PASTORAL LETTER May 2026

To all God’s Beloved in the Zion United Church of Christ, Steubenville, OH, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from our Triune God, the Holy One of Israel.

I regret my schedule prevented me from writing to you last month, but as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s said in 2018 after undergoing heart surgery, “I’m back.”

A year before Schwarzenegger underwent heart surgery, I attended a seminar on “Illuminating the Text” as part of my Certificate in Spiritual Formation work. One of the highlights of that seminar was learning about The Saint John's Bible and working in the same room with The Gospels and Acts Volume of the 2 ft high Heritage Edition of the of The Saint John's Bible. Not long afterward I obtained my own copy of the smaller 15 inch high and less expensive Trade Edition of The Saint John's Bible, The Gospels and Acts.

Using tools and materials employed by scribes for thousands of years, Donald Jackson and an international team of artists and scholars, commissioned by St. John’s Abby and University in Minnesota, embarked on a monumental ten-year journey: to create the first handwritten and illuminated Bible since the invention of the printing press. Combining the most widely used English translation of the Bible with original artwork that reflects cultures from around the world, the seven volumes of The Saint John's Bible is an inspiring interfaith undertaking that speaks to the heart of many religious traditions. It has even been compared Ireland’s prized treasure, the Book of Kells, a 1,200-year-old illuminated manuscript  containing the four Gospels and considered to be the finest example of an ancient illuminated manuscript in the world, now permanently on display at Trinity College, Dublin.

Regardless of the edition, The Saint John's Bible, The Gospels and Acts has more than 25 illuminations, including full-page opening illuminations for each of the four gospels. Some of the prominent illuminations include the Genealogy of Jesus, the Birth of Christ, the Raising of Lazarus, the Crucifixion, Christ Our Light, the Last Supper, the Road to Emmaus, and Pentecost.

I recently began placing my copy of the Trade Edition of The Saint John's Bible, The Gospels and Acts, opened to the Gospel Reading for the Day, on a music stand in front of the pulpit. On some Sundays, only beautiful calligraphy can be seen. On other Sundays, stunning illustrations cover a part of a page to the full page. The next time you attend worship, be sure to come to the front of the sanctuary to take a close look at this Trade Edition of The Saint John's Bible, The Gospels and Acts, and feel free to flip through some of its pages to see some of the stunning illustrations.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you

John Edward Harris