U2 - U2 CHURCH SERVICE

U2 music is to feature prominently in an England church in a bid to boost congregation numbers, and religious leaders hope to roll out the scheme if successful. The first 'U2-charist' service will see a band playing U2 classics including MYSTERIOUS WAYS and WHEN LOVE COMES TO TOWN which will replace hymns. Church Of England worshippers will sing along to Live 8 organiser BONO's lyrics, while lighting will pulse to the music alongside images of poverty and drought. The Bishop Of Reverend TIMOTHY ELLIS, who is organising the first 'U2-charist' service in St Swithin's church in Lincoln in May (07), says, "Bono and BOB GELDOF are very human, but they have demonstrated that they believe there is sanctity to life that has to be protected. If that makes them saints, then I would go along with that. "We are hoping the service will be a fresh way to look at worship, less formal, and less rigid. "This is not designed to replace traditional services but to enhance the worship provision of the Church."