After yesterday’s Harriet Havoc, it appears we have our first true Cinderella in Harriet Bedell since Emma of Hawaii made it to the championship round in 2012. She trounced Harriet Beecher Stowe 74% to 26% in the first blowout of the week after three days of tense back and forth battles.
Today we finalize the Faithful Four as Anna Cooper squares off against Charles Wesley. To make it to the Elate Eight, Anna defeated Joseph of Arimathaea and J.S. Bach while Charles beat out his brother John and Thomas Merton. The winner will cut down the proverbial nets and join Lydia, Phillips Brooks, and Harriet Bedell as the four remaining saints of Lent Madness 2014.
Here’s today’s Archbishops’ Update for your viewing pleasure:
Have a good Palm Sunday weekend, all, and remember there are only three days left of this year’s Madness. We’ll have Faithful Four contests on Monday and Tuesday and voting for the Golden Halo on Spy Wednesday with the winner announced at 8:00 am on Maundy Thursday. Onward!
Anna Cooper
If you haven’t yet planned your next vacation, why not consider a road trip to the Mid-Atlantic — that is, of course, if you can’t make it to the great nation of Texas? Along with enjoying delectable blue crabs, artificially sweetened ice tea, and excessive humidity, you can embark upon a spiritual pilgrimage in honor of Dr. Anna Julia Cooper’s commitment to human dignity, equality, and Christian discipleship.
Begin your trip in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a visit to St. Augustine’s Normal School & Collegiate Institute 
(now St. Augustine’s College), where Anna Julia Cooper began attending school at the age of nine. While there, recall Anna Julia’s early foray into activism as she demanded entrance into the same courses as her male counterparts, including classes in theology and pastoral ministry.
Anna J. Cooper Home
After that, hop onto I-85 and make your way to Richmond, Virginia, where you’ll find the Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School in Richmond’s East End. Visit with the amazing students there, and perhaps you can join some of the teachers as they make regular visits to their students’ homes — not because they’re in trouble, but because their teachers are committed to maintaining an active role in their students lives. Be sure to purchase an AJCES t-shirt while you’re there, too.
After a day in Richmond (make you sure to visit their fantastic
M Street School
Museum of Fine Arts), hop on I-95 to Washington, D.C. While most of the traffic will be headed to the National Mall, drive on over to the less-crowded, but culturally rich & vibrant LeDroit Park to visit the M Street School (now Dunbar High School) where Anna Julia Cooper served as principal.
If you get a chance, take a moment to enjoy the majestic sounds of Dunbar’s marching band. Upon leaving Dunbar, pass through Anna J. Cooper Circle on your way to visit her beautiful home. Be sure to take some pictures to mail home to your family and friends. Naturally, you’ll want to use the commemorative stamps in honor of Dr. Cooper, which you can purchase after taking a tour of the United States Postal Museum a few blocks away.
If the heat should become unbearable as you travel, recall Anna Julia’s tireless activism in heels and corsets and be encouraged. Besides, I’m not so 
sure that Mr. Wesley — classy and talented he may have been — was so impeccably and painfully dressed.
Educators, unite—
Writers, speak—
Clergy spouses (and widows), find a new companion—
Francophiles, raise a glass—
World travelers, behold your passport—
Overachievers, join your tribe—
Believers of equality, stamp out injustice—
Everyone, channel your inner “Anna Julia” and live the Gospel with boldness & hope (corset & heels, optional)
Vote Anna Julia Cooper, y’all!
Charles Wesley
You may fear, dearest reader, that as the younger of the famous Wesley Brothers, Charles Wesley would be bereft on nice, shiny, new kitsch. After all, youngest siblings always seem to get only hand-me-downs: clothes a few years out of style, “lovingly” used toys, and the like. And a lack of kitsch for Charles Wesley would mean a weak showing in the Elate Eight, and next to no chance of advancing. It would almost be as if he failed to show up for this late round of Lent Madness.
So can it be that Charles Wesley should gain an interest in the Zazzle’s kitsch? Yes, dear reader, Yes! 
Zazzle is here to remind us: There’s Methodist in My Madness!
But there are some in the kitsch-o-sphere that feel it is necessary to remind us that, even as a Methodist remains in our beloved Lent Madness, John and Charles Wesley were, indeed, Anglicans. Both died before Methodism split from the Church of England, and Charles, in particular, was very vocal against any potential split.
But people of all kinds of denominations can unite behind Charles Wesley, and especially behind his over 6,000 hymns which continue to inspire the faithful. Inspire the faithful, so much, that he hangs out with his fellow hymn writers William Cowper, Fanny Crosby, John Newton, and Isaac Watts on an exquisite “Sing Hymns Loud!” tie that is said to inspire a thousand tongues to sing.
