Jazz Vespers at ETS in Detroit

Dear WISDOM Subscribers:

We thought this might interest some of you.

Gail Katz
WISDOM President


Ecumenical Theological Seminary (ETS) is hosting its first ever Jazz Vespers, a concert worship service, on Sunday, March 9, 2008 from 6 to 8 p.m. at its campus, 2930 Woodward Avenue in midtown Detroit. A brief tour highlighting exquisite architectural and artistic treasures of the 117-year-old Sanctuary will be held at 5:15 p.m. preceding the concert.

The free worship service in jazz is open to the public and features Detroit's world-acclaimed musicians in the newly created Ecumenical Orchestra: Don Mayberry (bass), Spencer Barefield (guitar), Sean Dobbins (drums), Kevin Grenier (piano), John Trudell (trumpet) and Kate Patterson (vocals). Selections will include such diverse composers as Billy Strayhorn, Ira Gershwin, Jerome Kern and others. This event is co-sponsored by Creative Arts Collective.

The Jazz Vespers service will be a combination of scripture readings and jazz songs in tribute to the traditional “call and response” format in which jazz originated. Jazz, once depicted as “the musical incense that collects and carries the prayers of a people,” has origins in the slave “churches” of America. Jazz Vespers is a meeting in a sacred space where the music and the spirit are honored and celebrated together.

It is fitting to hold such a historically sacred tradition as Jazz Vespers at ETS which is located in what was Detroit's oldest protestant church, First Presbyterian Church, currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1891, this magnificent Romanesque church is filled with Tiffany stained glass windows, Pewabic tile, and ornate stenciled motifs. The original congregation helped found Harper Hospital and its first pastor, John Monteith, was instrumental in establishing an educational institution which eventually became the University of Michigan.

Ecumenical Theological Seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. It offers a Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry, and Doctor of Ministry degree as well as an Urban Ministry Diploma program. ETS is known for bringing together students from all different faith traditions as well as from widely diverse racial, socio-economic, and geographical backgrounds to transcend alienation and fragmentation as they seek to understand the meaning of God's Word in their lives and in the congregations they serve. ETS alumni are leaders of many of Detroit metropolitan area's communities of faith, helping to shape the future of the 21st century Church.

ETS is committed to making a difference in its Detroit community by presenting meaningful events and outreach services. Last October 21, 2007, ETS hosted a rare concert with famed opera soprano Jessye Norman at the Detroit Opera Theatre. The Seminary's ongoing “Everyone Eats” program provides approximately 300 hot meals to Detroit's homeless and hungry each Wednesday.

Jazz Vespers began in New York City in 1961 when the late Reverend John Garcia Gensel started an evening service at St. Peters Lutheran Church. It was designed for those musicians who couldn't make it to Sunday morning service after playing late Saturday night gigs. He invited them to perform “a worship service by and for jazz musicians…the public is invited.” The legendary “Duke” Ellington became a frequent worshiper - he called Pastor Gensel “the shepherd who watches over the night flock.” Duke's famous tune “Shepherd of the Night Flock” has been widely recorded and performed. Since then, Jazz Vespers Services have become popular across the country.

For more information, contact Ms. Lydia Holmes at 313-831-5200, ext. 209 or visit ETS website www.etseminary.edu. Free will donations will be accepted.