With their life spans overlapping by 20 years, today’s battle sees F.D. Maurice take on Julia Chester Emery as both vie to advance to the next round. The pairing of contemporaries in Lent Madness is rare (unless they happen to be siblings) so there’s that. They’re also closely identified with initials: “F.D.” Maurice and Julia Chester “ECW” Emery. So there’s that as well.
Yesterday, Antony of Egypt failed miserably in his attempt to turn Basil the Great into pesto. Lent Madness bracketologists have determined that the loss was one of historic proportions; the worst drubbing in the history of Lent Madness — 87% to 13%. Ouch. Basil becomes the first saint of 2014 to make it into the Elate Eight where he’ll face the winner of Lydia vs. John of the Cross.
It’s hard to believe we’ve made it through another week of the Madness! After a quick breather, we’ll be back bright and early on Monday morning with Harriet Beecher Stowe tangling with Alcuin. If you encounter a Celebrity Blogger on your travels this weekend, be sure to ask for his or her autograph. It’s very affirming and helps make up for the severe lack of monetary compensation.
F.D. Maurice
Frederick Dennison Maurice (1805-1872) was among the foremost theologians of 19th century England, who held as his foremost theological and practical cause the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ. This primary conviction led him to serve as a theological forerunner to modern ecumenical movement, and to deeply involve himself in social reforms of the time with the foundation of the Christian Socialist movement. His ideas and activism often led him into conflict with religious authorities of the day; he persisted nonetheless. Contrary to some assertions, he was not called Maurice for his speaking of the pompatus of love.*
On the church present and active:
We have been dosing our people with religion when what they want is not this but the Living God…we give them a stone for bread, systems for realities. — As quoted in Life of F.D. Maurice (1885)
On the union of all of heaven and earth in the Kingdom of Christ:
All stages of our earthly life to the last are consecrated; so every beautiful spot in nature as well as all the forms of art share in the same consecration, and have that one name of ‘Father’ illuminating them all. — from Sermons Preached in Country Churches
Christ is with those who seem to speak the most slightingly of him, testifying to them that he is risen indeed, and they have a life in him which no speculations or denials of theirs have been able to rob them of, even as we have a life in him, which our sins often hinder us from acknowledging, but cannot quench. — from Theological Essays (1853)
On Relationships in Humanity and in God:
Human relationships are not artificial types of something divine, but are actually the means and the only means, through which man ascends to any knowledge of the divine… every breach of human relation, as it implies a violation of the higher law, so also is a hindrance and barrier to the perception of that higher law – the drawing of a veil between the spirit of a man and his God. – from The Kingdom of Christ (1838)
On the Liturgy and the Work of the Church:
I hope you will never hear from me such phrases as ‘our incomparable liturgy’: I do not think we are to praise the liturgy but to use it. When we do not want it for our life, we may begin to talk of it as a beautiful composition. Thanks be to God, it does not remind us of its own merits when it is bidding us draw near to him. — As quoted in Life of F.D. Maurice (1885)
*41-year old Pop Cultural Reference. If you don’t get it, ask your parents, or Google it.
Julia Chester Emery
Julia Chester Emery (1852-1922) was for 40 years the national secretary of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Episcopal Church. She came from an unusual family: her father Charles was a sea captain and Episcopalian, and he and her mother Susan encouraged all of their eleven children not only to be personally pious but to actively work to further the kingdom of God. Two of her brothers were priests, and Julia and three of her sisters were missionaries or supported missionaries in the manner of Phoebe, whom Paul mentioned in the Letter to the Romans as a deacon and servant/helper to many in the church, and whom Susan Emery held up as an example to her daughters.
She was also a cousin to the four Emery sisters who were patrons of the Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE), the Episcopal monastic community which now offers retreat space at Emery House in Newbury, MA.
Julia visited every single diocese in the United States and helped organize branches of the Women’s Auxiliary in more than 5,600 parishes. Many of these branches continue today as the Episcopal Church Women, or ECW.
She wrote: “There are hundreds more earnest, faithful, devoted women who would be cheered if only they knew what is being done by their sisters in the church and see their offering, small and insignificant as it seems, increased and multiplied by the union with the gifts of others” (Spirit of Missions, volume XXXVII, 1872).
Emery led the charge for canonical status for the office of deaconess. She also created the United Thank Offering, represented by small blue boxes with slots for coins to encourage daily giving and thanks to God. The UTO is still under the purview of the ECW, having awarded $1,517,280 in mission grants in 2012.
Apparently, her only training for this ministry was a willingness to try it, for she possessed no special education or preparation. Her only authority was collegial, for being a lay woman, she had neither the office nor the perquisites of ordained status to buttress her leadership. Julia Emery reminds us that we all possess the resources we need to be effective missionaries, except perhaps the two most important qualities exemplified in her — a willingness to try and the commitment to stick with it, even for a lifetime. (Brightest and Best: A Companion to the Lesser Feasts and Fasts by Sam Portaro.)
