Episcopal Churches Turn to U2 to Pack Pews

[Sirrich3]

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.

[Bires]

Ah...

If teenagers and young adults had the money to build churches, this would happen all the time. But most of the money to build churches come from aging congregations.

Our church in Henderson (only 5 years old) has used U2 and number of times and rewriting several classics to use bass, 6-string electrics, and a full percussion kit.

[redcolours]

dont they have a church for teenagers now? i know a LOT of kids are in it, and even teenagers and yuppies have joined in and actually made hundreds of freinds in it. You can hear different kinds of music, not just U2's. Attendance is never a problem - they frequent it a lot.

i think its called Myspace.

[Bires]

...i think its called Myspace.

No. no. Put down the flamethrowers.


He's joking, eveyone.


I'm sure he's joking.


Tell them you're joking redcolours.

...

Redcolours?

[Paymaster]

A local church here in sac recently did a fairly positive sermon about metallica's music. They also handed out earplugs I believe...

[ryan_self]

This makes sense, since Bono already thinks he's Jesus. God, I f'ing hate U2.