Before we head into the weekend and another bout with LMW (Lent Madness Withdrawal) we must first finalize the saints of the Faithful Four. Mary Magdalene? Check. Dietrich Bonhoeffer? Check. Margaret of Scotland (very close call yesterday as she barely squeaked past Enmegahbowh!) Check. Today you will decide whether Thomas Cranmer or Emma of Hawaii will join this august trio in forming the holy quartet that will move forward in their pursuit of the Golden Halo.
To get this far, Thomas Cranmer defeated Ephrem of Edessa and Columba while Emma’s road included surprising victories over Catherine of Siena and Paul of Tarsus. Check out the updated bracket to see how things have played out thus far.
We will begin the Faithful Four straightaway on Monday morning with Mary Magdalene taking on Margaret of Scotland. Then on Tuesday it’s Dietrich Bonhoeffer battling the winner of today’s match-up. Finally, voting for the winner of the Golden Halo will take place on Spy Wednesday. Enjoy a breather this weekend — you’ve earned it! And be ready to go on Monday of Holy Week.
To this writer’s dismay, it seems no one has yet made a Thomas Cranmer action figure. If anyone has pull at Mattel, please put in a good word for the archbishop. The kitsch surrounding the writer of the Book of Common Prayer is pretty thin; however, Cranmer has the distinction of being the Archbishop of Canterbury played by more film and TV actors than any other. 
Most recently played by Hans Matheson in The Tudors, 22 actors have stepped into the role since 1911 (according to IMBD.com). The character of Thomas Cranmer has even appeared in a film that won the Academy Award for Best Picture – A Man for All Seasons in 1966. This makes Cranmer the only member of the Elate Eight to appear in a Best Picture winning film.
Several Do-It-Yourself-ers provide goodies for those of us interested in Cranmer’s kitsch.
Coffee mugs, T-shirts, bags, and mouse pads, among other things, are all available. If you head to England, you can stop by the site of Cranmer’s martyrdom, marked by a brick cross on Broad Street in Oxford. The Martyrs’ Memorial, built in the 1840s, includes a statue of Cranmer, and it stands in St. Giles Street, also in Oxford. 
Looking to test your Cranmer knowledge? Take a ten-question quiz here. Finally, if you’re into historical fiction and mysteries, take a look at C.J. Sansom’s Matthew Shardlake mystery series. Running into our archbishop is a real treat: he is a character in Sovereign (2006) and Revelation (2008). One last thing: I want a Cranmer bobblehead. Can someone get on that?
While Queen Emma of Hawaii – unlike her opponent in today’s match-up – never composed beautiful language that I will babble from the depths of memory (along with all the words to the Brady Bunch theme) when I am old and eating strained carrots in a nursing home, she influenced and improved the physical, spiritual, and mental health of thousands, perhaps millions, of people in her time and moving forward to our own day.
Kitsch-wise, she has her share but, after a small sampling, we’ll take a look at her real influence.
This Queen Emma beer stein allows you to “Make any day Oktobe
rfest whether with this impressive stein on the shelf or in-hand. Cheers!” The same photo of Emma may be purchased on a regular mug, a throw pillow, or a journal in which to pour your soul to the kindly queen.
For those who wish to share their enthusiasm for Queen Emma on their person, there is the “Emma and Proud” tee-shirt (pink only).
If you feel the need to cuddle up, there is always the 14-inch Emma friend doll from Buns of Maui on sale for only $25.19.
The philatelists among us are not left in the cold in the Emma-Commema-ration department. There are postage stamps, both old and new, commemorating Queen Emma, including a $9 stamp issued in 2011 to celebrate the 175th anniversary of her birth. A nine dollar stamp! The U.S. Postal Service just issued stamps bearing the visages of José Ferrer and Danny Thomas for a mere $.45.
[Celebrity Blogger’s Note: “In 1989, the 500th Anniversary of the birth of Thomas Cranmer…was celebrated. Actually, the event barely raised a whisper in England, where the good man…was denied a commemorative postage stamp!” Journal of Anglican Studies, November 2009, Vol. 7, No. 02, p. 246. Just sayin’.]
But back to influence.
Beyond the legacy of creating the premier healthcare center in the Pacific, beyond her tireless promulgation of the Anglican way in the Hawaiian islands through the establishment of schools, churches, and the Cathedral of St. Andrew’s, she exerted a profound influence on western social and cultural trends.
To wit:
Hats
Parasols
Dresses
Accessories
A Renaissance queen indeed.
Vote!
Thomas Cranmer vs. Emma of Hawaii
- Emma of Hawaii (55%, 1,155 Votes)
- Thomas Cranmer (45%, 955 Votes)
Total Voters: 2,110
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Gotta admit the kitsch in this round seldom moves me. But Heidi’s tableau showing Emma’s influence on western social and cultural trends sealed my vote today.