Indeed, ‘tis mercy all, immense and at a fee, all this kitsch didst find out me! Of course, Lent 
Madness isn’t all about kitsch. It’s about preparing for Easter, and for so many, Charles Wesley’s hymn “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” is among their favorites. The hymn is an adaptation of the earlier version from the 1708 Lyrica David original; The United Methodist Hymnal uses Wesley’s adaptation, but in the Episcopal Church’s Hymnal 1982, the original is blended with Wesley’s own verse in “Jesus Christ is Risen Today.” In one form or another, the hymn is beloved enough to deserve a place on your living room wall.
Speaking of that favorite Wesley Tune, it looks like choir soloist John Daker from First United Methodist Church is getting ready to sing a song that’s very popular nowadays, with Charles Wesley being a contestant in Lent Madness. And then he’s gonna sing Amore too, okay?
On second thought, Charles Wesley’s bust is not amused… so help him recover from that incredibly unique rendition of one of his hymns by voting him into the Faithful Four.
Vote!
Anna Cooper vs. Charles Wesley
- Charles Wesley (57%, 2,664 Votes)
- Anna Cooper (43%, 2,033 Votes)
Total Voters: 4,695
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Ah, the heavenly music!
Are you speaking of the video or of Wesley’s hymns?
John Dekker should be on the Voice already! Incredible!
Sticking with Anna today, thankful that women no longer have to wear heels and a corset, unless they so choose.
Have women ever worn heels and corsets without choosing them?
“Every single day…” I can hear the angry answers already. Fiona’s wit got me thinking, which wit will do. Let’s try another way.
If individual women today are collectively making choices that their future great-great-great-granddaughters will find as dis-valuable then as heels and corsets seem to be now, does that mean that the choices of women today are any less real? They certainly seem real to the women making them!
I think women today are choosing; I think women in Cooper’s time were choosing too, even if their options were not those of the C21. They, after all, had options that some in ages before them did not, seldom worrying about the House of Virgins or when they would next take a bath.
Yet they were not more free than St Mary of Egypt. And St Catherine of Sienna (also remember– St Teresa of Avila ;–) found a way to move even popes as a single, lay (she was a tertiary), woman nowhere near a center of power.
Freedom is something inside a person. Sainthood seems to be less about the choices God gives you in this century or that one than about how you follow the path he opens through them.
yes! or at least heels hose and girdles back in the day
Poor Anna cannot compete with a rendition worthy of the Bad Music Appreciation Society. One can only guess at what Charles Wesley thinks of YouTube’s inclusive collection.
As the Chaplain at Anna Julia Cooper I can attest the students are all praying that their school’s namesake takes the day! Blessings!
Rock, I’m sharing your photo of the kids holding the VOTE AJC sign all over Facebook and Twitter! Don’t know how to share it here or I would.
I say cancel classes and start the robo-phone calls!
I was struggling with this vote until I read Rock’s comments. As a fellow head of an Episcopal school I can imagine my students if St. Mark were in the running and my vote is now decided! I am with your kids and voting AJC all the way now!
What a woman…..
So what is up with yesterday and today – where you talk about the accomplishments of the saint who might be the underdog in the match-up, then just highlight merchandise about the other? I’m sure that contributed to the Harriett blowout yesterday, and you certainly set up Charles Wesley in the same way today -UNHAPPY with the SEC!!!!
Agreed — information on matchups should be equally kitschy or not at all…
I doubt I’ll ever be able to write unhappy with the SEC; I vote the way I want 🙂 Some days my vote ends up in the majority, some days it doesn’t. The madness is finding the method that I want to use for deciding my vote .. lol.
I do agree
The presentation of the winning Harriet was wonderful and the other Harriet inconsequential
Maybe you thought we all have good memories and would know everything you had written previously. But alas, some of us have those large holes in the memory box and need the good reminders.
Please help us in all rounds to appreciate the ministry of each saint you present
thank you
blessings
Margaret+
I think Harriet Bedell won not because of the kitsch, but because many people remembered the initial write up about her. She was way ahead of her time. When she translated the 23rd Psalm for a Seminole funeral, she was brilliant and thoughtful when she used language that the Seminole would connect with instead of insisting on traditional Christian terms. Thus, ” you will always be welcome in the Great Chickee” instead of “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Bedell was an amazing woman who worked tirelessly for the poor.
Personally, I followed the ‘no soul, no vote’ rule to a straightforward, easy vote. Bedell’s known personal choices were more easily explained by spirituality in Christ than the similar choices of Stowe. The deaconess made promises to Christ and lived her faith across cultural boundaries; the reforming propagandist– however saintly she was in fact– is harder to read as a soul from the bios we were given. Bedell.
Dear Margaret, I think one can always go back to the previous blog posts, especially useful if one is joining LM later in the “contest”. And, for something a bit more straightforward or, perhaps, even academic, I found the on-line book Stars in a Dark World by Fr. John-Julian, OJN, to be very helpful. Also, the good Father writes in a non-partisan way. Of course, we expect the CBers to champion their saint-of-the-day. On the third hand, Lent Madness is terribly frustrating. I can’t tell you how sad I feel when my Favorite Saint goes down in flames—- again.
