All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 6300 N. Central Ave., invites the public to a special event, “Lent Illuminated.” Several anonymous donors from the congregation have gifted the church with the full fine-art Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible. Seven calfskin-bound, museum-quality reproductions of the first completely handwritten, illuminated Bible commissioned by a Benedictine monastery, will be housed permanently at All Saints’.
The evening will feature The Episcopal Bishop of Arizona, The Rt. Rev. Kirk Stevan Smith, who will bless and dedicate the Bible. In addition, Bishop Smith will present an hour-long lecture on his recently published book, “Augustine’s Relic,” sharing lessons from England’s oldest book and its relevance to today’s issues.
At a short Compline service following the Bishop’s presentation, Bishop Smith will bless the seven volumes of the Saint John’s Bible, and there will be a musical offering: the Stabat Mater by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi performed by vocal soloists, Jennifer Holm and Claire Penneau, with the organ continuo by Director of Music, Scott Youngs.
The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a Lenten Soup Supper; Lecture at 6:30 p.m.; and Compline at 7:30 p.m. There is no cost for the evening. There is a free-will offering for the supper. All denominations and religions are welcome to this special evening honoring tradition and scripture. For more information, call Nannette at 602-279-5539, ext. 112 or ntowsley@allsaints.org.
