FEBRUARY 2011 - Vol. 33 No. 2.

Dear Friends

The King James Bible is a remarkable literary work which has had a profound influence on the English language. May 2011 marks the 400th anniversary of its publication. Events to celebrate this will include the Southwell Lecture on 17th June to be given in Southwell Minster by Frank Field MP, and an exhibition from 17th May to 19th June in the Minster. Members of our staff team are working on ideas for marking the occasion in the Benefice. Bishop Paul has drawn attention to a website http://www.kingjamesbibletrust.org/  and to the project ‘Biblefresh’. He is encouraging us to read our Bibles and one initiative to help with this is the E100 Bible Reading Challenge. You can find out more from the website www.scriptureunion.org.uk/You/BibleReading/E100BibleReadingChallenge/129240.id

I remember my first encounter with the King James Bible at the age of six. Beginning at the beginning, with the Book of Genesis, I didn’t get beyond the word ‘firmament’ before I gave up! I was very young, but even then, with my limited vocabulary, I sensed that this was a special book and I was stirred by the rhythm of the language. At primary school I enjoyed Scripture lessons and loved hearing Bible stories. At secondary school the teacher of Religious Instruction managed to make the subject abysmally boring! Years later I discovered what a treasure trove the Bible is, as a source of great stories, but most importantly as God’s word to those who believe.

When I first read the Bible in its entirety I was thirty something. I read the Good News Bible in a year, then I started on the New International Version, which took just a little longer. Some years later, when training for ordination, I turned to the Revised Standard Version, and these days I mostly read the New Revised Standard Version. We have various translations here at the Rectory and it is often useful to compare different versions. Whilst there is some wonderful poetry in the King James Bible, which is appreciated by many who have a love of the English language, many of today’s Bible readers will find a good modern translation more helpful. The Bible needs working at, whichever translation you choose, and Bible reading notes can help. There are also some delightful illustrated Bibles and Bible story books for children. If we are to read and gain understanding, we need a version of the Bible which is appropriate to our age, reading ability, and where we are in our journey of life and faith. So how about it? Make 2011 the year to discover, or rediscover, the Bible.

With my love and prayers

Glynis Hetherington