Religion and Science Weekend 2026

21 Years of Celebrating
The Compatibility of Religion and Science

This year marks the 21st time that clergy members from a wide array of religions and from all portions of the globe are addressing the relationship between religion and science with their congregations. Over the past 20 years, well over 1.5 million individuals have participated in Religion and Science Weekend events.  Keep reading to learn more about our 2026 Religion and Science Weekend.  We hope to see you at one of our participating venues.

The theme selected for this year’s celebration is:

Truth Matters

13 - 15 February 2026 -- Religion and Science Weekend

Religion and Science 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 different perspectives and ask, and answer, different questions. At a time when religion is all-too-often being equated with fundamentalism and when we are in a deep and troubling period of science-denialism, it is of critical importance to engage this topic directly and substantively.

Religious people from many diverse faith traditions and locations around the world understand that the findings of science do 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 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.

Our 2026 theme, Truth Matters, recognizes that since we are living in a time when science is under attack, facts are denied, vast amounts of government research and data are erased, books are banned, and video and audio "recordings" can be unverifiable, it's time for people of faith to hear from their clergy that truth matters. The Biblical prophets are truth tellers. In addition to confronting the powers and principalities with truth, they compel the faithful to pay attention to the reality – the depth – of their grief. By following their lead, like them, clergy can open the hearts and minds of their congregations to respond to God's call for us to repair the world (Tikkun O'lam).

History assures us that the future is not yet written. How can we convert the chaos of this moment into an opportunity for our future, our children's future, and for the least of these among us whom God calls us to protect?

Jesus taught that the truth will set us free. Let us bind ourselves to truth and embrace the gift of freedom. Let us make full use of all of our gifts and capacities, in partnership with others and guided by the Holy Spirit, as we reinstate our democracy and restore God's creation.

Both religion and science entail a journey – a journey joyfully taken by the congregations listed below. Please join us on this voyage.

 

127 Congregations
representing 37 States and the District of Columbia
as well as 5 Countries participate in
Religion and Science Weekend 2026



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

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff, AZ
JD Stillwater, Science Ambassador

The Fountains, a United Methodist Church
Fountain Hills, AZ
The Rev. David M. Felten, Pastor

Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Tucson, AZ
The Rev. Steve Keplinger, Rector

Arkansas

California

Unitarian Universalists of Tuolumne County
Douglas Flat Group
Douglas Flat, CA
John Kramer

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

Niles Discovery Church
Fremont, CA
The Rev. Jeffrey Spencer

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

Congregation B'nai Horin-Children of Freedom
Los Angeles, CA
Rabbi Stan Levy
Rabbi Laura Owens

Companions of the Abbey of Merton St. Ambrose
Martinez, CA
The Rev. Richard Mapplebeckpalmer

Temple Emanu-EL of San Diego
San Diego, CA
Rabbi Devorah Marcus

St. Peter's Episcopal Church
San Pedro, CA
The Rev. Ruth Eller

United Church of Christ
Simi Valley, CA
John Paton

Public Theology
Tiburon, CA
Pastor Ted Peters

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
Tiburon, CA
Pastor Ted Peters

Colorado

Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church
Denver, CO
Mark Meeks, Minister

First Congregatinal Church UCC
Grand Junction, CO
The Rev. Dr. Paul Ashby

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

Connecticut

Congregational Church of Salisbury
Salisbury, CT
The Rev. Dr. John A. Nelson, Pastor

Delaware

Silverside Church
Wilmington, DE
The Rev. Dr. David Albert Farmer, Pastor

Florida

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

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

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

Church of the Blessed Redeemer
Palm Bay, FL
The Rev. Brian W. Turner, Vicar

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa, Florida
Tampa, FL
The Rev. Robert Murphy

Georgia

Norcross Presbyterian Church
Norcross, GA
The Rev. Dr. Matthew M. Fry, Pastor / Head of Staff

Hawaii

Congregation Sof Ma'arav
Honolulu, HI
David Haymer, Board member and Science Ambassador

Idaho

Illinois

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Bloomington, IL
The Rev. Danny Bradfield

Calvary Lutheran Church (ELCA)
Chicago, IL
The Rev. Gary Cox

The New Reform Congregation Kadima
Deerfield, IL
Rabbi David Oler

Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation
Highland Park, IL
Rabbi Adam Chalom

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

Marine United Church of Christ
Marine, IL
Pastor Phil Kershner

One River Zen
Ottawa, IL
Sensei Soen Michael Brunner
Founder, Guiding Teacher

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

Indiana

Crooked Creek Baptist Church
Indianapolis, IN
Dr. James McGrath

Welcome Table Christian Community
Kokomo, IN
The Rev. Al Adams

Iowa

Windsor Heights Lutheran Church
Windsor Heights, IA
The Rev. Christopher Olkiewicz

Kansas

Kentucky

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

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Memorial Episcopal Church
Baltimore, MD
The Rev. Dr. Pamela G. Conrad

UU Fellowship of Harford County, Maryland
Churchville, MD
The Rev. Jennifer (Jaye) Brooks, Interim Minister

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick
Frederick, MD
The Rev. J. Carl Gregg, Pastor

Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church
Hyattsville, MD
The Rev. Diane Teichert, Minister Emerita

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Southern Maryland
Lexington Park, MD
Judy Osborn

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ
Westminster, MD
The Rev. Martin K. Kuchma, Pastor

