2013 Golden Halo winner Frances Perkins prepares to hand over her halo
We embarked upon this Lent Madness journey over five weeks ago on “Ash Thursday.” With your help we have whittled the field of 32 saints down to two: Harriet Bedell and Charles Wesley. Who will walk away with the coveted Golden Halo of Lent Madness 2014? Only 24 hours and your voting participation will reveal this holy mystery.
Regardless of the ultimate outcome, we’ve met some truly remarkable holy people along the way. Perhaps you learned about some folks you’d never heard of or maybe you renewed acquaintances with saints who have long offered inspiration. Of course the entire notion of placing saints in a bracket is absurd — each “contestant” has already earned a crown of righteousness in addition to a “golden halo.” But at the heart of Lent Madness is the abiding conviction that encountering those who have come before us in the faith enriches and enlivens our own walk with the risen Christ.
In the process of this whimsical Lenten devotion we’ve all made some new online friends, encountered a community of believers who take their faith but not themselves too seriously, learned some things, were inspired by saintly witnesses, and had a lot fun along the way.
Of course we literally couldn’t have done this without our stellar Celebrity Bloggers to whom we offer sincere gratitude. Amber Belldene, Laurie Brock, Megan Castellan, David Creech, Laura Darling, Robert Hendrickson, Maria Kane, Penny Nash, Heidi Shott, and David Sibley. Thanks to Bracket Czar Adam Thomas for his stellar behind-the-scenes work in keeping the bracket updated daily. And we can’t forget the ever mysterious Maple Anglican who brought us the inimitable shenanigans of Archbishops Thomas and John. You all rock!
Speaking of Maple Anglican, here's the last Archbishop's Update. But before you watch it (or after) be sure to check out some Golden Halo fashion tips from Lent Madness fan and Vogue model (seriously) Julia Frakes.
Finally, thanks to all of you who participated by voting, commenting, drinking coffee out of Lent Madness mugs, filling in brackets, talking about saints at coffee hour, liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter, and allowing us to play a small role in your Lenten journey. We’ve loved having each one of you along for the “madness” and on behalf of the Supreme Executive Committee we wish you a blessed Holy Week and a joyous Easter.
Oh, wait, there’s one more thing before we set our face toward the Triduum. But first we should note that Heidi Shott has shepherded Harriet Bedell through the brackets while David Sibley has done the same for Charles Wesley. We've asked them for a single image and one quote. We've already heard a lot about them and from them -- click the bracket tab and scroll down to view their previous match-ups if you want to refresh your memory. And the, it's time.
The polls will be open for 24 hours and the winner will be announced at 8:00 am Eastern time on Maundy Thursday. Now go cast your vote — the 2014 Lent Madness Golden Halo hangs in the balance!
Harriet Bedell
-- Charlton Tebeau, Collier County historian, in "Florida's Last Frontier," 1966.
Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
Vote!
NOTE: At 10:55 p.m. EDT, the Supreme Executive Committee banned three voters and removed 41 votes from Harriet Bedell, due to voting irregularity. Remember to VOTE ONCE ONLY.
The voters in question were in Buffalo, NY; Rochester, MN; and Gulfport, MS.
[poll id="107"]
218 comments on “For the Golden Halo: Harriet Bedell vs. Charles Wesley”
"Frances Perkins prepares to hand over her halo"?!?!
She doesn't get to keep it?! I always assumed St. Eligius (patron of goldsmiths) made a new one each year for the GH winner! Now I learn that the halo gets passed around! That just isn't right!
Who among you have spent a night in the Everglades in August? Or March, or September? It can be a beautifully brutal place. Harriet is my Hero! The Deaconess is a wonderful example for all deacons.
Harriet of the Gold, or goal!
Are you kidding me? Any single women, who could life in the states of Alaska and the swamps of the Everglades, to serve our God is unquestionably a winner. These states have huge mosquitoes that will try anyone's faith, particularly in the days before chemical bug spray. Talk about 'faith that is know to God alone'! What a saint! vs ... well, you get my drift.
The Golden Halo for Harriet!
High noon Eastern time.... 104 point spread for Charles. It's going to be one of those days! And I think that each Golden Halo winner gets to keep their Halo forever!
