians to play live at the service.

"I've been on a search for musicians, especially ones who play instruments that are conducive to small spaces," she said. In Lancaster, she found Davie Krak, who plays the Irish harp.

"He hadn't heard of Taize before, but he was interested," Harris recalled, noting that Krak created original compositions for the service. "He plays beautiful music." At the Sept. 2 service, Jonathan Hansen will accompany Krak with music on wooden Native American flutes as well.

At the end of the service, people may leave in silence, or they may stay in the sanctuary for Communion.

One of the best things to come out of the Taize services has been the opportunity to welcome new people into the St. Luke's sanctuary, Harris said.

"We've had people here who have never been to St. Luke's," she noted. Harris is also priest in charge at St. Paul Episcopal Church in Columbia, and members of that congregation have also come to the Taize service.

"You don't have to be Episcopalian or even a religious person to come to this service," she emphasized. "Anyone can appreciate the opportunity to worship in their own mind and heart while also being part of the community."

She encourages anyone who's interested to see what a Taize service is all about.

"This is a come-as-you-are type of service," she said. "People often say they are spiritual, but not necessarily religious. This is an opportunity to practice that in an ancient way."

For more information about the Taize service, visit https://saintlukemountjoy.org.