Continuous Reading of Whole KJB

‘NIGHT-OWLS’ AND INSOMNIACS WILL HELP A BRISTOL CHURCH CELEBRATE THIS YEAR’S 400TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KING JAMES BIBLE WITH A ROUND-THE-CLOCK PUBLIC READING IN THE HEART OF THE CITY

Bristol churches are being asked to help the city celebrate this year?s 400th anniversary of the King James Bible by supporting a non-stop round-the-clock cover-to-cover public reading of its 1,189 chapters.

The venue for the event – starting on Monday, July 4 and taking up to a week – will be the eighteenth-century Christ Church City in Broad Street, one of the few churches which still uses exclusively the Authorised Version, better-known as The King James Bible.

The Reverend Richard Hoyal, priest-in-charge at Christ Church City, said today: “We are keen to celebrate the majesty and power of the book at the heart of our faith. The Authorised Version has been uniquely influential in the shaping of British culture and values and I believe this deserves public recognition. I hope that, by reminding the community at large of the sheer beauty of the language in the King James Bible, we may encourage many people to read it, perhaps for the first time.”

In response to an appeal to churches across the Bristol Diocese, Father Hoyal?s list of volunteer readers is growing daily but many more are still needed.

He said: “We want to hear from readers from many sections of the community, both church members and non-churchgoers. To ensure that the reading continues round the clock, I am particularly keen to identify „night-owls,? insomniacs and older teenagers who might be willing to be part of a night or early morning reading party.”

Christ Church City is believed to be the only church in the Bristol diocese to attempt a non-stop reading of this type. People of all denominations and religions – or none – will be welcome to drop in and listen at any time.

Volunteers wishing to participate are invited to read for a 15-minute period. Some may opt for two consecutive slots (half-an-hour) or more. Father Hoyal hopes that they will include some local dignitaries and celebrities as well as representatives of schools, colleges, drama groups and public services.

People wishing to read are invited to call Father Hoyal on 0117 970 6776 or email him at richardhoyal a_t btinternet d_o_t com