Well said. It was the blogging, with that o-so-subtle smackdown on Cranmer, that tipped my vote to Emma. The wisdom and subtlety! Hard to lose the vote when you finish up by connecting Emma with George Clooney. Bravo!
The cultural influence tableau was awe-inspiring in its array of fabulous gowns, lush floral necklaces, smashing parasols, and a hat with which I am friends on Facebook. But much as I have come admire Emma, it’s Thomas for me today.
I wish I had had the foresight (and guts) to end a citation in “Just sayin'” while writing my thesis.
Emma is on the calendar because she and Kamehameha brought Anglicanism to Hawaii and translated the BCP. But without Cranmer there were have been no BCP. As fond as I am of Emma, today I have to give the round to the Archbishop!
Certainly a very valid point to consider as I debate for whom I will cast my vote. I DO so admire Emma, but without Thomas would we still be saying our prayers in Latin but speaking English the rest of the time? What to do, what to do?
Love Emma lots, but gotta go with TC. The Faithful Four will be awesome in any event!
I was going to vote for Tom until I saw the lei on George Clooney. It’s important to have rational reasons for these votes.
Yep, that’s what sealed my vote!
And mine!
I know!!
Yes, Mr. Clooney is highly attractive!
Ditto.
am I missing something here? why does every woman on the planet(except me)think that George Clooney’s soooooo hot?
I agree with Susan. Although the stamp argument was masterful (1 point for Emma), the movie trivia was fascinating (1 point for Cranmer). A modified quote from Looney Tunes: “Which way do I go, which way do I go?” Hmm. . .
This was just sooooo difficult this morning! Oh, how I love them both. I love Thomas for the beautiful prayer book he gave us, but I have to agree with Susan also on this one. Still, whatever the outcome (Emma is behind at this point), it will be a fantastic Faithful Four!
I love Our Emma – but Oh, you Tom!
Sorry, Hawaii. Writers of the Prayer Book and Martyrs to the Faith go to the front of my line, not even a little question about it.
(Do love the entries this morning, BTW. Really well done!)
Going with Emma this morning because … well, because she, too, is someone I can hope to emulate. I love the prayerbook, but have problems with some of the theology of the older versions (admission: I became an Episcopalian in 1992, so Rite I and previous prayerbooks are not part of my history/heritage). Balancing my theology with Emma’s devotion means Emma gets my vote today!
Poor you — what poverty!
How can you justify voted for Cranmer who annulled Catherines marraigeto Henry and kept his own marraige quiet. Gotta go with Emma!
Dang, Sue! I so wish I’d thought of this BEFORE I voted! Fooey! Well, can I do like Donna did on “The West Wing” and get someone who was going to vote for TC to vote for Emma instead? Then they cancel each other out! Yeah, I know…it didn’t make that much sense then either, but it was a great concept!
Another brutally hard choice–awesome Emma vs. Cranmer’s profound prayers…this may come to casting lots.
My favorite film portrayal of Cranmer is Bernard Hepton in the old BBC/PBS series “The Six Wives of Henry VIII” and the series about Elizabeth I that followed; Hepton really looked like the portrait of Cranmer and both series did a great job of making him as complex a guy as he must have been. And I love those Sansom books…
Hmm–I may leaning toward Cranmer here…
Tom gets my vote today; his faith reaches out of each payer book each day to help me and the rest of the world express our faith in Christ and in Gods new
vision of what this world can be.
George Clooney definitely gets my vote!
As a member of the Frozen Chosen (Episcopalians), I feel duty bound to vote for Cranmer. Besides, he appeared in my favorite movie of all, the 1966 (original – accept no remakes!) A Man For All Seasons. Of course, if St. Thomas More had convinced Henry VIII to stay married to Catherine, there would be no CofE, no Cranmer BCP. And that would be a sad thing.
VOTE FOR THOMAS CRANMER!!
– Created the First authorized English Language Liturgy, the Great Litany, for King Henry VIII!!
– Collapsed the Seven Daily Offices into Morning, Noon-day, and Evening Prayer!
– Pulished the first English Language Communion service in 1548
– TWO Books of Common Prayer, 1549 and 1552
– Father of the English Reformation
– Martyred for his faith at Oxford.
AND, Most importantly
NOT IN POCKET OF BIG PINEAPPLE (And Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick of Hawaii)
Maple dude – Emma has the goods on your guy, but she doesn’t go negative. That’s not how the Aloha Spirit (or the Holy Spirit) rolls.
I am laughing so hard I can barely type. THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!
Glad to see that the PAC had the proper disclaimer at the end, too…!
“Cram-ner”? It goes by quickly, but twice… Tsk. Not his Friends, indeed! Can’t even get his name right…poor guy.
