Today the American Episcopal Church commemorates James Weldon Johnson, 1871- 1938 Author, poet and lawyer, , diplomat and educator civil rights activist and leader in the NAACP.

Prayer at Sunrise

O mighty, 

powerful, dark-dispelling sun,

Now thou art risen, and thy day begun.

How shrink the shrouding mists before thy face,

As up thou spring'st to thy diurnal race!

How darkness chases darkness to the west,

As shades of light on light rise radiant from thy crest!

For thee, great source of strength, emblem of might,

In hours of darkest gloom there is no night.

Thou shinest on though clouds hide thee from sight,

And through each break thou sendest down thy light.

O greater Maker of this Thy great sun,

Give me the strength this one day's race to run,

Fill me with light, fill me with sun-like strength,

Fill me with joy to rob the day its length.

Light from within, light that will outward shine,

Strength to make strong some weaker heart than mine,

Joy to make glad each soul that feels its touch;

Great Father of the sun, I ask this much. 

 - James Weldon Johnson

Psalm 107:43 

Whoever is wise 

will ponder these  

things & consider 

well the mercies 

of the Lord.

as he gave us powerful words to glorify you, may we also speak with joy and boldness to banish hatred from your creation.   - Collect