2013 Golden Halo winner Frances Perkins prepares to hand over her halo
We embarked upon this Lent Madness journey over five weeks ago on “Ash Thursday.” With your help we have whittled the field of 32 saints down to two: Harriet Bedell and Charles Wesley. Who will walk away with the coveted Golden Halo of Lent Madness 2014? Only 24 hours and your voting participation will reveal this holy mystery.
Regardless of the ultimate outcome, we’ve met some truly remarkable holy people along the way. Perhaps you learned about some 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. Amber Belldene, Laurie Brock, Megan Castellan, David Creech, Laura Darling, Robert Hendrickson, Maria Kane, Penny Nash, Heidi Shott, and David Sibley. Thanks to Bracket Czar Adam Thomas for his stellar behind-the-scenes work in keeping the bracket updated daily. And we can’t forget the ever mysterious Maple Anglican who brought us the inimitable shenanigans of Archbishops Thomas and John. You all rock!
Speaking of Maple Anglican, here's the last Archbishop's Update. But before you watch it (or after) be sure to check out some Golden Halo fashion tips from Lent Madness fan and Vogue model (seriously) Julia Frakes.
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, liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter, 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. But first we should note that Heidi Shott has shepherded Harriet Bedell through the brackets while David Sibley has done the same for Charles Wesley. We've asked them for a single image and one quote. We've already heard a lot about them and from them -- click the bracket tab and scroll down to view their previous match-ups if you want to refresh your memory. And the, it's time.
The polls will be open for 24 hours and the winner will be announced at 8:00 am Eastern time on Maundy Thursday. Now go cast your vote — the 2014 Lent Madness Golden Halo hangs in the balance!
Harriet Bedell
-- Charlton Tebeau, Collier County historian, in "Florida's Last Frontier," 1966.
Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
Vote!
NOTE: At 10:55 p.m. EDT, the Supreme Executive Committee banned three voters and removed 41 votes from Harriet Bedell, due to voting irregularity. Remember to VOTE ONCE ONLY.
The voters in question were in Buffalo, NY; Rochester, MN; and Gulfport, MS.
[poll id="107"]
218 comments on “For the Golden Halo: Harriet Bedell vs. Charles Wesley”
Charles Wesley for the win! His Eucharistic hymns, not mentioned in LM this year, are true gems as well.
It says something that the final verse of Love Divine, All Loves Excelling is the final summation for Charles. Should that not be our goal to follow and exemplify Christ in all aspects of our lives, till we are "lost in wonder, love and praise."
Without (much) reservation I cast my vote for Sister Harriet. She truly lived a life keeping only the necessities for herself and it seems that when she had nothing else to give she gave of herself. What could be more saintly. I would hope she wears the Golden Halo proudly, but suspect that if she wins it she will donate it to one of the many impoverished and needy communities of believers she has served.
I admire Harriet and the quote about her is certainly a worthy example of a life of service to Jesus. But reading the words of the hymn I can't think of anything else that so captures the hope and joy of eternity in God. It ALWAYS affects me whenever I sing it -- "changed from glory into glory.... lost in wonder, love and praise" AMEN!
I voted for Harriet who was among us as an icon of service. As a deacon, I had to honor her.
This morning, I am lost in wonder, love and praise for Charles Wesley. He richly deserves the Golden Halo. Happy Spy Wednesday, dear Lent Madness friends!
You know what they say: 'A Deacon's gotta do what a Deacon's gotta do'! And a Deacon Postulant's gotta vote for a Deacon (even while singing some CW hymn text)
While Harriet did great and worthy deeds during her life, Charles Wesley's music still encourages people to turn to God and live a life of love and service. So, GO Charlie!!!
Those who sing, pray twice. Those who sing Wesley hymns, rejoice twice. But we won't vote twice.
Gay Pogue, I want to see that icon when you finish! And Margaret, "wimple or wig"? HILARIOUS! (I almost wrote "Whig." Hmmmmm.....
My last *gulp* vote *sniff* goes to Charles Wesley. Oh, LMW is upon me!
:-}
Saints....service...Harriet.
Thanks for an AWEsome Lent Madness season.
Going into withdrawal now.
Wow! What long, strange trip this has been that we end with the deaconess and the musician. Such a tough one to choose between, but I went with Harriet. Thanks, SEC and celebrity bloggers.
Two of my favorites throughout this journey. The social worker in me wants to vote for Harriet...the musician and singer for Charles. In favor of another unsung hero of the faith my vote goes for Harriet. The world knows Charles Wesley. It needs to know Harriet Bedell as well.
My vote goes to Harriet Bedell, an unsung hero.
While Charles Wesley teaches us how to sing, Harriet Bedell teaches us how to live and love.