Even so, I’ve learned a lot about saints. But, there’s more… I wonder: what makes a person holy? I wonder: which is a better “holy project”? I wonder: how the historical era influences the saint’s holy activity?
And, finally, I wonder why Other people don’t agree with my choice of saint-of-the-day! I regret to say I harbor uncharitable thoughts. Well, it is Lent. We are suppose to face our failings. Sigh.
Hi Ginny! Facing one’s failings isn’t much fun, but it can get somewhat easier over time. As an alcoholic with almost 10 years of sobriety, I can attest to this( step 10 in the big book: “continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it”)!
Happy LM!
Go Charles!!!
LM gets lots of attention, so plenty of people will give it a try. Some will find weak humor about saints so compelling that they come back year after year for more of it, jonesing in withdrawal when Easter comes. Others will think the first funny post they saw once upon a time was worth a smile then, but will thereafter look past the predictable hehehaha for something more worth their time, and if they don’t find it they will leave. The beauty of the ‘net– easy come, easy go.
So, if the SEC upgrades the resume bios to good hagios– albeit hagios with humor– then they will retain more people than they will if they don’t. (In fairness, it may be difficult for the busy bloggers to do that this year.) And if the SEC does not “appreciate the breadth of piety” then LM will still persevere in its hehehaha niche (eg the Wittenburg Door) with a narrow but addicted following, and some other online observance will eventually win the rest away.
Even those who leave will be indebted to LM for exploring the possibilities. The honest feedback from critical posters is nothing to sulk about, because it has been implicitly supportive of what the SEC appears to be trying to do. And rightly so.
This was a tough one — as if any of them have been easy. But I am a teacher and so was Anna, so……
“You may fear, dearest reader, that as the younger of the famous Wesley Brothers, Charles Wesley would be bereft on nice, shiny, new kitsch. After all, youngest siblings always seem to get only hand-me-downs: clothes a few years out of style, “lovingly” used toys, and the like. ”
I wanted to vote for Anna, was planning on voting for Anna, but older-sibling guilt and the love of great first lines in a blog post won me over to the Charles side.
I love the tie! Best Kitsch of the whole contest!
Yeah, where can we purchase that tie??
There’s a whole variety of “Sing Hymns Loud!” merchandise available over at Zazzle. Enjoy!
http://www.zazzle.com/sing+hymns+loud+gifts
Ooh, thanks! I’m go-in’ shop-pin’!
Ooooooooooh, the UTube nearly turned me away from Charles. Surely there is superior version of Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra singing these two pieces, and actually remembering the lyrics???
Do you think that John Daker is available for hire for Easter Morning – His rendition of Amore might add to the wonderment and joy of Easter Morning Service or NOT. Charles Wesley deserves a vote after that!
That’s Amor-ee!
Just a slight correction on Methodist History. The Christmas Conference of 1784 created the Methodist denomination. John Wesley (who has his own bobble-head kitsch) died in 1791 and Charles died in 1788, so they were both alive at the time of the split. I’m not sure that Charles ever came to terms with the split.
This was actually a very interesting question that arose as I wrote the very first bio of Charles Wesley.
There are a variety of ways of interpreting the date of the split; some date to the formation of the General Conference structure in 1784; I’m opting dating to 1795 and the Plan of Pacification, which was the most final and decisive split from the Church of England. (http://www.methodist.org.uk/who-we-are/history/separation-from-the-church-of-england)
That said, it’s a matter of historical nuance and interpretation – and your point is well taken – by the time both John and Charles died, it was clear Methodism would split from the CofE, without any doubt.
I’m in the United Methodist candidacy process to become an ordained Elder. The history classes I have had repeatedly teach that 1784 is the birth of the denomination. The first Discipline was authorized at the Conference as well as the first ordinations.
I’m a former UM seminarian and Local Pastor, and currently an Episcopalian layman. I say that both of you are right, in different countries. I would date the formal schism between the Methodist Movement and the Church of England to the 1784 Christmas Conference in North America and the 1795 Plan of Pacification in the British Isles. Because of these different routes to separation, the British and American Methodist churches remain separate to this day. Indeed, there is no formal inter-communion between the two churches, though Methodists have historically not seen full-communion agreements as important since they practice open communion and recognize orders from any mainstream denomination.
btw, I’m not trying to be argumentative… just using my seminary education since I’ve paid dearly for it! 🙂
😀
Blessings on your ministry, Grace.
Thank you for responding, David.
I hope the reunion of the Methodist Conference and the Church of England is not delayed much longer.
No worries at all, and thanks for the comment! And I fully understand wanting to capitalize on a seminary education! 🙂
I’m absolutely happy to receive critiques of the history as I receive them when I write for a saint, and then revise as necessary.
Clearly he didn’t come to terms with the split because when he was dying he asked the local vicar to please allow him to be buried in the churchyard since he didn’t want to be separated from the Mother Church/Ship. That is what I remember from the first round write-up on Charles Wesley, and was one (only one) of the things that caused me to vote for him. The others included his dedication and, of course, the hymns.