Known as “Miss Julia,” Emery died in 1922 and is buried in the cemetery of St. James the Less in Scarsdale, New York, a cemetery that also contains a secret room and tunnel that was part of the underground railroad through which slaves were able to escape to Canada.
Vote!
F.D. Maurice vs. Julia Chester Emery
- Julia Chester Emery (67%, 3,085 Votes)
- F.D. Maurice (33%, 1,540 Votes)
Total Voters: 4,623
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Easiest vote so far. Anyone who has anything to do with the underground railroad gets my vote, in addition to everything else she did. YOU GO JULES!!!
I appreciate the sentiment, however, since she was born in 1852 it’s doubtful she was involved in the Underground Railroad.
I don’t think the statement means she had anything to do with the underground railroad just and interesting tidbit of information regarding the location of where she is buried. Anyone who has the determination to further the cause of women has my vote. She showed great courage getting involved with no formal education to further her ministry. I am in awe of the fact that she visited every diocese in the United States to spread her message. She is an inspiration.
She was merely buried in a cemetery that was involved in the underground railroad. Her work was after the Civil War was over and, therefore, she personally had nothing to do with the underground railroad!
I’m still laughing about turning Basil the Great into pesto!
Suz
P.S. seeing/seeking the divine in our human relationships – brings me closer sentiment to F.D. Maurice
Both are true heroes of the faith but UTO in gathering is coming up so Julia got the edge.
In honor of my friend Martha Perry, who champions the United Thank Offering cause at St. Peter’s in the Mountains, Callaway, VA, I vote for Julia Chester Emery.
Hi Marj, um…..uto? Stands for….
United Thank Offering
Sibley’s reference tipped the scales in Maurice’s favor.
Agreed! And thanks, David for today’s earworm.
I wanted to vote for Julia, but F. D.’s theology spoke to me eloquently. F. D. Maurice and the Steve Miller for the win!
I’m 70, but I have never heard of the Pompatus of Love, a movie which came out when I was an undergraduate. Guess I should watch it. I flipped a coin today.
I’m 70, but I never heard of the Pompatus of Love, a movie from my years as an undergraduate. Guess I should watch it. I had to flip a coin today.
Steve Miller’s “Enter Maurice” (1972) and “The Joker” (1972) antedated he 1996 movie Pompatus of Love, billed as a “guy talk” movie by Wikipedia. I never heard of it either, but Maurice has my vote for his ideas of human relationships and the divine.
When I read, “Julia visited every single diocese in the United States and helped organize branches of the Women’s Auxiliary in more than 5,600 parishes,” that did it for me. That would be amazing today, but she did it before air travel.
I totally agree! This swung it for me!
I was ready to vote for the founder of the ECW, but then I reread the quotes and found myself realizing that Maurice moved the entire Church away from a focus on form to a better recognition of our purpose of Christians. Kind of like the experience reading Basil’s approach to prayer.
Tough choice though. Thanks to both CBs.
This was a *tough* choice, but in the end I had to go with FDM. We need more people speaking out about how our society is “…dosing our people with religion” and giving them “…systems for realities.”
More Christ, less religion! More God, less church! Or rather – don’t go to church, BE the church!
Yes, excellent way to sum it up!
I disagree with all who suggest that JCE was a doer and FDM only threw words into the air. He was a 19th century faith-based community organizer. He lived the Gospel in the neighborhood. “The Christian socialists sought to apply Christian principles to laissez-faire industrialism, advocating for a collective responsibility for the poor and those in substandard factory working conditions.”
Now THAT’s a great quote Carol!
So far, this may be the least discussed pairing, and yet there is so much to say in comparing these two. Could it be that it’s Friday of Spring break for many? BTW, the movie (in reference to Pompatus) pales in comparison to the hit song for social impact, and the social impact comparison is what makes the Maurice and Emery match-up a good ponder.
Julia for me today. Amazing woman. Love that “willingness to try and commitment to stick with it.” Great example of discipleship and encourager for all, no matter what small gifts each may bring to the table.
Well, if you hadn’t tossed in the Steve Miller reference I would have had to think about this one. Thanks for the Friday morning belly-laugh!
Back to difficult choices. While I suspect Julia Chester Emery will win, I’m voting for F.D. Maurice. His willingness to upset the establishment within the church to care for the poor of society has my vote. We always need a few who will “upset the establishment” to remind us to do God’s work first.
