Voting When There is No Bracket

With just 128 days until Ash Thursday, the world is watching for Lent Madness news. It won't be long until the 2021 bracket is revealed, and soon it will be time to order your Saintly Scorecards and bracket posters to get ready for the World's Largest Online Lenten Devotion and also the World's Oldest Continually Running Bracket Competition.

Until then, we're left with other news. Our US-based readers will have seen the constant chaos that is the US political scene. While it's true the Lent Madness sometimes hangs in the balance as Tim and Scott squabble as the sworn archnemeses they are, even the Supreme Executive Committee has nothing on the yellfest that was the recent "debate" between leading presidential candidates. No, the rumors are not true. Neither Tim nor Scott offered coaching on how to be an archnemesis.

But seriously, we know that many of our Lent Madness fans are distressed by the state of discourse in American politics. We long to be able to connect with people with whom we disagree, and we yearn for the deep peace of Christ. Whatever our political persuasion, we believe things could be better. Whatever our views, we hope for peace.

Our sponsors at Forward Movement are offering two resources that might be helpful.

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to difficult conversations with people you disagree with, Forward Movement is offering a new, free ChurchNext class, Civil Conversations in Uncivil Times with Ray Suarez.

And it's never a bad idea to pray. We can pray for our leaders and our nation, especially as the United States heads into an election. Forward Movement has partnered with the Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations to offer a nine-day season of prayer. This novena includes simple prayers from the Book of Common Prayer and a litany to say each day, starting one week before the election and ending the day after. Learn more at forwardmovement.org/election or, in Spanish, venadelante.org/eleccion.

If all else fails, remember that the saints in glory are companions on our journey. Whatever travails we face in our world, some of them have seen much worse. They can accompany us and guide us on the way.

All Brackets' Day has been rescheduled this year because of Election Day. Tell all your friends and neighbors to gather around their computers in time to see the 2021 bracket unveiled at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time on October 27. We hope this bit of Gospel joy will brighten your day in an uncertain time.

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37 comments on “Voting When There is No Bracket”

  1. Also an older ChurchNext class: Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace, about civil discourse. Excellent.

  2. Thank you for something to make me smile today. Thank you for the reminder that even through the danger and evil of our times, the love of Christ and the Communion of Saints is eternal and filled with joy.

  3. Thank you for these helpful words. I couldn't load either page offered! I'll check back. I think my congregation would love the 9 days prayer.

  4. Great introduction to saintly fun during this time of uncertainty. But I will certainly be counting the days leading up to the bracket unveiling four days before All Hollows Eve.

  5. You never fail to bring hope and a smile into my day. I’m thankful for Forward Movement and ChurchNext for all the resources you offer for my walk with Jesus and for fellowship with the whole family of God. Blessings to you this day!

  6. HALLELUJAH! Sanity at last! Or certainly a more pleasant and joyful sanity than the daily dose of cruelty and cussedness fully on display. Waiting for the prison doors to be burst open by the power of the Spirit. So in hope, How Can I Keep From Singing?

  7. I pray that some day our politicians will be able to honestly and respectfully discuss the issues that confront us and work together for solutions that will be best for our country. May they put aside self interest and seek God's will in their decisions.

  8. When will you publish a training on how to become an archnemesis? So far I've never been able to rise above the level of basic nemesis. I look forward to sitting at the feet of the masters.

  9. Thank you for being there in the storm reminding us of God's steady hand with a smile on your faces!

  10. HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM HERE INCANADA!‍‍‍
    We are watching and hearing all of the NEWS re the Coming election!
    We pray for clear minds and hearts to pick a leader who can lead all of the Citizens! It may only be one VOTE, but, it could make the difference! Please vote, if you do not, you do NOT HAVE A VOICE for anything that happens in the next 4 YEARS!

    1. Thank you, Sharon, for your kind words and especially for your prayers. Heaven and all its inhabitants know we need them.

      And a slightly belated Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from South of the Border (the Us/Canadian border, that is).

  11. Gracias and Thank You.

    Laughter is proof that Goddess/God is right by us in troubling times!

  12. I tried to order the GOLDEN HALO mug , but it never arrived or I made an error in ordering! As a We are very Proud of HARRIET!

  13. Thank you so much for this notification of the bracket posting. What a wonderful present. That is my birthday.! I shall look forward to it with great anticipation! You all will definitely make my day! Happy bracket posting day!

  14. Thank you. We need calm in this season of discord. The St. Francis Prayer has always been my comfort and I find it has my mantra for the past few months.

  15. Fantastic news! North of the border, that is, in Canada, your friendly neighbours to the north, we are celebrating All Turkey Day, also known as Thanksgiving Day. Today is a Public Holiday so everything is closed (well, the pandemic has brought about the closer of a lot too), so this news is a much needed diversion for the afternoon. Thank you, Extreme Executive Committee, opps! I meant your Supreme Archenemies -- for moving "All Brackets Day" to an earlier date so people don't get confused in the voting. In Canada, we might politely suggest that you could also move your Thanksgiving Day up a little closer to our celebration of Harvest Home! Looking forward to All Brackets Day and checking out the resources too -- especially the novena for prayer. You've got our prayers for your upcoming national election. Stay safe everyone. And happy nominationtide too.

  16. Thank you. My wife and I have been praying the Morning Office daily with just such intentions. We
    NEED to do so because we are a house divided when it comes to political perspectives. It may not help
    the national scene but our marriage prospers

  17. The ChurchNext class from Parker Palmer in 2016 was a HUGE help in dealing the political ugliness. Worth going back and listening to it again . . .