Always progressive and seeking to attract even more members, Wellspring United Church of Christ will offer a trio of jazz vesper services, and the first one is this coming Sunday.
“We’re starting a three-month series that we hope will become a regular feature,” said the Rev. Jeremy McLeod. “It’s an evening of jazz, starting with music, then Scripture readings and poetry.”
The dates are Sunday, Oct. 2, Nov. 6 and Dec. 4, at 4:30 each time, at the Unity Life Center facility at 14088 Sullyfield Circle in Chantilly. There’ll be a total of four sets of music, this Sunday, Oct. 2, and entertaining will be the Alan Baylock Quintet — whose CD, “Two Minutes to Midnight,” is available in stores — and Christina Crerar.
“But what makes it unique is that, in the third set, it’ll be an open jazz session,” said McLeod. “So people can bring their instruments and join in.”
The jazz vesper services are open to the public, and freewill offerings will go, in part, toward benefiting a particular community cause. Proceeds from this Sunday’s event will be contributed to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ (WFCM) Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. In December, the event will benefit the Whitman-Walker Clinic.
Refreshments will be provided; for more information, call 703-257-4111. As for McLeod, he’s eager and enthusiastic about these jazz vesper services.
“I talked to a lot of people and asked what they’re craving [here],” he said. “And [I learned that] good music, food and mutual respect go a long way toward creating community. Each month will have a different theme that celebrates music, our world and matters of the spirit. And if this is successful, we hope to eventually create a smoke- and alcohol-free, jazz venue where students — especially those studying jazz — would have a place to go.”
<tgl>— Bonnie Hobbs