Has Forward Movement Gone Mad?

February 10, 2012 | Author: Tim Schenck

If you’re not familiar with the The Episcopal Church Foundation’s  Vital Practices site, you should be. Today they posted an article about Lent Madness written by our own Scott Gunn. Scott’s feeling very proud of himself for writing about Lent Madness and not giving me (Tim) a single mention. Besides the fact that he’s now dead to me, it was an excellent piece about Forward Movement’s motivation for getting involved with Lent Madness.

Has Forward Movement Gone Mad for Lent Madness?

By the Rev. Scott Gunn

For decades, Forward Movement has been most widely known for its flagship publication, Forward Day by Day. Hundreds of thousands of readers around the world find inspiration in the quarterly printed booklet. In the US, many Episcopalians learned about Forward Movement in their narthex. Lots of pamphlets sit in racks, waiting to be read.

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Lent Madness Pyramid Scheme

February 8, 2012 | Author: Tim Schenck

Pyramids are an important part of the salvation story of Scripture. After all, if it wasn’t for the cruel treatment at the hand of the Egyptian slave drivers forcing them to build pyramids for the pharaoh, the Israelites might never have risen up to cross the Red Sea. You could argue that Pharaoh’s enslavement of Moses’ people was the original “pyramid scheme.”

As we await the start of Lent Madness with building anticipation, we’re aware of at least one parish that is structuring their participation as a Bernie Madoff-like pyramid scheme. The Rev. Chris Arnold, Priest-in-Charge at St. Mary’s in Middlesboro, Kentucky, is hoping the entire congregation plays along this Lent.

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Real Christians “Like” Lent Madness

February 5, 2012 | Author: Tim Schenck

We’re pleased to see that we’re on our way to 500 “likes” on the Lent Madness Facebook fan page. But we need your help to reach our goal of 1,000 likes before the madness begins on February 23rd (“Ash Thursday”).

Here are some helpful status updates for Facebook you can use to help spread the Lent Madness gospel. Simply cut and paste and be sure to include a link to the page: www.facebook.com/lentmadness.

If you “love” God, the least you can do is “like” Lent Madness.

Jesus loves me this I know. But he loves me more knowing that I “liked” Lent Madness.

“Like” Lent Madness and you will become richer than Joel Osteen.

All saints “like” Lent Madness and I mean to be one too.

And verily Jesus said unto them, I “like” Lent Madness. Go and do “likewise.”

If you enjoy fasting, self-flagellation, and hair shirts you’re really going to “like” Lent Madness.

What’s not to “like” about saints re-martyring one another in Lent Madness?

If you’re evangelizing your Twitter followers, be sure to include the hashtag #LentMadness. Here’s an example:

Me? Give up chocolate for Lent? That’s #LentMadness!

Thank you friends. We’re well on our way to making this year’s Lent Madness bigger than the Beatles.

Peace,

Tim and Scott

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The EpiscoRat works on the LM bracket

February 3, 2012 | Author: Scott Gunn

This just in from The Grapevine of the Diocese of Southeast Florida.

Lent Madness mouse

Are you working on your bracket? We hear of one college Canterbury House where they’re organizing a betting pool (for charity, we hope). Start a pool in your parish, youth group, or office! And make sure you give all the money to a worthy cause, such as Episcopal Relief & Development. That way, Lent Madness will be fun AND good for the world.

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Archnemesis Detente Announced

February 2, 2012 | Author: Tim Schenck

Followers of Lent Madness will be relieved to know that, with the assistance of round-the-clock mediation, Tim and Scott have pledged to bury the hatchet for the duration of Lent. Upon reflection, they concluded that to remain each other’s archnemesis would be counterproductive to the spirit of Lent Madness (despite the presence of competition and martyrdom). Plus, it made the meetings of the Supreme Executive Committee of the Province of the Society of Lent Madness too laden with drama.

The statement below has been jointly released on their respective blogs “Clergy Family Confidential” (Tim) and “Seven whole days” (Scott). We trust this will come as good news to all involved. In fact, you can show your support by “Liking” Lent Madness on our Facebook page.

