Thank you so much for your interest in the U2 Service or U2charist.
We have been blessed in a number of surprising ways by the U2 Eucharists, or U2charists, we have hosted at St. George's and that we have "brought" to other congregations. The interest and feedback we have received from all over this country, and around the world (!) has been astounding.
We hope to use our experience to produce something that will support others in this ministry, and that will also benefit Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation's ministry of raising awareness about extreme poverty and Global AIDS. We want others to be able to host a similar service, as soon as they feel called, so we are not waiting until this is flawless and published to share this information. But we do ask that in the meantime, those we share it with honor our request for offerings to go to Millennium Development Goal related non-profits such as ERD, that ERD, Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation and the ONE Campaign be part of your event, and that if you share this with another community wanting to host a U2 Eucharist you put them in touch with us so that we can incorporate their experiences in the book-to-be, and that you make the same request regarding the MDG's &etc...
Similarly, we would love your feedback on what worked, what did not, what was helpful, what was astonishing and surprising about your experience of what God can do through U2 in liturgy. The rector of St. George's will be working on this project during her sabbatical April-August of 2006 and welcomes your input and reflections from your own experience pblair1@earthlink.net.
"Blessings are not just for the ones who kneel...luckily" City of Blinding Lights
There are at least two ways to host a U2charist at your church. One is to use the "Ingredients for A U2charist" below. The other is to invite St. George's U2charist Team to your church to work with you to bring this liturgy to life. Either way, we are happy to consult and work with you to make this exciting, moving and inspiring liturgy, truly the work of the people, a reality in your community.
At St. George's we have always used Power Point to "DJ" the music and project the liturgy. If your budget allows you may instead wish to hire a DJ or cover band, as noted below. Even so, Power Point may still be helpful.
We recommend that your church develop your own U2charist team to plan the liturgy and play list, as it is a very transformative experience.
Click here for "Recipe for U2charist"
Click here for a link to an excel spreadsheet showing the names of the groups, and where their monies were donated. Thanks
Things to know about U2...The one paragraph version: They have always been a Christian band, but avoided signing with a Christian label because they didn't want to preach to the choir. "You" in their songs is often God. Sometimes it is God addressing us. There was an on line attempt recently to come up with one song by U2 that wasn't referring to things spiritual and no one was able to do so... The image of God as lover, luring us closer, or our desire and hunger for God are regular themes. So are themes of social justice and doing our part to bring about the reign of God.
Good books to read:
Get Up Off Your Knees: Preaching the U2 Catalog (Maynard, Whiteley, Eds. Cowley Publishing)
One Step Closer: Why U2 Matters to those Seeking God, Christian Scharen
Walk On: The Spiritual Autobiography of U2 (Steve Stockman, Relevant Press, re-released)
Conversations with Bono (Michka Assayas)
Get Up Off Your Knees is good to have on hand for sale at the service. Contact Cowley for more information. http://www.cowley.org/
Recently published, One Step Closer is similarly good to have on hand. Copies are available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Your ONE Campaign Connection, ERD, EGR and The MDG's
Please visit http://www.one.org/ to learn more about the ONE Campaign. Remind your parishioners often that ECUSA and ERD are partners of the ONE Campaign, and that the Presiding Bishop, ++Frank Griswold, was in the ONE Commercial. View the commercial at the ONE site! There is information about the Millennium Development Goals here as well. If you would like someone from the ONE Campaign to come and speak, check the "get local" link for your regional coordinator, and if that does not work, please contact me at pblair1@earthlink.net and Paige+ will work with you and her ONE contact to link you to your local ONE representative or volunteer coordinator. Signed Declaration Forms can be sent to
DATA/ONE
1400 Eye St. Suite 1250
Washington, DC 20005
If you are outside the United States, please check http://www.millenniumcampaign.org/, http://www.whiteband.org/ or http://www.makepovertyhistory.org/ for more information on the incarnation of the Millennium Campaign and Make Poverty History movement in your country.
http://www.e4gr.orgmanage/dfcfiles// has more and more information about Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation, the MDG's and ways we can work together to bring about God's reign in our time and place.
http://www.er-d.org/ is the website of Episcopal Relief and Development. In addition to a link to Bishop's Blend fair-trade coffee (good for your post- U2charist coffee hour!) there is a link to the MDG's with information about how ERD is doing its part and how you can do yours. There is also a great link on this site for free materials about the MDG's and "What can ONE person do"-you just pay the modest s&h cost. http://www.er-d.org/programs_63930_ENG_HTM.htm
Things to Remember
- God will show up!
- Give yourself extra time for set up and sound check, to test-run the power-point
- Plan to have fun
- "Blessings are not just for the ones who kneel... luckily" City of Blinding Lights
