2018 Evolution Weekend

This year marks the 13th annual Evolution Weekend. While all participating congregations will address the relationship between religion and science, many will focus their attention on the theme selected for this year: Our Shared Humanity.

9 - 11 February 2018 -- Evolution Weekend

Evolution 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 quite different perspectives and ask, and answer, different questions.

Religious people from many diverse faith traditions and locations around the world understand that evolution is quite simply sound science; and for them, it does 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 evolutionary ideas, or 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.

This year, those congregations opting to embrace our theme, Our Shared Humanity, will demonstrate how religion and science, each working through their specific lens, have come to the same conclusion: racial divisions are neither meaningful nor productive. Religion teaches us that we are of one familly and that we need to care for each other while evolutionary biology and genetics teaches us that race is a human rather than a natural construct. As members of a single species, we can move past the superficial differences that have divided us and create a healthier, more equitable environment for all.

Through sermons, discussion groups, meaningful conversations and seminars, the leaders listed below show that religion and science are not adversaries. 

To examine some of the sermons members of The Clergy Letter Project have delivered on this topic, to find scientific consultants willing to help answer questions or to read media reports about our activities, please explore our web pages. Similarly, if you want to examine some liturgical resources created and recommended by Clergy Letter Project members for Evolution Weekend, click here.

Whatever way participants choose to celebrate Evolution Weekend, their activities demonstrate, as do The Clergy Letters themselves, which have now been signed by more than 15,000 members of the clergy in the United States, that those claiming that people must choose between religion and science are creating a false dichotomy.

213 Congregations
representing 43 States and the District of Columbia
as well as 5 Countries participated in
Evolution Weekend 2018

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

Alabama

Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville
Huntsville, AL
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Unity Church on the Mountain
Huntsville, AL
The Rev. Carol Landry

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Montgomery
Montgomery, AL
The Rev. Lynn Hopkins

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, AL
The Rev. Fred L Hammond

Alaska

Arizona

Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church of the Verde Valley, ELCA
Clarkdale, AZ
The. Rev. Ed Womack
The Rev. Stephanie Johnson

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

Church of the Beatitudes
Phoenix, AZ
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Via De Cristo Faith Community
Scottsdale, AZ
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Dayspring United Methodist Church
Tempe, AZ
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Temple Emanuel of Tempe
Tempe, AZ
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Arkansas

All Saints' Episcopal Church
Bentonville, AR
The Rev. Sara Milford

California

Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Bayside, CA
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Congregational Church of Belmont
Belmont, CA
The Rev. Kristi Denham

Fairview Community Church
Costa Mesa, CA
The Rev. Sarah Halverson-Cano

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

Shepherd of the Hills Church UCC / DOC
Laguna Niguel, CA
The Rev. Donna Lindsey

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

Sinai Temple
Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi David Wolpe

Monte Vista UU Congregation
Montclair, CA
The Rev. Susan Manker

The Church of Gnosis (Ecclesia Gnostica Mysteriorum)
Redwood City, CA
The Most Rev. Rosamonde Miller, Presiding Bishop

Big Love Spiritual Community
San Diego, CA
The Rev. Steve Maynard

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

Unity Church of San Leandro
San Leandro, CA
The Rev. Diana McDaniel

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

St. Peter's Episcopal Church
San Pedro, CA
The Rev. Jeanette Repp, Rector

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin
San Rafael, CA
The Rev. Joy Atkinson, Minister

Trinity Presbyterian Church, PC(USA)
Santa Cruz, CA
The Rev. Dr. Darrell W. Yeaney

First Presbyterian Church of Upland
Upland, CA
Pastor Noel Anderson

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Visalia
Visalia, CA
The Rev. Kathleen Scott
Harold Wood

Colorado

Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church
Denver, CO
Mark Meeks, Minister

Green Mountain United Methodist Church
Lakewood, CO
Stephen Walden, Program Director

Prairie Unitarian Universalist Church
Parker, CO
The Rev. Jann Halloran, Minister

King of Kings Lutheran Church (ELCA)
Pueblo, CO
The Rev. Dirk R. Stadtlander

Connecticut

St. Peter's Episcopal Church
Monroe, CT
The Rev. Kurt J. Huber

Simsbury United Methodist Church
Simsbury, CT
The Rev. Woody Eddins

Gishrei Shalom Jewish Congregation
Southington, CT
Rabbi Shelley Kovar Becker

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

Peace Presbyterian Church
Bradenton, FL
The Rev. William R. Clough

Unity Church of Clearwater
Clearwater, FL
The Rev. Leddy Hammock

St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church
Hudson, FL
The Rev. Joe Reggin

