This just in from The Grapevine of the Diocese of Southeast Florida.
Are you working on your bracket? We hear of one college Canterbury House where they're organizing a betting pool (for charity, we hope). Start a pool in your parish, youth group, or office! And make sure you give all the money to a worthy cause, such as Episcopal Relief & Development. That way, Lent Madness will be fun AND good for the world.
Followers of Lent Madness will be relieved to know that, with the assistance of round-the-clock mediation, Tim and Scott have pledged to bury the hatchet for the duration of Lent. Upon reflection, they concluded that to remain each other's archnemesis would be counterproductive to the spirit of Lent Madness (despite the presence of competition and martyrdom). Plus, it made the meetings of the Supreme Executive Committee of the Province of the Society of Lent Madness too laden with drama.
The statement below has been jointly released on their respective blogs "Clergy Family Confidential" (Tim) and "Seven whole days" (Scott). We trust this will come as good news to all involved. In fact, you can show your support by "Liking" Lent Madness on our Facebook page.
"Be it known to all present, either bodily or online, that as of Ash Wednesday in the two thousand and twelfth year of our Lord, certain persons, of necessity in the present time, are hereby setting aside a designation of Archnemesis, and laying aside the enmity that has existed from the beginning, until the end of the Lenten Fast. Whereas, to cooperate on Lent Madness for the edification of all Christendom, Father Schenck and Father Gunn shall thereby set aside their feud until the New Fire is lit at the Great Vigil of Easter. After that, anything is possible."
We have now told the entire world, or at least the places who would listen to us, about Lent Madness. Here's the release. Free free to give it to the news editor of your local paper or any network news anchors who might happen to attend your parish.
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Date: January 25, 2012
Contact: The Rev. Tim Schenck or the Rev. Scott Gunn
Lent Madness 2012 Announced
The third annual “saintly smackdown” begins February 23rd
Lent Madness pits holy saints against one another in a battle to win the coveted Golden Halo. But it is more than that: Lent Madness is really an online devotional tool designed to help people learn about saints. The competition begins on Thursday, February 23.
The creator of Lent Madness, the Rev. Tim Schenck, says “My real goal in creating Lent Madness was to give people an opportunity to get to know some amazing people who have come before us in the faith. There’s no reason that a Lenten discipline should be dreary and if this helps people connect with God during this season of penitence and renewal, and have a bit of fun in the process, then it’s been worthwhile.”
The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for twenty-four hours and people vote for their favorite saint. 16 saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Championship; and the winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo.
A shiny bracket
This year's bracket has been announced by the Supreme Executive Committee of the Governing Authority of the Coordinating Committee for the Society of Lent Madness. Others know this august group simply as Tim and Scott.
Notable in this year's bracket, round one includes several exciting contests. Augustine of Hippo will face down Monnica. The "boys of Tarsus" will square off as Paul of Tarsus faces Theodore of Tarsus. Thomas will go up against Enmegahbowh, as Thomas claims that he doubts anyone can pronounce the other's name correctly. Non-Anglicans such as Dietterich Bonhoeffer are included, but stalwart Anglicans including Thomas Cranmer are among the 32 saints slated for the competition.
Stay tuned to Lent Madness for updates as the tournament approaches.
Mark your calendars for February 23. That's they day Lent Madness 2012 launches. Here's the skinny for those of you who haven't enjoyed Lent Madness the last two years:
Lent Madness began in 2010 as the brainchild of the Rev. Tim Schenck. In seeking a fun, engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church’s Calendar of Saints, Tim came up with this unique Lenten devotion. Combining his love of sports with his passion for the lives of the saints, Lent Madness was born on his blog “Clergy Family Confidential.”
The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for a set period of time and people vote for their favorite saint. 16 saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Championship; and the winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo. The first round consists of basic biographical information about each of the 32 saints. Things get a bit more interesting in the subsequent rounds as we offer quotes and quirks, explore legends, and even move into the area of saintly kitsch.
Read more at "About Lent Madness."