Peace Pilgrimage

A Month of Daily Prayer and Community
with Stefan Andre Waligur

Rolling Ridge Community
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
August 7 -September 7, 2009

"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

We joyfully invite you to come to the Peace Pilgrimage at Rolling Ridge,where we will gather together in the course of a month 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 Rolling Ridge straw-bale community house, from working in the community garden 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.

This summer, Stefan will tour churches in Ireland, Scotland and England to share the new Celtic Mass with songs and chants based on traditional Irish melodies.

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 Friday, August 7 and end on Monday, September 7. 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?

Daily Schedule -- Please check for daily changes:

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 working on the new straw bale community house, working in the community garden, 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, along with Bob Sabath and others from the Rolling Ridge community, will be the primary facilitators for this time.

Will there be provision for vegetarians?

Yes, we will be eating from our own organic garden. 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 Retreat House. Some of the weekends are already scheduled with other events, and we may need to move into tents or staff housing during these times. 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 Bob Sabath at bsabath@rollingridge.net or phone him at 202-531-7572 and let him know when you will plan to arrive, any special needs, and how long you will stay.

Latest Information for Peace Pilgrimage

The response to the offering has been overwhelming: over 200 people have already signed up to come during the 30 days of the retreat. If you are planning to come, please note the following important information:

We are delighted that you have registered to come to the Peace Pilgrimage at Rolling Ridge, or that you have expressed an interest in keeping in touch with our "Taize" experiment. The response to the offering has been overwhelming: over 200 people have already signed up to come during the 30 days of the retreat.

Please make sure that we know times of your arrival and departure so that we can best prepare for your time with us. Plan to come directly to the Retreat House at Rolling Ridge. Please note that on the weekend of August 14-16 from Friday supper to Sunday lunch, we will be holding the retreat at the nearby FLOC Lodge. You can find directions to both the Retreat House and the FLOC Lodge at our web site. Call us if you need more detailed instructions.

Please plan on bringing your own bedding: sheets (single or double), pillow case, optional bed roll, wash cloth, towel. We do have some sheets and pillow cases to use if you absolutely cannot bring your own, but we want to minimize laundry each day. If you are able to tent and have a tent, plan on bringing one with you in case we have more than can stay at the Retreat House. You may also want to bring hiking boots, journal, musical instruments, and rain gear. Please plan on contributing to food expenses during your stay.

Good food is important to building community each day. Our goal is to have meals that are simple, healthy, home-made, mostly organic, low-meat, and mostly vegetarian. As the interest in this retreat keeps growing, is it becoming evident that purchasing food, transporting it to the Retreat House, and preparing simple meals is going to be a major undertaking. For the first weekend, I spent over four hours and $500 at the local Martin's Groceries trying to get all the supplies for just a few days. We do have our own garden and our own chickens, but quantities of fresh produce and eggs are limited for the numbers we are expecting.

If your situation allows, it would be helpful if you are able to bring food to contribute to the effort. Here is how you could help. Before you come, call us to check on what we need to have for that day. Stop by your own local grocery store, or local market on the way. Prepare a homemade soup or a casserole that can brought contributed to the effort. Make some homemade bread, biscuits, scones, pies, cakes, or other desserts.

Food items that can be brought to contribute to breakfasts: eggs, orange juice or other fresh juices, oatmeal, granola, coffee, tea, fresh fruit (bananas, raisins, peaches, apples), yogurt, bread, butter, jam, bagels, creme cheese. Lunches will almost always be a home-made soup, salad, cheese, fruit, and bread. We could also use good peanut butter, and nuts of all kinds. Dinners can be stir-fry, casseroles, vegetables, salad, bread, dessert. Our daily numbers will be usually be between 15 and 30 people. Bringing food or a prepared dish for ten would be a great contribution to our effort.

The daily schedule will involve daily sung worship, shared meals, common work, group reflection/discussion, silence and wilderness time. The daily schedule may vary, but right now sung prayer is at 8:00 - 8:45 am, 12:15 - 12:45 pm, 7:45 - 9:00 pm. On Sunday nights at 5:00 pm we will have sung prayer and contemplative Eucharist at St. John's Episcopal Church in Harpers Ferry, followed by a common meal. Our daily meal times will be at: 9 - 9:45 am, 1-2 pm, and 6-7:30 pm. Options for common work will at: 11am - 12 noon, and 3:30 - 5:30 pm. Please check the web site for schedule changes. We invite people to drop in for daily worship times, but please let us know if you will be joining us for a meal.

Each day, the community for the day will work together to care for the daily needs. We are the staff for the day. We are responsible for keeping the cabin clean, for food purchase, and for meal preparation and clean-up. Please bring with you a flexible spirit and a willingness to help out where needed. In addition to the daily work of common meals, we will have options for working in the community garden, trail maintenance, helping with the construction of our new community straw-bale house, and retreat house maintenance chores. If you have carpentry skills and are willing to use them, please bring your own tools along with you.

Each day there will be opportunity for group reflection and discussion. If you would like to help lead one of these times, please email or call me to discuss what you would like to offer.

There is good cell phone coverage at the Retreat House. There is no internet access at the Retreat House, but wifi is available at the staff houses just a few minutes walk away. The Retreat House is a non-smoking facility. We do allow dogs, but please be aware that some participants may have allergies. If so, on such occasions, animals will need to stay outside. Temperatures predicted for the first two weeks of August range from 84-96 degrees during the day, and 57-71 degrees at night. Mosquitoes are not a problem, but we do have gnats. We have fans in each room, but no air conditioning. There is a land line at the Retreat House: 304-728-0113. It may be better to have people call Bob Sabath's cell phone: 202-531-7572.

Please do not hesitate to call me on cell phone any time if you have questions about your time with us. We very much look forward to being with you. Please pray for us as we get ready for this time.

Please do not hesitate to call or email Bob Sabath (cell: 202.531.7572 or email: community@rollingridge.net) any time if you have questions about your time with us. We very much look forward to being with you. Please pray for us as we get ready for this time.

Taize Peace Month at Rolling Ridge Food Needs (August 24-31)
Answers to Your Questions: What to bring? What do we need?

We are operating as our own daily community each day, providing for needs in food service and housekeeping from the generosity and work of each participant.   We appreciate your help and will update this list every few days to alert those coming  to our needs.   Please consider adding one or two items to your shopping list, as well as contributing financially to support this grace-filled endeavor.

Items Needed:

Milk (1/2 gal. or 1 gal. 1% or 2%)
Vanilla Soy Milk (quart or 1/2 gal.)

Cholesterol-free egg substitute (quart)

Tortilla chips (Large bag)
Snack crackers (Large bag or box)

Bagels or Muffins (Any and all sizes and varieties welcome)
Pita Bread
Hearty Breads

Cream Cheese (block or medium container)
Nondairy cream cheese or tofutti (small container)

Lettuce or Spinach (Fresh)
Peaches
Bananas
Berries

Orange Juice (frozen concentrate or carton)
White grape juice

Ground Turkey (Large package 3 lb.)
Ground soy/veggie alternative (Small package)
Chicken drumsticks (Large package)

Any freezable casseroles or soups you would enjoy making at home and transporting to use as the foundation for building a meal in next week's menus. A heartfelt "Thank You" for your help!

Other Retreats at Rolling Ridge:

November 2010 Wisdom School: We need schools of contemplation and action to help us connect our own inner faith journey to how we live our daily lives in a broken world. Find out more about Rolling Ridge's first five day school with Cynthia Bourgeault in November 2010 (yes, really 2010). More info: http://www.rollingridge.net/wisdomschool