Scientists in Congregations Grant
First Lutheran Church has qualified for a Scientists in Congregations grant in the amount of $30,000 from the John Templeton Foundation. The purpose of the grant program is for "generating a new level of engagement between pastors and scientists and between science and congregations." Out of 90 applicant churches nationwide, 37 were chosen to receive a total of $1 million in funding from the Templeton Foundation.
Growing In Faith Through the Lens of Science
 Pastor Brian Maas and Dr. Dean Sieglaff, Nebraska Wesleyan University Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy, will lead the First Lutheran project titled, “Growing in Faith Through the Lens of Science.” The project’s intent is to provide a chance for people to strengthen belief and broaden knowledge by overhearing a sincere and respectful dialog between faith and science. The two team leaders will travel to Scientists in Congregations offices in Chico, California, in February 2012 to collaborate with team leaders from other congregations who will also be implementing grant-related projects.
Activities will be organized by quarter and will have the following themes:
Quarter 1: Brain Science
Quarters 2 and 3: Origins/Big Bang Theory
Quarter 4: Archaeology and the Bible.
First Lutheran plans to bring a leading scholar to Lincoln for each quarter of study, for a forum open to the community. Brown bag discussions are scheduled for the Wesleyan and University of Nebraska-Lincoln campuses, and other follow-up activities are to include an adult forum and curriculum development for faith formation of the church’s children and youth. Science nights and a retreat are among other activities and events to be offered. Grant-related projects will conclude in January 2013.
A Science Affair
Activities at First Lutheran will kick off February 12th with a Science Affair. Through this event we invite you into a deeper consideration of how faith is infused in every element of our lives, including those areas that have typically been considered seperated from faith. FaithTrek students, (and "kids of all ages") will gather in the Activity Center at 9:30 am for a fun and interactive presentation by Mad Science of Des Moines. This experience entitled Fire and Ice will Explore exothermic chemical reactions and the wonders of dry ice with Mad Science flash paper, an “explosive” bottle blast, a crazy bubble shower and creepy, foggy effects.
Then gather together again after late service that day for lunch and another Mad Science presentation entitled Up, Up and Away. This presentation introduces the principals of air pressure through the creation and flight of a hot air balloon, giant smoke rings from our Vortex Generator, levitating balls, a real hovercraft and movie special effects.
Related Links
John Templeton Foundation
Scientists in Congregations Grant
ELCA Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology
The Digital Dead Sea Scrolls
Check back soon for more information regarding upcoming events! |
