Religion and Science Weekend 2023

This year marks the 18th time that clergy members from a wide array of religions and from all portions of the globe are addressing the relationship between religion and science with their congregations. What makes this year’s event different from the preceding 17 annual events is that members of The Clergy Letter Project voted to rename the celebration. Rather than Evolution Weekend, members decided that Religion and Science Weekend was more appropriate given the numerous ways that religion and science positively intersect.

The theme selected for this year’s celebration is:

Mystery, Awe and Wonder in Religion and Science.

10 - 12 February 2023 -- Religion and Science Weekend

Religion and Science Weekend is an opportunity for serious discussion and reflection on the relationship between religion and science. The ongoing goal has been to elevate the quality of the discussion on this critical topic, and to show that religion and science are not adversaries. Rather, they look at the natural world from different perspectives and ask, and answer, different questions. At a time when religion is all-too-often being equated with fundamentalism and when we are in a deep and troubling period of science-denialism, it is of critical importance to engage this topic directly and substantively.

Religious people from many diverse faith traditions and locations around the world understand that the findings of science do not in any way threaten, demean, or diminish their faith in God. In fact, for many, the wonders of science often enhance and deepen their awe and gratitude towards God.

By taking this perspective, Clergy Letter Project participants demonstrate that when some define religion so narrowly that it is categorically opposed to any of the findings of science, it both demeans and diminishes religion. As members of The Clergy Letter Project have stated so often and so clearly, this narrow perspective is at odds with the broader conception of religion held by thousands upon thousands of religious leaders.

Our 2023 theme demonstrates not only the concordance of religion and science but also the excitement that can arise when we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Both religion and science can lead us to this place and when we arrive, we are able to reach beyond ourselves to others and help create a more welcoming environment. This is a large part of what both religion and science are all about. Both recognize that the world is filled with mysteries, mysteries that we might untangle if we explore carefully and creatively, and both recognize that we might be appropriately awed as we make our discoveries. Both religion and science entail a journey – a journey joyfully taken by the congregations listed below.

 

166 Congregations
representing 37 States and the District of Columbia
as well as 4 Countries participated in
Religion and Science Weekend 2023


Select a state to see its participants or simply scroll down.

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

The Fountains, a United Methodist Church
Fountain Hills, AZ
The Rev. David M. Felten, Pastor

Chalice Christian Church
Gilbert, AZ
The Rev. Vernon Meyer

Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Tucson, AZ
The Rev. Steve Keplinger, Rector

Arkansas

California

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Tuolumne County
Douglas Flats, CA
Tom Spiritbringer

Trinity Episcopal Church
Fillmore, CA
The Rev. Lawrence M. Brown, Rector

Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno
Fresno, CA
The Rev. Timothy Kutzmark

Unity in the Gold Country
Grass Valley, CA
The Rev. Jerry Farrell

Irvine United Congregational Church
Irvine, CA
The Rev. Sarah Halverson-Cano

Congregation B'nai Horin-Children of Freedom
Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi Stan Levy
Rabbi Laura Owens

Sinai Temple
Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi David Wolpe

Companions of the Abbey of Merton St. Ambrose
Martinez, CA
The Rev. Richard Mapplebeckpalmer

St. Timothy Lutheran Church
Monterey, CA
Pastor Clark M. Brown

Congregation Emanu El
Redlands, CA
Cantor Jennifer Bern-Vogel

Cross and Crown Lutheran Church and School
Rhonert Park, CA
Pastor Ted Peters

Public Theology
Rhonert Park, CA
Pastor Ted Peters

Temple Emanu-EL of San Diego
San Diego, CA
Rabbi Devorah Marcus

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo, CA
The Rev. Rod Richards

United Church of Christ
Simi Valley, CA
John Paton

Unitarian Universalists of Tuolumne County
Sonora, CA
John Kramer

Upland Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Upland, CA
The Rev. Clifford L. "Skip" Lindeman

Colorado

Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church
Denver, CO
Mark Meeks, Minister

First Congregatinal Church UCC
Grand Junction, CO
The Rev. Dr. Paul Ashby

Connecticut

Temple Beth El
Stamford,
Rabbi Joshua Hammerman

Delaware

Salem United Methodist Church
Newark, DE
The Rev. Robert P. Hall, Pastor

Silverside Church
Wilmington, DE
The Rev. Dr. David Albert Farmer, Pastor

Florida

One Island Family
Key West, FL
The Rev. Robert F. Murphy

Living Faith Fellowship
Miami, FL
The Rev. Priscilla Felisky Whitehead

Church of the Blessed Redeemer
Palm Bay, FL
The Rev. Brian W. Turner, Vicar

Georgia

Norcross Presbyterian Church
Norcross, GA
The Rev. Dr. Matthew M. Fry, Pastor / Head of Staff

