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Celebrity Blogger Week: Marcus Halley

The Rev. Marcus Halley

Finally! A newly-minted Celebrity Blogger to introduce. We're excited to add Marcus Halley to the Lent Madness team this year. Sure, Minnesota is now over-represented (cough...David Creech...cough) but can you really ever have too much tuna fish casserole?

In other news, for your pre-Lenten reading pleasure, here's a rare, behind-the-scenes Q & A with Lent Madness creator Tim Schenck. Among other tidbits, learn which Celebrity Bloggers cause him to lose sleep with their loosely held definition of "deadline."

The Rev. Marcus Halley is an Episcopal priest and rector of Saint Paul’s Church on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A native North Carolinian, Marcus previously served as Pastor for Young Adults and Families at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Kansas City, Missouri in the Diocese of West Missouri. He is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte, NC), the Interdenominational Theological Center (Atlanta, GA), and the School of Theology at the University of the South (Sewanee, TN.)  Prior to ordination as an Episcopal priest, Fr. Marcus served as a pastoral resident at Emory University Hospital – Midtown in Atlanta, Georgia. This is his first year as a Celebrity Blogger.

1. If you could have dinner with any saint, who would it be and what would you serve? (and, duh, why?)

I want to exercise my priestly prerogatives conveyed to me via an obscure rubric in a Prayer Book only I have access to and answer this question twice. First, I would have dinner with Michael the Archangel because, I mean, wouldn't you? He's an ANGEL! Like, that is literally what he was created as. I'd love to sit down with him and ask him what it feels like to be the hitman/henchman/bodyguard of the Most High. That's got to be a hard job.

In actuality, I'd love to share a meal with Benedict. He initiated a revival of faith and spirituality in a world not unlike our own -- increasingly secular and sectarian. I'd love to talk with him about how he did it. I am deeply interested in how a world going up in flames can be the catalyst of renewal.

2. What hymn would you pay money never to hear again? And which hymn are you convinced is on the play list in heaven?
To be honest, there are so many that I'd love never to hear again, but "Look there! The Christ, our brother comes," hymn 196 or 197 in The Hymnal, 1982 is a hymn that comes quickly to the top of the list. I will never forget the time we sung it in seminary (at Sewanee) and the entire congregation burst into uncontrollable, deep-belly laughter.
Using my priestly prerogatives again, I want to offer on Heaven's Spotify playlist: Come thou fount of every blessing and Love divine all loves excelling (Blaenwern).

3. You're busy during Lent. Why do you make time for the Saintly Smackdown? What do you get out of it personally? 
I am busy during Lent from a purely chronological perspective; however, I try to make sure that whatever I am doing during Lent is furthering the work of the Reign of God in my parish community and in my life generally. It also connects me with people which, in a time of busyness, is a helpful anchor and reminder.

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16 comments on “Celebrity Blogger Week: Marcus Halley”

  1. So what is Fr. Halley serving to Michael and Benedict? Wouldn't it be something to have them both to dinner together?

  2. Minnesotans welcome Reverand Halley!
    For the author of this email post: Minnesotans would never call that food category a casserole. That would be a tuna hot dish.
    Phil Prosapio M D
    Little Falls, MN

    1. "I am deeply interested in how a world going up in flames can be the catalyst of renewal" - certainly a fundamental question of our times! Lent Madness gives me a touchstone hope. Thanks for joining on Rev. Halley.

  3. Welcome to Lent Madness, Fr. Halley. Since I am already a fan of your inspiring writing, I'm glad the Lent Madness crowd will get to read you too.

  5. That was a call for merriment throughout our time at Sewanee. "Joy! (joy) joy! (joy)" was heard from time to time even at the most solemn occasions! Good to see you here, Marcus!

  6. I'm so glad Forward finally discovered Marcus Halley! If I can read his Lent Madness work, I guess I can wait until April to see what he says in Forward Day by Day.

  8. A hearty welcome to the new celebrity blogger especially since he is a bona fide TAR HEEL ! Greetings from a loyal LENT MADNESS follower who is also a TAR HEEL born and reared in Salisbury, North Carolina and now an Episcopal Deacon (ret) in Nashville Tennessee. I see you have a fan club of note so I'll look forward to your blogs.

  9. I'm a fan of Marcus Halley, his profound spirituality and his brilliant writing. I'm so glad he is among us in Lent Madness!

    1. Hello Bob, this is my second year of Lent Madness. I meet with you daily over at FDBD site. The resources available through the Forward Movement are amazing. let the games begin!

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