ERIC MIDDLETON (M 58-69) has written describing a recent tour in America:

“Many of you will know that my book, ‘The New Flatlanders’, originally published by Highland books, has been revised, edited and now published by the Templeton Press in America. Earlier this year I was invited on a two weeks book-promoting tour by three or four professors and chaplains, to start just after Easter. This was in fact supported by a grant from the Templeton Foundation. 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, New Jersey, I was hosted by Prof. Leonard Sweet, giving three lectures on the first day. Len had wondered if I was up to a ‘gig’ on the east coast, where he was a visiting professor at another University, in Portland, Oregon. This meant flying across to the west Pacific coast to George Fox University.
Here I was welcomed by Prof. Phil Smith, giving an open invitation university lecture where it was a special joy to meet Roger and Sue Newall in the audience. They are now both professors, whom 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 7.30am) 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 also introduced me to the finer points of baseball in the evening. Enjoying Quaker worship on the Sunday, I then stayed with the charismatic Prof. 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, had taken 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 back over 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 2000 lakes, the Minnehaha waterfall of the Hiawatha poem, and sharing old memories!
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 flight home was to a family welcome on the Monday- 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. There have been many exciting experiences as my American adventure unfolded – what a privilege to meet so many wonderful people and enjoy their hospitality.”