Church swaps hymns for rock music

A Lincolnshire church is to host what is thought to be England's first Holy Communion using rock music.

The "U2-charist", which uses hits from the Irish rock group in place of hymns in the service, is being held at Lincoln's St Swithin's Church in May.

The idea has been trialled in the United States since 2005 as a way of boosting congregations.

The Bishop of Grantham, the Right Reverend Timothy Ellis, said it was important to find fun ways to worship.

Rock music can be a vehicle of immense spirituality Right Reverend Timothy Ellis, Bishop of Grantham

A live band will play the U2 songs, including Mysterious Ways and Beautiful Day, as worshippers sing along with lyrics which will appear on a screen at the Church of England building.

The event will focus on the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals - targets set for the alleviation of world poverty.

The bishop said: "The Millennium Development Goals are extremely important for the future of the world.

"It is also very important that we continue to try to find ways of worshipping that are surprising, challenging and fun."

He added: "Rock music can be a vehicle of immense spirituality."