Churches across England are being invited to apply for grants to fund activities aimed at promoting a better understanding between science and faith.
Applications are being encouraged from Christian churches as part of Scientists in Congregations, a scheme aimed at inspiring learning and discussion about science in the Christian community.
The project is part of the Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science programme and is open to all mainstream Christian churches.
A total of 32 projects in churches, dioceses and cathedrals have been funded through Scientists in Congregations since 2016 for activities ranging from evensong services with a scientific theme, to public lectures, family science clubs and discussion groups.
The Bishop of Kingston, Dr Richard Cheetham, one of the leaders of Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science, said: 'Scientists in Congregations is playing a significant role in changing the grass roots level conversation about the way that the church relates to science – both changing the way regular churchgoers view how their faith relates to science and the perceptions of those who don't usually go to church but are fascinated by the events they attend.'
Projects funded so far include one in the Harwell and Chilton CofE benefice, made up of two parish churches in Oxford Diocese. They are located in an area known as 'Science Vale UK', which includes the Harwell Campus, an international centre of excellence for science, home to the Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, the European Space Agency and 200 science orientated companies.
The churches received funding for public lectures, a family science club and a fortnightly science discussion group.
Rector Dr Jonathan Mobey, a practising GP, said: 'We really needed to take the initiative and encourage Christians who are working in science and technology but also to reach out in a wider sense to debunk the myth that science and faith are incompatible.
'We have raised awareness of the fact that there are prominent scientists who are Christians and increased the confidence of those who work in science and technology.'
Rev Dr Tim Bull, a former computer scientist and director of ministry for St Albans Diocese, launched the 'Take your Vicar to the Lab' project two years ago with Rev Prof Nick Goulding, Professor of Pharmacology and Medical Education at Queen Mary University of London.
More than 30 clergy and readers have visited laboratories and academic facilities including the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire, the Genome Centre and Genomic England in London and Barts Hospital and the School of Pharmacy at University College London. The project has inspired more activities including a church summer holiday programme.
Projects aim to build on existing links between church leaders and science specialists in their congregations. The science professionals can have an expertise in areas from physics, chemistry and biology to medicine, psychology and social scientific approaches to questions of human nature, culture and theology.
The deadline for application is January 7, 2019. For more details and to apply click here.
