john coltrane

From: The Jazz Church by Gordon Polatnick:

Sometimes I think I'm the only one who understands what true religion is. It's that cozy state of mind where nothing is more apparent than the unassailable fact that each of us belongs here on Earth, and is deeply loved by an enduring spirit. If you've got that kind of religion, you want to share it. If you've really got that kind of religion nobody will mistake you for a used god salesman. That's your litmus test, my proselytizing friend, turn one person off and it's back to the pew for you. True religion is the light bulb that just has to be flicked on to attract a flock of worshipping moths. Amen. That light bulb doesn't have to convince the moths that it's burning bright (those moths can tell and they
come a' runnin').

On Divisadero Street there is a pretty bright light bulb that first appeared over the head of Franzo King in 1971 when he had the idea to organize the "One Mind Temple Evolutionary Transitional Body of Christ," which would soon evolve into Saint John's African Orthodox Church.

For a while now I've been meaning to include some links on these folks, they are a religious organization inspired by the music and spirituality of jazz great, John Coltrane. I've never been to a serice, but I'm still kind of impressed by the idea of being able to find sanctity and mystery in the midst of something which most folks would view from a more mundane perspective.

Saint John Coltrane African Orthodox Church
The Aspiration of John Coltrane by Richard Carlson
http://www.johncoltrane.com/