Heidi’s write-up is brilliant – love the influences, and I just put it together now that Emma’s legacy of Hawaiian health care saved my friend’s life (oh, that little thing!). Also, like Lauren S., the BCP and the Prayer of Humble Access are not selling features for me. The principles embodied in BCP for that time, yes, certainly, but not the slavish devotion to outmoded …well, you know the drill.
But I’m voting Cranmer. Soft spot for underdogs, and being burned at the stake for your principles AND having your name mangled by your own campaign team (does Enmegahbowh nod sympathetically from the gallery?) trumps ‘just’ losing an election. But Emma’s cool. This is a vote for Cranmer, not against Emma.
I am *howling* over here … thank you so much for this “commercial.” How could I not vote for the man who gave us the Dustbuster prayer? (We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy table …)
Oh dear, I’m going to burst out laughing in my small, quiet, country church the next time that is said. Note to self: Do not use the phrase Dustbuster Prayer to my sons. Do NOT tell my sons. Do not tell my sons… (at least until college)
One reason I voted for Cranmer is because I want to see what kind of attack ad you could come up with for Bonhoeffer.
Awesome video!!!! Nice job, PAC!
Go Cramner, Go!
Can I hire this campaign manger after Lent Madness is over? Good job dude!
Also, I don’t think Emma fans should get too cocky – I think Cranmer presents stiff competition in the Hats, Dresses, and Accessories round – he’s just too modest and humble to highlight it. He may lose out in the Parasol competition but why would he even want something that just keeps sun off? Open it up to Umbrellas proper and he’ll kick butt — with a good ol’ British bumbershoot sturdy enough for sun AND rain protection AND (as Heidi’s photos prove) capable of providing manned flight with the lowest carbon footprint ever. C’mon, Fashionistas! C’mon Green voters! Cranmer’s your man!
How well do you know Thomas Cranmer?
According to Wikipedia (which we all know MUST be 100% true), Thomas Cranmer…
-Wimped out during the plague of 1529, by staying with relatives instead of sticking it out in Cambridge!
-Helped King Henry VIII kick out not one but MULTIPLE wives!
-Had a hidden family of his own!
-Once passed notes in church on All Saints Day instead of listening to the sermon!
-Wrote sermons that were apparently so dull that only one draft of one sermon still exists!
-Did not even write the Book of Common Prayer – he only stole pieces from other prayer books and then edited it!
-Was an etch-a-sketch man, changing his stated opinions before his death!
-Contributed heavily to global warming by the carbon emissions formed from his being burnt at the stake!
Don’t be mislead by fancy YouTube videos with booming voices! Vote Emma! 😉
Paid for by the Supporters of Emma of Hawaii
Great spoof!! Especially interesting in an election year and in keeping with the serious, but giddy nature of LM!
Going with Cranmer, largely due to the Great Litany…
George Clooney’s lei, a definite plus. Princess Beatrice’s hat, not so much. Emma was fabulous and yes, a trend setter but this bibliophile is going to have to go with Tom today. A book wins out (BCP to C.J. Sansom) every time. Tough choices to be sure.
I had to go with Emma. Archbishop Crammer produced beautiful language, and I respect it. But Emma cared for the sick–acrtual people.
Very, very tough choice. I have to go with Emma for much the same reasons as Lauren did–she was the Christian that one day I hope to become. Long live the Hawaiian culture and people she worked so hard to serve and preserve!
Emma’s hat and gown almost had me persuaded, but in the end I had to go with Cranmer again. Martyrdom trumps fashion once again.
All about the hats! Must go with Thomas. Sorry Hawaii, but we use Thomas’ contribution every time we go to a service. And he’s a martyr.
Just love the passionate comments! And the PAC ad! Gotta go with Tom today.
It is impossible to imagine what our church would be without TC! He got my vote.
“We do not presume to come to this vote, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but with thy manifold and great inspirations…”
Or something like that.
(Misquoted in love and with deep reverence for the original, for all those who would accuse me of being of too light a heart and voice.)
Love it, Laurie! Go Tommy!
I was sorry to see the prayer of humble access dropped from the liturgy (1979). Humility—don’t leave home without it!
Prayer of Humble Access—the reason that, 40 years ago, I became an Episcopalian.
We do not presume to come to this thy table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under they table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood that that we may evermore dwell in him and he is un. Amen (BCP p 337)
*happy sigh* I love that prayer so very very much!
I loved it much better before the Puritans* on the Liturgical Commission bowdlerized it for the 79 BCP.
*The shorter form was proposed by the Puritans at Savoy, but rejected in 1662, and again 1789-1928 and again in Common Worship.
Ah, yes! And thanks for bowdlerize –a new word for my vocabulary!
