I love my job…have I told you that lately? Mass on the Mountain is quickly becoming one of my favorite youth events. What better way to celebrate our diocese than in it’s incredible beauty and with our bishop? This past weekend over 50 members of this diocese, youth and adults alike, came together at Cave Mountain Lake campground outside of Natural Bridge. Our setting was truly beautiful which only amplified our theme of “Leave Only Footprints”. Together we strove to hold a youth event where paper plates, cups, plastic silverware were not used. Plates made of recycled materials were used, organic material was composted, what was packed in was packed out. Throughout the weekend we celebrated the beauty of the creation around us and challenged ourselves to the task of stewardship.
Saturday morning was truly beautiful, especially when you wake to the smell of bacon! Our chief cook, Jim Church woke early to insure that everyone was well fed before the hike. Lunches were assembled, daypacks were made ready and off we went to Bluff Mountain.
The Bishop and his wife Dorothy greeted us at the trailhead with big smiles and boundless energy. We began our hike with a blessing and then began the arduous climb to the top of Bluff Mountain. The trail was not an easy one, but well worth the view.
The Bishop led us in a simple and meaningful Eucharist. Perhaps the most touching moment of the service was when a through hiker on the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine casually strolled into our service, put down his walking poles and backpack and relaxed as we listened to Bishop Powell’s sermon. Our DioSwVa community welcomed him with open arms as we exchanged the peace. He shared with us for a moment that God’s beauty is all around us, but we have to take the time to see what it is. I think that is what we call a God moment!
We began our journey back down the mountain by joining hands and forming a “prayer line”. We passed along our joy and prayers noted by the squeeze of a hand. I am pleased to say that no one was injured on the trail, well, except for me who clumsily tripped over a root, caught air and landed on my knee and elbow.
Back at camp, everyone enjoyed the opportunity to relax and swim at the lake, nap in their tent, or take advantage of the wonderful hot showers at Cave Mountain Lake. Yet there was much more magic and goodness to this day.
The skies were becoming more and more overcast and many folks had referred to the fact that it was going to pour on Saturday night. We prepared for the rain and kept our hopes high. They were definitely lifted when the folks from St. John’s in Glasgow showed up with an incredible feast of tacos galore! The joy on the faces of Courtney and Martha and their families was priceless. All of us compose this diocese and without one of our congregations we would not be DioSwVa. That was evidenced by the generosity of our new friends. Mass on the Mountain II would not have been so wonderful with out their generosity.
The one regret that I had for the weekend was that we were not able to stargaze. There was always next time I consoled myself. We even sang “Singing in the Rain” as the sprinkles fell upon us. Yet, not a moment later, the clouds began to evaporate and no exaggeration- the stars appeared. With a sense of gratitude we spread out our tarps on the nearby field and took our places to let the stars tell their story. We prayed, we cried and we gave thanks for God’s grace.
So, once again a wonderful youth event has come and gone, and I find myself a couple of days later marveling at God’s goodness and giving thanks for allowing my path to lead to DioSwVa.
Mass on the Mountain III will be held in September at Bear Mountain with our Monacan friends. I will post the date as soon as we have it confirmed
Check out the slideshow of pictures from Mass on the Mountain II
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