As devoted Lent Madness fans will know, Tim and Scott (a.k.a. the Supreme Executive Committee) meet every spring to unpack and contextualize the previous Lent Madness and engage in vision-casting and missional strategy for the next year.
This year’s meeting is taking place at various coffee shops in and around Cincinnati. The meeting began with the gentle sound of a Tibetan prayer bowl inviting relationship with the Spirit and/or spirits. After Tim and Scott removed their shoes, they proceeded to “check in” while in the Lotus position at a prie-dieu so as to integrate Christian spirituality into the global context in an entrepreneurial fashion. Both Tim and Scott shared their public narrative about their ministry settings from strengths-based perspectives, taking care to map their assets.
Once they were fully present to one another, they spoke into the circle of trust while reviewing the previous year’s minutes. Using “I statements” they corrected the minutes. For example, “I feel that there should be a comma in the third sentence.” In order to prevent deforestation and respect the dignity of Staples, they used PowerPoint to review the minutes.
Two hours passed, and it was time for a fresh contextual check-in to process their insights. Assured of growth in emotional intelligence and personal well-being, they mindfully moved into African Bible Study of the temptation in the wilderness. Following Bible Study, they enjoyed an ecologically sustainable, free-range lunch (that died a natural death).
Later, they opened themselves to the movement of the Spirit and/or spirits to begin to discern the 2015 bracket of Lent Madness. This was done both in plenary and small groups, with frequent reporting back. Tim and Scott made use of the latest techniques for writing down the names with both markers and brightly colored dots.
At this time, to preserve confidentiality, Tim and Scott are unable to reveal any details. However, we have a few photos to share. Stay tuned for news from the SEC tomorrow, but don’t expect to see a bracket.
For now, the SEC is resting after compline — and a lively hour-long debate over who would officiate at said office.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Tim and Scott search for an undisclosed, secure, marble-clad location
The SEC pores over the nominations
The SEC attempts to use modern art as a source of inspiration, with mixed results
Is there any Wisdom to be found in the fountain?
Though they are ineligible for the bracket, Tim and Scott check to see if they can glean anything from Jesus or Mary
Last photo by Faith Lang. All others by Sherilyn Pearce.
You can’t fool me by hiding behind the greenery I’d know those all-but-tonsured heads anywhere!
And you get to go to Compline you lucky so and so’s.
Peace out,
Madeleine
It is posts like this that not only give me hope for the future of the Episcopal church and the entire Christian faith, but make me laugh ice tea through my nose. Thank you for using your talents this way!
I can’t believe I actually read the whole thing.
LOL–can’t believe I’m already looking forward to Lent 2015—
So grateful for all the work that goes into creating Lent Madness. Thank you, thank you. Looking forward to 2015.
I can only think of one reply, after seeing the first picture.
http://youtu.be/krD4hdGvGHM
it just keeps getting better and better!
Looking forward to spending retreat time with half of the SEC this week end. I wonder if we can get anty bracket news.
That should be any bracket news.
OK guys, you neglected to mention having a sea change to acheive a paradigm shift!
OK…..so far so good. No petitions…no threats…no begging on bended knee. So, I’ll break the ice and say/write/whatever…Upon pain of death, do not cave into threats from anybody, inclusive of the “Peace out” lady, requesting that you add Mr. Rogers to next year’s bracket. Promise me , oh mighty SEC, that you will not acquiesce and give in….Be strong, be valiant, be brave !!!
Amen!
Say it, sistah! (With all due respect to the nice gentleman and all his loyal fans)
No sweat lodge???!!
Or at least burn some sage to smudge the room. Don’t want any evil spirits interfering with the work of the SEC.
Is height important? Does modern art clarify ancient thought? How about Cincinnati? Was the plant true or false?
I smell Dungeons and Dragons…
#churchnerdz
I was just thinking the other day that I was starting to experience the symptoms of LMW…This helped immensely.
And here I thought I’d outlived all that squishy talk.
But this post reminds me of being part of a large group that operated by consensus–not majority, not unanimity, but consensus. Our nearest-thing-we-had-to-a-leader defined “consensus” as “anything that doesn’t make anybody [throw up].” (The leader used a slightly more earthy term.) Sounds like you guys are trying to find consensus.
Sorry–reach consensus. (It’s been a while.)
That was one of the funniest things I’ve ever read.
I can’t believe I fell for it. How about a real retreat.? What is a Tibetian prayer bowl? I think I need one.
Well good morning Aleathia, it’s a beautiful day in the Neighborhood and I’m certain that Eddie Murphy would agree.
Peace Out,
Madeleine 🙂
Wait a second! I was so pleased to read that the SEC takes such care to prepare for such ministry. I was pleased until I began to suspect trickery indeed… One can’t do Lotus at a prie- dieu. I think we’ll have to form a episcopal commission to investigate.
