Richard Froese
South Peace News
An Easter tradition that started in a High Prairie church about 20 years ago – and growing – was celebrated worldwide online for the fifth year.
People in the Peace region and around the world joined the Holy Week Bible Reading Marathon online April 13-17.
Readers were invited to read the Bible aloud in one-hour blocks on Zoom and Facebook in the 100-hour marathon, organized by the Anglican Diocese of Athabasca.
People were moved as they were able to view the marathon online on Zoom and broadcast on Facebook, says Diocese Rev. Deacon Canon Peter Clarke, of St. Mark’s Anglican Church in High Prairie, who organized and initiated the event.
A total of 82 readers from various denominations participated, from people in the High Prairie and Peace region, Alberta, Canada and the United States to Ethiopia, South Sudan and the Philippines, he says.
Readers responded they were inspired by reading after organizers asked readers for comments about their experience.
“One lady told me that in 2024 she wanted to take part but her sister had just died,” Clarke says.
“However, this year, she was determined to be part of it, explaining how she felt great comfort in the time she spent reading Scripture.
“What a wonderful reaction.”
Many others said they enjoyed the experience and were thankful for the event, he notes.
“It was a joyous time listening to everyone reading,” Clarke says.
Readers came from various churches and denominations including the Evangelical Lutheran Church, the United Methodist Church, the Baptist Church, to mention a few.
A number of readers read in a variety of languages, such as Shona, Dinka and others.
He says the annual event has inspired many people to consider hosting a local reading event.
“People in several other communities have asked how they might set up a similar event in their location. One was is in British Columbia, another was in South Sudan,” Clarke says.
“We will assist each one to hold a similar event for their people.”
He, too, has been blessed by the growth of the event since it started.
“From such early beginnings many years ago at St. Mark’s in High Prairie, it is so amazing to have such a worldwide reach from this wonderful event in Holy Week each year,” Clarke says.
When it started, St. Mark’s hosted the reading marathon at its church and invited people from other local churches and the community to read.
The event was cancelled in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic that restricted church gatherings. It opened to the world in 2021 and continues to grow.
Next year, Easter occurs April 5 with the Bible-Reading Marathon scheduled for March 29 to April 2.