The Word goes forth — at length

     SALEM — Volunteers young and old read the Scriptures in their own language non-stop for four days this summer during the eighth annual Bible Reading Marathon on the front steps of the Oregon State Capitol.
      The Wednesday to Saturday, June 20-23 marathon officially began with the first verse in the first book of the Bible — Genesis — at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, June 20, and concluded with the last verse from the last book of the Bible —Revelation — on the following Saturday morning, June 23. A closing celebration ceremony followed on Saturday afternoon.
      Tuck Mayes, director of the Bible Reading Marathon planning committee, said approximately 365 people were needed to participate for a complete reading of the Bible, with each person reading 15 minutes. More experienced readers may read 30 minutes or more.
      Readers included children, teenagers, college students, the elderly and the handicapped. Even the hearing impaired were welcomed because signing is also a language.
      To highlight God’s diversity, the Scripture was read in any language desired by the reader, and this year’s marathon was represented by a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds.
      Groups from churches were invited to sign up for blocks of time and to reserve time for them to read. Many members of Russian and Slavic congregations took part in this year’s reading. Mayes said those participating in the event will never forget the experience.
      On Thursday, June 21, Bible readers were unaware of an upcoming funeral procession honoring Marion County Sheriff ‘s Deputy Kelly James Fredinburg, 33, who was killed on duty in a head-on crash on June 16 near Gervais.
      A woman was reading the Bible in Russian into a microphone, and the blaring narrative was clear to those in the procession rounding the block.
Because the marathon is supposed to be continuous, Queny Ekpezu, a marathon coordinator, decided to lower the volume but not silence the reading as the procession passed. But the Statesman-Journal newspaper reported that Ekpezu then changed his mind and stopped the reading totally to pay respect to the fallen deputy. Ekpezu felt the loss of the deputy who had served his community.
      Music and messages to praise the Lord and dominate the heart were present at the marathon’s closing ceremony.. Special music and group singing were blended with talks on how the Bible has the ability to shape people’s lives today.
      Topics addressed included the Bible’s power to shape society today, its appropriateness in education, its essentialness and supremacy, and its hope for mankind.
      For more information about the Bible Reading Marathon, contact Mayes at 503-375-3700 or Rob Bovey, secretary, 503-881-3789.




 
 

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