Change in beliefs is topic for St. Peter’s spirituality series Aug. 11

The Rev. Larry Hofer will speak on God and the World of a 747 Pilot as part of the Summer Spirituality Series at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Lewes, at 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 11. The presentation will be in the parish hall, 221 Mulberry St.

"The title is about change, and the dramatic change I like to begin with is the way airline pilots perceive the world around them," Hofer says. "Today's pilot uses dials, gauges, indicators, lights and meters to monitor the status of a plane. This is a far cry from the way the World War I flying ace received his information: he looked down and oriented himself by direct observation of the ground." The associate priest at St. Peter's will respond to questions such as: Is there such a change going on in the life of faith? Has the understanding of scripture and belief changed in the last 50 years?

"The world of biblical studies has caused us to rethink many long-accepted interpretations of the Bible," he says. "We will explore a few of these developments, asking what they mean for us and the world of a 747 pilot." A graduate of Kenyon College and Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Hofer has a certificate in Anglican studies from General Theological Seminary in New York City. He served parishes in Harrisburg and Reading, Pa., and was most recently at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, State College, Pa., where he was rector for 14 years. He and his wife Susan live in Lewes.

A week later, on Aug. 18, Dr. Aimee Wiest, a part-time professor of literature at Delaware State University, will speak about how nature verses in the Bible can be applied to American life. For more information and a list of speakers until the program's conclusion Sept. 2, go to www.stpeterslewes.org.