MUSCATINE, Iowa — Organizers of a local event hope that U2 fans, as well as people who want to help the poor and hungry, will find what they’re looking for this weekend.

On Saturday, Nov. 8, the congregation at Muscatine’s Wesley United Methodist Church will hold a special, community-wide communion service that focuses on the plight of the hungry and impoverished around the world.

The event, called U2charist Service, features the music of the Irish rock band U2, and is intended to encourage people around the world to help accomplish the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals.

The name of the event is a play on the name of the band and the Eucharist, a religious rite — sometimes referred to as the Lord’s Supper — where bread and wine are consecrated and distributed as symbols of the body and blood of Jesus.

U2’s lead singer, Bono, has been an outspoken advocate in the fight against world hunger and poverty for years.

Music for the Wesley United Methodist U2charist Service will be performed by a band of local musicians Scott Burk has gathered together for the event.

Burk is a member of the Wesley worship team and fan of  U2, introduced the idea of bringing the U2charist service to Wesley.

Burk said the publisher for the band U2 gives blanket permission for the songs to be used for the special services as long as 100 percent of donations go to a charity that is furthering the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

The goals, set by the United Nations, are targeted at relieving hunger and extreme poverty and the effects of those circumstances such as child mortality. Promoting gender equality, empowering women and ensuring environmental sustainability are included in those goals.

“I don’t always see eye-to-eye with Bono on politics,” said Burk, who said he is more conservative. “But no one can deny what he has done to bring attention to the issue of poverty.”

Burk said the first U2charist service was held in Baltimore in 2003 and more than 10,000 people have attended U2charist services in the United States since then. In addition, more than $80,000 has been donated to causes that apply to the Millennium Development Goals. 

The service is more informal than traditional services, said Burk, and a freewill offering will be taken for a donation to the Christian charity, Five Talents International.

According to the Five Talents’ Web site, its mission is based on fighting poverty, creating jobs and transforming lives by empowering the poor in developing countries. Five Talents uses financial programs,  business training and spiritual development to accomplish its goals.

Burk said everyone who attends the service is encouraged to take communion.

Reporter contact information

Cynthia Beaudette 563-262-0527

cynthia.beaudette@muscatine

What: A special communion service, “U2charist Service,” which features the music of the Irish rock band U2.

When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8.

Where: Wesley United Methodist Church, 400 Iowa Ave.

Contact: 563-263-1596

Details: This service is intended to raise awareness of and work toward accomplishing the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals including eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.

Band members performing for the U2charist service:

Lead vocals, Catherine Auberg; back vocals, Sue Calegan; bass, Bernard Blaskowski; drums, Kelly Grady; organ, Sally Potter and guitar, Scott Burk.

Online: http://www.fivetalents.org/

The United Nation’s Millennium Goals:

n Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger

n Achieving universal primary education

n Promoting gender equality and empowering women

n Reducing child mortality

n Improving maternal health

n Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

n Ensuring environmental sustainability

n Developing a global partnership for development.