Good Vibrations from the Pulpit

Good Vibrations from the Pulpit

Patrick Kampert
Published October 30, 2005

Phil Miglioratti's last service as interim pastor of Uptown Baptist Church
in Chicago was wrapping up. He'd been touched by tributes from people who said
he'd made a difference in their lives. But then music leader Mike Choby got
up and started teasing his friend about Miglioratti's obsession with the
music of the Beach Boys. Miglioratti, you see, even has a Web site
(www.prayforsurf.net) that he calls "the gospel according to Brian Wilson and the Beach
Boys."

Choby told how Miglioratti recently dragged him to see Wilson perform the
songs from his famous "Smile" album at a solo concert in Milwaukee and of going
backstage with the pastor to meet the genius behind the music. And, of
course, dealing with Miglioratti's off-key singing--and humming in the
instrumental parts--throughout the concert.

As Choby finished his roast, he sat down at the piano and paid tribute to
Miglioratti by beginning Wilson's song "Love and Mercy":

Love and mercy, that's what you need tonight

Love and mercy to you and your friends tonight

"It's not a Christian song, but the concepts--love and mercy--certainly
are," Miglioratti said.

So he had the congregation stand, and they all sang it together as a hymn.

----------
Everyone has a story (or two or three). Care to share yours with Q Diary?
Send your story to nwatkins@tribune.com. Include your daytime phone number so
we can chat. We want details, details, details!

Copyright © 2005, _Chicago Tribune_ (http://www.chicagotribune.com/)