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

Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota
Sarasota, FL
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Unitarian Universalist Church
Tarpon Springs, FL
The Rev. Robert Francis Murphy

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Emerald Coast
Valparaiso, FL
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Georgia

Emerson Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Marietta, GA
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Georgia College & State University
Milledgeville, GA
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Sandy Springs
Sandy Springs, GA
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Hawaii

Temple Emanu-El
Honolulu, HI
Dr. Dave Haymer

Idaho

Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse
Moscow, ID
The Rev. Elizabeth Stevens

Illinois

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington
Bloomington, IL
The Rev. Ellen Culpepper

Compassion United Methodist Church
Brookfield, IL
The Rev. Beth Galbreath, UMC Deacon

Lutheran Church of the Master
Carol Stream, IL
The Rev. Stephen H. Swanson

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

Second Unitarian Church of Chicago
Chicago, IL
The Rev. Jennie Barrington, Interim Minister

The New Reform Congregation Kadima
Deerfield, IL
Rabbi David Oler

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

DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church
Naperville, IL
The Rev. Michael Dowd

North Central College
Koten Chapel
Naperville, IL
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Pilgrim Congregational Church
Oak Park, IL
The Rev. Sally Iberg, Senior Pastor

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Oak Park, IL
The Rev. Alan C. Taylor, Senior Minister

First Presbyterian Church
Urbana, IL
The Rev. David Oliver-Holder, Pastor/Head of Staff

St. Paul Lutheran Church
Wheaton, IL
The Rev. Jared Olson

Indiana

First United Church Bloomington (ABC/UCC)
Bloomington, IN
The Rev. Dr. Jack E. Skiles

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN
The Rev. Bruce R. Russell-Jayne

Kingston Presbyterian Church
Greensburg, IN
David J. Crowley, Pastor

Springhill Presbyterian Church
Greensburg, IN
David J. Crowley, Pastor

Crooked Creek Baptist Church
Indianapolis, IN
Dr. James McGrath

Grace Unlimited
Indianapolis Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry
Indianapolis, IN
The Rev. Dr. Charles W. Allen, Chaplain

First Unitarian Church of South Bend
South Bend, IN
Chip Roush, Pastor

Iowa

Clarke University Campus Ministry
Dubuque, IA
Dr. Andrea Bixler
Hunter Darrouzet, Campus Minister

Kansas

First Presbyterian Church
Lawrence, KS
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Plymouth Congregational Church (UCC)
Lawrence, KS
The Rev. Peter Luckey, Senior Pastor

UU Fellowship of Manhattan
Manhattan, KS
The Rev. Jonalu Johnstone

Unity Church of Christianity
Topeka, KS
The Rev. Michael Jamison

Kentucky

Unitarian Universalist Church
Bowling Green, KY
The Rev. Dr. Claudene F. Oliva, Affiliate Minister

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

Louisiana

Maine

First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
East Millinocket, ME
The Rev. Dr. Bruce P. Burnham

Maryland

St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church
Baltimore, MD
Alex Storrs

Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation
Bethesda, MD
Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb

Catonsville Presbyterian Church
Catonsville, MD
The Rev. Dorothy Boulton

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

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

Massachusetts

Holy Trinity Parish
(Roman Catholic)
Lowell, MA
The Rev. Robert J. Carr

Congregational Church of Mansfield
A United Church of Christ Congregation
Mansfield, MA
The Rev. Ted Newcomb

Quincy Community United Methodist Church
Quincy, MA
The Rev. Dr. Susan F. Jarek-Glidden, Pastor

Temple Shir Tikva
Wayland, MA
Rabbi Douglas Kohn

St. John’s Episcopal Church
Westwood, MA
The Rev. Jennifer Phillips

Park Congregational Church
Worcester, MA
The Rev. Dr. Gary Shahinian

Michigan

St. Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church
Ann Arbor, MI
The Rev. James C. Rhodenhiser, Rector

Community Unitarian Universalists in Brighton
Brighton, MI
The Rev. Michael Dowd

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

Temple Beth Sholom
Ishpeming, MI
President Constance Arnold

Red Cedar Friends Meeting
Lansing, MI
Robert T. Pennock

People's Church UU
Ludington, MI
The Rev. Michael Dowd

UU Fellowship of Midland
Midland, MI
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Minnesota

