2021 Evolution Weekend

This year marks the 16th 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: Religion and Science in a Time of Denial: Neither will be Denied.

12 - 14 February 2021 -- 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, Religion and Science in a Time of Denial: Neither will be Denied, will demonstrate how religion and science, each working through their specific lens, can help shape public dialogue and understanding. At a time when both religion and science are being denied, often for different reasons (but occasionally for the same reasons), this theme seems particularly appropriate. Both offer a perspective that can help humanity move forward in these troubling times and both ask us not to turn away from the reality presented by the world around us. Using our knowledge and our faith, we can shape the world and make it into a better place. But to do so we must be honest and recognize that opinions are not the same as facts and that wishes are not the same as actions. Together we can build the future we want, one where equity is celebrated, the environment is honored, truth and expertise is praised, and health, both spiritual and physical, is promoted.

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 17,200 members of the clergy in the United States, that those claiming that people must choose between religion and science are creating a false dichotomy.

191 Congregations
representing 42 States and the District of Columbia
as well as 7 Countries participated in
Evolution Weekend 2021

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

Alabama

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

Geological Survey of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL
Dr. David C. Kopaska-Merkel

Alaska

Arizona

Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church
Clarkdale, AZ

Desert Palm United Church of Christ
Tempe, AZ
The Rev. Tom Martinez

Arkansas

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
Benton, AR
The Rev. Nancy B. Cook

California

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Burlingame, CA
The Rev. Dr. Susan M. Strouse

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

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

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

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

Christ Lutheran Church
Long Beach, CA
The Rev. Pamela Challis

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

First Christian Church of Pomona
Pomona, CA
Dr. Julie Roberts-Fronk
The Rev. Mike Fronk

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

All Saints Episcopal Church
Sacramento, CA
Sr. Kathy Lawler, OEF

First United Methodist Church
Sacramento, CA
The Rev. Rod Brayfindley, Senior Pastor

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

Montecito Covenant Church
Santa Barbara, CA
Dr. Jeff Schloss

Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA
Dr. Jeff Schloss

United Church of Christ
Simi Valley, CA
John Paton

First Congregational Church of Stockton
United Church of Christ
Stockton, CA
The Rev. William Pifer-Foote

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

Colorado

Healing HEART Outreach Ministries
Arvada, CO
The Rev. Ronald G. Cosseboom

All Souls UU Church
Colorado Springs, CO
The Rev. Dr. Nori J. Rost, Minister

Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church
Denver, CO
Mark Meeks, Minister

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

Abiding Hope Church
Littleton, CO
The Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Hill

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

Faith UCC
Bradenton, FL
The Rev. Brian Bagley-Bonner

Manatee Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Bradenton, FL
The Rev. Fred L. Hammond

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

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

Spiritual Persistence Community
Key West, FL
The Rev. Dr. Randolph W. B. Becker

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

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples
Naples, FL
The Rev. Tony Fisher, Minister

Episcopal/Anglican Church of the Blessed Redeemer
Palm Bay, FL
The Rev. Brian W. Turner

Friendship Fellowship UU
Rockledge, FL
The Rev. Michael Dowd

St. Andrew United Churh of Christ
Sarasota, FL
The Rev. Dr. Mary Alice Mulligan

Georgia

Unitarian Universalists of Coastal Georgia
Brunswick, GA
The Rev. Jane Page

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Statesboro
Statesboro, GA
The Rev. Jane Page

Hawaii

Congregation Sof Ma'arav
Honolulu, HI
Dr. Dave Haymer

Idaho

Illinois

St Mark's Episcopal Church
Barrington Hills, IL
The Rev. David Gibbons

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

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

The New Reform Congregation Kadima
Deerfield, IL
Rabbi David Oler

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL
H. Scott Matheney, Chaplain

Grantfork United Church of Christ
Grantfork, IL
The Rev. Timothy Darmour-Paul

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

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

Marine United Church of Christ
Marine, IL
Pastor Phil Kershner

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

Open Table United Church of Christ
Ottawa, IL
The Rev. Jennifer Amy-Dressler

Galbreath Digital Culture Ministry
Woodbridge, IL
The Rev. Beth Galbreath

Indiana

The Good Samaritan Home
Evanssville, IN
The Rev. Michael B. Erwin
Chaplain and Gift Coordinator

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

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

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

Musserville United Methodist Church
Muscatine, IA
The Rev. W. Michael Biklen

Golden Congregational UCC
Ryan, IA
The Rev. Dr. Curt Miner

Kansas

Kentucky

The Unitarian Universalist Church
Bowling Green, KY
Janeen Grohsmeyer
Sunday Services Team

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

Louisiana

Maine

Somesville Union Meeting House
Mt. Desert, ME
The Rev. Dr. Janet Adair Hansen

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

Grace Episcopal Church
Norwood, MA
The Rev. Bill Graham

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

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

Red Cedar Friends Meeting
Lansing, MI
Robert T. Pennock

First Congregational Church of St. Clair
United Church of Christ
St. Clair, MI
The Rev. Alana Kelley

Minnesota

Open Circle Church
Burnsville, MN
Pastor Jay H. Steele

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

PioneerCare Retirement Community
Fergus Falls, MN
Rev. Krehl Stringer, Chaplain

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. Dr. David Breeden, Senior Minister