Wesley's hymns have inspired me ever since I became an Episcopalian, and I love "Love divine ..." It is that sort of inspiration that has led me to serve as a missionary in Sudan and Haiti, and now to serve on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, living with and among the Lakota. But soaring words and soaring music are not enough to help bring about the Kingdom. Serving others does that. And I know I need saints who show me how to live out the life of which we sing and for which we pray. Harriet may have been inspired and sustained by Charles' hymns (as am I), but she didn't stop there. She served her whole life in the fields of the Lord. How could I not vote for her? Harriet, you have been and are a good and faithful servant, showing all of us how to live out the words of the Gospel and yes, of Charles' hymns. I am blessed to have met you through Lent Madness, and shall strive to be as faithful as you.
My vote is in for Charles Wesley. Harriet reached people during her lifetime, but Charles continues to reach people today and will as long as hymns are sung in church. There's no question in my mind it has to be Charles.
Awww, come on! Frances Perkins won't have to turn over her well-earned Golden Halo! This year's winner will have earned her/his own. There's room for oodles of halos in the communion of saints! Have loved being part of this year's madness. Thanks to all!
Harriet is my strong choice. She has made an impact which will Last.
As of 7:50 PDT, Charles is ahead by 108 votes. Make that 109.
I add my thanks to everyone else's for such an interesting, sometimes nail-biting Lent Madness. Blessings to all!
I will rejoice no matter who ends up on the mug but today I chose Harriet. For this lifelong church musician, it was difficult. I chose Harriet because her life speaks to the need in our church family to listen to the Other. As a woman in a patriarchal church, she didn't let that stop her vision of mission. As an Easterner of privilege, she counted the whole of the continent as her home. As a white woman she immersed herself in Native communities, teaching, yes, but also listening to their stories, to their customs. In my heart I feel we need to learn this from her. (Next year - Conrad Weiser?)
Not to discount Harriet Bedell's holy achievements, but I feel a more personal debt of gratitude to Wesley. During times of inward struggle, when it seems nothing else keeps me tied to Christianity, the great old hymns always bring me back to a heart-level encounter with Jesus. Charles wrote a lot of my favorites. Thank you, Lent Madness contributors, for another inspiring year!
Thank Heaven this is the last round. I can't take any more of these tough choices! LOL! As much as I love to sing Charles Wesley's hymn, I have to go with the good deaconess for the GH. I really believe it would be much harder to do our work today without her laying the groundwork. God bless them both!
While Harriet's work with various Native American populations is to be applauded, it is difficult for me to compare that to the impact of Charles Wesley. There is not a Christian denomination which does not have at least one Charles Wesley hymn in there hymnal! I look forward to singing "Jesus Christ is Risen Today!" on this Easter Sunday along with millions of other Christians worldwide!
The beginning of the quote for Harriet Bedell could apply equally as well to Charles Wesley and then some: "Measured in terms of the number of lives ... touched and brightened, the achievements" of Charles Wesley indeed "assume monumental proportions"! Music in the form of hymns is a universal language, a gift from God, that can speak to us all, and has in Charles Wesley! My vote is most emphatically for the hymnwriter Charles Wesley!
I meant "their hymnal"! Typos all over the place!
Such a difficult decision especially one who absolutely loves Charles Wesley and his singable music but in the end Harriett and her work with native Americans got my vote.
HARRIET!! Powerful woman with enormous heart.
I'm gonna miss you Lent Madness .... see you next year.
I am so very glad to know Harriet Bedell and to have her example and her wonderful rules for living to carry with me out of Lent and into life. But I close my eyes and think of the words Charles Wesely crafted that have articulated so much for so many for so long. I think of how those words weave through my own life. I salute the Deaconess and vote for the musician made for friendship.
I appreciate the work of Harriet Bedell; she was a wonderful person as many, many deaconesses, lay people, priests etc. were. But Charles Wesley continues to lift hearts and spirits toward God. His songs provide words for those who sometimes cannot find them. My vote is for Charles.
Hymns ARE prayers, and Kindness is LOVE. And we have to decide between them only in this case. They can live together in our hearts.
Looks like a cliff-hanger, very appropriate. Since my parish is going through the process of finding a new rector, we're all going through a period of reflection on what the church is for, and I'm focused on the missional aspects of our faith. Helen by a hair!
This LM has been an incredible ride -- I did not think we could surpass last year but the SEC pulled it off. I usually vote first thing in the morning, but not today. I have made my decision -- Wesley gets my vote for his continued evangelism every time one of his hymns is sung.
This choice is maddening! Whoever winds up with the Golden Halo will be deserving. Thanks for the great season. I have learned a lot. See you next year!