Presbyterian Church of the Apostles
Burnsville, MN
The Rev. Gwin Pratt, Pastor

Duluth Congregational Church
Duluth, MN
The Rev. Jennifer Amy-Dressler

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

First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis
Minneapolis, MN
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
Minneapolis, MN
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Mount Zion Temple
St. Paul, MN
Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker

Mississippi

Missouri

Cape Girardeau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Cape Girardeau, MO
Allen Gathman

Columbia Friends Meeting
Columbia, MO

All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church
Kansas City, MO
The Rev. Michael Dowd

CRES (Center for Religious Experience and Study)
Kansas City, MO
Vern Barnet

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

Montana

Red Lodge Community United Church of Christ
Red Lodge, MT
The Rev. David W. Munson

Nebraska

Augustana Lutheran Church
Omaha, NE
The Rev. Jan Peterson, Pastor
The Rev. Josh Evans, Vicar

Presbyterian Church of the Master
Omaha, NE
The Rev. Robert A. Keefer

Nevada

The Blue Mountain Lotus Society
Henderson, NV
The Rev. Pat Chapin

New Hampshire

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Franklin
Franklin, NH
Vince Ribas

First Congregational Church, UCC
Haverhill, NH
The Rev. Rebecca Larson, Interim Minister

Lancaster Congregational United Church of Christ
Lancaster, NH
The Rev. Sharon van der Laan

Meriden Congregational Church, UCC
Meriden, NH
The Rev. John Gregory-Davis, Co-Pastor
The Rev. Susan Gregory-Davis, Co-Pastor

New Jersey

Temple Sholom
Bridgewater, NJ
Rabbi Dan Selsberg

Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill
Cherry Hill, NJ
The Rev. Larry Smith

St. John's Episcopal Church
Montclair, NJ
The Rev. Candace Sandfort, Rector

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

Temple Avodat Shalom
River Edge, NJ
Rabbi Paul Jacobson

New Mexico

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

New York

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

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

Pembroke Community Church
Corfu, NY
The Rev. Barbara Hulsing

Jewish Center & Federation of the Twin Tiers / Congregation Kol Ami
Elmira, NY
The Rev. Geoff Mitelman
Paul Solyn

Metropolitan Community Church
New York, NY
The Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Pastor

Sinai and Synapses
New York, NY
Rabbi Geoff Mitelman

Poplar Ridge Friends Meeting
Poplar Ridge, NY
Howard Nelson, Clerk

First Congregational Church - United Church of Christ
Poughkeepsie, NY
The Rev. Heather Moody

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

The Lifelong Learning Institute
Duke University
Durham, NC
The Rev. Mark Rutledge

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

Congregation Bayt Shalom
Greenville, NC
Rabbi Harley Karz-Wagman

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

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

Shallotte Presbyterian Church PC(USA)
Shallotte, NC
The Rev. John N. Causey

North Dakota

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Grand Forks, ND
The Rev. Dr. James Michael Shannon, Rector

Montpelier Lutheran Church
Montpelier, ND
Kerry Boese, Pastor

Ohio

Heritage Unitarian Universalist Church
Cincinnati, OH
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Imago Earth Center
Cincinnati, OH
The Rev. Michael Dowd

First Community Church
Columbus, OH
The Rev. Dr. Richard Wing, Senior Minister
The Rev. David Hett,
Minister of Religious Life & Learning

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

All Shepherds Lutheran Church
Lewis Center, OH
Pastor Glen Bengson

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

Oberlin Friends Meeting
Oberlin, OH
Brother David Finke

Rocky River Presbyterian Church
Rocky River, OH
The Rev. Jon M. Fancher

Trinity United Church of Christ
Wooster, OH
The Rev. Dr. Kevan S. Franklin

Oklahoma

Cameron Campus Ministry
Lawton, OK
The Rev. Galeda M. Jones
The Rev. Montie D. Jones

Westminster Presbyterian Church of Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, OK
The Rev. Dr. Paul J. Kirbas

All Souls Unitarian Church
Tulsa, OK
The Rev. Michael Dowd

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

Oregon

Southminster Presbyterian Church
Beaverton, OR
The Rev. John Shuck
Warren W. Aney

First Presbyterian Church
Central Point, OR
The Rev. Terry Graunke

Gold Hill United Methodist Church
Gold Hill, OR
The Rev. Terry Graunke

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Grants Pass
Grants Pass, OR
The Rev. Margaret Keip

