By Emilie Ng
AFTER 12 years former Albany Creek parishioners Bryen and Fay McMahon are closing the last chapter on one of Brisbane’s favourite biblical resources, the Bible Explorer’s Handbook.
Mr and Mrs McMahon have shared Bible stories, personal testimonies, Scripture quizzes and Christian book reviews in more than 55,000 copies since 2002.
The handbook began as a response to the All Saints’ parish Scripture Expo in 2002, when parish priest Fr Ron Mollison and then Brisbane Archbishop John Bathersby approved the handbook as a valuable Scripture resource.
What was initially a six-page booklet promoting biblical events throughout Brisbane soon became a 30-page A5 book read by Christians in Queensland, the Solomon Islands, East Timor, and even Brazil.
Mrs McMahon, who was the handbook’s primary author, said she “quietly” grieved last week when writing her final 48th edition of the handbook.
“There were a few tears, as happens when something is ended,” she said.
Writing for the handbook had been Mrs McMahon’s unique way to spread the Word of God.
“It has a very humble look about it, as it’s just an A5 book, but it’s packed with power,” she said. “From cover to cover I wanted to spread the Word of God.”
Between stories of her own faith journey and with inspirations from Scripture and other resources, Mrs McMahon said the handbook was her way “to help people through tough times”.
“I am very gratified and I know people have developed a love for Scripture from the handbook,” she said.
Mrs McMahon said she received feedback from one Christian bookstore that noticed their Bible sales increased as a result of the handbook.
But it isn’t only parishioners who have been edified by the handbook, but also many prisoners in Queensland’s correctional facilities.
A letter delivered to Mr McMahon from one of Queensland’s prison hospital workers last week said they would “miss it greatly”.
Mr McMahon said knowing prisoners were “missing out” made it a tough decision to discontinue printing the handbook.
Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre’s chaplain Cameron Auld said the loss of the handbook would “leave a huge hole” at the prison.
“It’s going to be a terrible loss, and the guys in jail have been reading these for years, and some ask for them every week,” Mr Auld said.
He said many prisoners would never have opened a Bible without the influence of the handbook.
“We used to sit down with some of the prisoners, and they said holding the Bible was comforting,” Mr Auld said. “It’s sad that something dried up because they’ve been absolutely wonderful.”
Mr McMahon, who with his wife now lives at Sandstone Point, said he always returned to Albany Creek for the access to his former parish printer and the facilities at All Saints’ Parish School.
Thursday, August 22, would be the last printing day and the last time they would fill envelopes with more than 1000 copies of the handbook.
Mr McMahon said without the support from All Saints’ parish and school, and several contributors, the handbook would have never existed.
Funding difficulties had meant Mr and Mrs McMahon would not be printing another copy unless God opened the door.
“Now we’ll just wait,” Mrs McMahon said.
“God has closed the door behind us, but I am in anticipation to see what He opens.”
