Since the start of the Iraq War, a growing number of people have been attending the Newman Catholic Student Center’s Taize prayer services.

Taize is an ecumenical form of prayer that is applicable to all forms of Christianity. It has expanded to other religious forms such as Islam.

“It aims to create inner healing and peace,” DeKalb citizen Gingie Noe said. “It’s not only for peace in the world but also inner peace.”

Noe said more people have came to church since the Iraq War started. People who have come have represented both sides of the war.

“It’s been a way for people to express that they want peace in the world,” said Becky Parfitt, who also attends Taize services.

The Newman Center, 512 Normal Road, first started holding these services, which are different from typical Christian church services, in October 2002.

“The service includes repetitive singing, almost chanting,” Noe said. “We also do silence and meditation prayer.”

Taize prayer first started in Switzerland in 1940. It began as a way to unite all Christian denominations. Since then, the movement has grown around the country, Noe said.

About 10 years ago, DeKalb citizens would travel to Oak Park once a month to attend the Church of the Ascension, which conducts Taize services at the beginning of each month.

“There would be about 500 people there. It was overwhelming,” Noe said. “We got inspired to start one here.”

Parfitt said she learned about these types of services from a friend.

“Most [of the service] is singing a large collection of melodies,” she said. “It has a special kind of effect.”

The ceremony also has about 10 minutes of silence during which people can meditate, Parfitt said.

Parfitt said there are about 20 to 30 people who attend the Newman Center’s services.