Mission Yearbook: Jazz musicians close Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference

When the three-day Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference ended in New Orleans, they were glad they packed a pair of dancing shoes.

Because the final worship service sure brought them to their feet.

The jazz stylings of three of New Orleans’ finest musicians, Big Joe Kennedy, Zach Lange and Kelly Cuppett, found participants not only energized for their journey and ministry, but also dancing on their way.

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Kelly Cuppett, Stewardship Kaleidoscope's Worship Co-Director. (Contributed photo)

“‘Jazz Mass’ or ‘Jazz Service’ is a common tradition here among churches during Carnival season, where a church will bring in jazz musicians to play instead of their usual pianist or organist,” said Cuppett, a New Orleans-based pianist and board-certified music therapist who served as Stewardship Kaleidoscope’s worship co-director. “The music in those services is still sacred but often features more spirituals or puts a jazz flair on traditional hymns. It's very cool and really fun.”

In planning the closing worship, Cuppett thought immediately of reaching out to two outstanding musical colleagues, Kennedy and Lange, to give attendees an authentic New Orleans experience.

Of soulful pianist Big Joe Kennedy, OffBeat magazine wrote, “BJK is one of NOLA’s better-kept secrets. He’s got a strong pianistic touch, immersed in the NOLA tradition of Dr. John and James Booker.” Lange is a gifted trumpeter and educator.

Themed “Stewardship: The Art of Resiliency,” this year’s conference was held from Sept. 22–24 at the Sheraton Canal Street, New Orleans. Drawing leaders from across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and other ecumenical partners, Stewardship Kaleidoscope was designed to ignite generosity in faith-based communities, give practical tools for cultivating generosity in congregations, expand the leadership capacity of those who lead stewardship initiatives and cultivate adaptive approaches for funding Christ’s mission.

Featured keynoters and preachers this year were the Rev. Dr. David P. King, Karen Lake Buttrey director of the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving; the Rev. Dr. Corey Nelson, pastor and head of staff at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado; the Rev. Jean Marie Peacock, organizing pastor of Be Well-Come Together in Harvey, Louisiana; the Rev. Dr. Becca Ehrlich, an ordained ELCA and author of the 2021 book “Christian Minimalism: Simple Steps for Abundant Living; and the Rev. Dr. Alonzo Johnson, coordinator for the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People Program in the Interim Unified Agency of the PC(USA).

Emily Enders Odom, Former Associate Director of Mission Communications (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Michael Wade, Production Clerk, Hubbard Press, Administrative Services Group
Donald Walker, Executive Vice President & Chief Investment Officer, Investments, The Board of Pensions

Let us pray:

Gracious God, we give you thanks that, without our knowledge, you have filled our baskets to overflowing. Help us to see the hunger in others and recognize that we can share our plenty with those in need. Amen.