The Rev Michael Sabell, has bettered the unusual world record he set 33 years ago.
Holy Trinity Church in Dacre Banks, was the setting for the successful record attempt, in which he signed The Bible for 14 hours.
The retired vicar, who is severely deaf, completed a ‘signathon’ over 14 days, in which he used sign language to read pages from the Old Testament in hour-long sessions.
Beating the world record he set in 1987 by two hours, The Rev Michael also raised funds to create a sign language version of The Bible.
The Rev Michael Sabell (centre) with supporters of his world record signathon attempt, including (right) the Mayor and Mayoress of Pateley Bridge, Cllr Mike and Dr Janet Holt. (Photographs courtesy of The Rev Alastair Ferneley)
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The Rev Alastair Ferneley, Vicar of Dacre with Hartwith & Darley with Thornthwaite, told the Stray Ferret:
“We were delighted to support him in his record attempt, which has raised hundreds of pounds that will go to the British Sign Language (BSL) Bible Translation Project.”
Rev Alastair, pointed out:
“Michael was originally planning to do 13 hours of signing over 13 days, but continued for an additional hour and extra day, to conclude the challenge on the 40th anniversary of his ordination.”
Parishioners were able to see the daily signing and among those to support the record attempt were the Mayor and Mayoress of Pateley Bridge Councillor Mike and Dr Janet Holt.
Cllr Holt, said:
“We would like to congratulate the Rev Michael for beating his own world record and, in the process, raising deaf awareness as well as money for the BSL Bible Translation Project.”
The project aims to produce the first real translation of The Bible from the Greek and Hebrew texts to BSL, using deaf presenters, Bible scholars and translation experts’
They will provide a video-based Bible in sign language, giving deaf people independent access to scripture.