That is probably my least favorite prayer. I refuse to say when it’s included in the service. Remember Mark’s Syrophoenician Woman/Matthew’s Canaanite Woman: “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
I do remember, and that remembering is what gets me through that prayer…despite its outward display of [adjectives omitted for sake of those who love the prayer] humility the “crumbs” reference for me brings that story from Mark into the prayer, and that makes it ok. I mean, how dare we, really, ever, approach God?(Annie Dillard has some great thoughts along those lines). I love the Syrophoenician woman’s courage-born-of-desperation and can empathize. I remember her example every time I pray that prayer, and that there was a hard edge to Jesus’ initial reply, and that helps keep my prayer life aware and honest and out of Buddy Jesus (eew!) territory.
Remember Jesus’ response? Never have I seen such faith in Israel. And, Jesus healed the desparate, (and non-Hebrew) woman.
Her daughter, in the story I’m thinking of. I only point it out because there can be a different level of desperation between pleading for your own life versus the life of your child.
The “faith in Israel” quotation belongs to another ‘remote’ healing, of centurion’s servant (Matthew 8). Jesus does give the gentile woman (in Mark 7 or Matthew 15) credit for great faith in the Matthew account though… eventually, after ignoring her and denying her twice.
Thomas Cranmer! Thomas Cranmer! THOMAS CRANMER!!!!!!!!
that’s about as direct as I can get w/o being nasty.
Thank you, Jennifer! I remember the woman was asking for her daughter’s healing, but my fingers didn’t! Matt. 15: 28 “O woman, great is your faith!” I guess I “blended” the 2 stories about the centurion Matt. 8 & the woman.in Matt 15.
Going with Emma. Women rule!
And by the way, continuing in my calling as a subversive, if Cranmer wins, I will post Emma as the winner of this round on my church’s bracket.
FYI, the Matthew Shardlake books that Adam mentions are really good! Not kitschy at all. Great fun to see many of the Anglican Reformation figures come to life, though usually in passing. They’re well written and (as far as I can tell) historically sound (the author, C.J. Sansom, is a historian). I highly recommend them.
While pondering my choice today , I checked out your recomendation on the Shradlake books. T/Y will give him a try. Oh my, what I have learned from Lent Madness.
I did settle on Cranmer as today’s pick. The beauty and solace in the BCP did it for me.
Well Cranmer gets my vote as I love the BCP, however, he almost didn’t as I hate negative political adds. All I can say he did not encourage his followers to take the low road so I’ll stick with him anyway.
Cranmer! Cranmer! He’s our man! If he can’t win it, no one can! YAY! Cranmer.
Ok, that was the best cheer I could come up with at a quarter to eight in the morning. *G*
First “Big Pineapple” and now associations with George Clooney. Emma is starting to gain as many “Super Pacs” as some of the dreary people running for president.
I will vote for Cranmer and then head out to cut the grass. When I get back the Hawaii vote should be in and today’s action will be over.
I so enjoyed the graphics today…or is that because the sky is blue and bright?
Well done, Adam and Heidi.
Love the “Frozen Chosen” and the Dustbuster’s prayer”, not to mention the commercials. Now…Thomas needs a stamp!
Seriously, great job all round. I’m so glad our Lord has a sense of humor.
Well…George Clooney aside (or is that a-sighed!) and a hat with its own Facebook page? (See the things we learn from Lent Madness?) I’d have to vote for Cramner for thr soaringly beautiful yet appropriately humble prayers he left to the Anglican world. BUT the PAC has bitten their noses off to spite their faces…at least in my book…for the attack ad prevents me from voting for TC this round on principle. Somehow, I think that’s what the archbishop would have perferred in the end.
Now…how do I friend the fascinator?
I’m leaning toward His Grace. After all, I’ve been to the Martyrs’ Monument.
But the prospect of a free vacation in Hawaii might sway me to Her Majesty.
Just saying.
We are seriously behind in the bobblehead world. Old Lutheran has bobbleheads for both Martin Luther and Katie von Bora. I think starting with a TC bobblehead is a great idea. Perhaps, after putting out the first one, we can argue over how it is too Catholic and put out another three years later.
It’s Thomas for me.
Heh.
That’s very, very funny, Maggie….
😉
For all you kirschmongers out there, there is a shop in one of the Las Vegas malls that will make a bobblehead of you or anyone else given just a picture! OK LM, get on to that Cranmer thing!!!
I agree: at the very least, the winner of the Golden Halo should have a bobblehead.
I probably should have voted for Thomas, Book of Common Prayer and all, but three of my four great grandmothers were named Emma and they pulled on me. Go Emma!!
A Brilliantly Funny write up on Emma. “Emma-Commema..ration” all by itself gets my vote.
Emma! Emma! Emma!
Yup, just reading the prayer of humble access, made me well up. Hearing it for the first time as a very little kid made me a closet Episcopalian until I could choose for me self.
Cranmer, the BCP , the Litany, the Prayer of Humble Access, (dustbuster prayer! Love that!). How can you Not vote for Cranmer? Emma is cool, but Cranmer is so basic to the way we worship.