I don’t care much for the kitch but, even though I voted for Anna, it doesn’t seem as though the kitch will hinder Charles.
As a musician, I can hardly vote for the person who knocked JSB off the brackets when there’s a writer of such glorious hymns as her alternative. Go Charles!
Ditto! JSB should have gone all the way.
Yes, as a musician, and a Lutheran, I could not agree more!
I know!!!!! I am STILL in denial about my
Homeboy Bach getting voted out!
MEIN GOTT!!!!!
I’m in for Charles – for the win (Golden Halo).
Anna! Anna! She’s the one!
The kitsch today just isn’t that remarkable on either side. Oh well…
Hey, be ye kind to one another!
While I truly admire Anna Julia and share her commitment to education and injustice, having been a teacher that did visit my students’ homes, and I so appreciate the wonderful work Maria did with classing up the kitch, I must vote for Charles, whose music takes my soul to higher planes of love and devotion and permits me to get closer to God spiritually. I may buy some of his kitch to wear as I take the Anna Julia tour sans corset and heels!
Loved the tour of Anna Julia spots in Virginia and the link about those wonderful kids! The John Drake video almost made me fall out of my chair, laughing, however. Worst case of stage fright I’ve ever seen, so I know I’m going straight to hell for laughing at him.
Excellent diagnosis, Maurine. I have to say I laughed without guilt, maybe because I was in two piano recitals (as an adult) and never finished a single song. My hands shook so badly, all I could do was stop torturing the music and make a joke, which allowed the listerners’ collective pity to dissolve into open laughter that eased my departure from the bench. In some cases, they who laugh pray three times.
Soooo hard to decide…I love them both! So a vote for Anna because, being a social worker, I love anyone who fights for the underdog…but I have to confess that WAY before my current profession ever came to fruition I was already loving and embracing the hymns of brother Charles. So, Im a winner either way.
I voted for Anna because without her and others like her, I would likely not have access to things like voting, education and other things men once had sole access to. I am thankful for Anna’s efforts so she got my vote.
Me too!
As I listened to the video, I felt so torn. Do I laugh because it’s downright funny? Or do I feel guilty because it’s not very Christian to laugh at a person who is making an effort to perform his recital piece? If it were a skit on SNL, I’d be busting a gut, so I’ll pretend that’s what it is and laugh away. (would’ve used the vulgar acronym, but thought I’d exercise a bit of restraint, for once in my life. – OOO, I’d love to hear John Daker sing that one!) Being a former choir singer, I was drawn to Wesley, but also being a former educator, I finally cast my vote for Anna, who seems to be going down to defeat at this moment.
Despite the emphasis on the Methodist church, my vote is for Charles, because of his incredible contribution to the music of our faith. This is an Anglican devotion and he was an Anglican through and through. Now if only I can get that YouTube rendition out of my head, and recall the true majesty of his music… Go Charles!!
Charles didn’t last a month here on St. Simons Island, GA. I’ll vote for the lady that handled the south, corsets and all.
Lydia, Phillips Brooks and Harriet Bedell and the winner of this round go to the final 4…it just seems like Thomas Merton should be in that number. and next year! when Mr, Rogers is on the bracket, and if he doesn’t win the golden halo i will be distressed!
Well, MaurineRuby, I’ll be right behind you in line on the highway to hell. Oh dear.(but of course the pianist never skipped a beat and she was gonna keep playing even if the dear fellow had passed out at her feet)
Charles Wesley and Dean Martin must both be rolling over in their graves. That video failed to sway my vote away from Wesley, though–maybe the “Methodist in my madness” T-Shirt saved it. I did go to a Free Methodist college, and as St. Augustine put it, “He who sings prays twice” (although I’m not sure how that works in John Daker’s case).
Write Onward! thanks to Anna! Go Lady!!
I agree with M.K. Miller that it does seem the underdogs weregiven written descriptions supporting claim to sainthood while poor Harriet Beecher Stowe was reduced to the face of souvenir marketing without expanding on the many “whys” for her popularity. Charles has been treated somewhat better, but was still farther over in the kitsch side than his competitor, who was, like millions of people, probably influenced by the deep theology expressed in CW’s hymns. Unlike yesterday, though, this does not appear to have impacted early voting.
Fabulous kitsch today, Anna’s very classy as was she (was she an eldest?); Charles not so much, but hilarious and goofy as fits the younger son who is always trying to gain attention one way or the other. Who to vote for? Who to vote for? Oh, dear!
Charles Wesley, of course. Looking forward to singing Christ The Lord is Risen Today very soon.
