U2-charist": Bono moves in mysterious ways Wrote:LONDON (Reuters) - For Anglicans who still haven't found what they're looking for, the Church of England is staging its first "U2-charist" communion service -- replacing hymns with hit songs by the Irish supergroup
"Rock music can be a vehicle of immense spirituality," said Bishop of Grantham Timothy Ellis, announcing plans for the unique service in the central English town of Lincoln in May.

A live band is to play U2 classics like "Beautiful Day" and "Mysterious Ways" with special singalong lyrics displayed on a giant screen. Seating for the 500-strong congregation is to be re-arranged so everyone can dance and wave their hands.

The service is to focus on the Millennium development goals -- U2's lead singer Bono is a leading promoter of the targets to alleviate world poverty.

Quote:OAKLAND
Bono, Rep. Lee help raise black AIDS awareness
Jason B. Johnson, Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, March 2, 2007

International rock star and social activist Bono will turn the focus of his global campaign against AIDS to the local level today when he visits Oakland to join Rep. Barbara Lee and church leaders to foster greater AIDS awareness among Bay Area African Americans.

The presence of Bono, who has lobbied heads of state and raised millions to buy badly needed AIDS drugs for countries in the developing world, will "shine a spotlight" on what the disease is doing to the black community, Lee said. The meeting is not open to the public.

The lead singer of the Grammy-winning band U2, Bono has made the fight against AIDS in Africa a high-profile issue, especially with young people.

"His coming to Oakland is an opportunity for him to learn about what this global pandemic looks like here in the United States," the Democratic legislator said, "and not only learn about our efforts to fight it, but contribute to them."

Lee said education and outreach efforts by nonprofits and government agencies "have not received the attention that they deserve." She said the black church needs to be part of the effort.

Since the mid-1990s, the face of AIDS in the United States has gone from that of gay white men to that of African Americans. The majority of new HIV infections are among African Americans, as are the majority of those who die from AIDS.

Since 2003, African Americans have comprised the largest portion of AIDS cases in Alameda County. Of the more than 6,800 AIDS cases diagnosed in Alameda County from 1980 to 2005, 44 percent were in African Americans, according to the county Department of Public Health's 2005 AIDS Epidemiology Report.

Those battling the disease hope to stem the spread by making at-risk people more aware of methods of transmission and prevention and by removing the stigma associated with AIDS.

"The clergy and the faith community play a critical role in the African American community, and there is no way that our efforts to stop this disease can succeed if they are not involved in the effort," Lee said.

Bishop Bob Jackson of Acts Full Gospel Church in Oakland said he's going to be part of the meeting and is eager to hear what help Bono can give.

"I really don't know what Bono's going to be able to add, but I'm hoping that it will raise the consciousness that we still have a tremendous war going on, not only in Iraq, but here at home," Jackson said.

Gloria Cox-Crowell, co-chair of the AIDS ministry at Oakland's Allen Temple Baptist Church, said she's excited about the visit.

"It's great that Bono is coming because it brings more attention to HIV, both globally and nationally," she said.

Cox-Crowell said it's been easier to get people motivated to fight AIDS overseas at a Zimbabwe orphanage the church supports than here in the United States. "We can get folks to write a check in a snap to pay for the medication of a child for a year, but not for efforts here," she said.

Lee said public awareness has been raised recently, especially with events such as the recent International AIDS Conference in Toronto and new education efforts by civil rights groups, but that funding has lagged behind at a critical time.

"We need more resources," Lee said. "The Minority AIDS Initiative has been flat-funded since President Bush took office. Fighting this disease can't just be a priority for the black community, it has to be a priority for the nation."

Quote:Spider-Man Musical Likely with Taymor as Director


A musical version of the famed comic strip and now hit film series is in the works.

Variety reports that Tony Adams, co-producer of the stage musical Victor/Victoria, and Marvel Comics are planning to bring the comic book tale to the stage. The industry paper says that Neil Jordan — of "The Crying Game" fame — would pen the book with a score by U2's Bono and the Edge.

Julie Taymor, who received a Tony Award for her direction of the international hit The Lion King, looks likely to direct. No casting or dates have been announced for the project.

Greg Wrote:I think Ricky Gervais has the final word on this whole debate.

The one

Quote:It was the secret of the century, but don't forget, the century is young. And never mind what you learned online by searching Google. There were not 600 guests at Larry Page and Lucy Southworth's wedding; that's about four times the real figure. And Carl Page, the bridegroom's brother, was the best man, not Necker Island owner Richard Branson. Branson's job was to preside over the vows.

Some tiny details: The bride and groom had specified they wanted no presents. Festivities started in the Caribbean on Friday morning. The wedding was on Sunday, the bride's gown was by Vera Wang, and Alice Waters catered the wedding dinner. The bride looked beautiful, the food was great, and the couple is "very much in love," said O, which stands for observer.

After the ceremony, the bride and groom changed into swimsuits. Their version of the traditional first dance was a first wind-surf together. ("They are very talented wind surfers," said O.) All furniture used for the party was donated later to a nearby children's facility.

The guest list was "mostly family, or family-oriented," with a few billionaires, "but also college friends." Guest Bono brought along a poem he'd written for the newlyweds. He also did an impromptu musical performance with the Wailers (who used to play with Bob Marley).

Quote:Bono, lead singer of the rock band U2, is famous throughout the entertainment industry for being more than just a little self-righteous.

At a recent U2 concert in Glasgow, Scotland, he asked the audience for total quiet.

Then, in the silence, he started to slowly clap his hands, once every few seconds. Holding the audience in total silence, he said into the microphone, 'Every time I clap my hands, a child in Africa dies.'

From the front of the crowd a voice with a broad Scottish accent pierced the quiet ...

'Well, f -- ckin stop doin it then, ya evil bastard!'