“a willingness to try and the commitment to stick with it,” This won my vote today
At least one person voted for Julia because of an association with the Underground Railroad. If one reviews the bio one finds that the writer has perhaps misleadingly pointed out that she is underground in a cemetery in which there are tunnels associated with the Underground Railroad. Nothing else is said. This may parallel the superfluous reference to “Pompatus of Love” in the bio of F. D. Maurice. However, I have found Maurice the most comprehensive of Anglican theologians, a man with values I wish were held today, including compassion for those who work hard for little pay, the poor and the sick. I hope most readers understand that Maurice’s Christian Socialism was in practice shared by Julia Emery and was not a secular political movement. Maurice’s statement that the Church gives us religion when we are crying out for the Living God is as to the point today as it was in the 19th Century and his awareness of the Presence of God in all things touches me deeply. [I dare to note that so far the comments suggest a gender division in this voting round, women for Julia, men for Maurice. I think they should share a golden halo or perhaps intertwined halos. I’ll have to ask my Deacon spouse how she would vote this time around.]
I voted for Julia over Maurice because I am inspired by a woman who could make such a difference in the church and the world without any theological training but only her “willingness to try and commitment to stick with it.” Julia shows us that every person has the potential to make a difference in the world. I think the reason why the vote seems to be along gender lines is because Julia is the example of a woman making a difference just being a woman and not because she went against societal norms and competed in the male dominated society.
Well said, Robert Stiefel. I too have noticed that the bios as written here can influence votes based on incorrect information or conclusions. Thank you for your impassioned plea for Maurice.
Thank you Melody! I need to finish my coffee…
Words vs. Actions? Seems to me it is the “women of the faith” who continue to do the “work” Christ has called us to do. Thanks and blessings to Julia, who against all odds, has made it possible for the ECW to continue her work today! I am honored to vote for her and blessed to be an Episcopal Church Woman.
I keep going back and forth on this one. Both have strong social ministry ties. I admire Julia for her work, her steadfastness and her ministry in a time when women were not permitted ordination. I have long admired the theology and work of FD Maurice too. I think FD wins out. Wish I could vote for both.
I must vote for Julia again this round. In her lifetime she did more to help further the cause for women to be a vital part of the church. Like Carole I am honored to vote for her and every time I put money in my Blue Box I will say an extra prayer for all the women who have succeeded thanks to Julia
This was my hardest choice so far. I voted for both of them in the first round. I am moved by the words of Maurice and see how today’s Church needs to hear them again. So Maurice got my vote this morning. Sorry Julia.
Oh, this is so hard–both of these folks pull at my heart. They both did so much for the church and for the people of their time. And the ripple effects are still being felt…. Ouch, this is really tough.
I hate it when people bash the church and religion and say folks really need Jesus. That’s true, but the church is a one place to start looking for him
F. D. Maurice did no more than write the truth about institutionalized religion over-riding the Gospel of love. He didn’t “bash the Church” but remained a vital figure in the life of the Church of England in his day and like Jesus reached out to the “untouchables” – the poor, the rural, the working classes.
Unfortunately, there are churches–both individually and in groups–in which it is not easy for some to find Jesus. Perhaps F.D. ran into too many of those.
While I honor Julia for her work on emancipation and work on women’s equality in the liturgy, I had to vote for Maurice for his efforts and beliefs in bringing God and ministry together in our every day life. If I were only as spiritual as Maurice. A goal to shoot for.
Good morning Fred, though I voted for J.C.E. today, I have to agree that it’s important to incorporate our beliefs into our everyday lives and not just be Christian on Sunday. Julia was a fantastic example of this. By the way…I like your name. Nag nag naggity naaaaag!!!
Madeleine, I know you know how much I love Fred Rogers, and how much I have appreciated your support and enthusiasm to put him officially on the calendar, but I have begun to question the effectiveness of our posts here. When I think of him, and the model of these other saints, I imagine they would set up a quieter strategy, no less determined, but perhaps more engaging, enticing, and targeted. I am vowing not to publish another post about FR (no matter how many snide remarks are made). I wish I could help with planning, but I’m afraid I have no information about committees that already exist, etc. My e-mail is molly.reingruber@gmail.com. Please let me know if there is some serious movement afoot! Would you please send me your contact info, in case I hear something, or get that collect for Fred written?
Hi Molly, I wish I knew of another way to get Fred Rogers in next year’s bracket besides playing the broken record. Unfortunately I don’t, so I’ve been going about it this way. Maybe if everything else fails, the sec will put him on the bracket because I’m driving them Completely Nuts and they just want to shut me up. I’m determined. Some would say stubborn….
Hi Molly, I sent you my contact info on my phone, not sure I did it right.. did you get my email?
Christian Socialism has never been given the prominence it deserves, and so I must go with Maurice. Besides, his hymn is just *made* for Laetare Sunday, which is this weekend (Divine, divine, divine it is when all combine”).
So wear pink to church for TWO reasons!
Tough, tough, tough choice! But as moving as the words of FDM were, it was the action of Julia that grabbed my vote! Now I have to wonder how many and where were all of the dioceses she visited, but still an amazing feat given the modes of transport available at the time!
