October 6, 2010 7pm

Seventeenth Century’s Quietist Spirituality of Madame Guyon Applies to

21^st Century’s Busy and Stressed Lives

The Rev. Dr. Nancy James, an expert on the life and writings of 17^th century mystic Madame Jeanne Guyon, will discuss her relevance to 21^st century’s stressful times at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church’s Art & Spirit Coffeehouse, 600 M Street, SW, on Wednesday, October 6 at 7 p.m.  The free evening includes coffee and desserts, followed by a Q&A with the audience.

James, an Episcopal priest, author of several books and articles, English language and writing instructor, DC Criminal justice advocate, professional musician (piano, organ and flute) is also proficient in classical Greek, Latin, French and German.  She initially wrote her dissertation about 17^th century mystic Madame Jeanne Guyon and Quietism, and has authored several books and papers on this little known mother of five, a 17^th century mystic who was the leader of the Quietist movement in France.

James explained, “Madame Guyon wrote her theology of pure love that asserts that God wants to enjoy with the divine in this life.  She wrote about spiritual development of those busy working in Louis XIV’s court at Versailles.  Her ideas have helped those in active lives learn to be spiritually aware in the midst of life’s demands.”

Titling her talk, “Spirituality for a Busy Life: the Pure Love of Madame Guyon,” James explains that Madame Guyon was a favorite in Louis XIV’s Court, but
her writings threatened the French Catholic hierarchy and she was eventually incarcerated for ten years in the Bastille and forced to write retractions of her beliefs. James said, “Madame Guyon influenced the Quakers and other Protestant denominations.” Initially, James sought console in Madam Guyon’s writings during a stressful, painful time as one of the first women priests in Virginia where she was harassed and threatened when she tried to introduce black people into her all-white congregation.

 

 

  Saint Augustine's Art & Spirit Coffeehouse series opens on the first Wednesday of each month to showcase local artists in their various media as they perform and share how their faith, art and social worldview intersect. Donations will be accepted to help provide honorariums for the guest artists.