The first handwritten, illustrated Bible in more than 500 years will be on display at the Canton Museum of Art, 1001 Market Ave. N., beginning Dec. 5.
The exhibit — Illuminating the Word: The Saint John’s Bible — features ancient inks, calligraphy and 24-karat gold leaf. It will include original pages from all seven volumes of the Saint John's Bible, which consists of all 73 books of the Old and New Testaments.
The Bible, which took more than 12 years to complete, was commissioned by the community of Saint John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minn. It was created by a team of 23 professional scribes, artists and assistants in Wales, under the direction of calligrapher Donald Jackson, senior scribe to Queen Elizabeth's Crown Office at the House of Lords in the United Kingdom. It was produced using medieval techniques and materials.
In addition to the Bible, the exhibit will include artists’ tools and materials, preliminary sketches and artists’ drafts. The exhibit will also share a space with “Sacred Voices,” a display of contemporary artistic works inspired by the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths. The companion exhibit explores how faith can inform and inspire artists and how artwork can lead audiences to think about God, religious themes and spiritual insights.
The local showing of the exhibit is a collaborative effort of the museum, Malone University (which is home to a reproduction of the Saint John's Bible) and the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library at Saint John’s Abbey and University.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Children 12 years old and younger and museum members are admitted free. Tickets are available at the art museum ticket office during museum hours, by calling 330-453-7666 and online at www.cantonart.org.
In other religion news:
Events
Firestone Park United Methodist Church — 250 N. Firestone Blvd., Akron. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Country Fair. Lunch sold all day and homemade apple dumplings. Bake sale and crafts. No entry fee.
Grace United Church of Christ — 13275 Cleveland Ave. NW, Lake Township. 4:30 to 7 p.m. today. A quilt exhibit by the Thread Benders Quilters Guild has been added to the community Swiss steak dinner in the Family Activity Center. Dinner is $8 for adults, $4 for ages 4-12 and free for ages 3 and under. 330-699-3255.
Green Clergy Association — at Queen of Heaven Church, 1800 Steese Road, Green. 7 p.m. Nov. 25. Ecumenical Thanksgiving Choir Praise Service. Readings, prayers, congregational hymns, songs by individual church choirs and a sermon by the Rev. Eileen Woyen of Messiah Lutheran Church. A cookie reception will follow. Other churches in the association are East Liberty Church of the Nazarene, Green Valley United Methodist Church, Greensburg Church of God, Greensburg United Methodist Church, Lakeview Christian Church and The Chapel. 330-896-2345.
Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church — 1225 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron. 10 a.m. Sunday. Homecoming will be celebrated at morning worship. Guest speaker is Wayne Dawson, morning news anchor for Fox 8 Cleveland. Lunch will be served immediately following the service. 330-864-6635.
Lakemore United Methodist Church — 1536 Flickinger Road, Lakemore. 4 to 6:30 p.m. today. Swiss steak dinner. Includes mashed potatoes, green beans, applesauce, coleslaw, bread, dessert and beverage. Adults $7, ages 3-12 $3.50, under age 3 free. Carryout available. 330-733-6531.
Summit Spiritual Center — Masonic Temple, 2307 Sackett Ave., Cuyahoga Falls. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Senior meditation speaker Mary Friedland from Chicago will be featured speaker during Be The Light: An Interfaith Celebration of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. Freewill offering. 330-777-0250.
Wesley Temple AME Zion Church — 104 N Prospect St., Akron. Noon to 3 p.m. today. The church’s men plan a cookery, preparing the dishes and awarding prizes to the best cooks. Cost is $10 to sample the dishes. The cookery is part of the Men’s Day Project. On Sunday, the church marks its 145th anniversary and Friends Sunday. 330-434-5800.
Westminster Presbyterian Church — 1250 W. Exchange St., Akron. 5 p.m. Sunday. The Third Sunday Dinner, a free community dinner, will be served. It encourages food and fellowship with church members and the community. 330-836-2226.
Performances
Christ Presbyterian Church — 530 W. Tuscarawas St., Canton. 4 p.m. Sunday. Choral Evensong with Chancel Choir of Christ Church, including Motet VI by J.S. Bach. Freewill offering. 330-456-8113.
Church of Our Saviour Episcopal — 471 Crosby St., Akron. 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Organist/choirmaster Richard Shirey and the parish choir celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of English composer Benjamin Britten with his Jubilate Deo in C Major during morning worship service. 330-535-9174.
Fairlawn Lutheran Church — 3415 W. Market St., Fairlawn. 4 p.m. Sunday. The Bowling Green State University Collegiate Choir will perform. Directed by Tim Cloeter. Includes sacred and secular music. 330-867-3082.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church — 583 W. Hopocan Ave., Barberton. 4 p.m. Sunday. The church will hold a special Choral Evensong in honor of its patron saint. The St. Catherine’s Choir of Women from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Akron will perform. The Rev. Michael A. Petrochuk will officiate and offer the homily. A reception will follow. 330-753-9026.
Springfield Baptist Church — 1920 Krumroy Road, Springfield Township. 7 p.m. Sunday. Christian concert will feature Brenda Cole. Freewill offering.
Walsh University — 2020 E. Maple St., North Canton. 7 p.m. Dec. 6. The music department’s annual Christmas Concert of Sacred Music Christ the Appletree: A Festival of Lessons and Carols in the Cecchini Center’s Alumni Arena. Free and open to the public. Donations accepted. 330-490-4473.
Speakers, classes, workshops
First Friday Club of Greater Akron — Quaker Station, University of Akron, 135 S. Broadway. Noon Dec. 6. John L. Allen Jr., senior correspondent for National Catholic Reporter and senior Vatican analyst for CNN, will be the speaker. His topic is A Walk Through Today’s Church With Pope Francis. Cost of the luncheon is $15. Doors open at 11:15 a.m. 330-535-7668.
Support groups
The Chapel — 135 Fir Hill, Akron. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Parents of Prodigals meeting will host members who will share suggestions on the subject How to Get Through the Holidays With a Prodigal in the Home. The group is open to everyone. For more information, call Ed Davidian at 330-620-5668.
The deadline for Religion Notes is noon Tuesday. Items must be in writing. Please fax information to 330-996-3033, email it to religion@thebeaconjournal.com or send it to Religion, Akron Beacon Journal, 44 E. Exchange St., Akron OH 44309.