141 comments on “Thomas Cranmer vs. Emma of Hawaii”

1. I have tried to encourage folk to follow Lent Madness and keep it fun. I hope many have learned about Queen Emma and the Church in these Hawaiian Islands. The Church in Hawai'i is different than in North America. It is still highly relational and deeply rooted in the land (aina). Living rightly with one another (pono), caring for one another (malama) and honoring the sacred (mana) are real values. That is part of our Polynesian heritage. Not "talking stink" or causing shame is very important and may reflect our Asian cultural values as well. I like to think of them as Christian values. As Carol points out above, Queen Emma is a living presence here. I live next one school she founded ('Iolani), drive past the largest hospital in the Islands named for her as the foundress (Queen's Hospital), drive past Washington Place (the Governor's official residence and former home of another Queen and parishioner of the Cathedral, Queen Lili‘uokalani) and the State Capital (which is just in from ‘Iolani Palace) on my way to work, turning immediately at the Cathedral (for which Queen Emma raised funds) onto Queen Emma Street and then turn into Queen Emma Square (which surrounds Queen Emma Park), past St. Andrew’s Priory School (yes, founded by the Queen) to park behind the Cathedral at my office. I walk up the stairs under her portrait and into my office. Folk vote for the Queen because it’s Queen Emma. I'm just the one reminding -- as do many others – to vote. The people of the Episcopal Church in Hawai'i celebrate that we have Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV as founders and that we were a national church before becoming part of the Episcopal Church. We celebrate that in 1862 (yes, 150 years this Fall), through the efforts of King Kamehameha IV (who also translated the BCP into Hawaiian) and Queen Emma and their friends in England (especially Queen Victoria, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of Oxford and Edward Pusey), the “Reformed Catholic Church” was founded (in time to be called the “Anglican Church” and then finally “The Episcopal Church) in the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. I’m sure Archbishop Cranmer would find this most interesting since he was a bishop most loyal to his monarch (Henry VIII). Mahalo (thank you) to all who have learned about the Queen and have entered into Lent Madness with good will and good humor, and thank you for voting for Queen Emma. +Bob

   1. Thank you, Bishop Fitzpatrick, for sharing the joy of Lent Madness with your diocese. Most of us outside Hawai'i have not known very much about Queen Emma, so this has been an opportunity to learn more about her and her service to the people of Hawai'i. Lent Madness at its best is fun and informative. While a few of us have crossed over the "fun line" a few times, I think we've all been blessed by this experience.

      And of course, today we also give thanks for the witness of Thomas Cranmer, but most of us already knew at least a few things about him.

      So, people of Hawai'i and people everywhere, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the joy of Lent Madness -- and the stories of God's grace in the lives of women and men. And then vote, but only once per person.

      Pax,
      Scott+

2. While I grew up seeing a picture of Emma in my grandmother's house, and always have been entranced by her beauty of spirit, I cannot ignore the fact that Cranmer's work has affected almost everyday of my life as a cradle Anglican/Episcopalian. Emma would have me vote for Thomas Cranmer I think... her spirit just has that much Aloha.

3. A straight from the stomach vote tonight. Skye cast the family vote for Emma of Hawaii. She said that she voted for her because we had pineapple for dessert tonight. And pineapples grow in Hawaii.

   Sorry Cranmer.

4. aina...pono...malama...mana...Lovely! Thank you for those, Bishop Bob.
   Thanks also for the evocative phrase "talking stink".

5. Tom is so toast. The West Coast and Pacific time zone votes are coming in now...bummer.

6. All kidding aside, it is intensely thrilling to feel connected to the 1,693 people (so far) who have taken the time to vote today.

   As we contemplate choosing between two royal figures, I can't help but picture every one of us united, waving our palms to re-enact the triumphal entry of the King of Kings this Sunday. Every so often, the internet is a marvelous thing. May you all have a blessed and fulfilling beginning to your Holy Week.

   (It is also worth mentioning that the tireless effort of the SEC and guest bloggers in taking this on during the time that is truly a marathon for the clergy should be worthy of its own Golden Halo (and perhaps...bobblehead!))

7. Ah, this has been fun. :p

8. While I am very grateful for Cranmer's lovely and lasting words, I love that our Queen is ahead currently. I hope the Hawaiians don't mind that I have adopted her. As for the accusation that the Hawaiians are voting as a block per order of their bishop, we all know that Episcopalians cannot be "herded."

