From Sir With Love

In 20 years of Religious Education teaching, there seems to be little ground we did not visit, although I suppose there must be an acre or so of it really … And most of it came from people’s questions, such as these below: all asked in the classroom, many of them often, and most of them explored in this book:

• Does God really exist?
• Why do bad things happen if God loves us all?
• How do we know the story of Jesus is true?
• Do science and religious beliefs ever meet?
• Can Christians believe in any other religion as well as Christianity?
• Is the Bible true?
• What is love?
• When did religion start?
• Can you experience love at 15?
• Why does everything go wrong when you’re late?
• Where do you get your ties?

From Sir, With Love: Glimpses Through a Classroom Window is the personal memoir of Ken Edgecombe, a teacher of 21 years’ teaching Religious Education in a private girls’ school in Wellington, New Zealand.

Ken reflects on the many questions he encountered from enquiring young minds and on their reactions to the topics that they met.

Endorsements
“Every generation worries about the values and beliefs of the next. From his experience at a private girls’ school, Ken Edgecombe gives us a fascinating glimpse of how young people view — and experience — faith.”
Philip Yancey, American writer and former editor-at-large for Christianity Today

“If this book’s effect is anything like Mr Edgecombe’s classes or assemblies, you will not only come away from reading it entertained and intellectually stimulated, but also with a new drive to become a better person. Which is the effect Mr Edgecombe has had on myself and the majority of Queen Margaret College students.”
Erinn Aspell, Queen Margaret College Head Girl, 2021

“… A great record of education and learning and of a faith in practice. And of a teacher’s journey.”
Michael Keith, Wellington writer and editor

“… Jam-packed with colour and literary appeal and wonderful wisdom coming through in every paragraph. … full of quite profound insights into Christian communication to audiences of varied backgrounds, as well as being thoroughly entertaining.”
Tom Slater, former National Director of the Australian Evangelical Alliance

“… Whimsical style and understated quips had me hooked … I would enthusiastically recommend the book …”  
Peter Lineham MNZM,  Professor Emeritus of History, Massey University

“I listened happily in many Chaplain’s Assemblies, one of approximately 700 people present who felt like Ken was talking just with them. The chapters of this book give me the same feeling that the two of us are engaged in conversation, and showcase Ken’s profound skill as a storyteller.”
Jacqui Brown, Principal, New Plymouth Girls’ High School