Back to Lent Month continues as we highlight Bracket Czar Adam Thomas' new work of fiction, Letters from Ruby. What's the book about? According to the back cover...

Not everything a young pastor needs to know can be taught in school.
Not much triumph remains in Victory, West Virginia, where the loss of the railroad and the housing bust have conspired to send the once vibrant town into decline. Only a few buildings in downtown Victory still have the lights on, including St. John's Episcopal Church, which serves an ever-dwindling population of worshipers.

The newly ordained priest Rev. Calvin Harper arrives at the ailing church hoping to help it grow and regain some of its former glory. But Calvin has no idea how much he still has to learn about leadership, about ministry, and about life in general.

When the young man's inexperience threatens to divide Calvin from his new church family, Ruby Redding takes him under her wing. Ruby is one of those rare women who is so full of God’s light that it can't help but spill onto the people around her. This light spills onto Calvin from the moment they meet, but he is blind to the new world Ruby hopes to show him. Even Ruby's wisdom and generosity may not be enough to open Calvin's eyes.

Here's the Lent Madness Exclusive Interview with Adam!

What was your inspiration for Letters from Ruby?
They say, "Write what you know," and whoever they are, I took them at their word. Letters from Ruby is a story about a young Episcopal priest (like me, though more neurotic) and his first year of ministry at a church in a former railroad town in West Virginia. The book is fiction, though events from real life inspired the narrative. The woman behind the character of Ruby taught me so much about the "caring" side of ministry. You learn the academics in school -- about interpreting the Bible, preaching, teaching, running worship services -- but learning to be a pastor only happens on the ground.

What is the book about?
Letters from Ruby is about love keeping the grieving afloat. It is about friendship overcoming isolation. It is about hope and trust and the joy of a simple life lived in gratitude. And it is about death and resurrection.

Who's the book written for?
Women my mother's age (I'll let you guess what that means) seem to be gravitating to it, but I think anyone will find value in it. I hope church book clubs pick it up, as it will generate some great discussions at your meetings (there's also a short study guide in the back). You don't need to be an ardent churchgoer to like it; in fact, if you're not one, you might find the characters in this book wrestling with the same questions you are.

This month, Tim and Scott discuss the ever-popular Back to Lent Month and other important matters. Get the family gathered around the computer, invite a few neighbors over, and watch now.

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As school children throughout the land reluctantly turn their faces toward the classroom, we're celebrating Back to Lent Month here at Lent Madness headquarters. Specifically, now that the kids are back in school, we're offering opportunities for some Back to Lent reading.

You may not know this but a number of our Celebrity Bloggers are also famous authors in their own right. Granted, they owe it all to Lent Madness (even for the books they published before Lent Madness was a gleam in Jesus' eye). In fact, two of our current Celebrity Bloggers and one former CB, had new books published this very summer!

Throughout this month, we'll highlight the authors of these new books and encourage you to spend your hard-earned disposable income on them. After all, for what we pay these talented celebrities (global adulation?), they could use the added encouragement.

Our Bracket Czar, the Rev. Adam Thomas, published his second book this summer. Letters From Ruby is a work of fiction described thusly:

When the newly ordained Episcopal priest Rev. Calvin Harper arrives in Victory, West Virginia, to be the pastor at an ailing parish, he has no idea how much he still has to learn about being a priest. Thankfully, Ruby Redding takes the young man under her wing and teaches him everything she has learned throughout her long, storied life. Seminary never taught Calvin that the only true way to be a witness to God’s presence in this world is to remain in relationships with people no matter what life throws at them. His studies never taught him that detachment is the bane of ministry. He never learned that deep grief comes only from deep love. But in his first year in Victory, Calvin learns all this and more from Ruby, a woman so full of God’s light that it can’t help but spill onto the people around her.

Adam's first book, Digital Disciple: Real Christianity in a Virtual World, was published in 2011 and remains a popular title for those seeking to connect faith and technology.

New Celebrity Blogger, the Rev. Amber Belldene, also released a book this summer. Blood Entangled is the second book in her Blood Vine vampire romance series following the initial publication of Blood Vine. Intrigued? Here's what you'll find in Blood Entangled:

Kos Maras’s orderly life is in shambles—he must distribute Blood Vine to a population of ailing vampires, but Hunters block him at every turn. To make matters worse, each night he watches over a temptingly beautiful woman sleeping in his bed. He is convinced love cannot last a vampire-long lifetime and an entanglement will only cause them grief, but he doesn’t have the heart to send her away. From a long line of blood servants, Lena Isaakson is destined to serve a vampire, but a string of humiliating rejections thwarts her pleasure. When Kos shows her kindness, she hopes he will claim her. Instead he proves himself a coward in the face of love and sends her to serve another. Will the dark seduction of a rakish new vampire finally bring Lena the pleasure she desires or deliver her into the hands of Hunters who want to destroy everything the Maras family has worked for?

