A new booklet, entitled Glimpses of the Word, offers readers an inspiring collection of images, prayers and reflections on the Bible. Readers are encouraged to listen to scripture and consider what God might be saying to them personally.

The booklet is designed as a starting-point to help people to get more engaged with the Bible in their daily lives, in advance of Biblefresh - the Year of the Bible in 2011. Readers will find contributions from authors as diverse as Martin Luther, Helen Keller and Oscar Romero.

“The Bible is foundational for Christian faith,” said Rev Alison Tomlin, President Designate of the Methodist Conference: “But often people feel that it is not easy to understand, or that it might not have anything to say to them personally. I hope that people will be encouraged to find their own way of listening to God through what they find here, because I believe that God continues to seek a deepening relationship with all of us, no matter who we are.”

It also features contributions from British Church leaders, including Rev Dr Martyn Atkins, General Secretary of the Methodist Church, Commissioner Elizabeth Matear of the Salvation Army, Rev Jonathan Edwards, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, Rev John Marsh, Moderator of the United Reformed Church, Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York and the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster.

Glimpses of the Word is ideal for personal or group reflection, but churches are also encouraged to share its insights with their communities by giving the booklets away.

Glimpses of the Word is available from Methodist Publishing at £5 for 50 copies, and can be purchased online at www.methodistpublishing.org.uk.