Bet Shalom Congregation
Minnetonka, MN
Rabbi David Locketz

Mississippi

Missouri

Cape Girardeau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Cape Girardeau, MO
Allen Gathman

Columbia Friends Meeting
Columbia, MO

Unity of Joplin
Joplin, MO
The Rev. Gordon Keyler

The New Reform Temple
Kansas City, MO
Rabbi Alan Londy

Congregation B'nai Amoona
St. Louis, MO
Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose

Montana

United Christian Church (UCC/DOC)
Miles City, MT
The Rev. Bob Thaden

Nebraska

Augustana Lutheran Church
Omaha, NE
Charles Austerberry

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 Church of Franklin, NH
Franklin, NH
The Rev. Steve Edington, Contract Minister

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

First Presbyterian Church
Elmwood Park, NJ
The Rev. Michael Capron

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

Temple Avodat Shalom
River Edge, NJ
Rabbi Jim Stoloff

New Mexico

St. John's Cathedral
Albuquerque, NM
The Very Rev. Mark Goodman, Dean

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

Faith United Church of Christ
Boston, NY
The Rev. Theodore Brelsford

First Congregational, United Church of Christ
Corning, NY
The Rev. Gary McCaslin

Congregation Kol Ami and Jewish Center & Federation of the Twin Tiers
Elmira, NY
Rabbinic Intern Malachi Doane
Maggid Paul Solyn

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

Sinai and Synapses
New York, NY
Rabbi Geoff Mitelman

First Presbyterian Union Church
Owego, NY
The Rev. Earl Arnold

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

Beach United Methodist Church
Westhampton Beach, NY
The Rev. Jack K. King

North Carolina

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

Congregation Bayt Shalom
Greenville, NC
Rabbi Harley Karz-Wagman

Highland United Methodist Church
High Point, NC
The Rev. Clarinda E. Crawford

Rankin Memorial United Methodist Church
High Point, NC
The Rev. Clarinda E. Crawford

Ward Street United Methodist Church
High Point, NC
The Rev. Clarinda E. 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

First United Methodist Church
Jamestown, ND
Pastor Martin Toepke-Floyd

Ohio

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

Glen Echo Presbyterian Church
Columbus, OH
The Rev. Leland W. Platt

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

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

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

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

Columbia District
Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference
The United Methodist Church
Portland, OR
The Rev. Timothy L. Overton-Harris
District Superintendent

First Immanuel Lutheran Church
Portland, OR
The Rev. Aaron J. Couch

Pennsylvania

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

Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life
Clarks Summit, PA
Rabbi Daniel Swartz

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

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

House of Meditation
Lancaster, PA
The Rev. Frank Tunis

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

Community United Church of Christ
Reading, PA
The Rev. Zack Jackson

Multifaith Chanting Circle
Scranton Area Ministerium
Scranton, PA
Rabbi Daniel J. Swartz

Temple Hesed of Scranton
Scranton, PA
Rabbi Daniel J. Swartz

Rhode Island

Shepherd of the Valley
The United Methodist Church
Hope, RI
The Rev. Effie E. McAvoy, Pastor

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

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

Covenant Church: an Ecumenical, Liberal, Baptist Congregation
Houston, TX
The Rev. Laura Mayo, Senior Minister

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Marfa, TX
The Rev. Michael Wallens

Grand Avenue Presbyterian Church
Sherman, TX
Lander Bethel, Pastor

Temple Beth Emeth
Sherman, TX
Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger

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

St. Francis Episcopal Church
Temple, TX
The Rev. David Krause

Baptist Church
Waco, TX
Dr. Gerald B. Cleaver

Utah

Vermont

Vergennes United Methodist Church
Vergennes, VT
The Rev. Michael Doran

Virginia

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

Fairfax Presbyterian Church
Fairfax, VA
The Rev. Henry G. Brinton, Senior Pastor

New Hope Fellowship
Hartfield, VA
Pastor Leonard Edloe

Bull Run Unitarian Universalists
Manasses, VA
The Rev. Charlotte Lehmann, Minister

Washington

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

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

Shoreline UU Church
Shoreline, WA
The Rev. Thomas Marston Perchlik

Washington, DC

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

West Virginia

Temple Israel / B'nai Israel Congregation
Charleston, WV
Rabbi Joe Blair

Wisconsin

Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Eau Claire, WI
Dr. Wil Taylor

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

The Rev. Dr. Jason John
Uniting Earth Advocate
Uniting Church in Australia
Gleniffer, NSW, Australia

Canada

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

Norrona Lutheran Church
Bulyea, SK, Canada
The Rev. Carlton Larsen

St. John Lutheran Church
Strasbourg, SK, Canada
The Rev. Carlton Larsen

England

The Village MCC
Brighton, England
The Rev. Michael Hydes

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

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

Holly Mount United Reformed Church
Malvern, England
Andrew Webb

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

Evolution Weekend

The Clergy Letter Project

2021 Evolution Weekend

191 Congregations representing 42 States and the District of Columbia as well as 7 Countries participated in Evolution Weekend 2021

Alabama

Alaska

191 Congregations
representing 42 States and the District of Columbia
as well as 7 Countries participated in
Evolution Weekend 2021