O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— Book of Common Prayers
(Photo: The custodian of this staff is the oldest priest canonically resident in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. When the Rev. Dick Belliss died in January, it become the responsibility of the Rev. Canon Lewis Bohler, retired rector of the Episcopal Church of the Advent in Los Angeles, who lives in Atlanta and assists at two churches. I haven’t ruled out a road trip along the way of peace to deliver it personally.)