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Champaign, IL
Susan Barreto

Grace Lutheran Church
Champaign, IL
The Rev. Chris Repp

St. John's Episcopal Church
Chicago, IL
The Rev. Kara Wagner Sherer, Rector
Bettina Daszczuk

The New Reform Congregation Kadima
Deerfield, IL
Rabbi David Oler

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL
The Rev. H. Scott Matheney, Chaplain and Dean of Religious Life

Friedens United Church of Christ
Hecker, IL
The Rev. Ivan Horn

Unitarian Church of Hinsdale
Hinsdale, IL
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Friedens United Church of Christ
Irvington, IL
The Rev. Stacy Tate

Marine United Church of Christ
Marine, IL
Pastor Phil Kershner

Retirement Center
Oak Park, IL
Carol Albright
John Albright

Indiana

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN
Cynthia Powers

Crooked Creek Baptist Church
Indianapolis, IN
Dr. James McGrath

Iowa

Trinity Las Americas United Methodist Church
Des Moines, IA
The Rev. Alejandro Alfaro-Santiz

Clarke University Campus Ministry
Dubuque, IA
Dr. Andrea Bixler
Sr. Kathleen Sinclair, Campus Minister

Windsor Heights Lutheran Church
Windsor Heights, IA
The Rev. Christopher Olkiewicz

Kansas

Kentucky

St. Luke's Episcopal Church
Anchorage, KY
The Rev. Mark R. Feather, Interim Rector

Unitarian Universalist Church of Bowling Green
Bowling Green, KY
Dr. Charles Barman

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
Crestview Hills, KY
The Rev. Barry S. Riehle

Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington
Lexington, KY
The Michael Dowd

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Owensboro
Owensboro, KY
The Rev. Dr. Claudia A. Ramisch

Louisiana

Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, LA
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Maine

Somesville Union Meeting House, UCC
Somesville, ME
The Rev. Bruce Burnham

St. Philip's Episcopal Church
Wiscasset, ME
Deacon Marcia Richardson

Maryland

WesleyNexus, Inc.
Baltimore-Washington UMC Annual Conference
Damascus, MD
The Rev. E. Maynard Moore, President

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick
Frederick, MD
The Rev. J. Carl Gregg, Pastor

Temple Isaiah
Fulton, MD
Rabbi Joanne Heiligman

St. Alban's Episcopal Church
Glen Burnie, MD
The Rev. Dr. Pamela G. Conrad

Massachusetts

St. Paul's Parish
Malden, MA
The Rev. William Graham

Grace Episcopal Church
Norwood, MA
The Rev. William Graham

Assumption University
Worcester, MA
The Rev. Dr. Gary R. Shahinian

Michigan

All Souls Community Church of West Michigan
A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Grand Rapids, MI
The Rev. Colleen Squires

Minnesota

Family of God Church ELCA and UCC
East Grand Forks, MN
The Rev. Gretchen Graf

Zion United Church of Christ
Le Sueur, MN
The Rev. Dr. Kent A. Meyer, Senior Pastor

Bet Shalom Congregation
Minnetonka, MN
Rabbi David Locketz

Mississippi

Missouri

Cape Girardeau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Cape Girardeau, MO
Allen Gathman

First Congregational Church, UCC
Webster Groves, MO
The Rev. David A. Denoon

Montana

Nebraska

Augustana Lutheran Church
Omaha, NE
Charles Austerberry

Nevada

New Hampshire

Unitarian Universalist Church of Franklin, NH
Franklin, NH
Vince Ribas

Meriden Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
Meriden, NH
The Rev. John Gregory-Davis, Co-Pastor
The Rev. Susan Gregory-Davis, Co-Pastor

Plymouth Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
Plymouth, NH
Dr. Larry Spencer

New Jersey

Blair Academy
Blairstown, NJ
The Rev. David Harvey

First Presbyterian Church/
Blairstown, NJ
The Rev. David Harvey

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
Collingswood, NJ
The Rev. Mark Chattin, Rector

The Jewish Community Center of Paramus / Congregation Beth Tikvah
Paramus, NJ
Rabbi Arthur Weiner