I was not sure how I’d vote today until that video and its unholy marriage of two songs that were never really meant for medley-making, especially delivered in an earnest, lyric-mangling Gary Cooper-style with the pianist blissfully pounding away in the background. I laughed so hard I nearly spilled my Lent Madness coffee mug. It was courageous and sincere and oddly touching, offering its own kind of joyful noise and reminded me how much I love Wesley’s writings and how far they reach. These are fine, halo-worthy candidates. I am so glad to have met Ms. Cooper, but today I’m one of Charlie’s angels.
Charles deserves your vote today, if for no other reason than to make up for John Daker. (Bless his heart).
And as for activism in heels and corsets and in the heat? I’m SURE that both John AND Charles were as painfully dressed whilst they were missionaries in Georgia. After all, it was the 1730s, and men even had to wear WIGS in the sultry Southern heat!
Both of these are definitely halo worthy. I’ve supported both in previous rounds. Finally decided on Anna as the lesser known. Charles lives forever in his magnificent hymns. I would love to see Anna become known more broadly as she so richly deserves to be, hence today I support the lesser known.
Anna! Yes! Come on, you lot!
As a former Methodist, I have always wondered why the Episcopal Hymnal changed “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” which I have always loved, especially when sung at Easter Sunrise services. Much as I love Charles Wesley’s hymns and wish to goodness that my fellow Episcopalians would sing them in a little faster tempo ( as well as sing Phillips Brooks best-known hymn to the tune I learned as a child), I have to go with Anna Julia Cooper. Women’s education and civil rights win it for me.
The mention of that fabulous hymn brought it soaring into my head– but it’s still Lent! I had to override it with another Charles Wesley creation: “A Charge to Keep I Have.”
Actually, the original first line of that hymn is “Surrexit Christus hodie”. The first published English translation (“Lyra Davidica”, London 1708) begins “Jesus Christ is risen today”, so it’s “Christ the Lord is risen today” that is changed from the original English version. Only stanza 4 (“Sing we to our God above”) is by Charles Wesley anyway. As for the 1708 version, the second verse there begins, “Haste ye females from your fright, Take to Galilee your flight”, which might not be considered very suitable in A.D. 2014, so change in wording is not necessarily a bad idea.
Anna! A great heroine of the faith and an educator! Pray for us, Anna.
The photo of the students at Anna Julia Cooper school in Richmond, taken by an Episcopal priest and teacher there, Rock Higgins, is on the Facebook Lent Madness site. It should be part of the material here. But you can all go look. The link above in the entry today to the report on the school in the local newspaper will give you an idea of what an amazing place the school is. https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10152092767763131&set=p.10152092767763131&type=1&theater
What a great picture!!! You make me glad I voted for Anna!!
I voted for Anna Cooper because she demanded admission, along with men, to theology and pastoral ministry classes.
TBTG for both. Hard work, great rewards. May both contestants rest in peace and rise in glory.
No wonder Charles is not amused! That was awful! But it’s not Charles’ fault. I agree that Charles deserves the vote! He certainly got mine.
Go, Anna Go
What a choice. Arrrggghhh!!
Two really wonderful and committed people.
The SEC is awesome, of course, as is the whole journey of Lent Madness. But maybe next year the kitsch round could be pointed down another route…because this is the week that people really tune in and turn to Lent Madness because the final eight or four saints have done wonderful, great things…I find myself wanting to learn more about them and feel a little profound as I turn to the competition every morning…plus I hope people of other denominations are tuning in…and then the kitsch stuff doesn’t make sense, and we concentrate on that rather than the person…and if one person has better kitsch stuff (am I still spelling that right?)…then we get distracted. It’s kind of like celebrating at the altar…if we do it every week, we might get tired of Prayer A or B or whatever, but for someone that is in the pews or even new to the congregation, it’s brand new. Most of these saints have given their lives and made world-changing contributions…and it might be good to review their contributions again without seeing if they had salt or pepper shakers designed in their image. (Of course those would be the coolest thing… hmmm….)Anyways, keep up the great work, SEC- this is a wonderful thing you all are doing and it brings us a great deal of joy. Blessings!
Lindsay, you may hate this idea, but I’m wondering whether the SEC would succeed in actually selling timely kitsch online through an online store year round.
The revenues could at least subsidize Forward Movement’s costs. It would be nice to see the bloggers given honoraria for their creative work.
Dreaming a bit, it would be excellent to see checks go to some of the causes that these saints have advanced. That would draw people in, which would help sales, which would increase donations, which… A virtuous circle.
I’m confused. Would Wesley beat Bach in a matchup? So how is the woman who beat Bach doing so poorly against Wesley? Especially given the spite vote of Morton fans and the purported LM gender bias. (I’ve done my own purporting)
The Anna Cooper Project website is down for maintenance until this afternoon. Perhaps a ploy to protect their servers from heavy LM traffic, but alas, they sacrifice Dr. Cooper’s halo in the process. She’d have my vote over Frances Perkins. She has my vote today.
Clergy spouses (and widows), find a new companion—Spouses? What about the women clergy? Did I misinterpret this?
Anna Cooper was an important person in American civil and women’s rights. Charles Wesley continues to inpire many throughout the world. Sorry Anna.
