READ-A-BOOK-A-MONTH bible-challenge has slowed down since Easter, as author Mary Callan prepares for a family wedding and helps with a convalescence.

‘Everything had to slow down’ says Mary. ‘The next pamphlet is on its way at last: St Mark’s gospel and St Peter’s epistles.’ The three books are offered together since Mark is known to have travelled with Peter and may well have acted as his scribe.

As well as being for sale at English Martyrs, York, and downloadable from the parish website www.englishmartyrsyork.org.uk/wiki/Read-a-book-a-month, pamphlets will be on sale at Holy Trinity Church, Micklegate, York. ‘It is a privilege to display pamphlets in one of York’s historic tourist churches’ says Mary. Is she enjoying sewing dresses for the wedding? ‘I’m having to revive forgotten skills’ she admits. ‘It is a joyful time, and reminds me of all the bride and wedding images in the bible.’