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Miqra: 'A public reading of Scripture'

Bishop Dean Wolfe (right) looks over the shoulder of Austin Haake as the youngster reads a portion of the Bible out loud during Miqra on Jan. 14 in Grace Cathedral, Topeka. It was the first trip to Miqra for Haake, who is a member of St. Peter's, Pittsburg.

Text and photos by Melodie Woerman

Editor, The Harvest       

Grace Cathedral in Topeka was filled over the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend in January with scores of teens and their Bibles. More than 100 youth and adult sponsors came from across the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas for Miqra, a weekend that offers young people the chance to learn about the Scriptures while also participating in reading the entire Bible out loud.

This year’s event was the fifth annual gathering for Miqra, which in Hebrew means “a public reading of Scripture.”

While some teens took hour-long shifts reading from a massive Bible placed at the steps of the cathedral (or in the adjacent chapel during Sunday services), others heard speakers explore aspects of the Bible and how it relates to their lives. Workshop sessions offered everything from the chance to decorate Bible covers with fabric paint to a discussion of Biblical themes in the “Star Wars” movies.

The weekend was planned by Youth Coordinator Chad Senuta, with help from the diocesan youth peer ministers and members of the Youth Committee.

Teens gather in a small group to discuss the role of Scripture in their life. Teens gathered in "family" groups throughout the Miqra weekend for periods of discussion and reflection.