Don’t forget! Emma and her husband Kamehameha IV were the ones who invited the Anglican church to Hawai’i! The Anglican church is the only denomination invited – the only one that didn’t just arrive with missionaries. Kamehameha IV translated the Book of Common Prayer into Hawaiian so it would be more accessible to the Hawaiian speaking population – portions of which are still used in services today! No small feat! They cared about the physical, spiritual, and educational well-being of the people of Hawai’i founding Queen’s Hospital, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, and a variety of schools. Emma was the people’s queen. Emma and Kamehameha IV went door to door raising money for the hospital. They have an everlasting impact and legacy that still touches nearly everyone in Hawai’i and those who visit the islands. Kamehameha IV is a Saint also, and he and Emma go hand in hand! Emma has my vote today!!
For more info on the Prayer Book http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/Hawaii_BCP_preface.htm
So beautifully put, Aggy. Emma was the Queen for the common people of Hawai’i. Still today, no one is turned away from Queen’s Hospital, thanks to the trusts put in place by Emma. She established the Priory School for Girls to allow an education for the common Hawaiian girls. She wanted the females of Hawai’i to have a future and to make a difference in leadership roles. This continues today with the outstanding education offered at the Priory School. The Cathedral of St. Andrew in Honolulu is second to none in its beautiful, mystical, holiness. Go, EMMA, EMMA, EMMA!
Thomas Cranmer may have left us the BCP but as beautifully worded as it is (has anyone considered that he was channeling these words from a more poetic source) he was no friend of women. The wives of Henry VIII and his own, just to make a small point. And then there is this matter of his recantation even if he did take it back at death Therefore as a woman I must vote for the very good Queen Emma whose words may not go down in history but seems to have died with her integrity despite having to weigh and measure and hold varying loyalties… Is the measure of the man/woman what we say or how we live? That for me is question.
When I was growing up, that prayer was affectionately (or not) known as the “Humble Mumble.”
I grew up in a Morning Prayer parish and particularly loved some of the prayers from that service — the General Thanksgiving, the collect for peace, and my favorite, the collect for grace:
“O Lord, our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day; Defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings, being ordered by thy governance, may be righteous in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Don’t want to go back to Morning Prayer or to 16th Century language on Sunday. But it’s beautiful.
So Emma, babe; we’ve had fun together but I gotta leave you and hook up with Thomas.
I’ll go with the old adage: “Don’t change horses in mid-stream.” In addition. It will take more than George Clooney sporting a lei to sway me to Emma. She is still a wonderful role model, not only for women, but for humankind in general. But Cranmer is A of C/BCP.
Cranmer, for the BCP. Yes, he was imperfect–aren’t we all? The General Thanksgiving rules! (cradle Episcopalian since 1947)
As admirable a woman as Emma seems to have been, I remain faithful to TC! I hate that these two had to go head-to-head.
Well, the voting’s going as I thought it might…and I agree with every word posted so far about the beauty and importance of the BCP (I love Humble Access and the MP General Thanksgiving with all my heart) and am grateful for Cranmer’s genius…but I had to vote for Emma–this one’s for my beautiful baby granddaughter, of the same name! So where can I get one of those pink t-shirts?
Here you go!
http://www.zazzle.com/emmaand_proud_tshirt-235675167538933173
Thanks, Heidi!
I don’t know. Thomas Cranmer was pretty shady on The Tudors. Did I just admit I watched The Tudors?
I voted for him in this round… the BCP and all… that scene from the Tudors with his wife in the box really made me think before I voted. I don’t think I’m going to be able to stick with him all the way.
yes you did and don’t try to backpedal now it’s too late ha-ha-ha!!!
If we are shooting for a quartet as our blogger notes in the opening paragraph, then we need our tenor! (Assuming, of course, Dietrich=bass, Mary=soprano, Margaret=alto). Go Cranmer!
How amazing is the quartet idea. I believe Emma sang tenor in the chants that she wrote! She will complete the perfect quartet! Vote EMMA!
People who are crediting (or discrediting, depending on your point of view) Bishop Fitzpatrick with influencing the Hawaii vote don’t understand Hawaii. Our encouragement and support is a groundswell of all the people, who have honored and loved Queen Emma throughout our history of being Hawaii Episcopalians.
Well said, Carol!
It just occurred to me that Emma’s legacy is historically the “youngest” as it only goes back 150 years. (By the way, the Diocese of Hawaii is celebrating our 150 year anniversary of our founding this year, as it was in 1862 that the Anglican church arrived in Hawaii at Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV’s invitation.) 150 years is a short time compared to some of those in the Lent Madness competition, which may account for her tremendous loyalty among Hawaii Episcopalians. We still have living memories.
Here is a link to a medley of Hawaiian Songs to Honor Queen Emma.
http://youtu.be/oaaIN4L0qXM
It would seem that the Hawaii vote is starting to come in and another Archbishop is heading for the door. Bishop Fitzpatrick may yet rue his activities if word gets back to England and his next invite to Lambeth Palace gets “lost in the mail”.
