Anglican Communion Science Commission at VTS
For a very long time faith and science were two worlds apart, and any discussion connecting them would end before even started, regardless of the origin. Fortunately, times change! The Anglican Communion Science Commission (ACSC) promoted a Consultation for Provincial Lead Science Bishops from 29th to 31st October at the Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) to learn and develop Science and Faith projects for the churches around the Communion.
Following the Lambeth Call on Science and Faith, the Commission gathered a team with researchers and bishops from more than 20 countries to pray, engage in Bible Studies, listen to science professionals, visit the National Institutes of Health, and develop action plans for their provinces.
As a member of the Anglican Communion Youth Network (ACYN) I joined forces with Maia Williams, a young researcher, to develop an action plan for the Network to engage and invite youth and youth workers into the faith and science discussion. The partnership between ACSC and ACYN can also help Lead Bishops and the provinces in creating safe spaces for conversations under the Network structure.
I must confess I didn’t know what to expect from this meeting, but at the end of the first day I felt amazed with the diversity of backgrounds in the room and how everyone was curious and energetic to start working. This motivation was very clear in the morning of the last day when we all had to develop action plans – the creativity with pens and paper came to life.
Besides the amazing Bible Studies every morning with the Revd. Dr. Katherine Grieb, the event welcomed speakers from different places and organizations giving the public new perspectives of faith and science. As a curious person, I enjoyed all the speakers and the event. One of the speakers must be mentioned specifically; Dr. Jennifer Wiseman.
Dr. Wiseman, an astronomer and Senior Project Scientist for NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, made a very simple, and at the same time amazing, conclusion. “Studying God’s creation must please God!” She didn’t say the words exactly like this, but this is the idea, and I believe it is wonderful. For those afraid to connect faith and science, her conclusion should be a good answer, “it must please God.”
The visit to the National Institutes of Heath (NIH) in Bethesda, MD gave us the opportunity to listen to professionals speaking passionately about their work and how important it is to have religious groups supporting health treatments. Separated in small groups, we visited different labs and initiatives at NIH exploring how churches can relate and help the society in this specific topic.
VTS, specifically, the Center for Anglican Communion Studies, provided a rich environment so the Anglican Communion Science Commission Consultation for Provincial Lead Science Bishops could learn, discuss and go back home with real action plans to start working in their churches and “thinking courageously about science and faith.”
Paula de Mello Alves, Co-Convener of the Anglican Communion Youth Network