Church offers homeless musicians place to jam, find support
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Web-only image Alan Cook plays guitar at a jam session at North Sacramento (Calif.) United Methodist Church.
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Alan
Cook plays guitar at a jam session at North Sacramento (Calif.) United
Methodist Church. For the homeless, having a weekly jam session in a
safe, alcohol- and drug-free environment adds stability to life at least
once a week, said the Rev. Linda Kelly, a United Methodist minister who
directs a spiritual companions program at Loaves and Fishes. Kelly
attends North Sacramento. A Web-only image by the Rev. Linda Kelly.
Photo #w05-116. Accompanies UMNS story #466. 8/24/05
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Aug. 24, 2005
UMNS Report
By Ciona Rouse*
With guitar picks in
hand and a song on their lips, homeless musicians are finding a place in
the walls of North Sacramento (Calif.) United Methodist Church.
“I walked through these
doors and this place greeted me. It has such an atmosphere here, such a
soul of its own,” said Lonnie Smith, a formerly homeless person who
initiated weekly open jam sessions at the church.
Each Wednesday,
homeless and formerly homeless musicians step off the streets of
Sacramento and into the church building for music and sanctuary. The
music of congas, drums, and acoustic and electric guitars fill an
upstairs room of the church, where the musicians play in whatever genre
moves them that day — blues, rock ’n’ roll, folk music.
For the homeless,
having a weekly jam session in a safe, alcohol- and drug-free
environment adds stability to life at least once a week, said the Rev.
Linda Kelly, a United Methodist minister who directs a spiritual
companions program at Loaves and Fishes. Kelly attends North Sacramento.
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Web-only image The Rev. Brandon Austin says the music ministry is changing lives for some homeless people.
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The
Rev. Brandon Austin, pastor at North Sacramento (Calif.) United
Methodist Church, occasionally grabs his guitar and joins the jam
sessions at his church. Austin says the music ministry is changing lives
for some homeless people. Musicians are encouraged to attend weekly jam
sessions at the church and enjoy a safe, alcohol- and drug-free
environment. A UMNS Web-only image. Photo #w05-117. Accompanies UMNS
story #466. 8/24/05 |
Run by Kelly’s Loaves
and Fishes program and hosted by North Sacramento, the 3-year-old jam
session began when Smith, then a homeless musician, talked to Kelly
about needing a place for music makers to gather and do what they do
best.
Since the program’s
inception, Smith has quit drugs and alcohol and moved into an apartment.
He said he has found a “family” at the church, where he is now a
member. Smith takes the ministry of the jam session to the streets
daily, recruiting musicians to participate and getting instruments
donated to the program.
“He sees the jam session as his job,” Kelly said.
Other members of the
congregation are dedicated to the music too. Paul Vercoe, who has never
been homeless, does not miss a week of jamming with the band on his bass
guitar. The Rev. Brandon Austin, North Sacramento’s pastor,
occasionally grabs his guitar and joins the jam sessions as well. He
sees the music ministry changing lives.
“Those who are finding
life difficult, when they play their music it brings a joy, and their
spirits just soar. They feel inspired, and it’s inspiring to see that,”
Austin said.
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A Web-only image by Flo Perry Paula
Lomazzi, the Rev. Linda Kelly, Lonnie Smith and Paul Vercoe regularly
attend the jam sessions at North Sacramento (Calif.) United Methodist
Church.
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Paula
Lomazzi, the Rev. Linda Kelly, Lonnie Smith and Paul Vercoe regularly
attend the jam sessions for homeless people at North Sacramento (Calif.)
United Methodist Church. Different musicians walk through the doors
weekly. Occasionally, they organize a band and play for church services
and functions. A UMNS Web-only image by Flo Perry. Photo #w05-118.
Accompanies UMNS story #466. 8/24/05 |
Different musicians
walk through the doors weekly. Occasionally, they organize a band and
play for church services and functions.
Life on the streets is a
daily fight for survival. Homeless people face each morning wondering
how to get through the day and where they will get food, Kelly noted.
But within the walls of the church, the musicians find a home in the music and fellowship.
“We have a great time,”
Smith said. “We bond. Everybody walks away feeling a little better and
able to make it through one more day.”
*Rouse is a freelance writer in Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Fran Coode Walsh, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5458 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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Resources
North Sacramento United Methodist Church
Sacramento Loaves & Fishes
A Missionary’s Notebook
Homelessness in America
Homelessness Theme Page
The Advance
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