Author Archives: Tim Schenck

As Seen on TV. Again!

The Lent Madness quest for world domination ran through the northeast yesterday as NECN (New England Cable News) did a terrific story about our little online devotion. We encourage you to watch the video and share it with all your friends, relatives, and lukewarm acquaintances. In fact, why not go on ancestry.com and send it to all […]

Louis of France vs. Thomas Gallaudet

Will the people of St. Louis, Missouri, rise up to support their namesake or will the alumni of Gallaudet University emerge in force? Will the people of France cry “Mon Dieu!” and vote for Louis or will the Deaf community throughout the world come together in support of Thomas? These questions, and probably more, will be answered […]

Catherine of Alexandria vs. Catherine of Siena

If your name happens to be Catherine (or Katherine or Cate or Katy or even Katharine — like  a certain Presiding Bishop of a certain mainline denomination) this is your day. No matter which Catherine emerges victorious — of Alexandria or of Siena — you win! Of course after 24 hours one Catherine will be […]

Lydia vs. Moses the Black

We trust everyone survived their weekend-long bout with LMW (Lent Madness Withdrawal). We realize it’s tough to make it through an entire two days devoid of saintly voting. Yet congratulations are in order as you have all made it through this agonizing “wilderness” experience. The good news is that another full week of intense Lent […]

J.S. Bach vs. Alfred the Great

Today’s battle between musician and king is one of the more intriguing pairings of Lent Madness 2014. While on seemingly disparate paths, both J.S. Bach and Alfred the Great were fighters. Well, Bach once tangled with a bassoonist and Alfred fought Vikings but you get the point. However this match-up turns out, we know Bach […]

James Holly vs. Harriet Beecher Stowe

Here’s a match-up that may have you scratching your hair shirt. James Theodore Holly, pioneering African-American bishop and missionary versus Harriet Beecher Stowe, author and abolitionist. Two 19th century figures who had a major impact upon race relations in the United States and abroad. Yesterday F.D. Maurice defeated David of Wales in a day that […]

David of Wales vs. F.D. Maurice

The battleground is Great Britain as David of Wales goes up against F.D. Maurice of the Church of England. A bishop beloved by the Welsh vs. a social activist and theologian beloved by Anglo-Catholics. The winner advances to take on Julia Chester Emery. In yesterday’s match-up, a controversial pairing that brought together two ancient Egyptian […]

Antony of Egypt vs. Mary of Egypt

Today’s saintly drama revolves around Egypt. As in “Who will emerge victorious in the holy battle for Egyptian domination.” Antony (don’t call me Anthony or even Tony for that matter) of Egypt takes on Mary (you can just call me Mary) of Egypt. These two have a lot in common both being hermits and spending […]

Joseph of Arimathea vs. Anna Cooper

Today’s match-up is why Lent Madness can sometimes resemble the theater of the absurd. The Scriptural figure Joseph of Armimathea, who asked Pilate for Jesus’ body in order to give him a proper burial, takes on Anna Cooper, African-American feminist, writer, and academic. The good news? Lent Madness returns after taking a sabbath on the […]

Alcuin vs. Ephrem of Edessa

In the first and only Saturday match-up of Lent Madness, we get Dueling Deacons! Alcuin of York vs. Ephrem of Edessa. With the emphasis on diaconal service we can only imagine these two standing around saying “After you.” “No, after you.” Nonetheless, you must decide which of these holy men will move on and which […]