Thousands Register for Bible Sunday

More than 3,500 people have registered online in preparation for this year's Bible Sunday, with more than 3,500 downloads being made from the Bible Sunday website within two weeks of its launch by Bible Society.

'Going Large' is the theme for this year's Bible Sunday on 28 October, although churches are encouraged to celebrate the Bible on any Sunday. The Bible Society is offering free resources which include two short films, a script for a drama sketch, a lively talk outline, prayers and a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the hunger for audio Bibles among people who cannot read.

The resources are being made available in three languages: English, Welsh and Urdu.

Bible Sunday was launched 103 years ago, and first took place on 6 March 1904. It is run by Bible Society, a Christian charity existing to make the Bible heard throughout the world.

The majority of the organisation's work is overseas, making the Bible available and affordable in languages and formats people can use and understand.

In England and Wales, the society works to build bridges between the Bible and people's everyday lives, as well as to rebuild confidence in its message.

This year's Bible Sunday is looking to follow on from last year's success. According to a survey, nine out of 10 church leaders said their church members responded positively to Bible Sunday content.

Beth Read, Bible Society's Development Officer said, "The amount of interest shown this year is very encouraging and we hope Bible Sunday helps build confidence in the Bible's message."

For the first time an animation is part of the Bible Sunday resource. It has been produced by up-and-coming filmmaker, Steve Simmons. The six-minute production will feature a skateboarder and Bible Society has said it is expecting the animation to be a big hit.

Bible Society's Lindsay Shaw, who commissioned the film said, "Cartoons like The Simpsons are well known to pass on important messages in ways people can easily understand and remember. We thought it was a great way to highlight the relevance of the Bible's message to people today."

Read added, "Church leaders are passionate to persuade people to find spiritual nourishment in the Bible. They know this can't be achieved by just nibbling around its edges but by feasting on everything it has to offer and Bible Sunday helps them achieve this."

Going Large can be downloaded at www.biblesunday.org.uk