Julia Chester Emery inspired and empowered the women of the church to commitment and action which, in turn, has involved children, men, and entire families in caring for the least among us throughout the world by means of the United Thank Offering (UTO). UTO is not just money but also prayer, commitment, and action. The little blue box has sat on millions of kitchen window sills and kitchen tables as constant reminder of our call as followers of Jesus the Christ to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, care for the sick, visit the prisoner… impacting not only the recipients but also the givers in the name of God. Emergy DID what Maurice only talked and wrote about.
Both of these are compelling saints – Maurice for his vision of human relationship as our way of apprehending divine love, and Emery because of her willingness to do, and her work of empowerment of women. I voted for Maurice, because I think this deserves to be close!
Just to show that I don’t always automatically vote for the chicks, especially the more feminist ones, I went with FD Maurice. JCE was an important person, but FDM encouraged us to really cultivate our relationship with God, and that seemed more halo-worthy to me.
Either that or I was sucked in by the Steve Miller Band reference…
Mary, I hear you. I often vote for the opposite gender, my vote actually has little to do with genitalia !
Exactly…
I am left w/ Julia. She was a doer. We need Maurice to keep our visions sharp and understanding focused on Jesus, but Julia fulfilled his vision of the living bread. I am not really sure of what Maurice was doing or where he was going so the choice was easy for me.
And as for the. SM band and the song in question, that song got played to death,back then, to this very day I STILL can’t abide it.
I think the closing of Julia’s information may have led to a piece of possible misinformation:” Known as “Miss Julia,” Emery died in 1922 and is buried in the cemetery of St. James the Less in Scarsdale, New York, a cemetery that also contains a secret room and tunnel that was part of the underground railroad through which slaves were able to escape to Canada.” This does not say she had any connection to the “Underground Railroad “; but the placement of this information in the closing has led some people to connect her with that movement.
Despite being a Steve Miller fan, I cast my vote for Julia. JuJu rocks!
“Ju Ju”, neat variation. I like this! We do need a “like button”!
Like many others, I found this a tough choice. Although I’m not a great fan of “feminism” as it’s understood these days, I would never call Emery a feminist, but simply a woman who served Christ and His Church at a time when it was difficult for women to do this in the ways she did it. Plus, the UTO Thank Offering has a special little place in my childhood that helped direct me toward my life work as church musician.
“Feminism as it’s understood these days” is often not defined by feminists, but by their opponents. If you believe in equal rights for women, you’re a feminist. There are feminists on all sides of the abortion issue, for instance.
No question of choice here – it’s Maurice all the way. Even if I were not disposed already to choose him because of his thinking, that first quotation would have sealed it. Nothing against ECW and Miss Julia but there is no difficulty in making a choice in this match-up.
I really liked Emery until I read the quotes from Maurice! I loved what he has to say about relationships! Wow! I had to vote for him – hard decision!
I love both Maurice’s and Emory’s
compelling faces, souls and contributions. After reading Maurice’s bio I was sure I needed to read no further, but I did. Then after reading Emory’s I was convinced I’d better read again from the top. They each spent a lifetime of devotion actualizing their personal potential, impacting millions well beyond their own lifetimes because of a willingness to persevere with their gifts. The genius of Maurice’s mind won by a fraction. Both are absolutely beautiful saints and a great team.
Julia Emery was a staunch and ardent church worker who led many women to exert power with their gold and silver jewelry and silverware to fashion basins to collect the UTO s, especially in the Volunteer state of Tennessee. She was one woman who empowered many women when women’s rights was a non-existent term as measured by today’s standards. UTO funds were given to newly ordained women clergy when I was ordained a deacon to help purchase clerical garb. The visits she made were, as has been mentioned. before air travel. She was truly a powerhouse who commanded respect when women in our church had little, if any. Remember, women were not allowed to be seated with vote at diocesan nor general conventions in her day. A great churchwoman dedicated to God and the Church Triumphant.
Julia Chester Emery’s life is theology in high heels!
The influence and ministry of the UTO world-wide is the legacy of this practical approach to the Gospel. What she and her sisters accomplished in their time reads like a primer for missionary work.
Susan, love the “high heels” imagery. I’ll be sure to share it with our associate rector, who usually wears flats. Often striped. Or red.
This was hard. I voted for them both in the first round.
Maurice – a great truth which I will post on my desk for when I am discouraged with relationships:
Human relationships are not artificial types of something divine, but are actually the means and the only means, through which man ascends to any knowledge of the divine… every breach of human relation, as it implies a violation of the higher law, so also is a hindrance and barrier to the perception of that higher law – the drawing of a veil between the spirit of a man and his God. – from The Kingdom of Christ (1838)
Though I wholeheartedly agree with Maurice’s sentiment that “I do not think we are to praise the liturgy but to use it,” and even though it further busts my flat-broke bracket, I have to vote for Julia today.
Her indomitable spirit and traveling witness make real what happens when people use the liturgy of the church and follow its leading into a life of praise and service.