I’m voting for Charles, for the golden halo!
There is a silent film version of King of Kings, which has a score performed on the pipe organ @ a beautiful old church in downtown Detroit. Said score includes “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” and it’s enough to give one goosebumps every time!
Let’s see – making music, or working very hard to get a PhD, and then passing on knowledge to others so they can learn and grow. I can write because of a teacher….I vote for Anna!
Really hard to choose today, but since I couldn’t see the picture of the students of Anna’s namesake school, I took it as a sign that I should vote for Chuck. Anyway I love his hymns.
Voting for Charley today. Love that tie. Jesus Chris is Risen Todaaaay, Aaaaaaaalleeeluuuuuia!
Jesus Christ, not Chris. Heavens! Please don’t strike me down!!!!!
Since I believe that humor is an important part of spirituality, I’m so glad to have listened to and watched the video! I missed it altogether until I read the Comments, and had to go back and click on the link next to the writer’s name. So glad I did!
In the voting, as a college and grad school voice major, former choir director, still performing at age 76 with my husband, as well as a lifelong Methodist, I’m voting for Charles Wesley. Oh, and I was baptized in my mother’s home church in Burlington, NC on Easter Day! Remember, everybody, Charles wrote the words, not the music. But he wrote them intending for them to be sung. Alleluia!
Got to vote for Charles–yeay! (Or should that be “Yea” as in “Yea, I am with you always”?) Especially since Anna beat my best buddy Bach. (Let us not gloat, Verdery!)
This round could be called “Kitsch or Culture”. The candidates today are a classic example of how this could work. Charles Wesley is well represented by all manner of “kitschy”kitsch. ( tasteful or otherwise, you decide). Consequently the CB has much material for the “kitsch pitch”. Anna Cooper, who is not as well known in popular culture, has a dearth of kitsch, but because of her legacy is celebrated with monuments and memorials, as the CB has presented. Kudos to both CBs for doing a magnificent job with the available material. Even though Wesley has exceptional kitsch, I voted for saintly Anna.
Again, I think your presentation of the two candidates today is unbalanced — a helpful presentation reminding voters of the gift of Anna Cooper and then a presentation of Charles Wesley which is mostly about stuff and not a serious account of his gifts to the church.
Charles’ music continues to inspire persons such as Anna Cooper to perform works of compassion and love all over the world. Music wins the day. Charles’ ability to Move us in all of our times of trial or triumph garners my vote.
God bless.
I was all set to order a couple of Sing Hymns Loud t-shirts when I noticed the padlock at the bottom of the page. Remember not to use the Internet sites with that until they fix the bug! I’ll get my t-shirts later!
Since we already have Harriet and Lydia, I voted for Charles to even it out. Not just because I love to sing hymns.
Here’s Anna’s stamp. I was all set to vote for Charles until I saw those kids!
http://testdb.msmagazine.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Anna-Cooper-postage-stamp.jpeg
Yes!!!!!!
Charles will undoubtedly win this round but that’s totally irrelevant as far as I’m concerned. I will stick with AJC, first as I’m the daughter of a St. Aug alum and, then as a longtime teacher…just look at those AJC School children proudly holding up their VOTE FOR AJC signs, and finally because…who else? She’ll still go down in history for making it this far! She is truly a role model as one who knew how to demand and get equality in the face of stubborn opposition. She’s a winner of her own GOLDEN HALO as far as I’m concerned. Do what-some-ever you want, I’m with AJC to the end even if the end is today and miracles still happen.
The facebook picture of those beautiful and enthusiastic children did it for me! Julia it is!
I didn’t see the Face Book page, but the story that is in today’s Lent Madness site was the final decision maker for me. I love Jesus Christ Is Risen Today, Anna Cooper won me over.
My heart is with those kids. Anna Cooper’s legacy lives on.
Nursing Homes Swing!
I’m part of a regular Episcopal worship service at a local assisted living home. I love the song-service format, so different from regular worship and so familiar from my Presbyterian youth (though I do miss sung psalms still). Of course Christ the Lord is Ris’n Today is in the song booklet, set aside for Easter. The funny coincidence is that briefly a 97 year old woman lived in the home, and played, really really well, popular songs from her youth. Her left hand rocked. The activities director printed up lyric sheets of some of her favorites, that others might sing with her. I had her play Amore, and kinda mangled it, but mostly for trying to emulate Dean Martin.
Next Week, I’ll emulate Dean in the singing of Ris’n, in honor of Rose and John Daker. Still, my vote (and faint hope for a Halo) is for Anna Julia Cooper.
Since I lobbied (in vain) to take high school shop (required for freshmen males) instead of the required-for-freshmen-females home economics class – I had been in 4-H for years and was way beyond what was being taught in that home ec class – I had to vote for Anna. She’s my kind of woman!
Kitsch is COOL! Keep it comin’!
There is no functional vote button, and I so wanted to vote for Julia!
