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September 20, 2007

will you come to put on a U2charist with us?

I'm honored by invitations to help congregations host U2charists. If you're interested in having me do that as a consultant, musician, preacher, or other role that a lay person can fulfill, please feel free to email me. I am not at this point ordained, however, so I cannot serve as a celebrant at a Eucharist.

September 20, 2007 in U2charist F.A.Q. | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 06, 2007

what permissions do I need to use U2's music in the U2charist?

U2 and Universal Music Group, which publishes U2's music, have generously agreed to give blanket permission to those using U2's music in U2charists, IF absolutely every cent collected goes to relief for global AIDS and extreme poverty, as explained in more detail here, with some suggestions as to some good organizations to which your U2charist funds might go.

U2 are particularly concerned with extreme poverty -- for example, those living (and dying) on $1 a day or less, those who have no access to clean drinking water. The U.S. and Britain, for example, don't really have that kind of poverty. As important as justice and mercy for the poor in countries such as the U.S. are, giving funds collected at a U2charist for poverty relief in the U.S. does not meet the spirit of the agreement with U2 and Universal Music Group; please find a worthy recipient of what you collect to address extreme poverty.

September 6, 2007 in U2charist F.A.Q. | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 05, 2007

Rock merges with religion in 'U2charist' - Longview News-Journal

By RANDY ROSS
Wednesday, September 05, 2007

It's where rock 'n' roll meets traditional worship.

Between a flashy slideshow and blaring rock music, a group of about 200 Christians took communion Tuesday night at LeTourneau University's S.E. Belcher Jr. Chapel and Performance Center as part of "U2charist," a Eucharist service featuring the music of the rock band U2.

Matt Walker and Ruby Outlaw were among the many students who came to the service out of curiosity.

Walker, 19, is a sophomore flight science student, and Outlaw, 17, is a high school senior from Temple visiting the Christian school. The pair saw the pamphlet and did not know what a "U2charist" was, Outlaw said.

Outlaw was all smiles as she talked about the service. She said it took the normal message of Christian communion and presented it in a new way. Walker said he enjoyed the way the service alternated between U2's music and readings from the Bible or brief thoughts from speakers.

Neither was familiar with the music of U2, but both appeared to be enjoying the music, as hand-in-hand, the couple nodded their heads to the music.

The Rev. Jim Watson of St. Michael and All Angels' Episcopal Church and professor of English at LeTourneau University, led the service, reciting from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer between songs. Watson said the Eucharist service was a celebration of Christian community around a fellowship of believers.

"This one is unique because Bono is here in spirit," Watson said with a smile.

Bono, lead singer of U2, gave the Episcopal church the opportunity to use the band's music during the traditionally liturgical service. Harold Carl, university chaplain, said Bono is a Christian who writes songs with spiritual themes. As a part of the service, churches are required to take a collection for human rights causes, Carl said. This service took a collection for the Longview chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

Many students are identifying with Bono's message, and many now see ministry as a way not only to evangelize but also to meet the needs of the world, Watson said. The service was a way to introduce students and other people in the community to a new way of worship, he said.

Students in attendance appeared interested in what they saw and heard. Most students sat in rapt attention as they watched religious images interspersed with global photographs and U2 lyrics.

"It's a very unique approach," Outlaw noted between songs.

link to original article

September 5, 2007 in U2charist in the news | Permalink | Comments (0)