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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 18, 2005)
NOVEMBER 18. 2005 JUStlOUt 49 music Like a Prayer Elevation: Christian rock with a queer twist by Patricia L. MacAodha ith hands clapping and bodies sway where you seek your peers. Where will you go? ing, the pews of Metropolitan Seeking spiritual peers is not easy.” Community Church of Portland take Vocalist Angi Waldrop was “just going to church on a decidedly different tone every' here” when Elevation called her name. She had previ Sunday evening. The high-ceilinged, ously sung in talent shows for about eight years, but century-old sanctuary—a historical landmark built the band soon became an important part of her life. for traditional Christian hymns—is filled with a driv She loves singing at Elevation services and wants the ing rock beat that lifts the youthful and young-at-heart band "just to keep growing strong land] getting the congregation to its feet. message out.” From left, Angi Waldrop, John Huff, Kate Bednarski, Eric Johnson and Nicole Highhouse take an enthusiastic, energetic approach to worship. as a technical producer and a studio. brings her dog. At this service, Highhouse invites the The evening service was launched after the Rev. Kate Bednarski, who holds a degree from San “We also need better sound,” Bednarski says, congregation to kick off its shoes and get comfortable. Glenna Shepherd, MCC’s senior pastor, looked out at Francisco’s Center for Creation Spirituality, has played acknowledging that might take a while. At least Accepting her invitation, lay leader Kimberly Brown the faces in the sanctuary and noticed only pockets of drums since she was 14, performing in a number of $5,500 would be needed to upgrade MCC’s system. delivers that evening’s message barefoot, and no one blinks an eye’ people younger than 40. She fretted that the church bands. She stopped for a while as she put together her The church, in the process of a building and mission would lose them and began discussing solutions. “We own business but had resumed playing occasionally upgrade, doesn’t have the money to spare right now, Elevation has drawn attention from the larger MCC had to have a way of reaching them that would work,” with MCC’s regular music program when Elevation but the need is imminent. Elevation’s core group community. California pastor Jim Mitulski, part of the she says. recruited her. agrees: It’s part of creating a queer-youth-friendly denomination’s administration staff, has been trying to environment. find financing to bring the band down for a tour of Out of this process, Elevation emerged—although Vocalist Eric Johnson formerly sang with the “burst out” might be a more descriptive term. The morning choir but was recruited to join Elevation, dis When one walks in the door to take in an Elevation Christian rock band’s approach to worship reaches covered he enjoyed the evening service and has never service, the first thing evident is the high level of enthu from an enthusiastic, driving spirituality and an un looked back. Vocalist John Huff rounds out the cur siasm ^People help with setup, and there is a general bridled, joyful energy. rent lineup. atmosphere of excitement. What’s coming up tonight? churches in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Highhouse proudly shares, “He says we re the future of our church.” © “Young people coming from a faith-based back Highhouse plays guitar and does vocals but is still Wil) the band play its signature number, Elvis Presley's Catch E levation 6p.m. Sundays at Metropolitan ground often have a hard time coming out and an even scouting for bass and lead guitarists, a keyboardist and “Burning Love,” complete with its own Christian Community Church of Portland, 2400 N.E. harder time reconnecting with a queer-friendly a baritone vocalist. Even with these needs, the band words on the screen by the podium? Broadway. For more information call 503-281-8868. Christian grooves with a great sound and energy. community,” says bandleader Nicole In couples or single, people begin wandering into Highhouse, facilitator of the congregation’s Spiritual There has also been talk of making a Cl), but the sanctuary: young parents with infants, teen-agers P atricia L. M ac A odha is a Portland free-lance writer. Development Committee. “There’s that pivotal point Elevation needs someone to front the project, as well and preteens bringing their parents. One woman even E-mail her at patmac31@juno.com. SE MILWAUKIB @ POWELL PIIONE EM33-233-1»»« WWW.AI.ADDbi-TH»JlT>;R.COM TICKET« AT TtUC ALADDIN BOX OFnCE ■> ALL TICKETMASTER OUTLCTS OR CHAXat-lY-rHONES03-IIM~1400 SHE’S COURSE, SHE’S LOUD, SHE'S INCREDIBLY FUNNY SUZANNE WESTENHOfFER THURSDAY DECEMBER 1 RESCHEDULED FROM 10/28 - ALL TICKETS HONORED LADIES ONLY EVENT @ the Jupiter Hotel! Dirty Martini • - s fundraiser for - - ths first oeteva music tn schools program Celebrate the launch of nippleparty.com — a new site to share 6 show off nipple fun! Saturday, November 19 8 p.m. to midnight JUPITER HOTEL 800 E Burnside - ages 21 + '* / « S Join us in the new DREAMBOX ROOM for complimentary drink tickets, food and free nipple toys! Be a part of nippleparty.com! 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