Following an exciting Celebrity Blogger Week (okay, we use the word "week" loosely -- it was 10 days), today is SEC Day. Think Presidents Day but without the car sales. As everyone knows the self-appointed (anointed?) Supreme Executive Committee of Lent Madness comprises Scott Gunn and Tim Schenck.
What exactly are the SEC's responsibilities? In addition to drinking herculean amounts of coffee throughout Lent (oh, who are we kidding? -- we do that all year), we oversee every detail to insure Lent Madness doesn't go off the rails and plunge into the Lenten wilderness. In addition to our Emmy Award-worthy-if-not-winning Monday Madness videos this includes the recruitment and cajoling of Celebrity Bloggers (the backbone of the whole operation); using a ouija board to determine which saints will be included in the bracket; moderating lots of comments; zapping any evidence of voter fraud; autographing copies of the Saintly Scorecard; managing the social media presence; hawking mugs and brackets; and generally living a Supreme lifestyle.
It's a lot of work but it's all for the love of God and the Lent Madness faithful. For two priests who both consider the other one his archnemesis (think Spy vs. Spy), it only works because they give up their rivalry for forty days and forty nights. Easter season is another matter entirely.
So who exactly are Tim and Scott? Thanks for asking and enjoy their bios.
The Rev. Tim Schenck
The Rev. Tim Schenck is rector of the Episcopal Parish of St. John the Evangelist in Hingham, Massachusetts, on the South Shore of Boston. He is the author of What Size Are God’s Shoes: Kids, Chaos, and the Spiritual Life (Morehouse 2008) and Dog in the Manger: Finding God in Christmas Chaos (Forward Movement 2013). Tim writes a monthly syndicated column for Gatehouse Media titled “In Good Faith.” When he’s not tending to his parish, drinking coffee, or blogging at Clergy Family Confidential, he’s likely hanging out with his family that includes his wife Bryna, two sons Benedict (14) and Zachary (13), his dog Delilah, and a ferret named Mimi. Friend him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @FatherTim.
The Rev. Scott Gunn
The Rev. Scott Gunn is an Episcopal priest and self-confessed technophile. He serves as the Executive Director of Forward Movement in Cincinnati, OH, whose historic mission is “to reinvigorate the life of the church.” Scott also serves in the inner sanctum of churchgeekery as a Deputy to General Convention, which will raise or lower his “street cred” depending on your perspective. Though Scott is happily married and the proud owner a dog named George (named after the first winner of the Golden Halo), he will never, ever have ferrets at home. His blog is Seven whole days, where you’ll read church rants and raves, thoughts about technology, and random musings. You can find him on Facebook,Twitter, flickr, or LinkedIn. His dog George is on Twitter at @GeorgeTDog.
We hope you enjoy Lent Madness 2014, learn a lot about some amazing people, and grow closer to Jesus. And if you don't? Scott and Tim each blame the other one.
Unrelated, but important note: make sure you watch the Quinquagesima video update from Archbishops Thomas Cranmer and John Chrysostom. With lens flare!
56 comments on “SEC Day”
Is it wrong to be giddy that Lent Madness (and Lent) is starting? I think not. Simply bubbling over with excitement, awaiting the first vote.
I've decided to join the Purple Nails for Lent folks. Starting light and working up to Purple Passion. Go Lent Madness!
This is great
I have participated in lent madness for several years now. It is so much fun and I love it. However, I’d like to announce that this year I am basing all my voting on who displayed the most “heroic virtue” amongst the competitors. I learned about this in pre Vatican catholic school and I am sticking with it. Some people gave a personality that naturally lends itself to heroic deeds and social contributions, writing books, studying theolog, etc., while others had to do things like overcome shyness or temper problems of control their ADHD without benefit of medications such as in olden times. So that is where I am coming from.
Love you guys! I read the Church Survival Guide, so now need to pick up one of Scott's. Happy Lent!
Looking forward, let the games begin!
Please sign me up so I can vote.
ewcorreia38@gmail.com.
Elisa Correia.
Sign up on the home page -- enter your email in the top right where it says "Get Lent Madness by e-mail." http://www.lentmadness.org
My wife and I are spending the first week of Lent Madness 17 times zones apart, so will never be voting on the same saints on the same day. Which means that I get the power of neutralizing her vote. This will be her penitential practice.
Please add my name to your Lent Madness. I have to play during Lent.
Where do we sign up for daily email? I can't rely on Facebook or Twitter to give me the daily...
Thanks, Chris
Sign up on the home page -- enter your email in the top right where it says "Get Lent Madness by e-mail." http://www.lentmadness.org
Sign up on the home page -- enter your email in the top right where it says "Get Lent Madness by e-mail." http://www.lentmadness.org
Watch the Dean and Precentor battle it out during the final lap of the pancake race. The Dean also explains the significance of pancakes and Shrove Tuesday.
https://www.facebook.com/131264053618635/videos/1602369073174785/
I would like to vote, but do not use Facebook or twitter, and in the e-mail I cannot locate a place for voting.
Click on the word "here" at the end of the third paragraph.
Also you can bookmark http://LentMadness.org/ in your web browser then go there each day to read the newest post and vote.