As long as we're on the topic of newly released books, former Celebrity Blogger and friend of Lent Madness, Meredith Gould, is enjoying the success of The Social Media Gospel. Here's a blurb from the Foreword:

In many ways, the church is blazing new paths with social media. Now is the time to do a new thing, to proclaim God's word in new and exciting ways. It is good to read about social media; it is good to think about how you re going to move forward. Sooner or later the time will come when you just have to take the plunge. The Social Media Gospel will help you!

Of course, Celebrity Bloggers have written books that never go out of style. Last year the Rev. Laurie Brock, released a book co-authored with the Rev. Mary Koppel titled Where God Hides Holiness: Thoughts on Grief, Joy and the Search for Fabulous Heels. Here's the deal on this terrific read:

This new book shares the joy, humor, surprises, grief, and messiness when God invites us to strip away the personas of “perfect priest” or “perfect Christian” and rediscover what is sacred and genuine about ourselves and our faith. Priests and writers Brock and Koppel relate common and unique experiences here, as we join them on a sometimes startling journey of faith. Laced with wit, revelation, and self-discovery, the new book is organized in three parts:  Life—the dirtiness of failure, frustration, and struggle when what seemed fine falls apart; Death—the frailty behind our personas; and Resurrection—new life with lessons learned.

The Rev. Penny Nash has recently contributed to two compilations, Hungry, And You Fed Me (forward by Meredith Gould!) and  Letters to Me: Conversations With a Younger Self. The first is a series of sermons by a group called Homilists for the homeless; the second shares reflections from a diverse group of folks looking back on a significant event in their lives and offering advice to their younger selves. Look for more information on both of these books later this month.

Members of the Supreme Executive Committee also write books occasionally (not just pamphlets). The Rev. Tim Schenck wrote What Size Are God's Shoes: Kids, Chaos, and the Spiritual Life in 2008.

Do you believe God can be found in both the miraculous and the mundane? Through 40 insightful and engaging essays, Tim Schenck helps us encounter God through the chaos of everyday life. The divine presence weaves its way into a family room fish tank, a child's probing questions, the town pool, and the drive-thru window of the local fast food chain.

This fall, Forward Movement is publishing an Advent/Christmas mini-book by Tim titled Dog in the Manger: Finding God in Christmas Chaos. Besides making a great gift (and being illustrated by popular priest/cartoonist Jay Sidebottham), it has reflection questions following each essay, making it perfect for your parish's Advent series.

We hope you'll enjoy the wonderful intellectual richness of Back to Lent Month. We'll be highlighting the newly released books in the days ahead. In the meantime, don't forget to get yourself a new Trapper Keeper -- while supplies last.

PS. Don't miss the Archbishops' take on what's coming up for Lent Madness 2014! https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YUpZDc6lZiU

As predicted in yesterday's Oscar worthy video by Scott, Tim, and a host of surprise guests, the Lent Madness 2014 bracket has arrived. This is the moment you've been waiting for since Spy Wednesday.

Go ahead and print out your bracket. Start researching the saints who appear in there. Predict who will win. Set up a Lent Madness 2014 command bunker in your living room. Plan your entire Christian education program at church around these holy people. Yes, friends, the fun begins again on Ash Thursday 2014. That's March 6, 2014 to regular people.

While you wait, why not pass the time sipping your coffee from your very own Frances Perkins coffee mug?

The Supreme Executive Committee has released a statement for the world's media on this occasion: "You're welcome."

In this month's episode, Tim and Scott preview the bracket, which will be announced tomorrow at 9 a.m. Eastern time. Also, Scott demonstrates his new Lent Madness mug featuring Frances Perkins. Oh, and three celebrity bloggers make cameo appearances in an outtakes reel never to be forgotten.

Order your very own mug featuring Golden Halo 2013 winner Frances Perkins from the Forward Movement website. Buy one for yourself and some more for all your friends & neighbors.

If your collection is incomplete, don't forget to buy the mug featuring Mary Magdalene, winner of the Golden Halo 2012.

