An 18-month long celebration of the 175th anniversary of the creation of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont will begin with a festive service at St. Stephen's, Middlebury, on June 2. Vermont became a separate diocese in the Episcopal Church and elected its first Bishop, the Rt. Rev. John Henry Hopkins, at a state convention in Middlebury in May of 1832.

The hymn text competition asked for submissions of original texts with a maximum of eight stanzas, theologically sound, thematically focused, metrical, gender-inclusive, and celebratory in nature. Texts submitted were reviewed by the 175th Anniversary Planning Committee and evaluated for the appropriateness for marking this milestone in the presence of the Episcopal Church in Vermont.

As the winning submission, Krum's text, "From the valleys and the hamlets," will be set to a familiar hymn tune so that congregations will be able to join easily in the singing of the hymn. 
"When I was writing this hymn text, I envisioned the people who built up, and continue to build up, the Church through their faith, their hope, and their hard work," said Krum.  "The hymn needed to reflect the past as well as the present. Above all, it needed to be a hymn of praise and thanksgiving."  

A cradle Episcopalian, Krum said although she does not sing in the choir, she is a "singer in the pew" and hopes that people will "find it [the hymn] comfortable to sing and reflective of the strength of our Diocese."

Krum's hymn text follows:

From the valleys and the hamlets,
From the west and from the east,
Come as one to sing the praises
Of our God at this great feast.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sing to praise the three in One.

We, from farms and towns and mountains,
Bring our gifts from far and near,
We recall with joyful measure                     
Wings of faith that brought us here.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sing to praise the three in One.

Walk along on this great journey,
Walk with those gone long before,
Giving strength and hope and wisdom,
Lift Christ's Body up once more.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sing to praise the three in One.

Raised in Christ, built up in fervor,
Sing we gladly, each and all,
Strengthened by the years of building,
Nourished by the Spirit's call.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sing to praise the three in One.

Learn Christ's mind and pray Christ's prayer,
Do the deeds that Christ has shown,
With the past and with the promise
Strive to make Christ's word our own.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Sing to praise the three in One.

God, Creator, God, Redeemer,
God the Sanctifier, One,
Now with joy we here present You
Lives lived long but not yet done.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sing to praise the three in One.