Good Friday Jazz Vigil

On Friday, April 3, Jazz Sanctuary presents “The Jazz of Vigil,” a contemplative and deeply moving service shaped by biblical readings and liturgy inspired by Cynthia Bourgeault’s book, The Meaning of Mary Magdalene. The service will take place in the chapel at 79 Clinton Street (enter through the main church doors; the chapel entrance is immediately on your left).

Drawing on insights from early Christian texts discovered in the mid-twentieth century near Qumran, this service explores the remarkable diversity of belief in Christianity’s first centuries and the powerful re-emergence of Mary Magdalene as a central spiritual figure. In many of these early communities, she appears as an enlightened disciple — a teacher and witness in her own right — described in relationship to Jesus by the Greek word koinonos, meaning companion or partner. Her steadfast vigil at the tomb from Good Friday through Easter morning, where she becomes the first to encounter the risen Christ, stands as one of the most intimate and transformative moments in the Christian story.

Music for the evening will be drawn from jazz standard ballads of love and longing, sung by Vocalists/Pastors Emilia Halstead and Renee Rouse, accompanied by the Jazz Sanctuary House Band: Joey Placenti (saxes and flute), Ed Raczka (drums), Jock Irvine (bass), and Tim Wildman (keyboard). Through the expressive depth of jazz, the service gives voice to both the sorrow of Good Friday and the resilient love that leads to Easter’s triumph.

As always, there is no admission fee, and all are welcome — wherever you are and wherever you find yourself on life’s journey.