Celebrating 'U2-charist'

From the Tallahassee Democrat:

Sunday night, the Episcopal Church of the Advent is offering not just the Eucharist but a special U2-charist - a service featuring music by the popular band U2 and its lead singer, Bono.

Tucker Biddlecombe, the church's associate music director, and other musicians will perform four or five U2 songs, including "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," "One" and "Walk On." The service also will focus on issues that Bono has championed, such as economic justice and worldwide health care.

"I'm always looking for ways to help the congregation see the needs of others," said the Rev. Joan Pritcher, rector of the church. "This seemed like a natural progression."

The name "U2-charist" is a take-off on the traditional "Eucharist" (referring to Holy Communion). It was created by a priest in Maine and has since spread around the country by word of mouth. Pritcher said she thought it was a creative way to reach out to the community and perhaps bring in people who otherwise might not go to services.

Biddlecombe, also the choral director at Chiles High School, said he was excited when Pritcher approached him with the idea.

"I've followed U2 since the early '80s," said Biddlecombe, 29. "They're a lot like the Beatles, who morphed from one style to another."

U2's music isn't overtly Christian, although many of the lyrics could be read that way. Biddlecombe thinks that ambiguity is a plus.

"In a song like 'One,' one person might think it's about politics, another might think it's about love, and another about Jesus," he said. "People can make their own decisions about what it means."

Much contemporary Christian music tends to be about "me, me, me and my relationship with Jesus," Biddlecombe said. He said U2's music goes beyond the individual to issues in the larger society.

Bono, 46, who was born in Ireland, has been a social activist for years, particularly focusing on disease, debt and economic issues in Africa. He played a key role in getting eight industrialized nations to write off debt for poorer countries last year. In February he spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, bringing his message to evangelicals. And in May, he toured six African countries to focus on trade issues.

U2's publishing company waived any fees for using the band's songs during church services - as long as the offering was given to a charity. Sunday's U2-charist collection will go to Episcopal Relief and Development for fighting poverty and AIDS.

What: U2-charist

Where: Episcopal Church of the Advent, 815 Piedmont Drive

When: 6 p.m. Sunday

My Comments:
I mean, I love U2 as much as the next person. In fact, they are my favorite rock band of all time. But this is ridiculous! Gimmicks to get people to come to church. So, I guess, when it comes to putting butts in the pews, U2 are "bigger than Jesus" (a claim John Lennon once made for the Beatles).

On the other hand, I'd rather listen to U2 than some of the crap that passes for Catholic hymnody these days.