“Be it known to all present, either bodily or online, that as of Ash Wednesday in the two thousand and twelfth year of our Lord, certain persons, of necessity in the present time, are hereby setting aside a designation of Archnemesis, and laying aside the enmity that has existed from the beginning, until the end of the Lenten Fast. Whereas, to cooperate on Lent Madness for the edification of all Christendom, Father Schenck and Father Gunn shall thereby set aside their feud until the New Fire is lit at the Great Vigil of Easter. After that, anything is possible.”

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Monday Madness — How do saints make it to the bracket?

January 30, 2012 | Author: Scott Gunn

Tim and Scott will be offering regular sessions of Monday Madness, in which they discuss various aspects of Lent Madness. Think of it as color commentary. Once the contest starts, they’ll review the winners & losers, as well as preview upcoming match-ups.

Today’s conversation covers the bracket — how do saints make it onto the bracket of 32 holy people? What happened in previous years? And what’s coming next week? Tune in for all that, and more.

Monday Madness — January 30, 2012 from Forward Movement on Vimeo.

We want to hear from you! Watch the video to find out how you can submit your questions to Tim and Scott.

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Building the buzz!

January 27, 2012 | Author: Scott Gunn
buzz

A photo of Lent Madness buzz

All of the internet is talking about Lent Madness. Or so it seems. Check out the Episcopal Cafe, The Infusion, Laughing Water, Way will come clear, and of course Seven whole days. We made the Episcopal News Service blog, and now we’re helping the Anglican Communion lighten up! Even the ordinarily straight-laced Textweek is listing Lent Madness as a Lent resource! And don’t forget our shiny new Facebook page. You should go like us right now!

Tell your neighbors and friends to catch the Lent Madness wave. If you have a blog or a website, why not add a widget to send people to Lent Madness? Show them orthodoxy can be fun! Or that fun can be orthodox.

Next week, look for more action-packed  pre-Lent pre-Madness fantasticness.

(Geeky stuff to make Technorati happy: MW827V6YXGK9. Never mind.)

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Press release

January 25, 2012 | Author: Scott Gunn

news flashWe have now told the entire world, or at least the places who would listen to us, about Lent Madness. Here’s the release. Free free to give it to the news editor of your local paper or any network news anchors who might happen to attend your parish.

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Date: January 25, 2012
Contact: The Rev. Tim Schenck or the Rev. Scott Gunn

Lent Madness 2012 Announced
The third annual “saintly smackdown” begins February 23rd

Lent Madness pits holy saints against one another in a battle to win the coveted Golden Halo. But it is more than that: Lent Madness is really an online devotional tool designed to help people learn about saints. The competition begins on Thursday, February 23.

The creator of Lent Madness, the Rev. Tim Schenck, says “My real goal in creating Lent Madness was to give people an opportunity to get to know some amazing people who have come before us in the faith. There’s no reason that a Lenten discipline should be dreary and if this helps people connect with God during this season of penitence and renewal, and have a bit of fun in the process, then it’s been worthwhile.”

The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for twenty-four hours and people vote for their favorite saint. 16 saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Championship; and the winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo.

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Lent Madness 2012 bracket announced

January 21, 2012 | Author: Scott Gunn
bracket

A shiny bracket

This year’s bracket has been announced by the Supreme Executive Committee of the Governing Authority of the Coordinating Committee for the Society of Lent Madness. Others know this august group simply as Tim and Scott.

Notable in this year’s bracket, round one includes several exciting contests. Augustine of Hippo will face down Monnica. The “boys of Tarsus” will square off as Paul of Tarsus faces Theodore of Tarsus. Thomas will go up against Enmegahbowh, as Thomas claims that he doubts anyone can pronounce the other’s name correctly. Non-Anglicans such as Dietterich Bonhoeffer are included, but stalwart Anglicans including Thomas Cranmer are among the 32 saints slated for the competition.

Stay tuned to Lent Madness for updates as the tournament approaches.

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