Back-to-Lent Month continues with a recent book published by Meredith Gould, a member of the esteemed Celebrity Blogger Alumni Association. And, yes, the Supreme Executive Committee has the power to extend Back-to-Lent Month as long as it wants. As you might have guessed, we rule by whim and the Holy Spirit.
About The Social Media Gospel
Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and a growing number of other social media tools can help you build church community, deepen faith, and extend reach in previously unimaginable ways. The Social Media Gospel is an easy-to-understand, step-by-step guide by church communications professional Meredith Gould, who goes beyond “how to” and explains “why to” engage in digital ministry. Each chapter includes “Thought Bytes” for individual and group discussion. Appendices provide practical information about developing a strategic plan for communications, creating social media guidelines, and performing a communications audit.
Why this book?
Back in 2008, I published The Word Made Fresh: Communicating Church and Faith Today to make a case for church communications being a key ministry. I promptly started kicking myself in the butt for not including social media, which was just beginning to be noticed by church folk. Within months, I was thanking God for gracing me with the good sense to use social media for a variety of church communication challenges before writing about it.
Working “in the trenches” helped me realize the extent to which people really do not know how to think strategically about church communications in general and social media in particular. Realizing that led me to focusing on helping people understand why these tools are valuable, when to use them, and how to integrate them into a coordinated plan for communicating with internal and external audiences.
How does this book relate to Lent Madness?
Lent Madness exemplifies how to use social media to generate conversation and community by offering content that informs, educates, and inspires. It’s anchored in a blog and uses other platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest) in ways that highlight the best strategic use of those tools. Almost everything I write about in The Social Media Gospel can be illustrated by an aspect of Lent Madness.
Why should the Lent Madness faithful buy your book?
A trinity of reasons: 1) It’s a great book – everyone says! 2) While Lent Madness faithful are obviously savvy about social media, they probably know lots of people (e.g., church leadership) who aren’t. 3) I wrote all the posts about St. Mary Magdalene, winner of the Golden Halo in 2012, something I’ll never let anyone forget. Ever.
Veteran Celebrity Blogger Penny Nash recently contributed to a couple of compilation projects. The covers are so intriguing that we decided to feature these books in Back to Lent Month. Okay, we don’t just judge books by their covers at Lent Madness — or saints by their icons. But check these out for some additional bread for the journey (as you desperately await Lent).
Some of the finest homilists come together to build a compilation of sermons and homilies for Cycle C in the Liturgical Year. Hungry, And You Fed Me, which has won two awards from the Association of Catholic Publishers, breaks open the Sunday readings in order to provide insight, warmth, humor and spiritual food for the reader. Under the moniker of the Homilists for the Homeless, these authors make it possible for proceeds from the sale of every book to go towards feeding and sheltering the homeless and those in need.
A second volume, Naked, And You Clothed Me (homilies for Year A) will be published in November.
Back to Lent Month continues with a recently released book, Blood Entangled, from new Celebrity Blogger Amber Belldene. This just proves that we don’t discriminate against vampires here at Lent Madness. Or romance novels (take your pick on which member of the Supreme Executive Committee most closely resembles Fabio).
From Amber:
Yes! I have a new book out. It’s the second book in my Blood Vine Series, which is racy vampire romance. I know, I know, not exactly what you would expect your friendly Episcopal priest to read or write in her spare time. But the truth is, like many, many women and some men, I am a huge fan of the romance genre and have been since high school. As a member of the romance writing community, I am in awe of the brilliant and passionate women I have come to know. If you haven’t taken a look at a romance since the 1980s, you might be surprised by the diversity and sophistication of the genre these days.
That said, I know my book won’t be for everyone — it’s got explicit sex, a beautiful winery setting, a lot of absurd humor, and vampires. It also explores deep theological themes like homeland and exile, purity, power, and belonging through the story of two warring tribes (Hunters and vampires) and their journey through their history of violence toward reconciliation.
Back Cover Blurb
Kos Maras’s orderly life is in shambles — he must distribute Blood Vine to a population of ailing vampires, but Hunters block him at every turn. To make matters worse, each night he watches over a temptingly beautiful woman sleeping in his bed. He is convinced love cannot last a vampire-long lifetime and an entanglement will only cause them grief, but he doesn’t have the heart to send her away.