I am a bit concerned about the actions of the SEC in the most recent voting irregularity. We Episcopalians pride ourselves on cultural sensitivity and in some cultures the term “vote early and vote often” is viewed as an election rule and not a joke. A case in point is the fact that a state trooper friend of mine told me that in the most recent election in his county only 6 dead people voted making it one of the cleanest elections in history. You see, that is a sign of election culture in some areas. In the event that the SEC detects future election issues they should investigate first if cultural issues are at play. Then prior to banishment to Lent Madness netherworld they could follow a 3 step process. First offer the offender the opportunity for confession since in the Episcopal church regarding confession we hold that all may, none must but some should and this offense seeems to fall into the some should category. This could then be followed by suitable pennance such as allowing the miscreant to purchase a case of Lent Madness mugs, extra large of course, and then earn the possibility of Lent Madness absolution.
I have to say your ads are terribly inappropriate but motivating the masses in Hawaii to respond with an approriate vote for our Holy Sovereign! Our beloved Queen would be proud of the diocese she help found and our ability to unite in times of need.
Tommy over mommy.
It was definitely the Clooney pic that cinched my vote for Emma.
What tremendous legacy was left to us by Emma and by Thomas ! Each legacy is tangile and functioning today!
Voting for Cranmer and the printed word. A thousand apologies to Emma.
I have tried to encourage folk to follow Lent Madness and keep it fun. I hope many have learned about Queen Emma and the Church in these Hawaiian Islands. The Church in Hawai’i is different than in North America. It is still highly relational and deeply rooted in the land (aina). Living rightly with one another (pono), caring for one another (malama) and honoring the sacred (mana) are real values. That is part of our Polynesian heritage. Not “talking stink” or causing shame is very important and may reflect our Asian cultural values as well. I like to think of them as Christian values. As Carol points out above, Queen Emma is a living presence here. I live next one school she founded (‘Iolani), drive past the largest hospital in the Islands named for her as the foundress (Queen’s Hospital), drive past Washington Place (the Governor’s official residence and former home of another Queen and parishioner of the Cathedral, Queen Lili‘uokalani) and the State Capital (which is just in from ‘Iolani Palace) on my way to work, turning immediately at the Cathedral (for which Queen Emma raised funds) onto Queen Emma Street and then turn into Queen Emma Square (which surrounds Queen Emma Park), past St. Andrew’s Priory School (yes, founded by the Queen) to park behind the Cathedral at my office. I walk up the stairs under her portrait and into my office. Folk vote for the Queen because it’s Queen Emma. I’m just the one reminding — as do many others – to vote. The people of the Episcopal Church in Hawai’i celebrate that we have Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV as founders and that we were a national church before becoming part of the Episcopal Church. We celebrate that in 1862 (yes, 150 years this Fall), through the efforts of King Kamehameha IV (who also translated the BCP into Hawaiian) and Queen Emma and their friends in England (especially Queen Victoria, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of Oxford and Edward Pusey), the “Reformed Catholic Church” was founded (in time to be called the “Anglican Church” and then finally “The Episcopal Church) in the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. I’m sure Archbishop Cranmer would find this most interesting since he was a bishop most loyal to his monarch (Henry VIII). Mahalo (thank you) to all who have learned about the Queen and have entered into Lent Madness with good will and good humor, and thank you for voting for Queen Emma. +Bob
Thank you, Bishop Fitzpatrick, for sharing the joy of Lent Madness with your diocese. Most of us outside Hawai’i have not known very much about Queen Emma, so this has been an opportunity to learn more about her and her service to the people of Hawai’i. Lent Madness at its best is fun and informative. While a few of us have crossed over the “fun line” a few times, I think we’ve all been blessed by this experience.
And of course, today we also give thanks for the witness of Thomas Cranmer, but most of us already knew at least a few things about him.
So, people of Hawai’i and people everywhere, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the joy of Lent Madness — and the stories of God’s grace in the lives of women and men. And then vote, but only once per person.
Pax,
Scott+
While I grew up seeing a picture of Emma in my grandmother’s house, and always have been entranced by her beauty of spirit, I cannot ignore the fact that Cranmer’s work has affected almost everyday of my life as a cradle Anglican/Episcopalian. Emma would have me vote for Thomas Cranmer I think… her spirit just has that much Aloha.
A straight from the stomach vote tonight. Skye cast the family vote for Emma of Hawaii. She said that she voted for her because we had pineapple for dessert tonight. And pineapples grow in Hawaii.
Sorry Cranmer.
aina…pono…malama…mana…Lovely! Thank you for those, Bishop Bob.
Thanks also for the evocative phrase “talking stink”.
Tom is so toast. The West Coast and Pacific time zone votes are coming in now…bummer.
