U2charist @ Cherokee Tomorrow
Since its 1980 album Boy, the Irish rock band U2 has played a vibrant role in popular culture, their music and image evolving to fit changing times and tastes. But through the years and the changes, two things have remained constant with U2: first, the same four individuals who formed the band so long ago are the same on tour around the world in 2009 and 2010; second, and more importantly for this morning's service at Cherokee, the band's recordings and live performances remain infused with distinct and challenging Christian imagery and spirituality. This longevity of character and belief is evident in the music you'll hear today: "40" is from U2's third album War (1983); "Magnificent" is from the thirteenth album No Line on the Horizon (2009); other songs come from the range of albums in between.
The U2charist combines the music of U2 with the celebration of the Eucharist to create a service that has been described as "meaningful and fun." The first U2charist was held in 2004, and since then variations on the service have been held around the world and across denominations. U2 is aware of these services and allows its music to be used without licensing cost. The band asks in return that the event be a worship service, not a concert, and that a donation be collected to support the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals, among which are the end of poverty and hunger, the promotion of universal education, of child and maternal health, gender equality and global partnership.
The organizers of the first U2charist at Cherokee United Methodist Church have chosen to donate today's special offering to a program called Nothing But Nets, an approved project of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. The pennies and dollars donated this morning—100% of them—will go to purchase and distribute protective mosquito netting to help prevent the spread of malaria in Africa, where a child dies of this preventable disease every 30 seconds and a million children and adults die of it every year.
Welcome to the U2charist! Sing along! Dance! Worship!
The U2charist combines the music of U2 with the celebration of the Eucharist to create a service that has been described as "meaningful and fun." The first U2charist was held in 2004, and since then variations on the service have been held around the world and across denominations. U2 is aware of these services and allows its music to be used without licensing cost. The band asks in return that the event be a worship service, not a concert, and that a donation be collected to support the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals, among which are the end of poverty and hunger, the promotion of universal education, of child and maternal health, gender equality and global partnership.
The organizers of the first U2charist at Cherokee United Methodist Church have chosen to donate today's special offering to a program called Nothing But Nets, an approved project of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. The pennies and dollars donated this morning—100% of them—will go to purchase and distribute protective mosquito netting to help prevent the spread of malaria in Africa, where a child dies of this preventable disease every 30 seconds and a million children and adults die of it every year.
Welcome to the U2charist! Sing along! Dance! Worship!
posted by mac | 4:32 AM
4 Comments:
That's great! hope you have a great day and raise a ton of money for Nothing but Nets!
Thanks. I'm looking forward to it. This is one of the neatest things I've been involved with since the days of our band.
Proud of you Michael, I'm sure the Church was packed and lots of money was contribute to a worthy cause.
It was fabulous! The attendance was good. There will be another chance to hear the band on Jan. 30. Marie
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