From a long line of blood servants, Lena Isaakson is destined to serve a vampire, but a string of humiliating rejections thwarts her pleasure. When Kos shows her kindness, she hopes he will claim her. Instead he proves himself a coward in the face of love and sends her to serve another.
Will the dark seduction of a rakish new vampire finally bring Lena the pleasure she desires or deliver her into the hands of Hunters who want to destroy everything the Maras family has worked for?
Why vampires? Being a priest has given me a love for the language we use to talk about spiritual mysteries (which is a must for a paranormal author) and it’s been so fun to exercise my creativity to describe the mystical world of my vampires. Writing about fantastical worlds turns out, paradoxically, to be an excellent way to explore human truths, because of how we can exaggerate the reality.
Why racy romance? I am very passionate about the relationship between sex and spirituality. To me, sexuality is a gift from God and one of the most delightful ways we experience love — both divine and human. For so long, we have relegated sexuality to the realm of the secret and shameful. I’m all for privacy (it’s one of the reasons I have a pen name) but that’s not the same as secretive. As a priest who writes romance, I hope I can spur more comfortable conversations and openness about human sexuality in people’s lives and in the church.
How does this book relate to Lent Madness?
As much as I’d like to advocate for the spiritual discipline of a romance novel a day during the season of Lent, the truth is, this book doesn’t have much to do with Lent other than this:
My characters are just regular folks (and ordinary vampires) who are struggling with vocation, duty, and their own pasts. During Lent Madness we read the stories of holy lives so that we might better understand our spiritual journey. For me, all fiction serves this purpose — any character’s story is an opportunity for us to look at our commitments and motivations, and in the case of romance, a reminder to stay in touch with the passion in our lives. Blood Entangled surprised me by becoming the story of an extraordinary sacrifice, and I’m certain I couldn’t have written it without the Christian story in mind.
Why should Lent Madness followers buy this book?
Well, I’m not sure they should — only if it piques their interest! And I do recommend starting with the first book, Blood Vine, which is only $0.99 for Kindle right now.
If you don’t buy one of my books, I’d love the LM followers to take a moment to learn a little about the romance genre. Romantic and sexual love is one of the Christian tradition’s most potent metaphors for God’s love and I am convinced a great romance can nourish our spirit and our own romantic relationships. If you would prefer to read a great historical romance, or a witty contemporary, or steampunk, or angels, or anything — feel free to get in touch with me online and I’ll recommend some of my favorites!
Back to Lent Month continues as we highlight Bracket Czar Adam Thomas’ new work of fiction, Letters from Ruby. What’s the book about? According to the back cover…
Not everything a young pastor needs to know can be taught in school.
Not much triumph remains in Victory, West Virginia, where the loss of the railroad and the housing bust have conspired to send the once vibrant town into decline. Only a few buildings in downtown Victory still have the lights on, including St. John’s Episcopal Church, which serves an ever-dwindling population of worshipers.The newly ordained priest Rev. Calvin Harper arrives at the ailing church hoping to help it grow and regain some of its former glory. But Calvin has no idea how much he still has to learn about leadership, about ministry, and about life in general.
When the young man’s inexperience threatens to divide Calvin from his new church family, Ruby Redding takes him under her wing. Ruby is one of those rare women who is so full of God’s light that it can’t help but spill onto the people around her. This light spills onto Calvin from the moment they meet, but he is blind to the new world Ruby hopes to show him. Even Ruby’s wisdom and generosity may not be enough to open Calvin’s eyes.
Here’s the Lent Madness Exclusive Interview with Adam!
What was your inspiration for Letters from Ruby?
They say, “Write what you know,” and whoever they are, I took them at their word. Letters from Ruby is a story about a young Episcopal priest (like me, though more neurotic) and his first year of ministry at a church in a former railroad town in West Virginia. The book is fiction, though events from real life inspired the narrative. The woman behind the character of Ruby taught me so much about the “caring” side of ministry. You learn the academics in school — about interpreting the Bible, preaching, teaching, running worship services — but learning to be a pastor only happens on the ground.