Christ United Methodist Church
Portland, OR
The Rev. Brett Strobel

West Hills Friends
Portland, OR
Mike Huber

Pennsylvania

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

First Presbyterian Church in Springfield
Flourtown, PA
The Rev. Kevin Ireland

The Blue Mountain Lotus Society
Harrisburg, PA
The Rev. Anthony Stultz

First Unitarian Universalist Church of Indiana, PA
Indiana, PA
The Rev. Joan Sabatino
Sara Steelman, Worship Service Coordinator

House of Meditation
Lancaster, PA
The Rev. Frank Tunis

Susquehanna Ceremonies
Lancaster, PA
The Rev. Reenie Panzini

The Blue Mountain Lotus Society
Mechanicsburg, PA
The Rev. Brooke Wiley

West Sunbury United Presbyterian Church
West Sunbury, PA
The Rev. Jeffrey Lang

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Circular Congregational Church
Charleston, SC
The Rev. Jeremy Rutledge

The Unitarian Church in Charleston
Charleston, SC
The Rev. Danny Reed
Hillary Hutchinson

St. Hubert in the Fields
Pritchardville, SC
The Rev. Canon Richard P. McDonnell

South Dakota

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

Custer County Library
Custer, SD
The Rev. Arley K. Fadness

Tennessee

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

Messiah Lutheran Church
Knoxville, TN
Dr. Gordon Burghardt

Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Nashville, TN
The Rev. Carmen Emerson

Cumberland Countians for Peace & Justice
Pleasant Hill, TN
Donald B. Clark

Pleasant Hill Community Church
Pleasant Hill, TN
The Rev. Glenna Shepherd
Donald B. Clark

Texas

Unity in the Heart of Austin
Austin, TX
The Rev. Michael Dowd

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

First Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)
Elgin, TX
The Rev. Amy Meyer, Pastor

Beth-El Congregation
Fort Worth, TX
Rabbi Emeritus Ralph Mecklenburger

Congregation Beth Yeshurun
Houston, TX
Rabbi Steven Morgen

Covenant Church: An Ecumenical, Liberal, Baptist Congregation/Alliance of Baptists
Houston, TX
The Rev. Laura Mayo

St. Paul's United Methodist Church
Houston, TX
The Rev. Michael Dowd

MacArthur Park Lutheran Church
San Antonio, TX
The Rev. Paul Ziese

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

Baptist Church
Waco, TX
Dr. Gerald B. Cleaver

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

St Luke's Episcopal Church
Blackstone, VA
The Rev. Dr. John Maxwell Kerr, Bishop's Vicar

Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church
Burke, VA
The Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, Senior Minister

UU Senior Scholars
Forest Public Library
Forest, VA
Don Manning

Squires Memorial Presbyterian Church
Norfolk, VA
Alfred McCall, Pastor

St. James Episcopal Church
Roanoke, VA
The Rev. Susan E. Bentley
Dr. Michael L. Bentley

Trinity Episcopal Church
Staunton, VA
The Rev. Dr. Paul Nancarrow

Washington

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

Temple Beth Hatfiloh
Olympia, WA
Rabbi Seth Goldstein

Richmond Beach Congregatinal UCC
Shoreline, WA
The Rev. Dr. Paul Ashby

First Congregational Church (UCC) of Walla Walla
Walla Walla, WA
The Rev. Nathaniel Mahlberg

Washington, DC

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

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Appleton, WI
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Advent Lutheran Church
Cedarburg, WI
The Rev. Dr. Janis Kinens

Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Eau Claire, WI
Wil Taylor

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

First Presbyterian Church
Marshfield, WI
The Rev. Michael Dowd

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI
Dr. Kathleen Corley

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

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

Wyoming

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laramie
Laramie, WY
The Rev. Jacqueline Ziegler

International Partners


Australia

Emanuel Synagogue
Sydney, NSW, Australia
Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins

Canada

All Saints Anglican Church
Peterborough, ON, Canada
The Rev. Geoffrey Howson

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

England

Kennsington Unitarians at Essex Unitarian Church
London, England
The Rev. Sarah Tinker

Holly Mount United Reformed Church
Malvern, England
Andrew Webb

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

Italy

New Zealand

Philippines

Scotland

United Reformed Church
Greenock West, Scotland
The Rev. David Coleman


Due to scheduling difficulties, some participating congregations will be holding
their events close to the weekend of 9 -11 February 2018 but not on that weekend.