Two fine examples of people we should pattern our own lives after. But in the end, I heeded my mother’s admonition: “Actions speak louder than words.” Julia gets my vote.
Julia is awesome. I learned much more about her in the book “New Wine” by Pam Darling. Just thought I’d let people know if they are interested.
Having decided in the last 20 min that Maurice ought take the Halo, I’m shattered to see him trounced midway in the first period of the second round. Ms. Emery took down an ecumenist in the first round. I hate to see another fall.
I only know what I read about either person — what I read these past 20 min, coming late into the tourney. The first round blurb and the second round’s for Ms. Emery are nearly identical. Shallow, though broad, accomplishments over her 40 years. Nod and move one. Maurice had the pompetus of a polemicist, being both a convert to the faith and a thorn to the establishment and the broker of an uneasy marriage the likes of which have been eclipsed only in our time in with the nuptials of Ayn Rand and Josemaria Escriva and their love child, Paul Ryan. I want to know more. And that wanting is what makes him a saint.
Google Play has a brief biography of FDM by Richard H Schmidt, called Citizen of the Kingdom. In the spirit of wanting to know more, I’ve been reading it just now and discovered a fact of his ministry material to the field of battle for this round — the same court on which Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King fought.
Queen’s College of London was founded by JDM. Look it up!
Julia Chester Emery got my vote because she expressed her faith by her actions. No slight intended to F. D. Maurice; however, there always will be a never-ending supply of wordsmiths.
It seems to me that once again all too many are voting merely based on gender. What Julia did is no different that what many other women in many other denominations have done. Nor should this exclusively be about Episcopalians. That’s why others of us are participating (I’m Lutheran)! What F.D. Maurice said and did speaks more to the church universal, which is why I voted for him. It saddens me that members of the church cannot look at the contributions of different people to the church without dividing them up according to gender!
Perhaps “merely” gender should be viewed in the same vein as “mere” Christianity. For you to assume that Julia’s contributions are less “universal” than Maurice’s actually seems counter to what Maurice preached. The assumption that gender must be the only reason that women (only some, apparently) voted for Julia is an example of the very sexism you decry.
Linda Monk, you do not know me! I have stood up for more women and against bias against women than you ever will — I have advocated on their behalf in ways you probably have not! Stop insulting me! You are way off base. Every time there has been a woman against a man in Lent Madness, it has been the same outcome. Julia’s contributions were in the Episcopal Church. That is fine, I have absolutely nothing against that. However, there are other women who have done the same for the Lutheran Church or the Baptist Church or the Presbyterian Church, etc., etc. None of them are included here, number one, yet their contribution is equal to Julia’s. I am sick of this bit where men are wholly discounted and you did it again where I am concerned. I will repeat, I have advocated against bias against women, actively, my entire life on this earth and I RESENT your insult!
Dang Phil, ease up before you have a nosebleed already…..
Madeleine, how about telling Linda Monk to ease up, I am not the one who went around insulting somebody who I don’t know and others have made the same point that I made, so why call me sexist? Besides, nothing, absolutely NOTHING could be further than the truth!
Phil (btw, what is your last name?), you don’t know me either. Your words speak for themselves. And you are factually incorrect, as another person has pointed out in the comments. Go in peace.
As a past parish level ECW VP & President & also literally a one time parish UTO gatherer (a few months before I moved), I feel I must vote for Julia, though I wouldn’t cry if F.D. were to pull off a come from behind Cinderella victory. (But I’m not holding my breath.)
It’s Julia all the way! Many of the 30-some churches in the Diocese of NWPA would not be accessible to the physically challenged today if it wasn’t for the grants from UTO. She is still working today.
Well, spit. I may have mistakenly voted twice today … Internet connection failed partway through my vote for Maurice going through. Dear Supreme Executive Committee, please do not punish me if I have sinned! I only wanted to cast my ballot for FD!
Tough choice as usual but I had to go with F. D. because of his writings on social concerns, making the gospel a reality and what he had to say about human relationships.
Has to be FD Maurice, but this was a tough one!
Much as I admire Julia, I had to go with ecumenism, “don’t let liturgy get in the way of Jesus”, “All stages of our earthly life to the last are consecrated”, etc. I’m glad they’re both in the Communion of Saints.
For those of us who are a bit forgetful, it would be helpful if you put a link to the previous post on each Saint in the first round of Lent Madness. This way we could refresh our memories as to the earlier facts that got each Saint through to the Saintly 16.
F. D. Maurice is one of those figures whose stock with me has risen and fallen and risen over the decades. At the moment it’s fairly high, but once again I voted on the basis of personal associations, going with Julia for her family associations with SSJE, her trailblazing concept of sisterhood, and her (ahem, posthumous) association with the Underground Railroad.
“…he was not called Maurice for his speaking of the pompatus of love.”
