MrsSpringsteen

I'd love to go to this..

cnn.com

http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Musi....ap/index.html

In the name of the Father, the Son, and Bono
'U2 Eucharist' a growing trend

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (AP) -- As the electric guitar in the U2 anthem "Pride (In the Name of Love)" faded from four speakers, the Rev. Robert Brooks welcomed worshippers to Grace Episcopal Church with an unusual suggestion: He warned them to protect their hearing.

"If the sound's an issue, we do have earplugs available," he said.

Ushers handed out earplugs and fluorescent glow sticks for the "U2 Eucharist," a communion service punctuated by the Irish rock band's music. Episcopal parishes from California to Maine have hosted similar events, weaving U2's tunes -- laced with biblical references -- into the liturgy.

Streamers flew over worshippers' heads at the recent gathering in Providence. Children danced by the altar. Plasma-screen TVs illuminated the gothic sanctuary. Some people sang and clapped, while a few looked puzzled.

Brooks said the evening was designed to invigorate his once-aging congregation -- attracting young people and those interested in social activism. "We absolutely need to grow in order to survive," he said.

Weeks before the service, church members conducted what Brooks called "guerrilla marketing," posting fliers at coffee and sandwich shops, bars and colleges. About 130 people showed up for the Friday night service, roughly the same turnout as a Sunday morning. The event included an offering for local charities and enlisted volunteers for the One Campaign, an effort to alleviate global poverty backed by U2's lead singer, Bono.

A similar U2 Eucharist in November proved popular at All Saints' Church in Atlanta. Organizer Laurie Haynes Burlington said she and her husband planned on 300 worshippers. About 500 showed up.

No one tracks how many parishes have hosted similar events, but the service in Providence was based on a playlist created by the Rev. Paige Blair, a parish priest in York Harbor, Maine.
'Liturgical resonances'

Her format has spread by word-of-mouth and on clergy e-mail lists. She's received calls from more than a dozen interested churches and helped put on the service in Providence. (Episcopal parishes seem to be the only ones that have latched on to U2 in such an organized way.)

Christian Scharen, 39, a Lutheran pastor and professor at Yale Divinity School, said he's often argued to older colleagues that U2 is heavily influenced by Christianity. He wrote a book on the subject, "One Step Closer: Why U2 Matters to Those Seeking God," and says it doesn't surprise him that some congregations have caught on.

"People who have these liturgical resonances in their bones, they go to a U2 concert and they just get it," Scharen said.

Bono, meanwhile, has told interviewers that he worships God through music. He once belonged to an ascetic Christian community, and in February, he spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast. The band's early tapes were sold in religious bookstores.

Still, the band members are traditional rock 'n' rollers -- they swear, drink and sing about sex. It's also not known whether U2 endorses the services using their songs: Blair said she received permission from U2's publishing company to use the group's music, but never talked to the band. Representatives for U2 did not return phone calls seeking comment.

In Providence, Blair delivered a homily to pitch the One Campaign, which the Episcopal Church supports. She ticked off statistics about poverty and infant mortality in Africa, underscoring her points with equal parts Bono and Bible.

"If you're a Bono fan, you know the next line: Where you live should not determine whether you live or die," she said, then reminding worshippers of a Gospel passage warning that taking care of the needy is what will separate the good from the bad at the final judgment.

The opening hymn was "Pride (In the Name of Love)," an early hit. As the music played, pictures of famous believers including Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. flashed on a 10-by-14 foot screen set up behind the church's altar.

Several songs included in the service sound more like angry lamentations than hymns of praise. "Peace on Earth," inspired by a deadly bombing in Northern Ireland, questions why God won't halt human suffering.

"Jesus can you take the time to throw a drowning man a line," Bono sings.

Some Christians might not be able to relate to the shades of doubt and anger, but Blair said that struggle is evident in the Bible.

For example, Bono echoes the 40th Psalm in the opening lines of the band's song "40," belting out, "I waited patiently for the Lord. He inclined and heard my cry."

MrsSpringsteen

some photos from Yahoo

bonocomet

Wow! Thanks for sharing that. I'd have never imagined!! That's pretty amazing.

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Sue DeNym

http://music.msn.com/music/article.a...21137&GT1=7702

Same article on msn.com

I remember when conservative Christians labeled ALL rock music as "Satanic", even Christian Rock! How times have changed...

Carek1230

This is beautiful, thanks for posting it, Mrs. S. I would have loved to have been at one of these programs.

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Miricale_Drug

As i said in another post... yet another example of evangelicalist happy-clappy 'religion' destroying proper faith. What ever happened to good true Catholicisim?

MrsSpringsteen

There isn't such a thing as "proper faith" in my opinion. After all, we are all equal in the eyes of God. I am Catholic and I reject any notion that we are superior in any way, shape, or form. Far from it. Each religion worships in its' own way and that's the way it should be.

They are not "destroying" anything

Harry Vest

"True Catholicism"?????????????????????
What, like "refusing to marry" therefore destroying thousands and thousands of lives!!!!!!!!
Let's go back to the good old days then shall we.

europop2005

English Churches Replacing Hymns With U2 Songs


LONDON (Reuters) - For Anglicans who still haven't found what they're looking for, the Church of England is staging its first "U2-charist" communion service -- replacing hymns with hit songs by the Irish supergroup.

"Rock music can be a vehicle of immense spirituality," said Bishop of Grantham Timothy Ellis, announcing plans for the unique service in the central English town of Lincoln in May.

A live band is to play U2 classics like "Beautiful Day" and "Mysterious Ways" with special singalong lyrics displayed on a giant screen. Seating for the 500-strong congregation is to be re-arranged so everyone can dance and wave their hands.

The service is to focus on the Millennium development goals -- U2's lead singer Bono is a leading promoter of the targets to alleviate world poverty.

beezd26

Vertigo USA - The U2 tribute band is involved in a U2 Eucharist in Carol Stream Illinois on February 11th 7pm, FREE admission, all ages welcome.
More info can be found at www.VertigoU2band.com

beezd26

Vertigo USA is involved with a U2 Eucharist in Carol Stream Illinois (Chicago west suburb) February 11th 7pm, FREE admission, all ages welcome.
More info @ www.VertigoU2band.com

Headache in a Suitcase

i think we need separation of church and u2

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mads

This kind of creeps me out.

Jeannieco

I wonder what the band thinks, especially Bono.

In their early days I think this would have been problematic for them since they didn't want to be boxed in to a particualar music category. That's why I wondering how they feel now since in recent years they have been much more open about their faith, especially the B man. But I understand why people cringe, it takes the mystery away from the songs.
But for those of us who really do use their music as a spiritual vehicle I think this is kinda cool!

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:Praying for peace this holiday season...

Bones58

I would go to church more often if they played U2