April 27, 2023 | by JB Brayfindley
Known as Joe Chaplain as leader and founder of The Joe Chaplain Band, Fr. Joseph Jacobs is also known as the clergy spouse of Rev. Jay Pierce serving Santa Cruz UMC. On Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at Santa Cruz UMC, 250 California Street, Santa Cruz. Joe Chaplain will headline a Benefit Concert for the Association of Faith Communities (AFC) of Santa Cruz where Jacobs has served as Program Manager of the SafeSpaces parking program for the last four years.
The concert is entitled, “The First Annual Concert to End Homelessness” with funds benefitting AFC programs. Concert doors open at 6:30 p.m. with a 20 minute intermission. Local musicians and singer-songwriters are donating their talents, featuring Joe Chaplain, Jazz the Dog, Madrigal & Strange, Colin Hannon, Nick Royal, Linc Russin and other special guests. Buy tickets online or at the door.
“Since this is my last year (I’m retiring with Pastor Jay in June), I decided to invite my musical friends to join in and perform a benefit concert for AFC,” states Jacobs. “I have been a musician ever since I was a child, and I have been writing and singing my songs (and others) for 50 years. About time to celebrate, don’t you think?”
Jacobs wrote and recorded a song for the UMC Clergy Spouse at a retreat in 2019 at Villa Maria Del Mar center entitled, “Open Unto You (Lenten Song).” Most of his recorded music online is under the stage name of Joe Chaplain and is also on iTunes, Apple Music, CDBaby, Amazon and more.
Now in their tenth year, AFC is an interfaith coalition made up of nearly 40 faith communities working to alleviate suffering for those experiencing homelessness through four programs: SafeSpaces providing safe spaces to park vehicles for those living in them and access to sanitary facilities; nightly transitional housing; and shower and sock ministries.
“We really do end homelessness,” states Jacobs, “Over fifty people from our shelter program were housed in the last year! So come and celebrate, enjoy an evening of great music, and help support AFC.”
If you can’t attend consider buying tickets and emailing to Jacobs as a gift for others to attend at Joseph.jacobs@afcsantacruz.org