Claremont, CA—This past January the United Church of Christ in Claremont held one of its most successful U2charist events. They plan to do it again on Saturday evening, June 4, in the church’s Kingman Chapel.

“Our last service really rocked!” said Senior Pastor Rob Patton, “We had some local musicians playing U2 music and people really got into it.  In June we are planning to add even more live music.”

U2charist celebrations feature the music of the rock band U2 as part of a liturgical service and communion.  The service emphasizes the eight Millennium Development Goals, established by the United Nations.  These goals focus on reducing extreme poverty, fighting AIDS and other epidemics, reducing child mortality rates, and developing global environmental sustainability. Bono, U2’s lead singer, is a passionate supporter of the Millennium Development Goals.

Playing at the June 4 event is a local band called Unknown Artist, which includes the Rev. Dan Lewis of the Claremont United Methodist Church, and vocalist Bob Rhodes, a seminarian at the Claremont School of Theology.  Unknown Artist was formed specifically to perform at U2christ events.  They have played at ceremonies held at the Claremont United Methodist Church and the Claremont School of Theology.

Also returning to the U2charist is Roxanne Christian.  Roxanne “comes from a rich background of culture, performing arts, and public speaking. She is a spiritual lover of God, light, love, life, and one source, and she is often compared to India Arie, Maya Angelo, Jill Scott and Sade,” according to Tradebit.com.

The first U2charist celebrations were held by the U.S. Episcopal Church in the early part of the decade.  Several denominations have followed suit with similar events, conducted all over the world.

“The U2charist is a way for churches to reach out to a younger audience and invite them to be a part of the global energy,” added Rev. Patton.  “We want to help call attention to the Millennium Development Goals and their importance to everyone.  This is a great congregation at CUCC and we do a lot of things, but we are always challenging our members to take their belief to the next level.”

There is no charge to attend.  A collection will be taken during the service and all proceeds donated to All Our Children International, a grassroots, non-profit organization founded in 2007. Their purpose is to create permanent change in the lives of children through education, self- sufficiency and sustainability. The group is active particularly in Africa.

The U2charist service, which will be about sixty minutes long, starts at 6:22, the evening of Saturday, June 4, at in the Kingman Chapel of Claremont United Church of Christ, 233 West Harrison Ave, Claremont CA 91711; 909/626-1201.  Also refer to the church’s website at www.claremontucc.org, or Facebook at Claremont U2charist.