Thinking in Jazz about Church Leadership

10:00 AM - 3:30 PM EST

A provocative series of conversations, inspired and informed by the workings, wisdom and wit of live jazz, that will generate new perspectives and possibilities for the missioning of the church wherever and however you may be contributing to it.

Participants will observe the dynamics of a live jazz performance by the Tom Reynolds Trio and discern what qualities of provocative church leadership they observe in the performance. The facilitators will post the wisdom in the room on the walls and invite discussion about the insights and inspirations for church leadership found there. After a break for lunch and conversation, we’ll explore how the wisdom generated in the morning might inspire and inform our particular practices of ministry and missioning in our congregations and agencies.

Coffee, tea, and water will be available during the morning workshop.
You're invited to find lunch at one of the many options in the surrounding area.

About The Charles H. MacDonald Memorial Lecture 2024

This workshop is sponsored in part by The Rev. Dr. Charles H. MacDonald Memorial Lectureship. Established in 1953 by the family of the late Rev. Charles H. MacDonald, D.D. to honour his legacy in service to The Presbyterian Church in Canada. Dr. MacDonald was the Moderator of The Presbyterian Church in Canada in 1947. Through the generous gift of this lectureship, Dr. MacDonald's family wished the College to host an educational opportunity on a practical aspect of the Church and its ministry facilitated by a minister of the PCC or one of its members. The first lecture was held in 1955 with The Rev. Andrew Poulain, Minister of St. Luke's Montreal speaking on the topic of French Protestantism in Canada. Knox College is honoured to celebrate the legacy of Dr. MacDonald and his significant contribution to the PCC.

The Rev. Dr. Brian Fraser
Minister with Brentwood Presbyterian Church, Burnaby, BC
brentwoodpcc.com & Lead Provocateur, Jazzthink Consulting jazzthink.com

Dr. Tom Reynolds
Graduate Degree Director,
Associate Professor of Theology Emmanuel College, Toronto School of Theology

7:00 PM - 10:00 PM EST

The Mustard Seed Suite is a jazz interpretation of the parable of the mustard seed (Mark 4:30-32 / Matthew 13:31-32 / Luke 13:18-19). It has been composed by Tom Reynolds. Readings and commentary will be provided by Sarah Travis, Ernest Van Eck, and Brian Fraser.

Tom’s take on the parable is informed by ecotheologies and decolonizing theologies. He explores the fecundity of small things, the interdependencies of all life, the vitality generated by the Spirit, and the resonance that emerges among all the diversities in creation in God’s vision of SHALOM.

The Tom Reynolds Trio emerged from the context of performing for Sunday worship services at St. Andrew’s United Church (near Bloor and Yonge in Toronto), where it is known as the “St. Andrew’s Trio.” Providing jazz music in a liturgical format opened unique possibilities for performing in a more contemplative, textured, and reflective mode, even while retaining the distinct elements of improvisation and spontaneous interaction among the musicians.

When performing live in clubs in Toronto, such as the Rex or other venues, the trio ratches up the intensity. Reminiscent of Bill Evans and Keith Jarett trios, the trio foregrounds the flexible and collaborative elements of jazz performance. Each original composition is melodically and harmonically structured to open space for responsiveness between musicians (piano, bass, drums), expressed in both subtle and full-bodied emotional contours. Strong melodic content and layered harmony through the writing provides a bedrock for the performance to convey intensity of feeling and improvisational vitality. The contemporary jazz sound that results is distinctive and unique to the trio, as each musician brings their own voice to the performance. The ‘band vibe’ is very much alive in what we do.

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