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A new theatre production, Ruth, created with the help of refugees and asylum seekers, launches in Greater Manchester on 6 October. The production was funded by Bible Society and developed by North West theatre company No Nonsense.

Based on the Old Testament story of Ruth, the exhibition and performance tells the powerful modern day stories of women forced to flee their countries to find refuge in the UK.

An exhibition, the culmination of a month-long series of arts workshops with women of non-British origin, will also run while the production is on stage. It features large-scale sculptures, ceramics, design, textiles, traditional attires and photography.

Bible Society works to show that the Bible connects with everyday life in the 21st century – and Ruth is one of the ways the charity is doing this through the arts.

‘The arts is seen as one of those key areas where the Bible’s message can be shared openly, creatively and in surprising ways,’ said Luke Walton, Bible Society‘s Arts Development Officer.

‘Ruth and the art exhibition present a visual feast. The production weaves a tale of courage and humanity, incorporating puppetry, mask and live music to produce a beautifully dynamic piece of theatre.’

He added, ‘This is a wonderful opportunity for schools and family groups to see how inspiring Bible journeys have a continuing tale to tell today.’

Rosie Scott, Arts Development Manager at Waterside Arts Centre, said, ‘This project, which has already attracted widespread interest in the North West, promises to be brilliant and important at the same time. And, from our point of view, it’s wonderful to be celebrating cultural diversity on our very own doorstep.”

Both the exhibition and production take place at the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale and will run for three months. To book tickets and for more call 01793 418222.

Bible Society has welcomed the publication of the first Green Bible, a Bible designed to encourage Christians to see God’s vision for creation and their calling to care for the earth.

The Green Bible, produced by Harper Collins publishers, is due for release on 7 October and highlights in green, soy-based ink, more than 1,000 references, verses and passages related to the earth. It features essays from a number of leading theologians, including Bible Society President Bishop Tom Wright.

Its release comes less than a year after Bible Society launched its own Poverty and Justice Bible, the first ever to highlight more than 2,000 sections that relate to God’s attitudes towards poverty and injustice – two of the biggest issues of our day.

The Poverty and Justice Bible was welcomed by leading Christian thinkers including Rob Bell, Mike Pilavachi and Bible Society President Bishop Tom Wright. It was even carried through the streets of London by hundreds of bishops this summer, as part of the Lambeth Conference. More than 600 bishops took part in the Walk of Witness in July, a march calling on global leaders to honour their promises to reduce poverty.

More than 12,000 copies of The Poverty and Justice Bible have been sold since its release in March this year. A copy has even been handed to Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
James Catford, Bible Society’s Chief Executive, said, ‘This new Green Bible is good news for those of us who love the Bible and who work to show that it connects with the biggest issues facing our world.

‘It highlights unmistakeably that, when it comes to caring for the environment, God got their first. Sustainable lifestyles and caring for the ecosystem are not just topics that politicians are talking about now. These are issues that God has put on our hearts.’

He added, ‘The release of The Green Bible builds on what we are trying to do with The Poverty and Justice Bible. It’s about building the confidence of people who may ask how to apply Scripture to daily life. And it’s about showing those outside the Church that the Bible is not a dusty old rulebook – but something that connects very profoundly with issues that resonate today.’

To find out more about The Poverty and Justice Bible, visit http://www.povertyandjusticebible.org.uk

A new reference tool to help journalists and broadcasters get up to speed on biblical issues has been released by Bible Society.

The Bible Style Guide is an 80-page book packed with facts, figures, explanations and overviews to help media professionals report Bible stories with confidence.

It answers basic journalistic questions such as the number of books in the Bible and how Christians deal with violent texts in the Bible.

It also has a 20-page glossary of biblical terms and ideas going from Abraham to Zionism – which takes in creation, Judgement Day and Satan on the way. As well as tackling controversial issues, the Style Guide also includes terms that are often misunderstood.

With the Bible increasingly cropping up in headlines – from the Anglican Church’s homosexuality rows to Kate McCann’s Bible being investigated by police – and with its contents discussed, dissected and debated on a weekly basis, the Style Guide will be a vital tool for those in the media industry.

Already, it has been welcomed by media professionals.

‘The Bible Style Guide is an invaluable resource for journalists reporting a post 9-11 world in which religion increasingly dominates the news agenda. Informative without being patronising, cliché-busting as well as substantial, it’s useful for those already in the know - as well as those of us who are hastily having to catch up,’ said James Macintyre, Religious Affairs Correspondent at The Independent.

The development of the guide is part of Bible Society’s mission to help media professionals report the Bible accurately and with confidence.

Alongside this, Bible Society has launched a blog for journalists and broadcasters which tracks and comments on coverage of the Bible in the media (http://www.bitemybible.com).

David Ashford, Bible Society’s Media Development Officer, added, ‘The Bible Style Guide provides a crash course in the Bible for busy journalists and broadcasters. Whether you’re covering Creationism or Zionism, or want to know your apostle from your epistle, The Bible Style Guide is here to help journalists get started.’

The Bible Style Guide is available to download from Bible Society’s website, at http://www.biblesociety.org.uk/press..., or from the media blog, http://www.bitemybible.com
Hard copies are available free to newsrooms and production companies. Contact 01793 418222 to order a copy.