John Harris on Maybe I'm Amazed: A story of love and connection in ten songs
The Church Times PodcastShow Notes
John Harris, the Guardian columnist and host of its Politics Weekly UK podcast, is best known for his political and music journalism. His new book, Maybe I’m Amazed: A story of love and connection in ten songs, is a personal story about life with his autistic son James and the life-changing effect of his son’s intense connection with popular music.
On the podcast this week, he talks to Sarah Meyrick, editor of the Church Times, about the book. Harris, who calls himself a “devout agnostic”, also speaks about his son’s love of playing organs when they visit churches during country walks.
Maybe I’m Amazed is published by John Murray at £16.99 (Church Times Bookshop £15.29). https://chbookshop.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9781399814034/maybe-im-amazed?vc=CT530
Try 10 issues of the Church Times for £10 or get two months access to our website and apps, also for £10. Go to www.churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader
More from The Church Times Podcast
John Humphrys was the first reporter on the scene of the Aberfan disaster. Wednesday (21 October) marks the 60th anniversary of the disaster, in which 116 children and 28 adults died when slurry from a hillside coal-heap slid on to the Welsh village, burying classrooms at Pantglas Junior School.
The Revd Steve Chalke is a Baptist minister and the founder of the Oasis Charitable Trust. He recently co-founded the We Are United campaign, which aims “to create at least 1,000 Festive Tables of Welcome across the country in the month-long run-up to this Christmas”.
“I think it’s really important to recognise that we’re all made differently,” the Archbishop of Canterbury says. Since being diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 15, it has shaped her educational and professional experiences, including her time as Chief Nursing Officer and as the Bishop of London.
Last week, the Festival of Preaching welcomed around 300 clergy and lay preachers. The event brought together inspiring talks and workshop from well-known preachers from around the world.
Five years ago, the Revd Marcus Walker co-founded the Save the Parish campaign. The Revd Dr Stephen Cherry, former parish priest, cathedral canon, and college dean, sat down recently with Fr Walker in the vestry of his church to find out what the issues are and to dig a little deeper into the theology that is behind the concerns.