Earlier this year, Grace Episcopal Church hosted a copy of the Gospels and Acts volume of The Saint John’s Bible, the first illuminated, handwritten Bible to be created in more than 500 years. Beginning in mid-September, Grace will be hosting a copy of The Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, for three months.
While this special volume is with the church, Grace is planning different activities and hoping that nearby churches and clergy and community members at large will participate.
Beginning this past Sunday, Sept. 14, and going until Nov. 2, a series of presentations on Sunday mornings from 9:15 to 10:15 in the Parish House is scheduled. Following a brief coffee hour, which starts at 9, different speakers will talk about various aspects of the Pentateuch. Such topics as an overview of the first five books of the Bible, interpreting the Creation illumination, comparing the two stories of Creation in the book of Genesis, how writing systems were used to preserve the Bible will be presented.
In October on Saturday mornings (10 to 11:30), four workshops will be offered in the Undercroft, beneath the sanctuary, that provide attendees with informative sessions and hands-on activities that will build a greater understanding of what was involved in the creation and significance of this 21st century Bible. Plans are still being made for these sessions.
The Pentateuch volume will be on display in the sanctuary of Grace when it is not out visiting groups. Members of the community, including student and church groups, are encouraged to schedule visits to spend time with the volume, learn more about its history, and engage in interactive activities including reading from and examining its illuminated pages. A docent will be available every Thursday afternoon from 2 to 5 from Oct. 2 to Nov. 20. Residents are encouraged to schedule their visit, but walkins are also welcome.
If a church, school, or group would like to have the Pentateuch come to them for a presentation, contact the office at Grace Episcopal Church.
The mission of “The Saint John’s Bible is to “ignite the spiritual imagination of people around the world on all faith journeys.” The creation of this giant-sized Bible began in 1998, when Saint John’s University and Benedictine Abbey commissioned the creation of this sevenvolume Bible. Using traditional techniques such as handwritten calligraphy, quill pens, writing on vellum pages, and embossed illuminations, the 1,150-page manuscript was finally completed in 2011. The traveling volumes are replicas of the original volumes, which are located at The Saint John’s University &Abbey in Collegeville Minn.
Overseeing this project from beginning to end was Donald Jackson, former senior scribe to Her Royal Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II Crown Office. Working with Saint John’s University and the Committee on Illuminations and Texts, the design and layout of each page was meticulously planned. Once this very ambitious project was completed, a program to share copies of the original books was developed so that organizations could have a volume come for a “visit.”
Anyone interested in attending any of these sessions, who would like to volunteer, or who wants more information can check the Grace Episcopal Church website (www. Gracelexva.org) or call (540) 463-4981.
