Sea Faith Network (Newcastle, 2022). Pbk. 160 pages. £12.
This attractively produced book, the latest publication from the SOF Network, comprises a collection of some 39 of John Pearson’s submissions to Sofia magazine, four short poems and four reviews of other works. It’s enhanced with several of the author’s own photographs of places in Britain and abroad that feature in the writings.
Rather than being arranged in chronological order, the shorter pieces are grouped under themes of ‘Travels at Home and Abroad’ and ‘In our Time’, with longer pieces on ‘Self and Faith’. The reviews contain John’s insightful remarks on four very different books: Chris Howson’s A Just Church (‘an inspirational collection of experiences’); R and E Skidelsky’s How Much is Enough? (‘scholarly and genuinely interesting analysis of wealth and happiness’); Maggie Butt’s Ally Pally Prison Camp (‘a fascinating taster of a lost world’); and Katherine Tiernan’s Cuthbert of Farne (‘beautiful and moving… a wonderful find’).
Essentially, this is a book of delights and provocations. Refreshing descriptions abound, and there are historical titbits in every piece, adding definition and context to the places John has featured. Some of this constitutes fascinating new learning and some is stuff that might just come in handy one day. Who knew that you get a great view of Times Square, New York, from Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Restaurant?
The first section reveals a love of nature and, occasionally, of the built environment. John is a highly observant traveller, relishing the sights, sounds and smells of a recognisable range of cities, towns and nature reserves, providing the reader with a kaleidoscope of feelings and impressions that usually offer encouragement to the would-be visitor. Should you find yourself in any of these places, a quick read of John’s reflections will be rewarding, particularly in the way he has set them in nature and in history.
In this first section of the book, there is also a little space for reflection on ‘religion as a human creation’. On attending a Newcastle United football match, for example, if football may be likened to religion for many people, tribalism and ‘experience’ are to the fore, alongside a sceptical remark about the value for money of a premier league player’s wages. And in India, there are telling notes on the disparities of wealth and poverty and on the varying appropriateness of charitable work in some of the villages. John made the trip to India with the since departed and greatly missed SOF stalwart, David Paterson, who loved to expose his teams of study-tourists to an experience of India. John was never going to ‘find God’ or a new spiritual path in India (or elsewhere). Rather, he grew in his depth of understanding that it was ‘Good’ rather than ‘God’ that was worth believing in and acting upon.
The second section, equally diverting, but more provocative in places, offers a set of not altogether curmudgeonly opinions on political policy-making, the apparent priorities of the Church of England’s General Synod, Christmas, zero-hour contracts, same-sex weddings and revisionist approaches to history. There’s a stirring reflection on going to the cinema and a personal, moving and amusing tribute to David Paterson. I found much to agree and to disagree with in this part of the book, but then again, much to challenge pre-existing thoughts or perhaps prejudices.
The longer pieces on ‘self and faith’ are in fact musings on a number of issues such as grappling with the consequences of not believing in ‘God’ within the context of a ‘Christian’ family – a topic many Sea of Faithers will be familiar with. There are some interesting insights provided here, but no attempt really to address the question of who or what, exactly, might be meant by the word ‘God’.
If there’s a thread that runs through the book; its musings, travelogues, reflections and so on, it is that of the tragedy of war. It’s a theme returned to from time to time, perhaps as befits a child of the 1950s. But throughout, the writing is suffused with wit, with compassion, insight and much wisdom. I have to say, the writing is very good; sometimes spare and pointed, sometimes discursive and instructive. It’s a good read. Each article takes only a few minutes to read, so you may think of a room in your house where the book might be most judiciously placed, for the entertainment of the curious visitor.
Dave Francis is an education consultant, a trustee of the SOF Network and editor of the SOF Philosophy and Religion Clubs website: www.solarity.org.uk