Har! Har! Har! (David, that was so baad!)
Easy– just switch the genders, and then think about it with a calm mind. Rebellious Frederica’s theological influence on the whole Anglican imagination far overshadows wealthy Julian’s fundraising and organizing of American men’s groups. That said, Julian does not speak in his own voice in this bio, so we do not know how his faith informed his fundraising and campaigning, which is unfair (Evidence perhaps that men are still expected to be stoically silent about their religious feelings?) Since wealthy benefactors of the Gilded Age did sometimes have notable inner lives– eg Isabel Stewart Gardner– that seems a loss. For saints to be saints, we need more than effective organizing, well-used connections, and praiseworthy stamina (though these things have never hurt eg yesterday’s St Basil the Great, inventor of the hospital). Maurice, obviously, but with protest attached on behalf of modern American saints.
PS– The comments for Julia in this thread are so flatly gender-driven that they suggest an interesting result. The margin in this vote may quantify the ‘chick flick’ vote closely enough that we can deduct it from some of the other tallies to see how the thoughtful people of both sexes have been voting in some more interesting matches.
F.D. Maurice – April 1, 2012 The date I became a postulant for holy orders.
Ok already, yes I was mistaken about Julia Chester Emery’s involvement in the underground railroad so sue me! Sheeesh. She still gets my vote
Or a fool for Christ!
Oops, meant that to go to Keith Patterson, as a compliment.
Like some others, I find it difficult to decide today. I voted for both of them in the first round. Yesterday was easy: I voted against Antony in the first round, and for Basil, so I just continued. Today… I’m amazed by Julia’s efforts and accomplishments in the time that she lived, but Maurice’s words resonate with me. I think I must go with him.
This has been the toughest one yet. Really believe we need an F.D. today, but had to go with Julia because of how much of our parish’s outreach is through the ECW. Also, years ago were blessed with a wonderful deaconess who held our poor, little parish together.
Agonizing choice today. I totally admire them both. What Julia did for women at the time and the church is mind boggling. And to think how she managed to visit every diocese, wow. But in the end I must vote for Maurice fighting for the poor and founding the Working Men’s college. Also his book ‘The Kingdom of Christ” and belief ‘that the church was a united body, transcending individual sects, denominations’ really spoke to me.
I had to vote for Julia this time. She unleashed the power of women in the “male-dominated” world of churches. Her work to organizing women is evident today in the UTO Ingathering and the grants to churches all over the country. These grants have helped churches, big and small, in good times and sad.
I had to vote for FD today because of the quote about dosing people with religion when they are crying out for a Living God. I wish I could have voted for both because Julia’s extravagant and marvelous visit to 5k plus parishes in the US is one amazing feat.
LOVE THAT YOU QUOTED SAN PORTARO, my old college priest. Although, as much as he lifted Julia, I had to vote for Maurice. His theology helped change the church, and thus the world!
My vote’s for Julia “jungle Love!” All the way!
Both are strong early examples of emergence church, one working through the theological and the other through the need for more lay (and especially more female) representation in the operation of the church.
I voted for Julia because she achieved more in implementing despite the demonstrable obstacles she faced, IMO.
OT: As a bit of secular snark, maybe to help relieve LMW over the weekend, the creators of Lent Madness have imitators, I think, with the Worst Company in America bracket: http://consumerist.com/tag/wcia-2014/ You have to see their award for the “winner,” down at the bottom of the page.
I thought it was obvious that Julia C. Emery deserves the Golden Halo! I can’t believe this vote is so close.
I resent people accusing women of gender bias. It can work just as well the other way. Men may be voting for FD because he is a man and had the luxury of being ordained years before women could be. I believe Julia may go all the way. Raising millions through the collection of “mite box” pennies is very much akin to the loaves and fishes.
There are at least two (and I think more) Barbaras on this list, so I’m now identifying as “the other other Barbara. Thank you Patsy. I was so put off by the accusations of gender bias that I went back and read through the comments. Women (as identified by their names) appear divided today with no clear trend evident. Ditto the men. So it’s not good enough to declare “chick” bias from this sample. Most voters don’t comment at all. In any case, these Holy Ones would surely have approved of each other. One said we needed to live the liturgy in his theological discourse; the other did live it with a loaves and fishes (thank you Patsy) result. That’s pretty good either way.
In the interests of true competition-madness, I did a quick and dirty analysis of the Round of 32: In the seven match-ups between a male and a female, the women took the prize five times, the men only twice. The percentage split was a little less lop-sided: In those seven match-ups, women received 57.3% of the votes cast, men 42.7%. Is this evidence of gender bias? As a member of the fair sex, I say nothing.
She was not a typical women of the times. She obviously was a leader and strong in her beliefs. She probably just wanted to visit the country.
