INTRODUCTION

Church and science can seem like separate worlds, but scientists appear in pews and pulpits across the UK. At ECLAS, we affirm the work of these faithful scientists and all who bring their vocation in science to the church, both as members and active friends of congregations. We want to help them create spaces of engagement, build confidence and competence around scientific issues, and foster thoughtful, prayerful communities working in the world.

Over the next two years, ECLAS will provide funds and resources for projects that creatively change the conversation; projects that develop a deeper engagement with scientists, theologically, pastorally, or in mission. Building on previous rounds at ECLAS as well as successful programmes in North America and Scotland and supported by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation, we are offering £10,000 each to 8 congregations to host these projects and have far-reaching impacts in their communities.

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PROJECT CRITERIA

What Kind of Projects?

Scientists in Congregation (SiC) projects start with an established relationship between a local church leader and a professional scientist. The latter may be a member of the congregation, a colleague, or even a friend, but someone who has already engaged in conversation around faith and science. Together, they will propose a creative project that involves a local congregation and invites the public more broadly.

Past projects have included art installations, science fairs, plays, workshops and lecture series. Previous awardees can be found below displaying the inspiring work that has been done in this area.

Scientists in Congregations is set up to work with a strategic church that has strong ties with local communities. Preference will be given to projects that can have a broad impact, for example producing resources for other congregations to use or taking place in multiple locations.

SiC projects draw on networks already in place, including understanding of the local context and support from senior leadership in the congregation and the local church. They reach out to a wider community, making new connections and fostering creative approaches grounded in scientific and theological expertise.

Do you have a creative idea for engagement? We encourage you to contact us and talk through the details. If you have a scientist-congregation relationship in place and want to do more, contact Alex Jordan on sciencein.congregation@durham.ac.uk.

For further information, please watch this video information session with ECLAS staff and previous participants discussing the programme and and what makes a successful project.

APPLICATIONS

To apply, submit a proposal using the application form below by email by 30 April 2024, 17:00 GMT. Proposals will be evaluated by ECLAS team members as well as expert advisors in science, theology, and communication. Awards will be announced in July 2024.

Frequently asked questions can be viewed here.

Please see the downloadable proposal guidelines document below for more detailed information on how to put together a good proposal.

FUNDED PROJECTS

The following projects have been funded by our Scientists in Congregations awards scheme.

2022
hidden text God Saw That It Was Good

Baptist Union Environment Network (BUEN)

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hidden text Science in Café Church

Christ Church West Green

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hidden text Science-Faith Resource Boxes

St Mark’s Church, Wrexham with Xplore! Science Discovery Centre

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hidden text ‘Cathedral Thinking’ STEM Trails

York Minster

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hidden text Exploring the Health Benefits of Music in Worship

St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge

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hidden text Life Light

St Albans Cathedral

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hidden text God’s In The Detail Science Festival

St Peter & St Paul Church Great Missenden

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hidden text Messy Church Goes Wild: Messy Adventures

Bible Reading Fellowship

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hidden text Faith in Mind

Sunderland Connect Network

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hidden text Gaia installation

Chester Cathedral

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2021
hidden text Educational Encounters in Schools

Great St Mary's, Cambridge

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hidden text Messy Church Goes Wild

The Bible Reading Fellowship

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hidden text Gaia Installation

St Peter Mancroft, Norwich

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hidden text Three Days in January

St Mary and St Eanswythe, Folkestone

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hidden text Xplore! Goes to Church

St Mark’s Church, Caia Park, Wrexham

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hidden text Science, Faith and Creation Care

St Lawrence Church, Gloucester

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hidden text A Green Pilgrimage

St German's Cathedral, Isle of Man

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hidden text Earth@Trinity Gaia Exhibition

St George's Church, Leeds

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hidden text Does God Want Me to Take the Covid-19 Vaccine?

