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Sunday concert to show spirituality of good jazz

A Methodist church will draw crowds for the second year with six hours of outdoor music, food and drink.

By WAVENEY ANN MOORE
Published August 30, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - Their pastor said to follow Jesus' teachings and cast nets for new believers, so the congregation of McCabe United Methodist Church decided a jazz festival would make tempting bait.

This Labor Day weekend, the church will hold its second jazz concert on its grounds near Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Musicians will include Eric Darius, Shawn Brown, Mike MacArthur, Theo Valentin, Taabu and "BK" Jackson II. Those who attend the six-hour affair also will be able to buy smoked turkey legs, barbecued ribs and chicken, traditional Sunday dinner, funnel cakes and more. There will be no alcohol.

Maria Scruggs-Weston, a member of McCabe for about two years, is one of the organizers for the outdoor event, which will take place Sunday at 2800 26th Ave. S. She said the festival is an evangelism tool, inspired by McCabe's pastor, the Rev. Dwayne J. Craig. When the church was celebrating its 100th anniversary last year, Craig asked some members of the congregation to think about how God is calling them to minister to the community for the next 100 years, Scruggs-Weston said. He said that "it is important to move our ministry from behind the walls of the church" and into the community, she added.

So, she said, "We are casting the net and using jazz as the bait for reaching souls for Christ."

Those who attend will receive a visitor's brochure that tells about the church's ministries and worship schedule. They'll also get a visitor's card, which they'll be asked to complete. Ushers will pick up the card during the festival. "It's an avenue to communicate with those individuals from beyond the jazz festival," said Scruggs-Weston, chairwoman of the church's special projects ministries.

Last year was the first time that the predominantly African-American church held the jazz festival. It drew 450 people.

"We were pleased with the turnout," Scruggs-Weston said, adding that a larger crowd is expected this year. "We didn't have nearly the sponsorship levels and the amount of exposure we have this year," she said.

The concert will take place on about 4 acres behind McCabe's Head Start building. There is no rain date, but the event will be rescheduled if there is bad weather, Scruggs-Weston said.

[Last modified August 30, 2006, 08:00:11]