Watch more Lent Madness videos on the Lent Madness channel. It's a better evening than House of Cards, unless you think Congress is better than Jesus.

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In our first "Major Announcement" since the end of Lent, we're pleased to share our line-up of 2014 Celebrity Bloggers. There are four newly minted CBs to go along with six wizened veterans. Click here to read their bios and meet the personalities who will bring Lent Madness to the masses next year.

Before we get to the names, we thought we'd let you peek behind the purple Lent Madness curtain for a peek at how the Supreme Executive Committee recruits new Celebrity Bloggers. We tell them the following:

1. The global adulation of being part of the "World's Most Popular Lenten Devotion" © will transform your life.

2. There are  groupies. The church nerd variety but groupies nonetheless.

3. The definition of "celebrity" has never been looser but in a good, holy, and life-giving way.

4. Your "reward' is in heaven. And it's spiritual so don't get your hopes up.

5. Free mugs cover a multitude of sins.

6. Obedience to the Supreme Executive Committee makes you a better Christian.

7. No meetings!

8. The opportunity to base your entire self-worth on the number of votes your saint gets.

9. Adding more deadlines to your life during Lent is good for the soul.

10. Did we mention the free mugs?

The rookies (there's no behind-the-scene hazing in case you were wondering) are:

The Rev. Amber Belldene

Dr. David Creech

The Rev. Robert Hendrickson

The Rev. Maria Kane

Returning Celebrity Bloggers are Laurie Brock, Megan Castelan, Penny Nash, Heidi Shott, David Sibley, and Laura Toepfer. Adam Thomas remains the Lent Madness Bracket Czar and we've added the mysterious Maple Anglican to the Celebrity Blogger page for his yeoman's video work. Retiring Celebrity Bloggers Neil Alan Willard and Chris Yaw now reside on our Wall of Fame page (and may well make a return engagement at some point).

We're delighted with our lineup of 2014 Celebrity Bloggers and look forward to another exciting, fun-filled(!), engaging Lent Madness next year.

PS. Look for a "Major Major Announcement" regarding a certain bracket later this month...

As we are out of season -- that is, out of the Lenten season -- the Supreme Executive Committee will be releasing monthly videos instead of weekly videos. So stay tuned to the Lent Madness Video Channel for Monthly Madness.

This month's episode is a review of the recent Spring Retreat of the Supreme Executive Committee. As you know, the SEC meets in a highly secure location to discern the bracket for Lent Madness. Believe us, an excellent bracket is about to be released to the world. This video will give you a preview. Or will it? Watch it all to find out.

The bracket for Lent Madness 2014 will be announced soon. If you are hoping to see Mr. Rogers among the elect, don't hold your breath.

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Nominations for next year’s field of 32 saints are currently being accepted by the Supreme Executive Committee.

As always, we seek to put together a balanced bracket of saints ancient and modern, Biblical and ecclesiastical representing the breadth and diversity of Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

Inevitably, some will disagree with certain match-ups or be disappointed that their favorite saint didn’t end up in the official bracket. If you find yourself muttering invective against the SEC, we implore you to take a deep cleansing breath. Remember, there’s always Lent Madness 2029.

The 2013 bracket was the first time we included nominations from the Lent Madness faithful and a number of your suggestions made it in. While the SEC remains responsible for the formation of the final bracket, we encourage your participation in the nominating process.

That’s not to say the (usually) benevolent dictatorship that is the SEC is showing cracks in its junta-like Lenten power. The only time true democracy rears its ugly head in Lent Madness is during the actual voting. However, nominations from the floor mean that if you are unhappy with the 2014 bracket you can transfer your angst away from the SEC and toward one another. As for us, we can always blame the ancient Greeks.

We may have play-in rounds again this year, depending on where the mystical dove lands on our blank bracket as we discern which saints to include. Play-ins allows everyone to get a small foretaste of the Madness that is to come as eight saints vie for four spots in the official bracket on to-be-determined dates. On the other hand, play-ins cause endless confusion for those who are new to bracketology.

As you discern saints to nominate, please keep in mind that a number of saints are ineligible for next year’s “saintly smack down.” This includes the entire field of Lent Madness 2013, those saints who made it to the Round of the Elate Eight in 2012 and 2011, and those from the 2010 Faithful Four. Here is a comprehensive list of ineligible saints. Please keep this in mind as you submit your nominations -- which you can do by leaving a comment on this post.

