1 in 100 UK citizens to get Jubilee gift

One in every 100 UK citizens to get a Diamond Jubilee gift from UK churches   One in every 100 people in the UK is being given a copy of a specially-produced Diamond Jubilee New Testament to mark the Queen’s 60 years of service to Britain and the Commonwealth.   Longton Community Church in Preston is giving 10,000 New Testaments out to all 39 schools in the South Ribble area to mark this once in a lifetime moment.   Vicar’s wife Ruth Edy is presenting them to children in Ducklington Primary School in Oxfordshire, her local primary school. Ruth was given a New Testament 60 years ago to mark the Queen's coronation.   In the north of England, a Cumbrian youth project is also giving away the special New Testaments. The Shackles Off youth project in Seascale have ordered 100 copies to give away as part of their local Diamond Jubilee celebrations.   And these are just three of the hundreds of ways in which these special souvenirs are being used.   HOPE, the Church of England and Biblica have produced the souvenir Diamond Jubilee edition of the New Testament.Over 655,000 copies have been ordered already by churches and individuals to give away to friends and neighbours, making the Diamond Jubilee New Testament one of the most popular paperbacks in the UK this year.   Roy Crowne, Executive Director of the national mission movement HOPE, said: ‘What has been so exciting is the stories that we have begun to receive about the places and occasions where the New Testaments are being given out. We are glad that so many churches are using this opportunity to give this special gift to people in their communities as they celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.’   Mark Finnie, Church and Bible Engagement Director at Biblica said: ‘We could never have imagined the response to the Diamond Jubilee New Testament offer when the idea was first discussed. The New Testament will reach over one in 100 people in the UK, with 675,000 copies placed in the hands of people as they celebrate the Queen’s 60 years of service. We hope this will inspire churches, schools and agencies to create other custom Bibles and New Testaments for all sorts of occasions.’   In the introduction to the souvenir edition of the New Testament, Dr Rachel Jordan, National Mission and Evangelism Adviser to the Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England said: ‘At her Coronation service in 1953 Her Majesty the Queen received a Bible. It was presented to her as the most valuable gift she would ever be given – even though the crown jewels include some of the world’s most valuable gem stones… The churches in this land are giving you this New Testament to mark Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee… I hope you will treasure this valuable gift just as the Queen has treasured her Bible throughout the 60 years of her reign.’   Special presentation labels are available free from HOPE’s website to print and stick on the Bibles to give the gift a personal touch.    The souvenir Diamond Jubilee edition of the New Testament includes eight pages of images from the Coronation and the Queen’s life, linking her 60-year reign and her Christian faith. There is a suggested reading section with Bible references on various topics and a clear guide to help readers understand the significance of Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection.    HOPE supports local churches of all denominations doing more in mission together using words and actions to share the gospel. Visit www.hopetogether.org.uk for resources to use in mission during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and throughout the year.   A new facebook page 'My Diamond Jubilee New Testament Story' has been set up so people can share their experiences with others.   (Author: )

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