Julian of Norwich – a Study Day with Joyce Simpson*

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED

‘within listening distance of the silence we call God’

Tutor: Joyce Simpson

‘What seek ye?’ or ‘What do you want?’ are the first words Jesus utters in St John’s Gospel.  Julian’s reply is direct and firm: ‘God of your goodness give me yourself’.  How does Julian, an anchorite in 14th century Norwich, challenge and support pilgrims in the 21st century?  Just as from the window of her cell Julian gave comfort and counsel to the burdened and perplexed, so many have found that to spend time in the company of her book, The Revelations of Divine Love, is to find strength for the journey through life.

Joyce Simpson, retired Head of Humanities at Leeds Trinity University, for many years taught medieval literature to undergraduates, and has a particular interest in Julian of Norwich, whose world like ours today was marked by civic conflict, insecurity and rapid change.  We will examine both Julian’s writings and her contemporary context in a quest to discover for ourselves the truth of her insight that ‘Love was his meaning’.

Arrival at 10 am for Holy Communion at 10.15 am.  The price includes coffee, lunch, afternoon tea and evening meal.

*There is the option to stay overnight on 11 May, subject to availability.