9. I failed the Thomas Cranmer quiz with a 581 out of 1000... Emma gets my vote.

10. Go Emma! Time to honor a holy person from a different island.

11. Patsy, the Hawaiian people welcome all and are ready to adopt others with their Aloha Spirit of the Lord. Mahalo to all. h+++

12. Wow, by end of this race we're ending up with a big embarrassing pile of white guilt/sexist feminism. This is an embarrassing Lent Madness.

    1. ADG, I approved this comment in moderation, though you're treading right on the edge of our humor boundary, I think. All jokes aside, if you read the comments, I think you'll find plenty of sincere reasons why people will have voted for Emma. Mind you, I'm not endorsing her, but I think people other than Hawaiians have been moved by Emma and her life's witness.

       Given the remarks of Bishop Fitzpatrick, above, I think some gentleness toward Emma and her voters would be appropriate and kind. Reading tone in emails or internet comments is tricky. I think you are saying your words with a virtual smile, but I cannot be sure. I suspect others wonder also.

       Our hope in Lent Madness is to learn something of how God has worked in the lives of women and men throughout history. We also can see how these stories variously inspire people today. And of course we want to laugh. But our goal is to laugh together, not in a mean-spirited way in a way that diminishes one another.

       Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But there's no reason to be a sore loser. I, for example, will hereby confess that my bracket had Thomas Cranmer going to the championship. So even though Emma's apparent victory wrecks my bracket in a big way, I admire all of those who have given some solid reasons to vote for her.

       May the best saint win (if you can win anything once you're in heaven). And may the best spirit of humor prevail here on Lent Madness.

       Peace,
       Scott+

       1. Thank you.

          1. Very well-spoken, Scott. This is an exciting and "addicting" way to introduce the Holy Women and Holy Men of the Episcopal Church to the world. Thank you so very much, mahalo. h+++

          2. Amen!

             1. Hear hear.

             2. Helene, thank you for your generous spirit of adoption and Aloha.

             3. I only scored a 499 out of 1000. I probably should not have voted at all.

          3. Ah, yes! And thanks for bowdlerize --a new word for my vocabulary!

          4. Very true. I sand in Episcopal cathedral choir once, and I had difficulty hearding what was sung by the congregation; I could only heard the choir. That seemed to be all that anyone in the choir heard. Once our ears cleared from the resounding echoes, it was time for another number. Now I'm a UCC, I think the Episcopal congregation has joined us, unhearded as ever. But Queen Emma wouldn't mind; after all, in the silence she built a hospital for Hawaii's children. Silence is caring.

             1. Please moderate. Looking at the typos, it needs it!!

13. Leave us be good spirited--and wish Emma well if that is the judgement--I stuck with Cranmer but it is obvious that others were moved by the Holy Spirit differently

14. Scott, I wasn't looking at this vote specifically by any stretch, which by your comment, you are clearly misrepresenting in your response, but instead it is my observation of the entire competition this year, reading people's comments both on this forum and in other places.

    I do see God working through a variety of men and women at all times and in all places, I do not however, see that in the voting in this Lenten Madness, and I do not appreciate you calling me a sore loser when, unless you have checked IP addresses for every poll, you do not know how I voted. It was a general observation as was clear in the post. That was unfair.

    1. ADG, sorry I wasn't more clear. I didn't mean to call you a sore loser. Rather, I was also referring to a whole stream of comments across the whole of Lent Madness. Again, I apologize.

       But I also think it's odd that people have complained (perhaps you, certainly others) that there is something "wrong" with the voting. There seems to be a notion that lightweight saints are reaching beyond their worth as they defeat greater saints. Of course, some people have missed the madness of Lent Madness. The voting is fun, and should be fun only. Some have describe the Holy Spirit at work in voting. Maybe that's true for a few.

       As for me, if someone wants to vote for or against Emma because of her hat, I say that fits right in with Lent Madness. I remember well the fundamental rule I learned on the playground as a child: it's only a game.

       Peace,
       Scott+

       1. I think the remaining four are perfect candidates for the Golden Halo. After all, we Episcopalians, and probably anyone else playing this Lenten game, love mystery and magic, intellectualism, royalty, fancy dress up clothes, martyrdom, and mercy toward the poor and orphans -- though not necessarily in that order. . . . and like Scott said, "it's only a game."

       2. I understand the writer's frustration. My bracket is busted also, but I think it's Hawaiian pride rather than "white guilt feminism." It's apparent Emma is going all the way to the Golden Halo. Don't forget that among the solid reasons for voting for Emma is 'George Clooney wearing a lei." Thanks for the fun.

