The Wesley Foundation at UVA is thrilled to announce Amy Laura Hall, Associate Professor of Christian Ethics at Duke University Divinity School, as our 2019 McDonald Lecture guest March 20-24th. Author of Laughing at the Devil: Seeing the World with Julian of Norwich, Amy Laura Hall invites you to see the world with a medieval visionary now known as Julian of Norwich, believed to be the first woman to have written a book in English. Julian “saw our Lord scorn [the Devil’s] wickedness” and noted that “he wants us to do the same.” In this impassioned, analytic, and irreverent book, Amy Laura Hall emphasizes Julian’s call to scorn the Devil. Julian of Norwich envisioned courage during a time of fear. Laughing at the Devil describes how a courageous woman transformed a setting of dread into hope, solidarity, and resistance.
Join us for one or more of events during her visit (3/20 at 2pm and 6pm, 3/21 at 4pm, 3/22 at 12pm), which is offered in partnership with the Virginia Festival of the Book and many other ministries and UVA groups, departments, and organizations.
Wed 3/20, 6-7pm @ Wesley Foundation: Dinner and conversation with Wesley students & friends: “What may a medieval, Catholic, woman visionary teach students about holiness today?”
Thurs 3/21, 4-5:30pm @ Harrison Institute (Small Special Collections)
Festival of the Book Event: “Laughing at the Devil—An Invitation to Look at Evil Through the Eyes of a Medieval Visionary”
Amy Laura Hall will give a short reading from her book, along with a few introductory remarks/questions, then opening up to a panel conversation. Book signing at the end.
Parking at Wesley Foundation/Wesley Memorial; 5 minute walk to Harrison.
Fri 3/22, 12 noon – 1pm @ The Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center
“Twenty Years as a Feminist at Duke or How I Learned to Laugh at the Devil”: Lunch and Conversation with Amy Laura Hall
Lunch at the Women’s Center: This event is geared towards students specifically, a short talk over lunch, including discussion.
Park at Wesley Memorial/Wesley Foundation; 10-15 minute walk to the Women’s Center.
Sun 3/24, 11am @ Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church
Amy Laura Hall will join us for the 11 AM service at Wesley Memorial UMC. She will be preaching this Sunday, so come out and show her some support!