Templeton Bookspark

Eric Middleton, author of The New Flatlanders, recently completed an author tour in the United States. Read below for a recap of his experience.

Many of you will know that my book, The New Flatlanders, originally published by Highland books, has been revised, edited and now published by Templeton Press in America. Earlier this year I was invited on a two weeks’ book promotion tour by four professors and chaplains, to start just after Easter. This was, in fact, supported by the publisher. The tour would involve open university lectures about my book, talks to student seminars, book signings, etc.—often two each day.

Beginning on the East Coast with Drew University in New Jersey, I was hosted by Professor Leonard Sweet, giving three lectures on the first day. Len had wondered if I was up to a “gig” on the West Coast, where he was a visiting professor at another university in Portland, Oregon. This meant flying across to the Pacific coast to George Fox University.

Here I was welcomed by Professor Phil Smith, giving an open invitation university lecture where it was a special joy to meet Roger and Sue Newall in the audience. Now both professors, I had met some years ago when I was a fellow at St. John’s College, Durham. Phil had also arranged for me to take two of his classes (one at 7:30 a.m.) and speak at a seminar for psychotherapists/theologians. Phil and his wife made me so welcome, taking time out to see the Pacific coast, scramble on the rocks, and feel the bracing air on my first free day—and they also introduced me to the finer points of baseball in the evening. Enjoying Quaker worship on Sunday, I then stayed with the charismatic professor Dwight Kimberly and his wife, Patti, who took me up to see the snow-covered Mount Hood at 12,000 feet, illuminated by the evening sunset. Another professor, Paul Anderson, took me to speak to an evening house group of his Friends’ church after Sunday worship.  The next day, the university chaplain, Sarah Baldwin, held an informal lunch meeting with some of her friends who were also involved in healing.

Flying to Minnesota, I was booked to speak at Minneapolis University, where the professor, Ken Reid, was an old friend from school at Newcastle RGS and university, (fellow cricketers, musicians, and Cambridge boxers). I enjoyed the talk/book signing at a Minneapolis bookstore, visiting some of the two-thousand lakes, the Minnehaha waterfall of the Hiawatha poem, and sharing old memories! The Friday evening was another open university lecture arranged by the “Mars Hill” group of students (see Acts 17). They were “committed to articulate the reality and relevance of their faith to fellow students across the university disciplines” (rather than becoming a closed group). Their leaders, Josiah and Nathan, and a dozen others invited me for a further fascinating hour talk at a nearby coffee shop.
 
The final Sunday, after the Saturday tour of lakes, waterfalls, and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St.Paul, involved a church service with Ken and his wife. The senior pastors at the 4,000-strong Baptist Church were so welcoming and enthusiastic about my book that I was overwhelmed by American hospitality and kindness. I was blessed on each of my five flights to find companions interested in the book, anxious to buy it, and e-mail me to talk more.

On Monday, I flew home to a family welcome—and to postponed birthday celebrations—I was 74 at the book signing!

What amazing open-minded groups of people I have met, making new friends and sharing about contemporary science in eleven dimensions, the wonderful parable story of Flatland and the healing power of the Holy Spirit in the authority of Jesus. Often students in my audiences stayed behind to ask for prayer for healing—healing of memories, of voices, and often physical healing, after I had referred to Josh in my Chapter 11 and to more recent examples . . .
 
There have been many exciting experiences as my American Adventure unfolded—what a privilege to meet so many wonderful people and enjoy their hospitality.

Eric Middleton
Principal Emeritus, the Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough
Visiting chaplain, Bede Sixth Form College, Billingham