Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Summer 2014 Issue | Page 15

A Psalm of Praise A prayer for the Shout It from the Mountain Campaign, by the Rev. Daniel Robayo, Campaign Chaplain Blessed are you, O Lord our God, creator, redeemer, and sustainer of all that is, seen and unseen. All your works bless you; all creation sings your praises; all things highly exalt you and magnify you forever. The mountains and hills, the fields and valleys, all that is green and grows from the ground blesses you.1 Shrine Mont proclaims your love, beauty and glory. Every cottage, cabin and field magnifies you; every child, counselor and grownup extolls you; every healing spring, every sweet toll of the dinner bell and every glorious sunrise rings in thanksgiving for your great goodness, your steadfast love and for the beauty of your radiance. We thank you, God, that we can shout your love from the mountain. We thank you, God, for each most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes. 2 We thank you, God, for planting in the heart of your people the desire to shout your praises by preserving, sustaining and enhancing this place set apart for the reuniting, rejoicing and renewal of all your children. Grant us the joy of seeing Shrine Mont brighten, blossom and bloom to the well-being of your people and to your honor and glory. Grant us the peace of meeting you in Shrine Mont in such a special way that our eyes and ears may be attuned to see and hear you everywhere we go and in everyone we meet. Grant us the love of your Son Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who so draws us to you that we may ever embrace one another and all your works in wonder, love and praise. Accept these our praises, thanksgivings and petitions through the same Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in light everlasting now and forever. Amen. When will I be asked to give? Because the Diocese of Virginia is home to 80,000 Episcopalians and covers a wide geographic area, we are tackling this campaign goal in phases. This will take the rest of 2014 and into 2015 to accomplish. Rest assured that the campaign will offer you an occasion to participate! Your opportunity may take the form of one of several possibilities: •  t may be through a special fundraising event that your parish puts I together, through a special Sunday offering, or through a minicampaign in your own church. There will be a way to give online through 1 from the Song of Azariah the campaign website (ShoutItfromtheMountain.org), and we are looking into how you can give electronically by using your phone! •  f you just can’t wait any longer, please contact Kirk Gibson at I [email protected], or Julie Simonton at [email protected]. Please make your commitment after you have prayerfully considered the level at which you will participate. And thank you for participating in this campaign that will change the lives of many campers! 2 e.e. cummings, “i thank you god” Summer 2014 / Virginia Episcopalian 13