Star Wars-themed mass in Berlin spreads the word of the force

In an impressive show of fandom, 43-year-old former Marine Eric Welch legally changed his name last year and became Darth Vader.

Children carried toy lightsabers to a Protestant church in Berlin and some of the congregation dressed up as Darth Vader on Sunday (Dec. 20) for a service to mark the release of the blockbuster hit new Star Wars movie.

The man formerly known as Eric Welch said he grew up in foster homes and never felt any real association with his family name.

“I wanted to do something of my own”, he said. “I wanted a separation from my self and my past”.

Vader has also battled leukemia and a serious bone marrow disorder for 13 years.

The force was strong as Omar Gonzalez donned a Darth Vader costume to confirm his move from LA Galaxy (far, far away – obviously) to the Liga MX side. Obi-Wan Kenobi Briggs in North Carolina, Darth Mykolaiovych Vader in Ukraine, Julius Andreas Gimli Arn MacGyver Chewbacka Highlander Elessar-Jankov in Norway, and Han Solo, Yoda Reeves, and Laura Matthews Skywalker in England probably have the same issue.

According to Harbaugh, if he lost a coordinator while coaching, his goal is to always replace them with someone better. His condition is manageable, he said, but will eventually require a bone marrow transplant. “I don’t mind, but ask me in a few years”.

A person dressed as Darth Vader poses inside the Church of Zion in Berlin.

“They trust us to make them part of the church service without making it too Christian or too Star Wars, but to find a good compromise”.

A GoFundMe page was set up to help with medical bills, and has racked up more than $15,000.

Vader told the D&C that the name change wasn’t hard, but he did have to sign documents promising not to use the Force for evil character’s likeness for his own profit.

Plus, I’m sure he gets weird looks every-time he’s carded.