All kidding aside, it is intensely thrilling to feel connected to the 1,693 people (so far) who have taken the time to vote today.
As we contemplate choosing between two royal figures, I can’t help but picture every one of us united, waving our palms to re-enact the triumphal entry of the King of Kings this Sunday. Every so often, the internet is a marvelous thing. May you all have a blessed and fulfilling beginning to your Holy Week.
(It is also worth mentioning that the tireless effort of the SEC and guest bloggers in taking this on during the time that is truly a marathon for the clergy should be worthy of its own Golden Halo (and perhaps…bobblehead!))
Amen!
Hear hear.
Ah, this has been fun. :p
While I am very grateful for Cranmer’s lovely and lasting words, I love that our Queen is ahead currently. I hope the Hawaiians don’t mind that I have adopted her. As for the accusation that the Hawaiians are voting as a block per order of their bishop, we all know that Episcopalians cannot be “herded.”
Very true. I sand in Episcopal cathedral choir once, and I had difficulty hearding what was sung by the congregation; I could only heard the choir. That seemed to be all that anyone in the choir heard. Once our ears cleared from the resounding echoes, it was time for another number. Now I’m a UCC, I think the Episcopal congregation has joined us, unhearded as ever. But Queen Emma wouldn’t mind; after all, in the silence she built a hospital for Hawaii’s children. Silence is caring.
Please moderate. Looking at the typos, it needs it!!
I failed the Thomas Cranmer quiz with a 581 out of 1000… Emma gets my vote.
I only scored a 499 out of 1000. I probably should not have voted at all.
Go Emma! Time to honor a holy person from a different island.
Patsy, the Hawaiian people welcome all and are ready to adopt others with their Aloha Spirit of the Lord. Mahalo to all. h+++
Helene, thank you for your generous spirit of adoption and Aloha.
Wow, by end of this race we’re ending up with a big embarrassing pile of white guilt/sexist feminism. This is an embarrassing Lent Madness.
ADG, I approved this comment in moderation, though you’re treading right on the edge of our humor boundary, I think. All jokes aside, if you read the comments, I think you’ll find plenty of sincere reasons why people will have voted for Emma. Mind you, I’m not endorsing her, but I think people other than Hawaiians have been moved by Emma and her life’s witness.
Given the remarks of Bishop Fitzpatrick, above, I think some gentleness toward Emma and her voters would be appropriate and kind. Reading tone in emails or internet comments is tricky. I think you are saying your words with a virtual smile, but I cannot be sure. I suspect others wonder also.
Our hope in Lent Madness is to learn something of how God has worked in the lives of women and men throughout history. We also can see how these stories variously inspire people today. And of course we want to laugh. But our goal is to laugh together, not in a mean-spirited way in a way that diminishes one another.
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But there’s no reason to be a sore loser. I, for example, will hereby confess that my bracket had Thomas Cranmer going to the championship. So even though Emma’s apparent victory wrecks my bracket in a big way, I admire all of those who have given some solid reasons to vote for her.
May the best saint win (if you can win anything once you’re in heaven). And may the best spirit of humor prevail here on Lent Madness.
Peace,
Scott+
Thank you.
Very well-spoken, Scott. This is an exciting and “addicting” way to introduce the Holy Women and Holy Men of the Episcopal Church to the world. Thank you so very much, mahalo. h+++
I understand the writer’s frustration. My bracket is busted also, but I think it’s Hawaiian pride rather than “white guilt feminism.” It’s apparent Emma is going all the way to the Golden Halo. Don’t forget that among the solid reasons for voting for Emma is ‘George Clooney wearing a lei.” Thanks for the fun.
Leave us be good spirited–and wish Emma well if that is the judgement–I stuck with Cranmer but it is obvious that others were moved by the Holy Spirit differently
Scott, I wasn’t looking at this vote specifically by any stretch, which by your comment, you are clearly misrepresenting in your response, but instead it is my observation of the entire competition this year, reading people’s comments both on this forum and in other places.
I do see God working through a variety of men and women at all times and in all places, I do not however, see that in the voting in this Lenten Madness, and I do not appreciate you calling me a sore loser when, unless you have checked IP addresses for every poll, you do not know how I voted. It was a general observation as was clear in the post. That was unfair.
ADG, sorry I wasn’t more clear. I didn’t mean to call you a sore loser. Rather, I was also referring to a whole stream of comments across the whole of Lent Madness. Again, I apologize.
But I also think it’s odd that people have complained (perhaps you, certainly others) that there is something “wrong” with the voting. There seems to be a notion that lightweight saints are reaching beyond their worth as they defeat greater saints. Of course, some people have missed the madness of Lent Madness. The voting is fun, and should be fun only. Some have describe the Holy Spirit at work in voting. Maybe that’s true for a few.
As for me, if someone wants to vote for or against Emma because of her hat, I say that fits right in with Lent Madness. I remember well the fundamental rule I learned on the playground as a child: it’s only a game.