Also, please note that the saints you nominate should be in the sanctoral calendar of one or more churches. Anglican calendars are a bonus, but we're open minded. To a point. Fred Rogers is not eligible, despite the royal pleas of King Friday XIII. If you are looking for lists of actual saints, you might check here, here, here, or here, among other places.

Remember that when it comes to saints in Lent Madness, many are called yet few are chosen (by the SEC). So leave a comment below with your (eligible) nomination!

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Congratulations to 2013 Golden Halo Winner -- Frances Perkins!

Statement Released by Frances Perkins
(As told to the Supreme Executive Committee)

I must say I feel very much at home even though I just arrived. I feel at home because Lent Madness has, ever since it was established, been a sort of special concern of mine, although by the chicanery of politics it was not placed in the Department of Labor. I, of course, thought it should be.

I remember seeing ladies climbing up on great high stepladders and getting files out of shelves -- dusty, dirty -- many wearing gloves so they wouldn't get their hands dirty while hunting through the files for information about saints. A terrific problem of recordkeeping! You don't do that today.

Before I was elected, I had a little conversation with the SEC in which I said perhaps they didn't want me to be the Golden Halo winner, because if I were, I should want to do this, and this, and this. Among the things I wanted to do was find a way of getting health insurance for the living and voter fraud insurance for the dead. I remember they looked so startled, and they said, "Well, do you think it can be done?" I said, "I don't know." They said, "Well, there are theological problems, aren't there?" "Yes, very severe theological problems," I said. "But what have we been elected for except to solve the theological problems? Lots of other problems have been solved by the people of Lent Madness, and there is no reason why this one shouldn't be solved."

Seems pretty similar to a famous speech she gave discussing the roots of Social Security. But then, when you've won the Golden Halo, who's to question you?

2012 Golden Halo winner Mary Magdalene prepares to welcome her successor.

Well, friends, we began this Lent Madness journey over five weeks ago on “Ash Thursday.” We started with 32 saints and have now whittled the field down to two: Frances Perkins and Luke the Evangelist.

While there's been lots of talk about modern saints vs. "bedrock" saints and the "fairness" of it all, in the end the Faithful Four was very well balanced. We had a 20th-century lay woman, a 1st-century evangelist, a 20th-century martyred Salvadoran bishop, and a 7th-century abbess. Wow!

Regardless of the ultimate outcome, we’ve met some truly remarkable holy people along the way. Perhaps you learned about folks you’d never heard of or maybe you renewed acquaintances with saints who have long offered inspiration. Of course the entire notion of placing saints in a bracket is absurd — each “contestant” has already earned a crown of righteousness in addition to a “golden halo.” But at the heart of Lent Madness is the abiding conviction that encountering those who have come before us in the faith enriches and enlivens our own walk with the risen Christ.

In the process of this whimsical Lenten devotion we've all made some new online friends, encountered a community of believers who take their faith but not themselves too seriously, learned some things, were inspired by saintly witnesses, and had a lot fun along the way.

Of course we literally couldn’t have done this without our stellar “Celebrity Bloggers” to whom we offer sincere gratitude. Laurie Brock, Megan Castellan, Penny Nash, Heidi Shott, David Sibley, Laura Toepfer, Neil Alan Willard, Chris Yaw. The unsung hero of this whole operation is former Celebrity Blogger and current Bracket Czar Adam Thomas. And we can't forget the ever mysterious Maple Anglican who brought us the inimitable shenanigans of Archbishops Thomas and John (watch today's video highlighting our final match-up here). You all rock!

Finally, thanks to all of you who participated by voting, commenting, drinking coffee out of Lent Madness mugs, filling in brackets, talking about saints at coffee hour, and allowing us to play a small role in your Lenten journey. We’ve loved having each one of you along for the “madness” and on behalf of the Supreme Executive Committee we wish you a blessed Holy Week and a joyous Easter.

Oh, wait, there’s one more thing before we set our face toward the Triduum. Cast your vote for either Frances Perkins or Luke the Evangelist — the 2013 Golden Halo hangs in the balance! The polls will be open for 24 hours and the winner will be announced at 8:00 am Eastern time on Maundy Thursday.

Frances Perkins

"The technique of administration in a democracy is not easy…The statute law and the natural law, the law of God, must be somehow or other blended together, and fairness and decency and patience must prevail."
Frances Perkins, 1939

Luke the Evangelist

"Do not be afraid; for see -- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people."
Luke 2:10

Vote!

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