Can't imagine where our worship services would be without CW's beautiful hymns? A worthy candidate for the 2014 LM Golden Crown.
Never change horses in mid-stream! Well. actually....that's how I would be found..dead as a doornail on one since I ordinarily wouldn't be caught dead on a horsey! So, I continue being faithful to the deaconess...sorry Charlie ! Bedell for all deacons ! Doesn't matter if you're tone-deaf or not..sing in your your heart! Bedell for the GOLDEN HALO !!!!!
Hmmm Cast my vote for Harriet the wonderful. But it is close. We may have to have a recount and make certain there are no hanging chads.
Lou Ness, one of our Chicago deacons, left Rockford on April 2 and is walking to Washington, D.C., carrying the stories of the the homeless and the hungry she serves and of those she meets along the way. She is in Indiana this week. She will share these stories with anyone she meets in the halls of the Capitol. As a deacon, and in honor of Lou, my Lakota mom, Deacon Ruth Potter, and all those who have taken up Harriet's legacy, consciously or unconsciously, I'm voting for Harriet.
"Bold he approaches th' eternal throne / to claim the crown [and Golden Halo] through Christ [and LM voters] his own!"
I went with Charles for the win. His God sent hymns cross over into many denominations and religions. Simply love how music is such a "common" denominator. God's blessings to dear Harriet. She is an inspiration to all.
Charles Wesley walks around with me through my daily work and ministry. His words give life. I respect and admire Harriet, but think Charles has had more influence on more people and brought us closer to God and God's kingdom on a daily basis. For the Golden Halo!
Charles was more than hymns. He was a founding member of the Holy Club at Oxford: serving the poor, visiting prisons, feeding the hungry, along with personal piety in prayer and the Scriptures. The group was so 'methodical' in their daily and weekly practice that the named Methodist started there.
NOOOooooooo!!! I don't want to have to decide between these two!
NOOOOOOooooooooo!!! I don't want Lent Madness to end! I'm already suffering from LMW.
With much wailing and gnashing of teeth, I am voting for Harriet Bedell, but looking longingly back at Charles Wesley as I do it.
Still voting for Harriet! Charles is already so well-known, has so many tangible signs of his life and ministry--hymn texts, sermons, accolades, a whole new denomination, for Pete's sake! But humble Harriet, who lived out the Gospel in such important and difficult ways, deserves a larger place in the heavenly pantheon! Remember Jesus' words: "Whoever humbles [her]self shall be exalted!" So let's exalt her here!
Look, nothing anyone says here change the saintly-ness of either finalist. I just think LM is about awareness. As we move along in our fast-paced, multi-tasked world, it is easy to lose sight or never even know of the saints gone before us in all the ages. I just want as many people who already know of the ministry and gifts of Charles Wesley to ALSO know of Harriet's gifts and ministry. Both or models for which we can be thankful. BUT Harriett Bedell can use the publicity. The Golden Halo can help with that.
I was so sure who I was going to vote for this morning until I read everyone's comments. Now I am very confused. I have voted for both of these saints throughout the brackets and now I have to choose. I'm going to have to have another cup of tea and cogitate for a while. Maybe I'll go play a few hymns while I await my answer.
Charles Wesley has my vote. I've been singing his hymns for years and never knew anything of the man or that he wrote the hymns. Thanks Lent Madness!
If you're still wondering who to go with. Take a few minutes to walk with the Deaconess.
Apparently it doesn't take embed code. Here's the link. http://youtu.be/u7B3h-rw1Fw
Mary-Eileen- i thought the same. Miss America keeps her crown forever(i think) so it should be with the Golden halo- Let Frances Perkins continue to prance around Heaven with her halo. Don't make her give it up to this year's winner...There's room for more. I am slowly going into LMW. it just went by so fast it seems. BUT- it was fun. i'm not sure , but i think every single one i voted for lost! i hope i didn't jinx Harriet.
I love that picture too, Madeleine. He looks so happy!
Well, said, Linda and Ivan. "Love Divine" always chokes me up--what an image of what is to come! Charles just had to get my vote one last time.
And Amen!
