(Left to right) Isabel Ryan, Erik Thorstenn, Brian Hartung, and Judy Hartung The youth of Christ Episcopal Church in Garden City will be doing something different for their annual Youth Sunday service on Sunday, May 6 at 10 a.m. They will be using a multi-media, contemporary liturgy called a "U2charist". Their efforts are under the direction of Christ Church Choir Director and guitarist, Tim Erbe. This service will feature Christ Church's youth as readers, chalice bearer, ushers, musicians, and preacher. Also helping are Sunday School teachers Fred Smith and Judy Hartung and Youth Leaders Susan & Magnus Thorstenn.

What is a U2charist? The U2charist is an Episcopal Eucharist (that is, a mass) service that features the music of the band U2. Its message is about God's call to rally around the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The music in this service is replete with Bible readings, prayers, and the important message of global reconciliation, justice for the poor and oppressed, and the importance of caring for your neighbor, particularly the most vulnerable and those in need. Led by the Global MDG ambassador, Bono, U2 is calling people worldwide to a deeper faith and engagement with God's mission. The U2charist seeks to be an extension of this ministry.

(Left to right) Katie Heller, Christina Mangels, Tim Erbe, Alexis Marquardt, Isabel Ryan All persons of all faiths are welcome to Christ Church's U2charist service. Our Guest Preacher will be the parish's President of the Episcopal Young People's Fellowship (EYPF), Chelsea Singer. The offering collected at this service will go to the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund, in support of their MDG projects. Christ Church serves the communities of Garden City, Stewart Manor, Franklin Square, New Hyde Park, Elmont, and West Hempstead. The church is located at the corner of Chester Avenue and Jefferson Street, three blocks west of New Hyde Park Road. Regular Sunday Eucharists are Rite I (traditional language liturgy) at 8 a.m. and Rite II (contemporary language liturgy with choir) at 10 a.m.. For more information, contact the Rector, The Rev. Debra Low-Skinner, at 516-775-2626.

Brian Hartung (left) and Tim Erbe (right) on guitars, rehearsing with the Christ Church U2charist singers