I voted for F.D. Maurice because as I read his description his great interests as a theologian were the ecumenical movement and social justice which I believe are the major needs of these times. I was, of course, greatly impressed by the story of Julia Chester Emery but I suspect her exemplary life of service if typical of many women in all of the the Christian churches.
Despite my deep appreciation of Julia, I am going with FDM. His quote incl. in the bio is as close to Romans 8:38,39 as I have ever read: Christ is with those who seem to speak the most slightingly of him, testifying to them that he is risen indeed, and they have a life in him which no speculations or denials of theirs have been able to rob them of, even as we have a life in him, which our sins often hinder us from acknowledging, but cannot quench. – from Theological Essays (1853) May we always remember that Christ is always present – with everyone.
Phil….when I vote, it is after having read the bio’s and my choice has everything to do with what resonates with me and what doesn’t. Like I said earlier, the genitalia has nothing to do with it.
I totally agree with you Madeleine!!!!
No one said that there were not some women who considered other characteristics, but there are others who have made the same comment. Look at the comments here. I am not the only one. And significantly, there are some women who have made the same comment!
Thanks Glenis 🙂
Since leaving a comment early in the voting process this morning I have come to sense that as much as this is truly a game and an instructive one at that, we are engaged in choosing /a/ over /b/ or /b/ over /a/ at each step and using this competitive system to choose who is #1 in this Lent’s Golden Halo Contest. At each stage there is a winner and a loser. We even find ourselves moving from the simple question of whether there might be a gender bias in this round (or other rounds) of voting into another level of “this OR that”, along with a split among those who favor “deeds” over “words” and, I think inaccurately, apply the distinction to their choice of Emery or Maurice. As has been noted, we cannot analyze the voting patterns because most voters leave no comment or clue to identity. It all really doesn’t matter to me except that our well-meaning Madness Masters have drawn us into a game of “either X or Y” – the same process we indeed daily apply to questions of gender or the value of work or political positions or a myriad other aspects of day to day living. Although most of us who make comments take pains to say that this is “just a game” we are none the less reenforcing a system of dualities that pervades our thinking and acting. O dear, I guess this perspective makes me horribly “post-modern” – but maybe it’s also an expression of the Episcopal “via media,” the middle road that is “both – and”. Anyway, I’m hooked and I’ll keep on voting, but I prefer the Dodo’s approach to the caucus race in the first of the “Alice” books: “All shall wine, and all shall have prizes.” [Cue a sing-along of “I sing a song of the Saints of God … and I want to be one, too.”] As my dear friend Louie says, “Joy anyway!”
That hymn has the most morbid line of any hymn I have ever seen or sung. “And one was a soldier, and one was a priest, and one was slain by a fierce wild beast.” Really, and you want to be one too when one was slain by a fierce wild beast?
Sure, why not, we all gotta go sometime right? 🙂
The wild beast might have been a lion in the colesium in Roman times during on of the many persecutions of Christians. The cost of discipleship.
I agree Robert, about your caution to not fall prey to dualistic thinking, yet often life presents me with dilemmas, and Lent Madness is good preparation for choosing between two good things. I know that this game has helped me learn about these saints, and to pray with the Daily Office, so that I can experience more commemorations.
I have something to say to those who feel powerless or voiceless: The Rev. Tim intended this to be fun, however, it is hard when the saint that speaks to you does not move on. How many baffling remarks have I heard about beloved saints who “didn’t really do anything”? It really doesn’t feel good, but disappointment is a part of life, disagreements and frustration are a part of community. Multiple disappointments can lead to a justifiable but RESPECTFUL examination of constituencies and motivations. I also don’t think that there is anything wrong with calling out someone who is writing inflammatory or insulting remarks, and to hold them accountable to the community. It is well for all of us to pull back and remember that Lent Madness is a game (we are not approving these people for the liturgical calendar) with a very simple voting system (there is no voting college). We are all on the same “team” in effect, children of God who sometimes struggle, sometimes soar, in the Kingdom of God. If that is too hard, remember what Tim always says, “Participating in Lent Madness is completely optional
What Lent Madness is and becomes reflects those who participate in it, the good and the ugly.
I totally agree with you, Robert. I’m not claiming it’s only a game, I would suggest rather it’s a tongue-in-cheek spoof of exactly the kind of sports madness that divides everything into winners and losers and gets very tribal.
I had a tough one today. Maurice had some great things to say about the presence of God being everywhere, not merely in church. On the other hand I love our liturgy because I feel much more connected to God through it, especially when it is sung. Emery, on the other hand, accomplished a lot as a woman in a time period when women were not allowed to accomplish much in the church. I had somehow skimmed past the “pompatus of love” joke until I saw the asterisk and went back up to see the 41-year-old pop culture reference. When I went back up and saw the joke, it cemented for me that I had to vote for Maurice. He does, indeed, speak of God’s love, so why can’t he speak of the pompatus of love?
Does the word “pompatous” even exist??