Once again a toughie, but for me Harriet won out. I love the music of Charles Wesley, but Harriet was one determined lady and therefor she got my vote today. Of course I will be ok if Charles get the Golden Halo!!
harriet has my mind, intellect, admiration and inclination, but charles has my heart, after thinking, and thinking, it's charles.
So many people have mentioned "Jesus Christ is risen today" -- if I'm not mistaken (and I'm certain that someone will tell me if I am!) Charles Wesley wrote stanza 4, not the entire hymn. . . . which is not meant to lessen his contribution, only to say please give credit where credit is due.
Actually there are two similar hymns. "Jesus Christ is risen today! Alleluia" in which Wesley wrote verse 4, but also "Christ the Lord is risen today!" which was entirely written by Charles Wesley. The former is sung to the hymn tune Easter Hymn. The latter is usually sung to the tune Orientis Partibus, but has also been sung to Easter Hymn with the alleluias added!
Well my guess is that most Episcopalians will be singing the version in which Wesley wrote verse 4. I think "Christ the Lord is risen today!" has become "Love's redeeming work is done" in our hymnal, has it not?
Thank you for Lenten madness I enjoy the race for this halo, and the leaning experience about many wonderful eexample s of faith
Harriet has my vote. Her life's work:
Bedell gave up her job to train as an Episcopal deaconess in New York City. . . .She threw herself into her work and gradually gained the love and trust of her people. She was adopted into the tribe and given the name of Vicsehia, which means Bird Woman, because she sang, hummed, and whistled constantly while she worked. Harriet devoted herself to the Cheyenne until she contracted tuberculosis and was sent to Colorado to recover. There she attended a healing service and became free of symptoms, which she called a miracle. The Bishop of New York asked her to visit the chain of missions in Florida to recruit church workers. On this trip she first encountered the Miccosukee tribe. She decided to remain in Florida to help the Miccosukee. She taught Sunday school, sewing, literature, hygiene, music, and a variety of other skills to the Miccosukee and the young children of Marco Island and Collier County.
Bedell borrowed on her salary and made an arrangement with the Collier Corporation to finance sales of Indian craft, including beadwork, clothing, pottery, carving, and leatherwork. With the proceeds, she repaid the loans and gave the Indians company script which they could spend at the store in Everglades. Every Christmas she arranged an enormous party with feasting and entertainment and gifts for all the Indians and children from Everglades.
In September 1960, Harriet was forced to evacuate her home when hurricane Donna struck. The storm leveled her property, destroying her typewriter, sewing machine, children’s books and gifts set aside for the upcoming holiday celebration. Refusing to be idle, she planned and taught Sunday school, worked in the infirmary, and gave speeches to recruit mission workers.
I think Charles has had his time in the limelight; Harriet's life work needs some time with a light on it.
Excellent argument--I was just overcome by "Love Divine," among other reasons.
I'm glad the voting is currently so close and I suspect will continue to be until the final ballot is cast. This was a coin-flipper for me! I went with Harriet only because she is the lesser known. Both poured out their God-given gifts lavishly in His service. Thanks, SEC, for a great Lent!
Have voted for both throughout the bracket but today it will be HARRIET! In thanksgiving for the deaconesses in my life - Bonnie Skellen, Charl Kapp and Mary Lord. I thank them for their ministry and presence and I thank the LM crew for their ministry, presence and sense of fun in the name of the Lord. God bless!
Thank you so much to the SEC and the Celebrity Bloggers. This has been so much fun! I voted for Charles, but will be happy if Harriet wins too. Great matchup.
I cast my vote for Harriet today, because she represents the learning process that I've experienced this Lent through the mini-biographies of so many extraordinary people. Charles Wesley is a familiar name, from my Methodist childhood, but I'd never heard of Harriet...or many of the others I know about now.
Looking forward (day by day??) to next year.
I guess I'm already in LMW, because I find myself wondering about what kitsch we might have seen if others had survived to this point in the game. Wouldn't a display for the also-rans make a worthy extension of this marvelous Madness? Voted for Harriet while humming "lost in wonder, love, and praise"...
Voted for Harriet, but I think Charles would look better on a mug.