An icon for heaven and earth?

One of the many things that I hope to explore is the connection between listening (to jazz) and spiritual experience. It's not an automatic connection, yet music can be the conduit for the Holy Spirit to speak.

That was what happened to Franzo and Marina King, a young couple who celebrated their anniversary by going to a night club to hear John Coltrane. It was an electrifying evening that changed their lives forever.

Reflecting on the experience, they realized how powerful it can be to listen to music in the company of friends. So they created The Church of John Coltrane in San Francisco, now in its 50th year. Check out the church's website here.  It's the only church I know that has been named after a jazz musician.

Shortly before he died, Trane said to an interviewer, "I would like to become a saint." The San Francisco congregation has named him one.

It is a curious, intriguing decision for a congregation to make - and something that I will write about.

Meanwhile, the New Yorker has just published a photo article about the church's 50th anniversary. Give it a look by clicking here.

To view a 28 minute documentary about the Church of St. John Coltrane, click here.