All that jazz!
Headliners Big Joe Kennedy and Zach Lange join Kelly Cuppett to close Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference with New Orleans style jazz worship
When conferees head down to New Orleans for the Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference, they may want to pack a pair of dancing shoes.
Because the final worship service is sure to bring them to their feet.
When the three-day conference closes on Sept. 24, the jazz stylings of three of New Orleans finest musicians, Big Joe Kennedy, Zach Lange and Kelly Cuppett, will find participants not only energized for their journey and ministry, but also dancing on their way.
“’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 serves 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.
“If you are looking for a continuing education opportunity with thought-provoking speakers, inspiring worship, informative workshops and unparalleled networking opportunities in an exciting city rich in cultural and Presbyterian heritage,” said the Rev. Sandra Moon, ministry relations officer in the Northwest region for the Presbyterian Foundation, “you won’t want to miss this year’s conference.”
Themed “Stewardship: The Art of Resiliency,” this year’s conference will be held live 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 is 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.
In-person attendees who choose to stay at the conference hotel must make their reservations by Aug. 29 in order to receive the special group rate. Additionally, for those conferees who are planning to arrive in New Orleans early or extend their stay following the event, the group rate is available between Sept. 19-25.
For those who are planning to arrive early, nearby St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church will be hosting a welcome wine and cheese reception for all Stewardship Kaleidoscope participants and their guests on Sun., Sept. 21.
Featured keynoters and preachers this year are 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).
In addition to experiencing diverse plenary sessions and worship opportunities, on-site conference participants will be able to choose from dozens of workshops. For those who are unable to attend in person, a virtual registration option is also available and will remain open until just before the conference begins on Sept. 22. Virtual attendees will be able to attend livestreamed and recorded plenaries and worship, and will also have access to eight workshops, four of which will be available via be livestream.
The deadline for in-person registration is Sept. 5. For more information on Stewardship Kaleidoscope 2025 or to register for the conference, click here.
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