Pennington Presbyterian Church
Pennington, NJ
The Rev. Nancy Mikoski, Pastor

New Mexico

St. Chad’s Episcopal Church
Albuquerque, NM
Fr. Jeremiah C. Griffin, Rector

The United Church of Santa Fe
Santa Fe, NM
The Rev. Talitha Arnold, Senior Minister

New York

Roessleville Presbyterian Church
Albany, NY
The Rev. Dr. Joseph W. Shook

Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church
Binghamton, NY
Dr. Sandra D. Michael

Kehillath Shalom Synagogue
Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Rabbi Lina Zerbarini

Cornwall Presbyterian Church
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
The Rev. Jeffrey A. Geary

Unitarian Universalist Church of Cortland
Cortland, NY
The Rev. Darcey Laine

Jewish Center & Federation of the Twin Tiers
Elmira, NY
Paul Solyn

The Park Church
Congregational, United Church of Christ
Elmira, NY
The Rev. J. Gary Brinn

Metropolitan Community Church
New York, NY
Bishop Pat Bumgardner

Rutgers Presbyterian Church in the City of New York
New York, NY
The Rev. Andrew Stehlik

Sinai and Synapses
New York, NY
Rabbi Geoff Mitelman

Community Church of the Pelhams, United Church of Christ
Pelham, NY
The Rev. Dr. Noel D. Vanek, Pastor

Poplar Ridge Friends Meeting
Poplar Ridge, NY
Howard Nelson

Heart on the Left
Wappingers Falls, NY
Dr. Tony Mitchell

West Bloomfield United Church of Christ
West Bloomfield, NY
The Rev. Corey Keyes

North Carolina

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Chapel Hill, NC
The Rev. Will Rose

Eutaw United Church of Christ
Fayetteville, NC
The Rev. Dr. David Nikkel

Congregation Bayt Shalom
Greenville, NC
Rabbi Harley Karz-Wagman

The Beloved Community United Methodist Church
High Point, NC
The Rev. Clarinda Crawford

Hillsborough United Church of Christ
Hillsborough, NC
Jay Kennett, Pastor

Eden United Methodist Church
Madison, NC
The Rev. Dr. Charles Lee Hutchens

Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church
Madison, NC
The Rev. Dr. Charles Lee Hutchens

Temple Beth Or
Raleigh, NC
Rabbi Lucy Dinner

Umstead Park United Church of Christ
Raleigh, NC
The Rev. Douglas S. Long

North Dakota

Family of God Church ELCA and UCC
Grand Forks, ND
The Rev. Gretchen Graf

Ohio

The Burkhart Center
First Community Church
Columbus, OH
The Rev. David Hett, Spiritual Director

Christ Episcopal Church
Dayton, OH
The Rev. Peter Homeyer
Dr. J. Michael Clinch

Living Beatitudes Community
Dayton, OH
The Rev. Dr. Tom Cruse

David's United Church of Christ
Kettering, OH
The Rev. Dr. Brian Q. Newcomb

All Shepherds Lutheran Church
Lewis Center, OH
Pastor Glen Bengson

Ebenezer United Methodist Church
McConnelsville, OH
The Rev. Walter A. Jones, Pastor

Oberlin Friends Meeting
Oberlin, OH
Brother David Finke

Congregation Kol HaLev
Pepper Pike, OH
Rabbi Steve Segar
Barb Truitt

St. Mark Lutheran Church
Tallmadge, OH
The Rev. George L. Murphy

Oklahoma

Unity Church of Christianity
Tulsa, OK
The Rev. Mary Anne Harris

Oregon

Beavercreek United Church of Christ
Beavercreek, OR
Pastor Jennifer Seaich

St. Stephen Episcopal Church
Newport, OR
The Rev. Dr. Judith Jones, Vicar
Dr. Brian Jones

Cedar Hills United Church of Christ
Portland, OR
The Rev. Mary Sue Evers
JJ Crow
Giuseppe Amato
Faith Formation Director Amy Norden

St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church
Portland, OR
Steve Norcross

St. James Episcopal Church
Tigard, OR
The Rev. Stephen Whitney-Wise

St. Luke by the Sea Episcopal Church
Waldport, OR
The Rev. Dr. Judith Jones, Vicar
Dr. Brian Jones

Pennsylvania

Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley
Allenentown, PA
The Rev. Larry Smith

Upper Dublin Lutheran Church
Ambler, PA
The Rev. Dr. Nelson Rivera

Unitarian Universalist Church of Athens and Sheshequin
Athens, PA
The Rev. Darcey Laine

