70th Fire Anniversary
From left to right: Reverend Douglas duCharme, Reverend Brian Fraser, Brendan Vandepol, Kevin Turcotte, Rob Clutton, Mikey Zahorak
Becoming Bloor Street
from Bloor Street United Church’s weekly newsletter “Bloor Broadcast”
SET I
Broadway Blues by Ornette Coleman
Blue Bossa by Kenny Dorham
HYMN — We Turn To You (samba)
HYMN — For the Healing of the Nations (waltz swing)
SET II
In a Sentimental Mood by Duke Ellington
Blessed Relief by Frank Zappa
HYMN — As A Fire Is Meant for Burning (afro-cuban)
SET III
Come Sunday by Duke Ellington
It’s funny, and a little bit amazing, the way things come together sometimes. One could almost think that God’s Spirit was afoot! A friend of mine from many years ago, a minister with a church in Vancouver that has built a solid partnership with the jazz community in that city, was in touch this summer to say that he’d be in Toronto in September. He is part of a lectureship at the Toronto School of Theology that will be the occasion for the premiere of a sacred jazz suite based on the “Parable of the Mustard Seed.” The discussion that will form a part of the event will focus on the example of jazz improvisation, and creative collaboration, as a model for church leadership.
I knew that Mikey Zahorak had long been imagining what might be possible in the new space at 300 Bloor St. W. in terms of music, and that he had a passion for jazz. I also knew that the Transition Team has been thinking about ways of marking the 70th anniversary of the fire that destroyed the former church building in 1954, to highlight the resourcefulness and vision that led Bloor Street in those difficult days to rebirth.
So, one Zoom conversation later, and… we will be celebrating a Jazz Vespers Service on Sunday, September 22nd at 2:00 p.m. at St. Matthew’s that will reflect on Bloor Street’s history of resilience and hope in the face of challenge and change… like the 1954 fire.
My friend, the Rev. Dr. Brian Fraser and I will lead in prayer and readings, and brief reflections, and Mikey Zahorak is bringing together a number of jazz musicians from his network to join him at the piano. It will be a celebration of Bloor Street’s spirit! And it all came together in a snap, when we discovered that we were all open to what the Spirit could do!
It’s September! Welcome back!
I’m excited…
Douglas duCharme