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| LadyJane |
Episcopal Churches Turn to U2 to Pack Pews By RAY HENRY, Associated Press Writer
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - 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.
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."
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Sickening!!!!!!
LJ.
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| jb |
I'm glad I am not Christian!!!!!!! |
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| LadyJane |
Even the Catholic Church is buying in!!!! 
I"m gonna hurl.
LJ. |
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| jb |
Oy Vey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| voodoopug |
My entire month is now ruined. THis is beyond beleif. Please delete this thread immediately, I cannot take it anymore!
This world is completely in the process of being overrun by Bono.
I am sorry, I have to leave my office soon, I am very sick to my stomach now.
All true fans should be enraged. I WILL NOT SHAKE ANYONES HAND OR BUY ONE DRINK FOR ANYONE WHO IS NOT TOTALLY ENRAGED!!!! |
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| Ihavelotsajam |
To be honest, this isn't surprising at all. |
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| LadyJane |
Pug, I am equally ILL.
BUT I have learned from you and Josh that it is our DUTY to report the facts, no matter howe hard they are to swallow.
Swiggin Mylanta,
LJ. |
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| voodoopug |
quote:
LadyJane wrote:
Pug, I am equally ILL.
BUT I have learned from you and Josh that it is our DUTY to report the facts, no matter howe hard they are to swallow.
Swiggin Mylanta,
LJ.
no matter how much we are mocked, attacked, or embraced, we must keep it real. This is a true test to our rocks off pressence and our testicular fortitude (jb and I).
You did the correct thing in sharing this news. Sadly, this will probably effect all facets of my life for an extended period of time. It is time we draw the line in the sand. |
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| telecaster |
As a member of the Church Of Scientology I find this highly
offensive
Long live Tom Cruise and L. Ron Hubbard |
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| jb |
quote:
telecaster wrote:
As a member of the Church Of Scientology I find this highly
offensive
Long live Tom Cruise and L. Ron Hubbard
Hello Tele........many fall "Summitts" are in the works, and this may be your last chance to attend and join your fellow rock-offers. Please advise and bring a spare blonde.. |
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| pdog |
Tele, bring extra shoes! |
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| telecaster |
quote:
jb wrote:
Hello Tele........many fall "Summitts" are in the works, and this may be your last chance to attend and join your fellow rock-offers. Please advise and bring a spare blonde..
Buddy, I could use a spare blonde right about now.....
I won't miss the fall tour
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| pdog |
Do not stop at Rail Road Crossings! |
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| glencar |
The Scientology episode of that moppet show was quite funny. The Episcopalians will never get into heaven doing these U2 masses! |
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| pdog |
I'm going to heaven with a copy of Exile under my arm... It's a get out of hell free card... |
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| voodoopug |
quote:
telecaster wrote:
As a member of the Church Of Scientology I find this highly
offensive
Long live Tom Cruise and L. Ron Hubbard
Parmy promised to prove to me that you are indeed a real person, and not a creation of someones imagination (See: Complete absence during US fall tour).
I hope to meet you and put an end to those rumors! |
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| glencar |
quote:
voodoopug wrote:
Parmy promised to prove to me that you are indeed a real person, and not a creation of someones imagination (See: Complete absence during US fall tour).
I hope to meet you and put an end to those rumors!
LOL He's real. I haven't met him but I've seen pix. |
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| glencar |
quote:
pdog wrote:
I'm going to heaven with a copy of Exile under my arm... It's a get out of hell free card...
NICE! |
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| LadyJane |
quote:
telecaster wrote:
Buddy, I could use a spare blonde right about now.....
I won't miss the fall tour
You BETTER be there. Parmeda and I will chain you to us!!
And, um, don't rule out a redhead!! 
LJ. |
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| voodoopug |
quote:
LadyJane wrote:
You BETTER be there. Parmeda and I will chain you to us!!
And, um, don't rule out a redhead!!
LJ.
I heard he was going to be in Chicago for the 2005 shows..... |
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| glencar |
Missed him! |
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| LadyJane |
Caution Pug....
I do believe it is written in the book of Revelation that this is the signal of Armageddon
LJ.
[Edited by LadyJane] |
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| glencar |
NOW I HAFTA MAKE A DOODY! |
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| voodoopug |
quote:
glencar wrote:
NOW I HAFTA MAKE A DOODY!
I miss Joey too!!! |
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| jb |
Odds are 100 to 1!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| blackandblue |
Great news! Thanks for posting this ! |
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| GotToRollMe |
quote:
LadyJane wrote:
Caution Pug....
I do believe it is written in the book of Revelation that this is the signal of Armageddon
LJ.
Bono is the anti-Christ! |
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| glencar |
quote:
voodoopug wrote:
I miss Joey too!!!
Yes, don't we all? |
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| pdog |
I need a week of no Joey to answer this... |
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| glencar |
You shall get your wish. I think he's down in New Orleans "vamping" it up! |
