The Parish of South Carleton received a Future Fund grant of $4,085 to help expand its jazz vespers program. “We’re very grateful for the grant and support from our Diocese,” the Rev. Allan Budzin told Perspective.
Budzin is a jazz fan. When he was a priest in Toronto, his parish there offered jazz vespers twice a month for 13 years. Inspired by that experience, “I thought we should take the risk and offer jazz vespers in a rural setting.”
The monthly Sunday afternoon jazz vespers services at St. Paul’s Osgoode that began in 2024 have proved him right. “Attendance has been enthusiastic and strong. I think September and October, we had 65 folks, and then even on a dreary November day, we had 75…. Several times, a number of people on their way out have thanked me for jazz vespers, and they say, ‘It’d be wonderful if this was offered more often.’” So, in the spring, the parish will test out holding services twice a month.
Budzin estimates that only 12 to 15 of those attending the vespers are regular Sunday morning parishioners. The rest come specifically for the jazz service. “They just love it, and they find it spiritually supportive and enriching. It has really developed into its own kind of worshipping community. On her way out, one woman said, ‘I think you’re making me a recovering agnostic.’ I like that comment,” said Budzin.
“What I’ve noticed with the Osgoode jazz vespers is I’d say 65 to 70 percent of the people are regulars who come every month. They are … getting to know each other and I’m getting to know them.” They love the musicians, says Budzin. “The quartet, sometimes the quintet, is excellent.”
Mark Ferguson is the leader of the quartet and plays keyboards and trombones. John Geggie is the bass player. Mike Tremblay is the saxophonist. The drummer is Jamie Holmes, and occasionally, for the quintet, Ed Lister is on trumpet. “Some folks scratch their head and say, ‘How do you get guys like this to come to Osgoode?’ But the musicians love it, too. They’re very committed and dedicated,” Budzin said.
The music is not all jazz. It’s a mix of music from artists such as Leonard Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, The Beatles, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, George Gershwin, Stevie Wonder and Burt Bacharach.
Instead of a traditional homily, Budzin usually reads one or two poems and offers a reflection. He’s read poems from Gerard Manley Hopkins, e.e. cummings, Wendell Berry, Mary Oliver, and other less well-known writers, and he usually include a copy of the poem in the order of service.
“I love poetry as much as I love jazz, so I pick a poem that I think people would appreciate. And so far, I’ve struck a chord. Some folks have said they’ve collected all the poems that I’ve used for jazz vespers and keep them in a little binder.”
Budzin adds that at St. John’s Church in Richmond, they have started a monthly Sunday vespers for harp and flute with two exceptional musicians. “That is doing very well, too. Not quite as high numbers as jazz vespers, but it’s getting 25 to 30 people and developing its own group of supporters,” he said.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity annual service to be celebrated at Saint Paul University on Jan. 22