Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Spring 2012 Issue | Page 26

ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN

Fifty years of the diocesan camp experience at Shrine Mont
JOE WINGENBACH
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led
them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and
his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. – Luke 17:1-2
Fittingly, the first time I remember
hearing the story of the Transfiguration
was at the Shrine itself. I was nine or
so and having the time of my life at
St. George’s Camp. What I can admit
now is that the first time I heard the
story I found it to be a really strange
one. The dramatic light was cool, but
what was I supposed to make of the
rest? Moses was a familiar name, but
who on earth was this Elijah? Then
again, it was quite possible I hadn’t
given the story my full attention. After
all, worshipping in the Shrine takes an
immense amount of mental discipline
when you are nine. There are rocks to
be rearranged, bugs to be corralled and
faces to be made at your cabin mates.
Still, the story made an impression,
and when I heard it again the next
year upon returning to camp it was a
little less weird. As the years passed,
I came to expect the story with the
mysterious appearances of Moses and
Elijah, Peter’s awkwardness and Jesus’
calm imperative. These days, it would
be impossible to recall how many
times I have heard the story of the
Transfiguration from chaplains, friends
and bishops alike. During my time as
a counselor and then director at St.
George’s, I have even told the story a
few times myself – to nine year-olds
who have a really tough time paying
attention in an outdoor church. But the
important thing is this: at some point,
the story of the Transfiguration started
to make a lot of sense, and today it
is an inexorable part of what I now
understand Shrine Mont to be.

Shrine Mont is a place apart; and
while the Shrine Mont staff dutifully
work there year-round, for most visitors
it is a place that is comfortingly unlike
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those we visit in our everyday lives off
the mountain. Like the disciples, we are
led to the mountain by Christ, and leave
with a better, albeit still imperfect,
understanding of Him. Amazingly, in
the course of talking with people at
Shrine Mont on any given weekend,
the entire story of the Transfiguration
will reveal itself: the voice of God,
brightened faces, the unexpected,
majestic skies and the patience and

also often composed of things that
are, almost paradoxically, completely
familiar and brand new. Some of the
best Shrine Mont experiences are those
that see generational gaps dissolve,
new friends discovered and folks
from opposite corners of the Diocese
together at work and play.

And as it would happen, everyone
who has come to know the refreshing,
renewing and reviving spirit of the
mountain had to
start sometime. Like
me, many of Shrine
Mont’s most ardent
supporters and
devotees made their
first trip to Shrine
Mont with a trunk
full و