Dr. Aimee Wiest offers spiritual treasures in prose, poetry and drama

From 7 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 25, Dr. Aimee Wiest, a frequent speaker on literature and music, will guide participants through the spiritual gifts revealed by literary prose, poetry, and drama. Selections from each of these genres can provide ways for participants to find perspective on personal issues, professional challenges, community conflicts, and even world crises.

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 night, ending Sept. 1, presenters will engage participants in the parish hall of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, at 211 Mulberry St., Lewes. Fellowship and ice cream will follow. These free sessions are open to all and designed for reflection and dialogue.

An experienced and engaging speaker, Wiest holds a PhD in literature from the University of Maryland and teaches at several institutions, including the University of Maryland Baltimore Country and Delaware State University. Playing by ear musically since age 2 and performing for audiences since age 6, she’s also a regular speaker at St. Peter’s Spirituality Series and a member of numerous community committees.

In presenting ways that readers may find spiritual lessons in literature, Wiest cites William Wordsworth's antimaterialism in "The World is Too Much With Us." This poem is one of several literary pieces that will serve as a catalyst for philosophical and religious questioning. This in turn will be followed by a mental journey to the Romantic era and then to present times where even Madonna’s “material world” can be grasped in a different context. Occasionally provocative, always gentle, Wiest will leave participants reflecting on their lives and their world through the spiritual treasures of literature.

The public is welcome at this and all Summer Spirituality Series presentations.

For more information, visit www.stpeterslewes.org or call 302-645-8479 for St. Peter's. For Seekers, visit www.seekerslewes.com or call 302-645-9916. The Seekers ministry provides resources for spiritual growth, knowledge and inspiration for people of all faiths through the Seekers shop, located in St. Peter’s parish hall, and events such as this series. Net proceeds from the sale of mostly handcrafted and fair-trade spiritual gifts and books are donated to those in need.