It is amazing to notice the aura of looming hostility and folks getting really upset by real or imagined sexism in voting patterns. I thought this was a free country and people could vote as they jolly well please. Some are making themselves quite unhappy over sexism (real or imagined) showing up. Somehow, the reality of what “madness” means in the title LENT MADNESS still escapes some folk. Don’t get ya knickers in a bind ! Live and let live ! Get a life ! It’s supposed to be fun…remember?
I agree I’ve become increasingly surprised and distressed by the tone in some of the comments which seem to me nothing to do with fun or community but quite openly hostile. I doubt very much that the women among us are nearly so dull witted as some assume. Women as a gender have endured too much to fall into the gender discrimination trap. It’s Lent after all.
Yes I completely agree. Let’s everybody chill!
Apparently you have not read through all the comments. Others have commented on the same thing, including some women — and one even looked into it a little more, to the point where her results, while not conclusive, indicate the same thing. As members of the church we should ALL be more enlightened than that. But since I was called sexist, without any evidence of that, that is apparently not so! I have in fact actively advocated for women in situations where they were clearly being abused, so I have to say how dare anyone, especially people who call themselves Christian, insult me in that fashion!
I found more extensive bios in Stars in a Dark World by Fr.John Julian OJN, (Forward Movement Pub.). Maurice was important in the theology and academic communities in England. He was not always PC, for the time, & lost jobs because of that. He influnenced George MacDonald (C.S. Lewis’ guiding light) to return to orthodoxy. “Lewis Carroll” , a Rev. in real life, like to hear Maurice. So, though controvercial, he had a positive effect on the CofE. (Had he lived in an earlier century, he might have been martyred.) Julia Emery was totally mission field focused. The ECW, little Blue Box and her travels brought books, supplies, clothing, curriculum, etc to world wide missions. When in her home parish, Julia taught Sunday School. She wrote a children’s book: The New Sir Lancelot—about a missionary priest who died young while on a mission. So, quiet, persistent Julia has my vote and my admiration.
Does anyone else remember there was bishop of Alaska who named an AIRPLANE from UTO “The Blue Box”?
Aleathia, you are sooooo right. Thanks for helping me to “un knot” my knickers. And while I’m at it, Go Fred Rogers!!!!! Nag nag naggity nag!!
wondering why FDM is assumed to be only a thinker/writer in many of the comments and not a doer. He gets my vote today for the beauty of his writing and his impact on the church.
F. D. Maurice was brilliant, but Julia Chester Emery was brilliant AND practical. That practicality, and the fact that movements that she started still impact my life and the life of my parishioners tipped the balance for me.
Well gosh all friday, I’m glad the weekend is here so we can decompress…..yipes….
I think some folks need to either step away from the computer or watch cat videos. I’m on record as saying the Lent Madness community is unusual for its graciousness — most online forums with open commenting are not. Let’s keep it that way.
Ahhhhh…thanks for this and amen.
I totally agree with Madeleine and Elizabeth. Have a great weekend everyone. Will look forward to Monday and the new week.
You too kiddo! 🙂
Thank you, Tim, simply put is sometimes the best way to put it. Going to play with my cat now, “Esther” has been sorely neglected in the attention department. Or so she tells me . Later y’all.
And, please, let’s keep in mind that the written word tells nothing about tone of voice, and whether something comes with a smile and a wink. It’s very easy to misread the intent of a writer and be offended. This is supposed to fun!
My Populist Republican vote is with Maurice the Christian Socialist. God Save the People!
I’ m impressed by the influence of F.D. Maurice’s thinking on Bishop Colenso of Natal South Africa. Colenso welcomed my great grandfather to the Christian community. Ideas travel and become actions.
Julia has my vote—& my admiration, not only for starting UTO,but also for making sure its administration stayed under the women’s control. ‘Traveling throughout the US in her day was remarkable, & I agree her connection w/ the underground RR. Not a difficult choice this time. See everyone next Mon.
In the spirit of reconciliation, I’d like to acknowledge that none of us likes being accused of sexism, whether voting for Julia or Maurice. My own assumption is that sexism and racism are deeply imbedded in our broken world, regardless of our many efforts to combat them. Comments to this blog are a Rorschach test for participants, which is part of what makes this a worthy Lenten discipline. IMO.
Linda, very well put and thank you for offering the olive branch! 🙂
Thank you, Madeleine. It’s good for me to remember that reconciliation is what the Lenten journey is all about.
You’re welcome Linda! I need to be reminded of this myself from time to time….
Having lived in a house in the Alaskan bush, worshipped in a church there and been transported many times in a plane called the Blue Box and piloted by Bishop William Gordon I would have voted for Julia had I been near a computer. I must say I am happy she won!! The Blue Box took me 275 miles to Fairbanks to have 2 babies and then returned me to our home in Huslia. Good memories.
Wow Connie, what amazing memories that no one can take away from you! So cool