Join us for Jazz Vespers in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. Partake in candle lighting, prayers, readings, reflection and jazz that aims to be spirit filling and inspiring.

Jazz Vespers are held the first Sunday of each month at 4:30 pm

The first Sunday of every month The Chapel of the Holy Spirit of All Saints’ Anglican Church rings with the improvisations of local jazz musicians in the context of a service that includes some candle lighting, prayers, reading and a short reflection.

“Jazz in Church?” you may be asking…..It hasn’t been done around here before. But it has been done elsewhere: New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Dundas, Niagara-on-the-Lake….and some people say it works!

Jim Sandlilands, Rector of St. James in Dundas, Ontario who plays bass and has also organized Jazz Vespers in Niagara-on-the-Lake, says the music has a strong connection to his own spirituality: “Life brings surprises and one has to learn how to be flexible and creative.”

In fact there is an extensive discography of sacred jazz that would include Duke Ellington’s sacred concerts, Dave Brubeck’s Light in the Wilderness and Joe William’s Feel the Spirit.

Vespers: Late afternoon or early evening prayer. One of the nine “daily offices” of the Benedictine monasteries. Vespers celebrates the lighting of the lamps as evening descends. Benedictine monk David Steindl-Rast offers this description of Vespers in a monastery. “At Vespers you’ve put your tools away, taken off your apron, your work clothes, washed up and put on your robes again. Now you come freshly dressed for the solemn evening celebration at sunset, when the monastery is lit with lamps and candles. It is the hour of peace of heart and serenity.”

Jazz Vespers: Come to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at All Saints’ Anglican Church, 347 Richmond Road every first Sunday of the month and enjoy this new inspiring and spirit-lifting journey. If you need further information, please call 725-9487. Why not give it a try?

Top of page