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Church offers homeless musicians place to jam, find support

Aug. 24, 2005

NOTE: A UMTV report and photographs are available at
http://umns.umc.org.

A UMNS Feature
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.

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.

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.

********************

United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org

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