This Sunday sees Jazz Church in Coventry for the first time at Coventry Central Hall in the city centre.

Come along for the worship event at 5pm, hope to see you there!

It seems the Jazz Church team have done it again, delivering yet another exciting and thought-provoking worship service! Arguably their most adventurous project to date, replete with an expanded horn section and a jazz choir, the congregation were led in a truly inspirational rendition of Scott Stroman’s ‘Jazz Mass’. From the opening bars of the sombre Kyrie Eleison, to the jubilant choral echoes of ‘pacem’ (peace), concluding the Agnus Dei, we were led on a contemplative journey of discovery as we explored the mystery of the Eucharist.

Rev. Jayne Webb presided, as we sang our way through excerpts from the Latin Mass, put to moving Jazz compositions. Translations of the Latin text appeared on the screen, interspersed with inspirational images, aiding us in reflection. Musical highlights included the joyous Latin-American groove of the Gloria, following the absolution, and the instrumental twelve-bar blues during the distribution – reminding us that communion is a celebration, not just a time for quiet and contemplation! Jayne shared a wonderful message about what Christ’s work means in light of ‘God’s time’. Drawing on the theme of remembrance, through an exposition of Exodus 12 and Luke 22, she spoke of the exciting truth that remembering Jesus is not simply a passive, backwards glance into the past, but an all-consuming, ongoing participation in the eternal Christ-event. In the act of communion the Church actually relives this event, because it belongs to God’s eternal time. In this sense it transcends our human, linear time world, thus having cosmic implications for our future in God – a future that we begin to experience now, in the mysterious event we call ‘communion’.

Perhaps the most compelling thing about the whole service was how well integrated it was, the music flowing seamlessly with the spoken liturgy, engaging our hearts and minds as we were drawn into an exploration of the theme. The impact of this was really summed up for me afterward, when I overheard someone remark that it was the first time they could remember being really challenged to reflect on a deeper level about the act of communion. I only hope this won’t have been the first and last time I have the opportunity to experience the Jazz Mass!

John Pearson

Thanks to everyone involved in last nights service. Here is a post from Rev’d Jayne’s blog:

Well I have to report that jazz mass at Jazz Church last night was one of the most profound acts of worship that I have ever been involved with. The music was magnificent, Adam had brought in a larger band and also a choir formed specifically for the event and the mass was sung in Latin. I can not begin to put into words the ambience that these highly gifted singers and musicians brought to this act of worship nor the way in which they led us through the Eucharist which was absolutely core to the service. It was truly a transcendent moment and one that will stay with me for a very long times.

Thank you to all those involved and to all who came and embraced this very different approach to Eucharistic worship

New Jazz Church worship event starting in two weeks time (29th Jan) at Coventry Central Hall 5pm.

Just over one week until the next Jazz Church service which will take quite a different form to the previous services. We are going to be sharing communion together and exploring some of the usual themes of communion through a Jazz Mass written by Scott Stroman. Rev’d Jayne Webb will be presiding and preaching.

As all the music for the service is new, we invite you arrive at 5:30pm for the service at 7:00pm so that we can familiarise ourselves with the main music themes. If you are unable to arrive at 5:30pm then please feel free to arrive for the usual time of 7pm when the act of worship will begin.

We look forward to see you at Shirley Methodist next Sunday!

Adam and the Jazz Church team.