St Andrews Christian Bookshop in Great Misserden has just hosted their third book festival. The first in 2024 was one of the first Christian book festival of its kind. I couldn’t go that year but as I often buy books from that bookshop, I was sent some of the online talks as a taster. But being there in person was a much better experience, even though some of the online talks were great. The St Andrews bookshop on the main high street is at the heart of the event. Attendees were enticed into the shop with the promise of a free tea or coffee in the hope of a purchase.

The Association of Christian Writers also had a stall to advertise themselves and attract members thinking about writing either for pleasure or publication. It was manned by an enthusiastic team of willing volunteers.

Festival goers can either buy a day ticket, a weekend ticket, or, like my husband and I (who booked late), just pay for the events you wish to attend. We each chose two events: we attended one together with author Michele Guiness discussing the legacy of being a member of the well-known Guiness brewing family; and I picked a talk on creativity by Al Gordon while my husband chose a session on reaching out to others by John Knox.

My choice was random. I like the idea of creativity and writing, but I didn’t know the speaker. He was Al Gordon, as in Alan for short, not AI, and was funny and engaging. He leads a church in a tough area of East London. His message was that we shouldn’t fear technology or AI taking away our creativity. Each of us is made with original thought, which machines can’t replicate because we are created in God’s image. Our creativity, in any form, can show people the beauty around them and bring healing and purpose to the world, in whatever form it takes. Inspiring!

I intend to read this book of his very soon. I certainly read the article about Al Gordon in Premier’s April Christianity magazine. Both the book and the article are recommended reading.