Today I agree with the “loudluthrn” I hope Charles makes it all the way! Where would our Easter Sunday (or any Sunday) worship be, if we did not have those wonderful hymns to sing?!
The words of the hymns are so important to our worship experience, and often convey a message that would be very hard to express in a sermon or homily.
I am very sure that the music of the church has been responsible for many a conversion and/or a call to the Lord. Musicians are indeed as much teachers and spreaders of the Gospel in their own way and I think this one is most worthy of the golden halo!!
Since I started participating in Lent Madness because of the Wesley brothers there’s no contest for me- Charles Wesley all the way. Besides, while I’m sure Anna Cooper touched the lives of all of her students, Charles Wesley’s hymnody has enriched the worship of all of Christendom. “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” is essentially synonymous with Easter. “Hark the Harald Angels Sing” does the same for Christmas. “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” is the ultimate processional hymn. Charles was also the grandfather of the great organist Samuel Sebastian Wesley, who provided us with so many wonderful hymn tunes.
Ps. It’s a bit odd that the comments are in favor of Anna when Charles is trouncing her in the voting.
Though I had originally cast my vote for his brother, John Wesley, in the first round, who has his own bobblehead, both in app-form and physical form, I’m voting for Charles today.
Housewares Kitsch:
Internet Kitsch:
Wesley Bros.
Apparently images don’t show up in these comments. A link to delightful household Charles Wesley kitsch instead: Wesley Plate
Can you imagine the sweater kitsch if someone were to vote often enough to get Mr. Rogers this far. Oh dear!
I truly enjoy the kitsch and would not change it at all. Maybe Anna’s kitsch could have contained more as comment writers then actually did provide some more. It’s fun to see how much crazy silly stuff can be collected. Thanks to the writers who find all those items and comments. This is Lent Madness after all and to be enjoyed not analyzed. Huzzah for kitsch !
I’m an Uncommon Woman (and if you know what that means, you also probably have a signet ring with Psalm CXLIV on it). For Anna and for education!
Bravo, Bravo, David Sibley!! Hilarious and snarky use of And Can It Be to wonderful effect!! One of best hymns ever and why the heck isn’t it in our Episcopal repertoire? Guess I shoulda been a Methodist…
I can hardly believe that Cooper beat Bach–Jesus Himself would have a hard time beating Bach in my score–but she doesn’t seem to be beating Wesley. Charles has almost the stature as a hymnodist that Johann has as a composer, so it’s another no-brainer for me.
This was SOOO hard! As a musician, I have the utmost respect for this great man whose beautiful music I’ve listened to and sung over the years. But the contribution of Ms. Cooper to education gave her the slightest of edges. Now I want to see her win!!
I can hardly believe that Cooper beat Bach–Jesus Himself would have a hard time beating Bach in my score–but she doesn’t seem to be beating Wesley. Charles has almost the stature as a hymnodist that Johann has as a musician, so it’s another no-brainer for me.
OMG….where did you dig up that Draker rendition? I couldn’t stop laughing. I’m going to vote for Charlie in spite of the video! Having just written a piece for our parish newsletter about the 1982 Hymnal, I note it contains no less than 24 hymns Charles Wesley composed the words for. Just reading his words, music aside, is a legacy worthy of the Golden Halo!
Another difficult choice, which is why Lent Madness is so much fun. Kitsch aside, as I was drifting off for a 20 minute power nap, “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”!!, came to my head. Thinking that my vote would go to Wesley, I re-read todays posts and then read about the Anna Cooper school and my vote has to go with Anna. Although I love Wesley’s Easter anthem and would not be upset if he goes on to the Final Four.
With apologies to Charles Wesley…. A little song for thy Lenten Madness
And can it be that I should gain
a bracket in thy Lenten poll!
Vote thee for me who wrote such song!
For me? To win the greatest prize?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my friend, shouldst vote for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my Friend, shouldst vote for me?
I like the hymnwriters tie, but I cannot stand poor musical performances — I had to turn the Daker video off before he even finished the first phrase! Ouch! Nevertheless, there is no way that I would not vote again for Charles Wesley!
For a much better rendition of Jesus Christ is Risen Today!
This King’s College version has a neat descant on the final verse, but I wish I could find a version in 4-part harmony — Easter Hymn has some really fun harmonizations!
I absolutely loved that video. Thanks for sharing it with us Phil.
Thank you so much Phil for finding the video. I agree with other posters that sometimes choirs sing his music too slowly, and this version was a bit slow in my humble (non-tutored opinion). The harmony was lovely however. I too am voting for Charles, and I am encouraging a Methodist bloc of voters to join in (one vote only). Charles Wesley for the golden halo.
Hymn tempos are tricky, because there are so many factors in the choice. The choice was between this and one other that was way too fast — it was like it was a race. There were some others, but they all had a commercial at the beginning — yuck! The tempo in this one could probably be picked up a little. I grew up with an organist choir/director who would not let “grass grow” in his choice of tempos!
