Diocese to join in Big Read

30/09/2009

From Tweed to Tyne, and way down to south of the Tees, plans are underway to get church people from a wide variety Christian denominations joining in a project called The Big Read.

The brainchild of the Bishop of Durham, Tom Wright, The Big Read will see a series of talks happening across the two dioceses of Newcastle and Durham, and a specially produced book launching in time for Lent next year.

Alastair Macnaughton, Developing Discipleship Officer for the two dioceses, explains: “It’s not a sponsored read, that is, reading from a massive book, or ‘big people’ reading from a big lectern. Instead this will be a chance for ordinary folk to get inside just one book of the Bible.”

That book is the Gospel according to St Luke, because Advent 09 until Autumn 2010 is ‘the year of Luke’, meaning that at ordinary times of year, Luke will be read Sunday by Sunday.

Alastair adds: “ Luke’s stories capture the imagination in a unique way. For example, the Good Samaritan, the Lost Son, and the Lost Coin only figure in Luke’s Gospel, and yet they are among the most powerful and memorable of the parables.”

The Big Read aims to capitalise on the current fashion for book groups, offering the chance to discuss the text, dig behind the author’s aims and ideas, and consider differing interpretations and personal accounts of inspiration.

Around Christmas SPCK are publishing a study guide written by Bishop Tom and aimed at both personal use and group discussion. There will also be a short ‘Big Read’ booklet. Both will be widely available through bookshops and it is hoped there will be discounts for parishes or deaneries ordering large numbers.

Sister Patsy McDonald from Ushaw College is training group leaders along with Alastair Macnaughton for ‘Big Read’ groups throughout the region, and leaders will have discussion materials to help people benefit from the ‘Big Read’ booklets.

Bishop Tom will be speaking on St Luke at venues all over the North East, including St Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Alnwick,St Nicholas’ Cathedral in Newcastle, and West Avenue Methodist Church in Hexham.

“These are big churches!” says Alastair Macnaughton, “We hope that people will want to organise buses from their parishes, and we’re asking everyone to watch out for details and dates of the talks. It’s a chance for Christians to come together and share their insights and questions about St. Luke.”

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