Poetry and literature lovers can learn about the connection of famous writings to religion when St. Richard’s Episcopal Church in Winter Park next week holds its next Summoning the Divine sessions.

Led by session designer-facilitator Pamela Menke, the Summoning the Divine: “Walking the Path with Jesus and Kahlil Gibran” readings will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Monday, Feb. 26, and from 9:30 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 27, in the church’s Theological Library.

The Gibran reading packet can be picked up and reviewed in advance at the St. Richard’s church office or by emailing Menke at menkepamela@yahoo.com on the internet. The readings are open to the public.

Gibran, who was born in Bsharri in the Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate, Ottoman Empire (now Lebanon), is one of the top poets of all time. A writer, poet and visual artist, he is ranked third in the world in poems sold, trailing Shakespeare and Laozi.

Having been raised in a Maronite Catholic family, he moved to the U.S. when he was young and immersed himself in the study of art. He went on to literary fame, penning The Prophet in 1923 which consisted of philosophical essays in poetic English prose.