When Dona Fisher started Change of Pace - a nondenominational Bible study for women - at what is now Four Seasons Golf Club in Hempfield, bellbottom pants were still in style. "It was in the early 1970s," recalled Dona, who added that her husband, Herb, had purchased the venue, where she decided to start the study in the banquet room. "I had 15 women the first morning, and it grew to over 100 (attendees)," noted Dona, who moved the study to the Hempfield United Methodist Church when Herb sold the property.

When the study outgrew the Methodist Church, Dona moved it to its present home at Lancaster Alliance Church, located at 210 Pitney Road Lancaster. It will be in that venue that the fall session of Change of Pace will offer two studies for women on Thursdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m., beginning on Sept. 28 and ending on Nov. 30, with no study on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23.

One of the studies will focus on the book of Amos. "Amos is an old man," said Dona, who first thought the study would not attract attendees. "Who is going to want to study the life of an old man?" she asked. But after engaging with the study by Jennifer Rothschild, Dona saw a connection with modern living. "When you read the book, you realize how negative this guy was," said Dona. "We hear so much that is negative (in the media)." Looking at the relationship between Amos and the present day, Dona recognized a timely lesson. "God taught Amos a few lessons about his negativity, and there's a beautiful ending about how he chose to follow God and live for Him," she explained. "I believe this is a good study for now."

Another class will utilize "Discerning the Voice of God" by Priscilla Shirer. Again, Dona honed in on current media and the difficulty of knowing what to believe. "There are false prophets and teachers around not speaking the truth," said Dona, "Unless we are taught to listen to the voice of God, we want to make our own minds up." When she recognized this struggle for women of faith, Dona saw an opportunity. "We need to come together and learn how to hear the voice of the Lord," she said. "Priscilla Shirer explains so well how to have a relationship with the Lord, (so) then you hear His voice. I think it will be well received," she said.

There is a nominal cost to attend each of the studies. Books will be available at the church on the first day of the study. Readers who would like to preregister may email copcbiblestudies@gmail.com.More information about the study may be found at https://changeofpacecentral.webs.com/. Individuals with specific questions may call 717-519-5220.