There is a project to light at least 2012 beacons today (Monday) for the Diamond Jubilee celebration, in the UK and Commonwealth countries. We just got back from a Scout-organized beacon ceremony in Staines, at the field where Adam does archery. It's a cricket field, too, and has practice cages.
There were quite a few people there, mostly Scouts and their families.
Here was the unlit beacon--a metal cage mounted on a pole.
There was a prayer, delivered from the ladder-podium, I might be able to find the text of it on one of the beacon sites.
Just now on BBC1 they said the Queen lit the last of 4220 beacons. The aim was 2012; they quite overshot it. No problem.
The prayer that a scout leader read standing on a ladder:
ReplyDeleteGod of time and eternity,
whose Son reigns as servant, not master;
we give you thanks and praise
that you have blessed this Nation, the Realms and Territories
with Elizabeth
our beloved and glorious Queen.
In this year of Jubilee,
grant her your gifts of love and joy and peace
as she continues in faithful obedience to you, her Lord and God
and in devoted service to her lands and peoples,
and those of the Commonwealth,
now and all the days of her life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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