Churches read the Bible cover to cover

Churches Together in Radcliffe on Trent are planning a big challenge this September as they aim to read the Bible from cover to cover in the village throughout the first week of September – starting on Thursday 1st.

Vicar of St Mary’s, Radcliffe on Trent, the Revd Graeme Anderson said: “We are trying to get as many contexts as possible. So, for instance, there will be out door reading; reading in the pub; at coffee mornings; in church halls; in churches; basically, anywhere we can. One thing that I am especially excited about is that all of the churches in the village are working together. Sometimes parts of the Bible will be read in different places at the same time.”

As part of the programme, Graeme Anderson will be reading through the whole of Mark’s Gospel on Tuesday 5th September in the evening at the Manvers Arms.

The special readings, marking the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, will run from 1st September to 8th September, with a whole range of people taking part including choirs, bell ringers and youth groups.

The marathon readings have been organised by Christians Together in Radcliffe, which is made up of the four churches : St Mary’s Parish Church ( C of E), St Anne’s Roman Catholic, the Methodist Church and Wellspring Christian Growth Centre.

Chair of Christians Together in Radcliffe,  Christine Marquina said:  “We felt that we could celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible as we all share a belief in the Word of God. We have not insisted that readers use the King James Bible and have encouraged readers to read from whichever version they are most comfortable with.  We are not reading the Bible chronologically, but have divided chapters between the churches and different venues. One of our aims has been to include as many people from the village as possible and our venues are the four churches, the memorial gardens, the Boys Brigade Hall and the Manvers Pub. “

Alongside the readings there will be an exhibition display on loan from Southwell Minster, ‘Telling the Story’ of the King James Bible, at The Grange, where some of the readings will take place. The exhibition will be open weekdays 9am to 12.30pm and on Saturday 3rd September from 9am till 4.30pm.

The readings will culminate in a short thanksgiving service at St Anne’s Church, when the final readings will take place from the last book of the Bible on Thursday 8th September from 6pm.

For full details of the reading schedules and the exhibition see church websites: www.stmarysradcliffe.org; www.stannescatholic.wordpress.com; www.radcliffemethodist.faithweb.com; http://wellspring-church.org; www.radone.co.uk

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