       3. Hello Scott,
          my name is Madeleine and I've enjoyed reading your obviously intelligent replies to this or that. I see by the picture you've posted that you're a priest(that hard plastic collar must be really uncomfortable even tho' it looks nice). anyway, my question is: how did we Episcopalians(I've been one for just over 2 years now and never been happier)come to be referred to as the "Frozen Chosen?"I'm chuckling as I type this. a sense of humor is so necessary today. plz advise.
          ever in His peace,
          madeleine

          1. In addition to Barbara's excellent explanation of "the frozen chosen" there is also the old notion that Episcopalians tended to be rather WASPy, White Anglo-Saxon Protestants. Episcopalians were percieved as making decisions based on reason and not emotion and to lack spontaniety. I heard one Episcopal priest refer to Episcopalians jokingly ( I hope) as the Prayer Club for Rich Republicans. Fortunately we seem to breaking free from this mold, a good thing I think for all of us.

             1. Now, as a Midwesterner, I'd always heard the phrase "God's Frozen People" in reference to Minnesota Lutherans. But that could be from too many Saturday nights with Lake Wobegon...

             2. Mm. Yes. Always dangerous to deal in stereotypes and generalizations, but as one who is living the Lutheran-Anglican Full Communion agreement I think the Anglican variant ("Chosen") may also reflect a certain entitlement mindset one comes across in SOME people in SOME Anglican/Episcopalian circles... As one of modest, humble, never-the-Establishment Lutheran background I am of course am sensitized to that kind of thing. (We are very proud of our humility. Just plain "Frozen People" makes total Great Plains Lutheran sense to me. Never "Chosen". Oh no -- that would be putting on airs...)
                ; )

15. ADG, Scott, Tim,
    There is nothing embarrassing about Lent Madness, in any form. This brilliant Christian exercise is extremely invigorating to the Episcopalian faith. (Many classroom teachers should take a look at this set up, if they want to make a lesson unforgettable!) It is educating so many people in all parts of the world to realize that our church is/has been made up of all sorts of Good Women and Men deemed "saints." We are all expressing our passion and love of Our Lord by learning and exchanging ideas in LM. Let us continue to show our love for Christ and love for one another by waving our palms Sunday morning as Our Blessed Saviour enters the Holy City on a little grey donkey! Pace +++

    Then...Monday...It is back to business, as we walk with Christ and many blessed saints through Holy Week.

16. I'm amazed that Emma won, not because it makes any difference in heaven, but I just thought more people would vote for Thomas.

    Understandings and mis-understandings aside, I really enjoy this!! But no one should think that I spend a lot of time in prayer before casting a vote. It is my hope that since there is no Greek nor Jew, no slave nor free, no man and woman, then they all have their equal joy in the presence of God. And even if my name is NEVER in a future Lent Madness (God Forbid!) that I will still enjoy humor in the presence of so many wonderful folks!!

17. I surely don't understand how people can say that my motives for voting are less valid than theirs. Many excellent reasons have existed throughout Lent Madness to vote for any of the saints; they are all worthy. To say that someone is engaging in "white guilt feminism," whatever that is, is to cast aspersions where none are deserved. What should be a fun and friendly exercise and relief from Lenten rigors has displayed some of the same unkind barbs surrounding political campaigning. As Christians, we should be above that behavior on both counts.

18. Lame reasoning probably but as a hardcore anglican, I'm voting for Thomas Cranmer. thanks for the book of common prayer, Thomas! there's something in it for everybody!!!

19. As a cradle Episcopalin I believe that I can respond to Madeline's query. We are the "frozen chosen" because there is perceived to be a certain lack of, ahem, spontaneity in our worship, Seriously, when was the last time you heard some one in the pews of an Episcopal church call out "Amen" or "alleluia" or "You got that right", during a sermon, although I am sure that most, if not all of Father Scott and Father Tim's sermons deserve it. Episcopalians do not prophesy. We do not speak in tongues (or if we do it is some respectable foreign language like German and we certainly don't do it in church). We do not roll in the aisles. Heck, we don't even sit in the first four rows of the pews. Frozen chosen and proud of it.

20. On the "Frozen chosen", I did sit in front of someone this morning who provided commentary on how morbid the hymns were. I can also say when the fire trucks showed up because the incense in the parish hall (where we did the liturgy of the palms) set off the smoke detectors the procession did proceed. I did find it pretty cool to be singing ride on ride on with a Dalmatian looking out the window of the fire truck.