Phil, thank you and alleluia lent is nearly over. The alleluia not said out loud, just mentally preparing. Anna is my choice. What am I to do if it’s Anna vs. Harriet?
Hi Pat,
I feel like I’m cheating on my alleluias, because the choir that I sing in has been practicing for Holy Week for some time now, including the Hallelujah chorus!!!!
I’m soooooooo naughty…….
I gave up on alleluias already, I have been looking for a new apartment for the last month — with a lot of disappointments, and strange occurrences (like one current tenant who was going to move out and then changed their minds after we were approved! Ouch!). It was beginning to be a nightmare as our current landlord is a real creep who is kicking people out right and left with flimsy excuses (discrimination against the elderly and disabled as our current place used to be for the elderly and disabled and he thinks he can make more money off a different kind of tenant). We were facing having to live in a motel for a couple of months and store our stuff — which would have been horrible. Suddenly, this last week everything finally came together and we have a place that we can move into as soon as Holy Week is over and we can get some help from people at church! Both my associate pastor and I used the “A” word more than once when that happen, so I give up!
Sorry, happened!
So sorry you had to go through all that. Must have been extremely worrying. Thank God your story has a happy ending!
Hi again Phil,
Good for you for finding a place to move so you can get shed of your creep of a landlord(I’ve had the same experience myself in the past so I can relate)!
I think there are extenuating circumstances,where it’s okay to let fly with as many alleluias as you want.
This is definitely one of them. So
He is risen!
You are moving!
ALLELUIA!!
BIO WRITERS: Maria Kane’s ‘pilgrimage’ structure for her bio of Anna Cooper is worth a second look. She did find some low voltage humor in it, but more importantly it was fresher than a resume bio of the same facts. This structure could have worked well for some other saints, especially the serious travelers (eg St Basil, St Mary,Thomas Merton, Schereschewski). It opens a whole new veins of not irrelevant piety (think of the relics!) and humor (think of the relics!). I enjoyed Ms Kane’s creative choice.
Having gotten myself in way over my head on many occasions in attempted service the community and by extension to God, I send my kudos to Mr. Daker, wherever he is, for his effort on 2 rather tricky songs, aided (?) by an overexuberant accompanies
Nonetheless, I usually go with the saint who has worked most with dis- and un-enfranchised, so Cooper it must be.
Phil, thanks for posting this, oh my goodness those voices!
On a totally unrelated subject,
The second floor of Chidester Place no longer smells like smoke.
God bless the Ypsilanti fire department, these guys ROCK!
Glad that there was nothing worse that happened and that the smoke is gone!
Yes, I’m aware that it could have been infinitely worse, kudos to the brave men and women firefighters everywhere!
By the way, good luck with your upcoming move, may it go smoothly!
Thank you SEC for the kitsch round in the Elate 8. I have enjoyed the light-heartedness this week before we enter Palm Sunday. I worried that the modern-day saints won’t have enough kitsch to compete with dolls and plates, but even that has been overcome somewhat with the Anna Julia Cooper travelling companion. Love it.
“wouldn’t have enough kitsch”. Yeesh.
David Sibley, are you THE David Sibley of birding fame?
No, I’m afraid not. Others in my family tell me he’s a distant relation (cousins of some sort), but I can’t remember what.
CHIRP!!
One of the fun things about living part of each year in Ireland is that we have a very different hymnal in the C of I than ECUSA’s 1982. “And can it be” is often on our Sunday hymn board, and I’ve noticed most of the hymn tunes over here are far more interesting, especially for a confined-to-4-notes alto. 1982 has some pretty dull harmony until a Welsh or English or Irish tune comes along. Charles for me, thank you.
Since my last name is also Cooper I have a special reason to vote for Anna. I do however believe she would be my choice even if there was no name connection.
I know a lot of folks, myself included, who would object to Raleigh being identified as mid-atlantic.
I thought I would vote for Charles. The photo of the students changed my mind. Vote AJC!!
What fabulous saints! My vote goes to Charles Wesley for his musical poetry.
I voted for Charles, for his deep devotion to the church. His “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” set to the tune “Hyfrydol” has long been a favorite hymn, fondly known in our family as “Hydrofoil.”
Granted, the solo performance of Christ the Lord is Risen Today was rather awful. Poor John. But more to the point, how in the world did that woman get a job and then how did she manage to keep it?
And then who was the terrible person who recorded that and then posted it on You Tube? So bad it makes you think it was staged.
This is a vimeo link to the Anna Julia Cooper school in Richmond
defeated by technology……
Wonderful video. Just reinforced my vote!! Thank you for sharing it with us.
Watching videos on slow DSL — frustrating. In 15 min I watched the first minute or so and gave up.
I wonder — namesake institutions like this, without a personal connection — that’s kitsch, ain’t it?
Loved David Sibley’s strewing Wesley quotations throughout the bio.
If that performance was staged, I hope they all got BIG bucks for doing it.