The Rev. E. Perren Hayes to give talk on early Christianity

The Rev. E. Perren Hayes, a well-known Episcopal priest in this area and a scholar of early Christianity, will present “Cliff Notes on Early Christianity,” at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 7, as part of the St. Peter’s/Seekers Summer Spirituality Series.

Hayes will discuss the time until about 325 AD, when the Nicene Creed was commenced and Constantine made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. This is the period of the greatest growth of Christianity ever; many modern scholars think this is a period modern Christians should study.

Hayes stresses that the meaning of the New Testament depends upon the Old Testament, which was the only Bible the early Christians had. The first Christians were either Jews or pagans who worshiped in Jewish synagogues throughout the Roman Empire. They learned to understand the Old Testament in a new manner and saw that it led to a new outlook on all aspects of community life and living. “We need to learn how to think like pre-resurrection Jews,” says Hayes. He plans to discuss the meaning of such ordinary words as God, creation, life, death, sin, redeem-save, sacrifice, resurrection, ascension, spirit, baptism and everlasting life.

Hayes is a product of the public education system in Albany, N.Y., and a graduate of Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., and the General Theological Seminary in New York. Ordained in 1955, he transferred to the Diocese of New York in 1956. He was active in all aspects of Christian education, as well as in the monumental movements that energized all Christians throughout the 1950s into most of the 1970s. The Benedictine foundations of the Church of England are a strong part of the modern Episcopal Church, and Hayes was active in this as well, especially in the interpretation of plain chant music.

In the 1970s through the early 1990s, Hayes supported himself with various secular works and provided poor congregations with the services of a priest. He and his wife Gerry also raised and showed six generations of St. Bernard dogs and three of Irish water spaniels.

Invoking a deeply held belief, Hayes’ emails always are signed with these words: “There is nothing you can do that will ever make God stop loving you.”

This presentation is part of the Summer Spirituality Series cosponsored by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and Seekers, Spiritual Treasures at St. Peter’s Square. Each Thursday evening until Sept. 1, expert presenters will engage participants from 7 to about 8:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall of St. Peter’s Church, 211 Mulberry St. in Lewes. Fellowship and ice cream will follow. The sessions are free and open to all. They are designed for reflection and dialogue.