You can, but it involves balancing on the knees in an advanced positioin known as a prie-dieu-knot.
Owww, that sounds painful!!!
I find this oh so affirming! But have you thought to consider and live into your growing edges? Thanks for the humor
Oh, how you do delight! We had a celebration at Trinity (Branford) last
Sunday afternoon, a seaside Victorian Garden Party for the Founding Members of our new Legacy Society. Obviously we share concerns about the future of the Church. Your hysterical/brilliant approach belongs on network tv. Meanwhile, let us know when you come to town (maybe Battell) and we’ll take you to Mory’s! (Write a song for the Whiffs and we’ll try to get them to sing it on a Monday night there.)
Kudos!
The thought of vegetables that have died a natural death is frightening.
Indeed it is. FR wouldn’t like it either……
I love you people.
What a delightful way to start the day! I love satire and irony and the SEC!
Wonderful way to start the day… LM deprivation is hard to survive . . .
Y’all make my day!
Oh my gosh! I am laughing so hard that I can no longer read all this out loud to my boss (the Rector), who now realizes the error of his ways and will join Lent Madness next year. (He is secretly jealous that I had more fun this past Lent than he did.)
What now countdown?
Sorry that should have been ‘no countdown.’
That’s okay, I like the rhyme:
What now, countdcwn?
Are you the best game around?
Is it better than getting down?
Are people doing it all over town?
Shall we now begin to count down?
Even to the official count down?
I’m down with this countdcwn!
Phwew! I missed the use of the word “missional” on the first reading and had to go back and read it again – I was so afraid you’d forgotten it! Thank goodness I was wrong.
It also appears I cannot type my surname correctly.
And it appears my original comment was not posted at all.
You guys put a smile on my face! Looking forward to more updates.
So glad I subscribed to Lent Madness. I can always count on you to provide a good laugh and several chuckles.
It seems a shame that at least one pub is not included – can we organize a Lent Madness Pub Crawl – can show our devotion and enjoy a micro brew (or glass of wine) while mulling over topics dear to the Spirit.
Love the humorous comments, esp. referring to Arte Johnson. Hadn’t thought of him in 20 years. We do have a winery and a microbrew in Bastrop….
Still annoyed at you for closing down the nomination process so quickly–thought it showed an Eastern bias (anything east of St. Louis is “Eastern”) against those of us in the west who take awhile to marshal our thoughts. But happy to see that the SEC is alive and as well as it has ever been. (This is well?)
Love you two! We are searching for a new rector either of you fancy east Texas?
you 2 could have a TV show. kind of like the Odd Couple only with churchy stuff….
“Can these two preachers live together without driving each other crazy?”………
I tend to think not……
Scott,
First of all I noticed right off that the average height of the SEC must be 5’7. And secondly, I can’t wait to meet you, Scott at the Iowa Ministries Retreat tomorrow. Alas, I don’t have any kitsch for you to autograph!!
For shame!
Should you not be using LM mugs when circulating Cincinnati? Think not only of the paper cups wasted but the publicity opportunities now down the toilet!
I just realized that the original post was on June 25th, six months before Christmas. Are we going to forget the rest of the year, and live only for Lent? What about the other seasons and celebrations? The saints we enjoy during Lent Madness served God all the time.
Thankfully, you did NOT mention outsourcing any of the SEC’s personnel resources, especially to any offshore locations. And, as with most committees, I find it entirely appropriate that the SEC debated for an hour on who would officiate a 15 minute service.
Hmmm, guess that should have been “human” resources. . . .
THIS picture we need to see: in the Lotus position at a prie-dieu .
I love you guys. Thanks for the update.
Oh, gag! I have had, in my long life, all the corporate/churchy/psychgoo gobbledygook talk I think I’ll ever be able to stand. How did you manage to collect so much of it into one small piece? Nevertheless, I love Lenten Madness and the zaniness of you two. Keep me in the loop, please.
While the rest of the world goes to hell in a handbasket, our SEC considers our needs, that’s the LENT MADNESS-SEC of varied heighths and temperaments. I loved the blurb about them taking an hour to decide who’d officiate a fifteen minute service. That’s our SEC for ya ! There are folk at the Cathedral where I serve as deacon who envy my yearly participation and I figure it’s their problem as everybody knows about it if they’re still on this side of the dirt. However, I don’t think East Texas is ready for them as parish priests…mayhaps I’m wrong but the lotus position at the prie-dieu in that neighborhood ????? Keep at it, Padres…..it’s a looooooong time ’til next Lent.
Can’t wait for the 2015 bracket! And my nominee had better make it!!! Who would have thought we would all be looking forward to Lent…better than Christmas; at least until the retailers catch on!