2022 Evolution Weekend

This year marks the 17th 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:  The Pandemic, Climate Change and Evolution:  How Religion and Science, Working Together, Can Advance Our Understanding.

11 - 13 February 2022 -- 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, 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, The Pandemic, Climate Change and Evolution:  How Religion and Science, Working Together, Can Advance Our Understanding, will demonstrate how religion and science, each working through their specific lens, can help shape public dialogue and understanding.  At a time when we’ve been unable to put the pandemic behind us and as a growing percentage of the population is recognizing the crisis, both environmental and social, that stems from global climate change, members of The Clergy Letter Project have decided that it is time to act.  Both religious teaching and scientific teaching lead us to the same conclusion:  following the science about the pandemic and climate change is imperative if we are to care for our fellow humans and serve as responsible stewards for the planet. Evolution Weekend provides an opportunity for congregations to explore productive actions that can be taken on both fronts as well as to bring these issues to a wider public in a fresh context.

On a broader front, The Clergy Letter Project has, over the years, been a good example of how the teachings of religion and science can support one another. We have, for example, taken positions against the separation of immigrant children from their parents, against racism, homophobia and Islamophobia, and in favor of developing a greater environmental ethic. Each of these positions makes sense from both a theological and a scientific perspective. Each of these positions can be, indeed have been, defended on the basis of evolutionary biology.

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 17,300 members of the clergy in the United States, that those claiming that people must choose between religion and science are creating a false dichotomy.

 

122 Congregations
representing 31 States and the District of Columbia
as well as 4 Countries participated in
Evolution Weekend 2022

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

Arkansas

California

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

Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Fremont, CA
The Rev. Michael Dowd

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

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

Sinai Temple
Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi David Wolpe

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

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

Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA
Dr. Jeff Schloss

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

Boulder Mennonite Church
Boulder, CO
The Rev. Randy Spaulding

Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church
Denver, CO
Mark Meeks, Minister

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

Connecticut

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

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

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

Tri-County Unitarian Universalists
Summerfield, FL
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Georgia

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

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

The New Reform Congregation Kadima
Deerfield, IL
Rabbi David Oler

Unitarian Universalist Church of Elgin
Elgin, IL
The Rev. Michael Dowd

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

Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva
Geneva, 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

Unitarian Universalist Community Church in Park Forest
Park Forest, IL
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Indiana

First Unitarian Church of Hobart
Hobart, IN
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Crooked Creek Baptist Church
Indianapolis, IN
Dr. James McGrath

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
New Albany, IN
The Rev. Mark R. Feather

First Unitarian Church of South Bend
South Bend, IN
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Iowa

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

Kansas

Kentucky

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

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

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Congregation
Bethesda, MD
Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb

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

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

Massachusetts

The Congregational Church of Mansfield
United Church of Christ
Mansfield, MA
The Rev. Dr. Ruth Shaver, Interim Pastor

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

Michigan

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

Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty
Clarklake, MI
The Rev. Michael Dowd

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

Mississippi

Missouri

Cape Girardeau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Cape Girardeau, MO
Allen Gathman

Montana

Unitarian Universalist Church of Missoula
Missoula, MT
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Nebraska

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

New Jersey

Dorothea Dix Unitarian Universalist Community
Bordentown, NJ
The Rev. Larry Smith

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

New Mexico

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

Congregation Kol Ami
Elmira, NY
Rabbi Oren Z. Steinitz

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

First Congregational Church United Church of Christ
Poughkeepsie, NY
Reverend Heather Moody
Dr. Allan Clifton

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

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

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

North Dakota

Ohio

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

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

All Shepherds Lutheran Church
Lewis Center, OH
Pastor Glen Bengson

Harmony Unitarian Universalist Church
Maineville, OH
The Rev. Michael Dowd

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 Truit

West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church
Rocky River, OH
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Southwest UU Church
Royalton, OH
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Plattsburg United Church of Christ
South Charleston, OH
The Rev. Dr. J. Stuart Wells

Oklahoma

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

Oregon

Beavercreek United Church of Christ
Beavercreek, OR
Pastor Jennifer Seaich

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

Pennsylvania

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 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

Unitarian Universalist Church of the North Hills
Pittsburgh, PA
The Rev. Michael Dowd

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Circular Congregational Church
Charleston, SC
The Rev. Jeremy Rutledge

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

Pathways UU Church
Hurst, TX
The Rev. Cal Frye

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

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

Washington

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

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

United Church in University Place
University Place, WA
Pastor Cathy Law
Dr. Neva Laurie-Berry

Northshore United Church of Christ
Woodinville, WA
The Rev. Dave Schlicher, Pastor

Washington, DC

Congregation Shir Hadash
Washington, DC
Rabbi Melanie Aron

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

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI
Dr. Kathleen Corley Schuhart

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

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

Wyoming

International Partners


Australia

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

Uniting Church in Australia
Sandringham, VIC, Australia
The Rev Eileen Ray, Retired

Canada

Unitarian Fellowship of Sarnia and Port Huron
Sarnia, ON, Canada
Allan McKeown
Dr. Michael Zimmerman

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

England

St. Andrew's Church (Church of England)
Caversham, England
The Rev. Nigel Jones, Vicar

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

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 11 - 13 February 2022 but not on that weekend.