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.
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