Hope for a New Song: Scarritt Bennett & TWKUMC Present Healing Blues and Jazz 2026
“Long before therapists called it emotional expression, our ancestors understood something powerful: sometimes healing begins when you let the pain sing.”
With these simple words, Rev. Sondrea Tolbert welcomed those gathered for Healing Blues and Jazz 2026 on Sunday, March 15th. Rev. Tolbert, Executive Director & CEO of Scarritt Bennett Center, co-hosted the event alongside Rev. Dr. Marie C. King, founder of the Healing Blues and Jazz worship service, the pastor of Seay-Hubbard United Methodist Church and the former chairperson of the Legacy Health and Wellness Initiatives Committee within the Tennessee Western Kentucky Conference of The United Methodist Church (TWKUMC).
Rev. King is passionate about dismantling the stigma and misinformation surrounding mental health issues and wellness. She piloted an early form of what would become Healing Blues & Jazz while completing additional seminary requirements, in an effort to create a non-threatening space to for people to come together around what many experience as a taboo topic.
Just as the world was emerging from the COVID pandemic in the early 2020’s, Rev. Dr. Donna Patterson, former Scarritt Bennett staff, inquired within her circles and larger partner community about what Scarritt Bennett could do to help bring healing to communities emerging from isolation as we faced mental health challenges. Rev. Dr. Paula B. Smith was aware of Rev. King’s work in the mental health space and brought Rev. Patterson and Rev. King together around King’s healing blues and jazz concept.
It was decided that Scarritt would host the worship-centered event, in collaboration with the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference. Mental health support agencies across Middle Tennessee would provide the expertise and practical resources to help people take the brave steps through pain and trauma toward healing and wholeness. When Rev. Tolbert came on board as the new Executive Director, she embraced and supported this ministry and community gift.
Healing Blues & Jazz 2026 brought together the musical stylings of jazz trio Connie Florence, vocals, Kevin Madill, piano, and William S. “Billy” Moon on saxophone. Award-winning songwriter and pastor of Music City West Church of the Nazarene Rev. Dr. Kimberly McLean sang and accompanied herself on guitar. Cayli Mariah Wilson, a dedicated trained ballerina and liturgical dancer inspired those gathered through movement and Rev. Linda Furtado, Scarritt Bennett Center Director of Spirituality and the Arts, captured the event in a compelling visual art piece.
The presentations were organized around dimensions of wellness. Rabbi Phillip “Flip” Rice spoke about the soul and spirit dimension of wellness; Rev. Tolbert shared about the mental well-being of the mind, Rev. Dr. Kim McLean talked about the body in terms of physical wellness, and Rev. Dr. Carol Cavin-Dillon discussed the nature of relationships and the sense of belonging which are essential dimensions of wellness.
Jeff Fuller, Home Missioner and General Board of Global Ministries Abundant Health Network Coordinator reminded us that a holistic approach to wellness that addresses all the dimensions lifted during the worship is both necessary and vital. Rev. Dr. Stephen Handy, TWK Conference Urban Cohort District Superintendent and pastor of McKendree UMC, brought greetings on behalf of TWK and closed the time with a prayer.
Quietly laboring throughout the afternoon with ears that could hear and eyes that could see, Rev. Linda Furtado crafted an art assemblage which reflected themes and movements of the Spirit in Laskey Great Hall on a Sunday afternoon. Rev. Furtado shared her work-in-process which incorporated central themes and her own impressions of Healing Blues & Jazz 2026. She noted that it was interesting to think about each of us choosing our own way forward rather than letting our emotions tell us what to do.
Rev. King recognized the wellness agencies on hand for conversation and resourcing at the culmination of the formal program. The planning was supported by Rev. Timothy Holton and Rev. Dr. Paula B. Smith, who also served as the worship leaders. Many thanks to Rev. Michael Vaugh for his technical expertise.
In her closing remarks, Rev. King reprised these simple lyrics sung earlier, written by David Frazier and performed by Hezekiah Walker & The Love Fellowship Choir:
I need you, you need me,
We’re all a part of God’s Body
Stand with me, agree with me
We’re all a part of God’s Body
It is His will that every need be supplied
(And did you know) you are important to me
Because I need you (and we need each other) to survive.
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