Welcome...
Very Rev Stephen Lowry, Dean of Dromore Cathedral and BSNI Chairperson
Lord Mayor with Lynda Bryans and John Doherty and a 1613 edition of the King James Bible from Dromore Cathedral
2011 has been a special year for the Bible. The opportunity of celebrating the 400th anniversary of the first printing of the King James Bible and the ideas presented through the Biblefresh campaign combined to offer a rich variety of events across the country. It was a great way to get people talking about the Bible.
Lynda Bryans, broadcaster
This cabinet on display in the City Hall is valued at ÂŁ100,000. It was made for the Titanic, but was not ready when the ship sailed. What value is placed on the King James Bible that is resting on top of it? 2
Alongside the many Bible readings and exhibitions, to most of which BSNI contributed resources, a remarkable event took place in the City Hall Belfast on 2nd November. It was jointly organised by the Council’s Good Relations Unit and BSNI, and the programme included eight readings from the King James text by representatives of the Council (including the Lord Mayor), the Jewish community, the local media, the Chinese church in Belfast and BSNI. Amid the readings, I had the privilege of offering some reflections on the significance of the 1611 King James Bible and how modern practice of Bible translation and distribution contrasted with that era. It was a very special occasion for the audience that was drawn from so many religious denominations and political parties across Belfast. It was also a powerful statement as to how Scripture has the power to draw people together. Some of these events are pictured here so that we might all be encouraged in this New Year to continue to think about how the Bible can become, increasingly, both a talking point and a power for personal healing in our community. John Doherty