Everyone needs a Brooklyn hipster in his or her life. We're not entirely sure former chemists qualify as hipsters but David Sibley is most definitely living in Brooklyn amongst the artisinal-everything loving hipsters. Sure, he's actually from South Carolina but what's a little geographical fudgery among friends? This is David's second year as our youngest Celebrity Blogger but, since he's in parish ministry, he's aging rapidly.
The Rev. David Sibley
David Sibley, while living in Brooklyn, does not craft artisanal cheeses. Instead, he serves as Priest-in-Charge of Saint John’s Church, Fort Hamilton, where six of the saints featured in this year’s bracket stare back at him every time he celebrates the Eucharist. Raised right in the middle of South Carolina, David studied and did research as a chemist before being whisked away to seminary in New York City. When he’s not in church, David enjoys travel, hiking and camping, all things food and music related, and praying for the yearly resurrection of the Chicago Cubs’ World Series hopes. When the ideas are forthcoming, he’s been known to blog at Feeding on Manna, and holds forth much more often with his partners in crime on Twitter at @davidsibley.
How has Lent Madness transformed your life?
Well, let’s just say that when you’re searching for Saintly Kitsch on Etsy and eBay during the Elate Eight, you see things, man. I just can’t unsee some of the terrible, terrible, kitsch that I’ve seen. There is nothing – nothing – that someone out there has not thought worthy of bedazzling.
For me, perhaps the most rewarding and transformative aspect of Lent Madness has been to hear the stories people share in comments and on social media about how the various saints have had an impact on their lives of prayer and discipleship. People come to regard the saints as their friends in faith, and as companions along a journey. So Lent Madness has become a regular part of Lent for me, and one that I look forward to each year, because it means not only learning some new things, but also, hearing how other people’s lives have been transformed by walking with the saints.
Obviously being a Celebrity Blogger is your greatest lifetime achievement. What perks have you enjoyed as a result of your status?
This one time, Tim handed me a free cup of coffee. It was a touching moment that I’ll cherish forever. Actually the biggest perk of being a Celebrity Blogger has been that I’ve been able to meet and converse with a whole bunch of really cool people over on social media, and made a few really good friends through the process.
What do you hope the Lent Madness public will learn from the lives of the saints?
I would hope people will learn see that when people follow after Jesus, God inspires ordinary people to lead lives of extraordinary faithfulness and boundless courage. My preaching professor in seminary often pointed to a saying attributed to Martin Luther, “God rides the lame horse; God carves the rotten wood.” For me, that’s true when I look at the lives of the saints: for as often as a saint wanted to quit, or failed in a venture, or was on the edge of burnout – God would transform brokenness and failure into something bigger and grander than they could have ever imagined. The lives of the saints are so often images of magnificent transformation in the service of Jesus Christ – and the saints inspire me to want to be transformed, too.
To paraphrase the old Tommy Lasorda Slim-Fast Commercials: If they can do it, I can do it, too!
Someday, when you become the answer on Jeopardy, what will the question be?
Now hold on a second: shouldn’t this go the other way? I thought the answer is a question on Jeopardy, and the question is the answer. I’m very confused as to what is actually being asked here, so I’m going to present the episode as I picture it playing out:
Contestant: “I’ll take Being Pedantic on Profiles for $500, Alex”
Alex Trebek: “During Lent Madness Celebrity Blogger Week 2014, he started arguing with a very easy profile question because he didn’t have an insightful way to write about his deep love of the Chicago Cubs and South Carolina Gamecocks, his tendency to binge television series on Netflix, or the fact that he spends way too much time on Twitter.”
Contestant: “Who is David Sibley?”
Alex Trebek: “Correct.”
That question, neeedless to say, should not be a Daily Double.
55 comments on “Celebrity Blogger Week: David Sibley”
Dear Fr. Sibley, "Earth and All Stars" is the stupidest hymn (?) ever written. How did it ever make it into the hymnal? You are my favorite blogger; your spiritual commitment comes across loud and clear. Thank you for that.
The only hymns worse than "Earth and All Stars" are those 24/7
"contemporary" ones--7 words repeated 24 times. "Love Divine" definitely makes my heavenly playlist. I am also a transplanted Southerner, having realized my lifelong desire to move to New York City at age 24. As a retired United Methodist clergy, hospital chaplain, and unretired singer and writer, I find Lent Madness a great spiritual exercise, full of inspiration and humor, both necessary! Keep up the good work.
Not to mention their monotonous so-called melodies. "Hey! These are some great words! Let's set them to a monotone and repeat them to infinity!"
Totally agree on "Earth and All Stars." This courageous stand alone might carry your saint across the finish line!
OK, I'm standing up for "Earth and All Stars", though I understand about not wanting your test tubes to be boiling. What I like about it (besides the rollicking tune) is that it calls upon all of creation, all human endeavor and experience to sing a new song to God. I love the idea of marching bands and pounding hammers and rustling dry leaves, all singing at the top of their voices a new song to the One who has done marvelous things.
And (full disclosure) I used to play a loud humming cello, so this song refers to me as well.
A certain college church uses Earth... for the last hymn in an otherwise unblemished Evensong. I find the tune unfit to the aura of an evening worship. Charles Wesley is super, but I consider Hyfrydol overused.
Is Rev. Sibley still blogging, or is he actually a celebrity tweeter? Just wondering.
I'm with you on "Earth and All Stars" -- especially hate the praise of "loud sounding wisdom!" Can't tell whether it refers to one of my pompous relatives . . . or guess who? Soft-spoken wisdom is better, I think!