Peace,
Scott+
I think the remaining four are perfect candidates for the Golden Halo. After all, we Episcopalians, and probably anyone else playing this Lenten game, love mystery and magic, intellectualism, royalty, fancy dress up clothes, martyrdom, and mercy toward the poor and orphans — though not necessarily in that order. . . . and like Scott said, “it’s only a game.”
Hello Scott,
my name is Madeleine and I’ve enjoyed reading your obviously intelligent replies to this or that. I see by the picture you’ve posted that you’re a priest(that hard plastic collar must be really uncomfortable even tho’ it looks nice). anyway, my question is: how did we Episcopalians(I’ve been one for just over 2 years now and never been happier)come to be referred to as the “Frozen Chosen?”I’m chuckling as I type this. a sense of humor is so necessary today. plz advise.
ever in His peace,
madeleine
In addition to Barbara’s excellent explanation of “the frozen chosen” there is also the old notion that Episcopalians tended to be rather WASPy, White Anglo-Saxon Protestants. Episcopalians were percieved as making decisions based on reason and not emotion and to lack spontaniety. I heard one Episcopal priest refer to Episcopalians jokingly ( I hope) as the Prayer Club for Rich Republicans. Fortunately we seem to breaking free from this mold, a good thing I think for all of us.
Now, as a Midwesterner, I’d always heard the phrase “God’s Frozen People” in reference to Minnesota Lutherans. But that could be from too many Saturday nights with Lake Wobegon…
Mm. Yes. Always dangerous to deal in stereotypes and generalizations, but as one who is living the Lutheran-Anglican Full Communion agreement I think the Anglican variant (“Chosen”) may also reflect a certain entitlement mindset one comes across in SOME people in SOME Anglican/Episcopalian circles… As one of modest, humble, never-the-Establishment Lutheran background I am of course am sensitized to that kind of thing. (We are very proud of our humility. Just plain “Frozen People” makes total Great Plains Lutheran sense to me. Never “Chosen”. Oh no — that would be putting on airs…)
; )
ADG, Scott, Tim,
There is nothing embarrassing about Lent Madness, in any form. This brilliant Christian exercise is extremely invigorating to the Episcopalian faith. (Many classroom teachers should take a look at this set up, if they want to make a lesson unforgettable!) It is educating so many people in all parts of the world to realize that our church is/has been made up of all sorts of Good Women and Men deemed “saints.” We are all expressing our passion and love of Our Lord by learning and exchanging ideas in LM. Let us continue to show our love for Christ and love for one another by waving our palms Sunday morning as Our Blessed Saviour enters the Holy City on a little grey donkey! Pace +++
Then…Monday…It is back to business, as we walk with Christ and many blessed saints through Holy Week.
I’m amazed that Emma won, not because it makes any difference in heaven, but I just thought more people would vote for Thomas.
Understandings and mis-understandings aside, I really enjoy this!! But no one should think that I spend a lot of time in prayer before casting a vote. It is my hope that since there is no Greek nor Jew, no slave nor free, no man and woman, then they all have their equal joy in the presence of God. And even if my name is NEVER in a future Lent Madness (God Forbid!) that I will still enjoy humor in the presence of so many wonderful folks!!
I surely don’t understand how people can say that my motives for voting are less valid than theirs. Many excellent reasons have existed throughout Lent Madness to vote for any of the saints; they are all worthy. To say that someone is engaging in “white guilt feminism,” whatever that is, is to cast aspersions where none are deserved. What should be a fun and friendly exercise and relief from Lenten rigors has displayed some of the same unkind barbs surrounding political campaigning. As Christians, we should be above that behavior on both counts.
Lame reasoning probably but as a hardcore anglican, I’m voting for Thomas Cranmer. thanks for the book of common prayer, Thomas! there’s something in it for everybody!!!
As a cradle Episcopalin I believe that I can respond to Madeline’s query. We are the “frozen chosen” because there is perceived to be a certain lack of, ahem, spontaneity in our worship, Seriously, when was the last time you heard some one in the pews of an Episcopal church call out “Amen” or “alleluia” or “You got that right”, during a sermon, although I am sure that most, if not all of Father Scott and Father Tim’s sermons deserve it. Episcopalians do not prophesy. We do not speak in tongues (or if we do it is some respectable foreign language like German and we certainly don’t do it in church). We do not roll in the aisles. Heck, we don’t even sit in the first four rows of the pews. Frozen chosen and proud of it.
On the “Frozen chosen”, I did sit in front of someone this morning who provided commentary on how morbid the hymns were. I can also say when the fire trucks showed up because the incense in the parish hall (where we did the liturgy of the palms) set off the smoke detectors the procession did proceed. I did find it pretty cool to be singing ride on ride on with a Dalmatian looking out the window of the fire truck.