The life and times of the medieval woman mystic Julian of Norwich will be presented in a one woman drama “Julian” written by J. Janda and performed by actor and clergywoman Linda C. Loving at First & Franklin Presbyterian Church on Friday, October 2, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. as the first event of The Spire Series season. A Meet-the-Artist reception will follow this 90-minute performance.

Theologian, spiritual guide, author – Julian is the first known Englishwoman whose written work survives. She was born in 1342 and probably lived well into her seventies, surviving three outbreaks of the Plague, the Hundred Years’ War, the Peasant’s Revolt and the Great Western Schism. Julian’s life and writings offer a profound word of hope to the turmoil of our times as well. Julian is known for her wisdom, beautiful prose, thoughtful theology and expansive understanding of an inclusive, generous God.

Linda C. Loving has been performing the drama for over 25 years around the country and abroad. She has filmed the production in Julian’s church cell in Norwich, England and the DVD, which includes interviews with Julian scholars, is available at the website www.JulianOfNorwich.com. Ms. Loving received her B.A. in theater at the University of Michigan, and in the last few years has acted with several professional theatre companies in Milwaukee WI. Rev Loving received her Master of Divinity at McCormick Seminary and is an ordained Presbyterian pastor, having served congregations in Chicago, Oakland, St. Paul, Baltimore, Bozeman and Milwaukee. She is currently living in Santa Fe.

Julian is best known for her words “all shall be well and all will be well.” Her optimistic, joyful outlook grew out of visions she experienced during a desperate illness in her early thirties. In recent years scholarship about Julian has flourished and Ms. Loving observes “I am continually amazed at how this drama moves audiences in deep and unexpected ways. Julian is timeless in her inspiration.”