St. Luke United Methodist Church
Bryn Mawr, PA
The Rev. David Tatgenhorst

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie
Erie, PA
The Rev. Michael Dowd

St. Johnn’s Episcopal Church
Franklin, PA
The Rev. Shawn J. Clerkin, A.O.J.N.
Vicar

Unitarian Universalist Church of Gettyburg
Gettyburg, PA
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Unitarian Church of Harrisburg
Harrisburg, PA
The The Rev. David M. Kohlmeier

First Unitarian Universalist Church of Indiana, PA
Indiana, PA
Sara Steelman, Worship Service Coordinator

East Suburban Unitarian Universalist Church of Murrysville
Murrysville, PA
The Rev. Michael Dowd

The United Church of Schellsburg
United Church of Christ
Schellsburg, PA
The Rev. Dr. Ruth Shaver

First United Church of Christ
Schuylkill Haven, PA
The Rev. Shawn D. Van Dyke

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Wyoming Valley
Wyoming, PA
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Rhode Island

Lime Rock Baptist Church
Lincoln, RI
The Rev. Eugene T. Dyszlewski

South Carolina

Circular Congregational Church
Charleston, SC
The Rev. Jeremy Rutledge

University Lutheran Church
Clemson, SC
The Rev. Bruce Booher
The Rev. Jon Heiliger

South Dakota

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Brookings, SD
Fr. Larry V. Ort

Tennessee

First Presbyterian Church
Elizabethton, TN
The Rev. Dr. Brian C. Wyatt, Pastor

Messiah Lutheran Church
Knoxville, TN
Dr. Gordon Burghardt

Network for Environmental & Economic Rsponsibility
United Church of Christ
Pleasant Hill, TN
Donald B. Clark

Pleasant Hill Community Church
United Church of Christ
Pleasant Hill, TN
Donald B. Clark

Texas

Center for Inquiry
Austin, TX
Steve Bratteng

Jackson Woods Presbyterian Church
Corpus Christi, TX
The Rev. Charles Walden, Pastor

Temple Beth-El
Fort Worth, TX
Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger

UU Church of the Hill Country
Kerrville, TX
The Rev. Phil Schulman

Temple Beth Emeth
Sherman, TX
Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger

Creative Life Spiritual Center
A Religious Science Community
Spring, TX
The Rev. Dr. Jesse G. Jennings

Holy Comforter Episcopal Church
Spring, TX
Deacon Bob Lowry

Baptist Church
Waco, TX
Dr. Gerald B. Cleaver

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Theophilus
Temple Israel
Norfolk, VA
Rabbi Michael Panitz

Washington

Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship
Bellingham, WA
The Rev. Paul Beckel, Minister

Metaline Falls Congregational United Church of Christ
Metaline Falls, WA
The Rev. Tara Leininger

Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Orcas Island, WA
Father Berto Gándara Perea

Broadview Community United Church of Christ
Seattle, WA
The Rev. Gary Southerton

University Congregation UCC
Seattle, WA
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Washington, DC

Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church
Washington, DC
The Rev. E. Maynard Moore

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI
Dr. Wil Taylor

Pilgrim United Church of Christ
Fond du Lac, WI
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Peace United Church of Christ
Kewaskum, WI
The Rev. Eric Kirkegaard

First Congregational Church, UCC
Sheboygan, WI
The Rev. James Hollister

Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church
Stevens Point, WI
The Rev. Susan Gilbert Zencka

Camillus Jesuit Residence
Wauwatosa, WI
The Rev. Joseph A. Bracken, S.J.

Wyoming


International Partners

Australia

rexaehuntprogressive.com
Canberra, ACT, Australia
The Rev. Rex A. E. Hunt

Canada

Canadian Association for Club of Rome
Ottawa, ON, Canada
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Unitarian Fellowship of Sarnia and Port Huron
Sarnia, ON, Canada
Allan McKeown

Saskatoon Unitarians
Saskatoon, SK, Canada
The Rev. Karen Fraser Gitlitz

England

Memorial Church (Unitarian)
Cambridge, England
Andrew J. Brown, Minister

Fulwood Old Chapel
Fulwood, Sheffield, England
Karen Allison, Chair of Chapel Committee

The Malvern Festival of Ideas
Malvern, England
Andrew Webb

Underbank Unitarian Chapel
Stannington, Sheffield, England
Karen Allison, Chair of Chapel Committee


Due to scheduling difficulties, some participating congregations will be holding
their events close to the weekend of 10 - 12 February 2023 but not on that weekend.