What is the book about?
Letters from Ruby is about love keeping the grieving afloat. It is about friendship overcoming isolation. It is about hope and trust and the joy of a simple life lived in gratitude. And it is about death and resurrection.
Who’s the book written for?
Women my mother’s age (I’ll let you guess what that means) seem to be gravitating to it, but I think anyone will find value in it. I hope church book clubs pick it up, as it will generate some great discussions at your meetings (there’s also a short study guide in the back). You don’t need to be an ardent churchgoer to like it; in fact, if you’re not one, you might find the characters in this book wrestling with the same questions you are.
How does this book relate to Lent Madness?
Well, it doesn’t really, except that there’s a killer Ash Wednesday scene in chapter 10.
Because, presumably, they like church, and my book takes place mostly in a church. Plus, it’s good. Also plus, if more than 1,000 of you buy it and then email me a 
picture of you holding it, Tim Schenck has promised to let me into the Supreme Executive Committee. I know a thousand is a tall order, but I think we can do it!
While Adam is clearly delusional, we hope you’ll read his book. Also by Adam is Digital Disciple: Real Christianity in Virtual World. Rumor has it that if you buy both, Adam will fly to your location, at his expense, to autograph them with the pen of your choice.
As school children throughout the land reluctantly turn their faces toward the classroom, we’re celebrating Back to Lent Month here at Lent Madness headquarters. Specifically, now that the kids are back in school, we’re offering opportunities for some Back to Lent reading.
You may not know this but a number of our Celebrity Bloggers are also famous authors in their own right. Granted, they owe it all to Lent Madness (even for the books they published before Lent Madness was a gleam in Jesus’ eye). In fact, two of our current Celebrity Bloggers and one former CB, had new books published this very summer!
Throughout this month, we’ll highlight the authors of these new books and encourage you to spend your hard-earned disposable income on them. After all, for what we pay these talented celebrities (global adulation?), they could use the added encouragement.
Our Bracket Czar, the Rev. Adam Thomas, published his second book this summer. Letters From Ruby is a work of fiction described thusly:
When the newly ordained Episcopal priest Rev. Calvin Harper arrives in Victory, West Virginia, to be the pastor at an ailing parish, he has no idea how much he still has to learn about being a priest. Thankfully, Ruby Redding takes the young man under her wing and teaches him everything she has learned throughout her long, storied life. Seminary never taught Calvin that the only true way to be a witness to God’s presence in this world is to remain in relationships with people no matter what life throws at them. His studies never taught him that detachment is the bane of ministry. He never learned that deep grief comes only from deep love. But in his first year in Victory, Calvin learns all this and more from Ruby, a woman so full of God’s light that it can’t help but spill onto the people around her.
Adam’s first book, Digital Disciple: Real Christianity in a Virtual World, was published in 2011 and remains a popular title for those seeking to connect faith and technology.
New Celebrity Blogger, the Rev. Amber Belldene, also released a book this summer. Blood Entangled is the second book in her 
Blood Vine vampire romance series following the initial publication of Blood Vine. Intrigued? Here’s what you’ll find in Blood Entangled:
Kos Maras’s orderly life is in shambles—he must distribute Blood Vine to a population of ailing vampires, but Hunters block him at every turn. To make matters worse, each night he watches over a temptingly beautiful woman sleeping in his bed. He is convinced love cannot last a vampire-long lifetime and an entanglement will only cause them grief, but he doesn’t have the heart to send her away. From a long line of blood servants, Lena Isaakson is destined to serve a vampire, but a string of humiliating rejections thwarts her pleasure. When Kos shows her kindness, she hopes he will claim her. Instead he proves himself a coward in the face of love and sends her to serve another. Will the dark seduction of a rakish new vampire finally bring Lena the pleasure she desires or deliver her into the hands of Hunters who want to destroy everything the Maras family has worked for?
As long as we’re on the topic of newly released books, former Celebrity Blogger and friend of Lent Madness, Meredith Gould, is enjoying the success of The Social Media Gospel. Here’s a blurb from the Foreword:
In many ways, the church is blazing new paths with social media. Now is the time to do a new thing, to proclaim God’s word in new and exciting ways. It is good to read about social media; it is good to think about how you re going to move forward. Sooner or later the time will come when you just have to take the plunge. The Social Media Gospel will help you!