Wembley Family Church

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hidden text The Uneasy Sleeps of Max Maxwell… waking up to Artificial Intelligence

Riding Lights Theatre Company

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hidden text Building Bridges and Sharing Stories

St Andrew's Church, Great Yeldham

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hidden text Elijah, The Tishbite – Let’s Talk About Mental Health

Redeemed Christian Church of God, Royal City, Sevenoaks

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hidden text Faith Journeys in Science 

Radio Maria England

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hidden text The Faith Experiment

New Hope Baptist Church, Coseley

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hidden text Fly Me to the Moon

All Saints Newton-le-Willows

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hidden text Alive in Hope

Lichfield Cathedral

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hidden text Why Should We Care For Our Earth?

Hull Minster

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hidden text Believing Science

Holy Trinity and Christchurch, Stalybridge

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hidden text Renewable Energy Exhibit

Great Yarmouth Minster

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hidden text The Implications of Climate Science

Exeter Cathedral

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hidden text Science and Faith in the Second City

ChaplaincyPlus, Birmingham

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hidden text Life on the Edge

Cornerstone Methodist Church, Wadebridge and Tubestation, Polzeath

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hidden text Amazing Light

Chester Cathedral

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2019
hidden text Granta Park – Science-Faith Lectures

Abington Church, Ely, Cambridgeshire

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hidden text Science-Faith Related Videos for Café Church

Amberly Baptist Church, Bristol

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hidden text Genesis for the 21st Century

Chester Cathedral

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hidden text MES-AI Church

Croxley Green Baptist Church, Hertfordshire

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hidden text Connect@Tiviot Dale

Stockport, Manchester

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hidden text The Sky’s the Limit!

Ely Cathedral Science Festival 2019

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hidden text “Our Fragile Earth”

Churches in Sidmouth, Devon

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hidden text “Science and the Language of Prayer”

Bramhall Methodist Church, Manchester

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hidden text The Sacrament of Science? Comprehending the wonder, mystery and awe of science in an Anglo-Catholic congregation

St. Thomas' Church, Exeter, Devon

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2018
hidden text Living With and Loving Machines

Manchester Cathedral

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2017
hidden text Messy Church Science

Bible Reading Fellowship

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hidden text Church Scientific

Baptist churches, Leeds

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hidden text Crossing the Gap

St. Matthew’s Church, Harwell and All Saints’ Church, Chilton

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hidden text ‘From Dinosaurs to DNA’

Ely Cathedral, Science Festival

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hidden text Water of Life: Our Faith and a Changing Climate

Parish of Honley with Brockholes, West Yorkshire, in partnership with the University of Huddersfield

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hidden text Sing of God and Science

All Saints, Teversham, Cambridge

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hidden text Science and Theology: Walking Through Nature

Trinity church, Lewes

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hidden text Re:Think Worcester

Encouraging Scientists in Congregations to Engage in the Science and Faith Debate

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hidden text From Enlightenment to Entanglement

Derby Cathedral project in partnership with University of Derby

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hidden text Faith, Technology and Tomorrow

St Mary’s Church Longfleet, Poole, Dorset

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hidden text Faith in the Questions: Counting the Clouds

Riding Lights Theatre Company, St Michael le Belfrey, York

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hidden text Saddleworth Science Faith Festival

Saddleworth Churches

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hidden text Messy Church Does Science: Bible Reading Fellowship LEARN MORE
hidden text Duw a’r Glec Fawr – God and The Big Bang

South Wales

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hidden text Faith in the Questions: Counting the Clouds

Riding Lights Theatre Company, UK Tour

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hidden text Debunking the Myth: Empowering Young People to be Christians in Science

St Andrew’s Church, Bishopthorpe and the Archbishop of York Youth Trust

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hidden text Exploring Science and Christian Faith in a Rural Setting

Tyne Valley, west of Newcastle and Gateshead

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hidden text On Common Ground

Exeter Cathedral, Lent Course

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hidden text Science and Christianity: Bridging the Imaginary Divide

Christians in Science, South West

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2016
hidden text Cathedral Isle of Man LEARN MORE
hidden text Grace Church, Truro LEARN MORE
hidden text Confident Christian Engagement with Science

St John’s, Lindow, Wilmslow, Cheshire

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hidden text Take Your Vicar to the Lab

St Albans Diocese

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CONTACT US

For more information email Alex Jordan on sciencein.congregation@durham.ac.uk

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