A new annual event is back for its second year in Perham. The Second Annual Bible Reading Marathon, which began Sunday, June 13 with a proclamation from the city's mayor, will continue on through Saturday, June 19 in N.P. Park next to the post office.
Throughout one week, many different volunteers have been and will be reading the Bible out loud, Genesis through Revelation. Heidi Studer, who helped organize this marathon with Bible Reading Ministry International , said it's been going well. They read for 14 hours two days in a row and plan to read 12 hours a day for the next few.
"We welcome the community," Studer said. "We want to bring people together and declare the word of our God together."
Studer said people from five separate churches have already participated in the marathon. This event is non-denominational, and Studer invites everyone to come and join regardless of whether or not they attend church.
"I so appreciate Perham," she said. "I’ve had many people come and say that our community is very open to having the Bible read here."
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She heard that, last year in 2020, many people went into the Chamber of Commerce to say how wonderful the first Bible Reading Marathon was. Studer feels led to do this because she wants everyone to come together, and she emphasized the marathon this is a community effort.
"It’s about the family of God gathering together and coming in peace and in love," Studer said. "As the Bible tells us, just love one another and accept one another." She is trying to advocate for everyone to encourage each other and bring each other up.
As said in a previous article , this is the schedule of the marathon for the rest of the week:
- Monday, June 14 through Thursday, June 17 from 6 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Friday, June 18 from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Saturday, June 19 from 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The closing ceremony will be on Saturday, June 19, at 2 p.m.
Studer is grateful for how helpful and open the city of Perham has been to her and this event. " As we read the word of God, there are so many things happening," she said. "It brings peace, joy, love and unity. We know that it’s accomplishing good things, and that’s why we do it."
For more information, contact Studer at 218-371-7291.