Of course, Celebrity Bloggers have written books that never go out of style. Last year the Rev. Laurie Brock, released a book 
co-authored with the Rev. Mary Koppel titled Where God Hides Holiness: Thoughts on Grief, Joy and the Search for Fabulous Heels. Here’s the deal on this terrific read:
This new book shares the joy, humor, surprises, grief, and messiness when God invites us to strip away the personas of “perfect priest” or “perfect Christian” and rediscover what is sacred and genuine about ourselves and our faith. Priests and writers Brock and Koppel relate common and unique experiences here, as we join them on a sometimes startling journey of faith. Laced with wit, revelation, and self-discovery, the new book is organized in three parts: Life—the dirtiness of failure, frustration, and struggle when what seemed fine falls apart; Death—the frailty behind our personas; and Resurrection—new life with lessons learned.
The Rev. Penny Nash has recently contributed to two compilations, Hungry, And You Fed Me (forward by Meredith Gould!) and Letters to Me: Conversations With a Younger Self. The first is a series of sermons by a group called Homilists for the homeless; the second shares reflections from a diverse group of folks looking back on a significant event in their lives and offering advice to their younger selves. Look for more information on both of these books later this month.
Members of the Supreme Executive Committee also write books occasionally (not just pamphlets). The Rev. Tim Schenck wrote What Size Are God’s Shoes: Kids, Chaos, and the Spiritual Life in 2008.
Do you believe God can be found in both the miraculous and the mundane? Through 40 insightful and engaging essays, Tim Schenck helps us encounter God through the chaos of everyday life. The divine presence weaves its way into a family room fish tank, a child’s probing questions, the town pool, and the drive-thru window of the local fast food chain.
This fall, Forward Movement is publishing an Advent/Christmas mini-book by Tim titled Dog in the Manger: Finding God in Christmas Chaos. Besides making a great gift (and being illustrated by popular priest/cartoonist Jay Sidebottham), it has reflection questions following each essay, making it perfect for your parish’s Advent series.
We hope you’ll enjoy the wonderful intellectual richness of Back to Lent Month. We’ll be highlighting the newly released books in the days ahead. In the meantime, don’t forget to get yourself a new Trapper Keeper — while supplies last.
PS. Don’t miss the Archbishops’ take on what’s coming up for Lent Madness 2014! https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YUpZDc6lZiU
As predicted in yesterday’s Oscar worthy video by Scott, Tim, and a host of surprise guests, the Lent Madness 2014 bracket has arrived. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for since Spy Wednesday.
Go ahead and print out your bracket. Start researching the saints who appear in there. Predict who will win. Set up a Lent Madness 2014 command bunker in your living room. Plan your entire Christian education program at church around these holy people. Yes, friends, the fun begins again on Ash Thursday 2014. That’s March 6, 2014 to regular people.
While you wait, why not pass the time sipping your coffee from your very own Frances Perkins coffee mug?
The Supreme Executive Committee has released a statement for the world’s media on this occasion: “You’re welcome.”
Believe it or not, Lent Madness is an offering of Forward Movement, widely known as the publishers of Forward Day by Day and other resources to support spiritual growth and vitality.
Lent Madness to Occupy Advent!
So what are Tim and Scott doing meddling in the Season of Advent? Good question. But Forward Movement has just published Tim’s Advent/Christmas devotional book titled “Dog in the Manger: Finding God in Christmas Chaos.” Illustrated by popular priest/cartoonist Jay Sidebotham, the book is a series of humorous and insightful essays on ways to keep spiritually centered amid the craziness of what Tim likes to call the “Christmas-Industrial Complex.”
Here’s the blurb from the back cover:
The powers-that-be have subjected Tim to the same questions posed to our authors during September’s Back to Lent Month. He was less than cooperative.
To order your copy (and copies for everyone you’ve ever met), click here. If you don’t trust Tim and Scott and you want to first read a sample before shelling out your hard earned money, click here. It’s also available on Kindle and Nook and iTunes. (Tim likes to sign copies of e-readers with black Sharpies).
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