Church of Bruce
Last night I attended “A Bruce Springsteen Eucharist to Feed Portland’s Hungry” at the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. It was very “Portland” in that it was a totally cool event but low key and understated. No one was screaming “Broooce!” There was a big turnout and everyone was in appropriate church mode, although possibly half of them were at the last Springsteen concert in Portland, which was March 28, 2008, not that I remember.
The experience was both surreal yet totally fitting and right. The strangest part was the processional done to “Dancing in the Dark,” which was truly unusual. The priest was obviously a big fan, naturally called him “The Boss” and gave a sermon that had a prodigal son theme. He talked about Bruce’s video for “Philadelphia,” (which the band played), and how Bruce sang it live, not lip-synched, as he went walking among the poor and homeless in Philadelphia. While the priest stopped short of proclaiming Bruce as his personal savior, he clearly made the case that Bruce is someone who cares about his fellow travelers and why his songs are so truly American. It was half Bruce, half Jesus, which seemed just right.
At one point—as a Buddhist who was raised Jewish—this was all new to me—everyone stood up and shook hands with their neighbors and said, “Peace be with you.” That was lovely. The warmth and sincerity was much like the Bruce community, in which fans share love for and with our secular savior. Obviously these communal blessings are a common practice but this was my first-ever Episcopal Eucharist.
We made a generous donation when the plate came around which felt good because 100% of the money goes to feeding the hungry, which this church does on a regular basis and of course, which Bruce does via his longtime charities.
So it was a pretty authentic Bruce experience, lacking the Man himself but filled with his spirit of compassion, the merging of common and spiritual themes and some really great music. Excellent setlist! It was okay to sing along but not exactly dance in the aisles. The photo doesn’t capture the beauty of this cathedral. It was gorgeous. Couldn’t help but think what an amazing venue it would be for the actual Rev. Bruce!
Many Springsteen fans claim to be members of the Church of Bruce… I was actually there. And I was worried that Bruce would never play Portland again…
Setlist:
My City of Ruins
Dancing in the Dark ( listed as the “processional hymn”)
Streets of Philadelphia
My Hometown
Jesus Was an Only Son (the “offeratory”)
Thunder Road (during communion)
My Father’s House
The Rising (“recessional hymn”)