Massachusetts

St. Anthony of Padua Parish
Allston, MA
Father Robert J. Carr

Old South Church
Boston, MA
The Rev. Jim Antal

Charlemont Federated Church (UCC & ABCUSA)
Charlemont, MA
The Rev. Dr. Janet Adair Hansen, Interim Pastor

The United Parish of Lunenburg (UCC/UMC)
Lunenburg, Massachusetts
The Rev. Dr. Ruth E. Shaver, Interim Pastor (Sinai and Synapses Fellow, 2017-2019)

The UU Church of Worcester
Worcester, MA
The Rev. Aaron Payson

Michigan

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Elk Rapids, MI
The Rev. Dr. Derek J. Quinn

All Souls Community Church of West Michigan
A Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Grand Rapids, MI
The Rev. Colleen Squires

Fountain Street Church
Grand Rapids, MI

The Rev. Nathan Dannison

Grace Episcopal Church
Traverse City, MI
The Rev. Dr. Derek J. Quinn

Minnesota

St. Paul's United Church of Christ
Deleno, MN
The Rev. Kent A. Meyer, Ph.D.

Family of God Church ELCA and UCC
East Grand Forks, MN
The Rev. Gretchen Graf

Bet Shalom Congregation
Minnetonka, MN
Rabbi David Locketz

Mississippi

Missouri

Cape Girardeau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Cape Girardeau, MO
Allen Gathman

Center for Religious Experience and Study
Kansas City, MO
The Rev. Vern Barnet, Minister Emeritus

Montana

United Campus Ministry
Montana State University Billings
Billings, MT
The Rev. Dwight Welch

Nebraska

Augustana Lutheran Church
Omaha, NE
The Rev. Jan Peterson

Nevada

New Hampshire

Unitarian Universalist Church of Franklin, NH
Franklin, NH
Vince Ribas

Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church
Goffstown, NH
Dr. Brian Penney

New Jersey

Ewing Covenant Presbyterian Church
Ewing, NJ
The Rev. Morgan Valencia King, Pastor
Dr. Donald Lovett

Congregation Beth Tikvah
Paramus, NJ
Rabbi Arthur Weiner

The Jewish Community Center of Paramus
Paramus, NJ
Rabbi Arthur Weiner

Christ Church * Summit
Summit, NJ
The Rev. Dr. Charles T. Rush

Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County
Teaneck, NJ
Leaader Curt Collier

New Mexico

St. Chad’s Episcopal Church
Albuquerque, NM
Fr. Jeremiah C. Griffin, Rector

New York

Roessleville Presbyterian Church
Albany, NY
The Rev. Dr. Joseph W. Shook

Cornwall Presbyterian Church
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
The Rev. Jeffrey A. Geary

Unitarian Universalist Church of Cortland
Cortland, NY
The Rev. Darcey Laine

The Park Church
Congregational, United Church of Christ
Elmira, NY
The Rev. J. Gary Brinn

Metropolitan Community Church
New York, NY
Bishop Pat Bumgardner

Sinai and Synapses
New York, NY
Rabbi Geoff Mitelman

Temple Israel of the City of New York
New York, NY
Rabbi David Gelfand

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

North Presbyterian Church
Williamsville, NY
The Rev. William Hennessy, Pastor

North Carolina

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Chapel Hill, NC
The Rev. Will Rose

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

The Beloved Community United Methodist Church
High Point, NC
The Rev. Clarinda Crawford

Hillsborough United Church of Christ
Hillsborough, NC
Jay Kennett, Pastor

North Dakota

Family of God Church ELCA and UCC
Grand Forks, ND
The Rev. Gretchen Graf

Ohio

All Shepherds Lutheran Church (ELCA) Lewis Center, OH
Pastor Glen Bengson

Macksburg United Methodist Church
Macksburg, Ohio
The Rev. Walter A Jones

Oberlin Friends Meeting
Oberlin, OH
Brother David Finke

Oklahoma

Unity Church of Christianity
Tulsa, OK
The Rev. Mary Anne Harris

Oregon

St. Stephen Episcopal Church
Newport, OR
The Rev. Dr. Judith Jones, Vicar
Dr. Brian Jones

Cedar Hills United Church of Christ
Portland, OR
The Rev. Mary Sue Evers
Amy Norden, Director of Faith Formation

St. Luke by the Sea Episcopal Church
Waldport, OR
The Rev. Dr. Judith Jones, Vicar
Dr. Brian Jone

Pennsylvania

Jordan United Church of Christ
Allentown, PA
The Rev. David Charles Smith, Senior Pastor

Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley
Allenentown, PA
The Rev. Larry Smith

Unitarian Universalist Church of Athens and Sheshequin
Athens, PA
The Rev. Darcey Laine

The Chapel of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal)
Hawk Run, PA
The Rev. Cliff Johnston

First Unitarian Universalist Church of Indiana, PA
Indiana, PA
Sara Steelman, Worship Service Coordinator

The Chapel of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal)
Hawk Run, PA
The Rev. Cliff Johnston

United Luthern Seminary
Philadelphia, PA
The Rev. Dr. Nelson Rivera

Rhode Island

Temple Sinai
Cranston, RI
Rabbi Jeff Goldwasser

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

Episcopal Church of the Ascension
Wakefield, RI
The Rev. Russell G. Ruffino

South Carolina

Circular Congregational Church
Charleston, SC
The Rev. Jeremy Rutledge

South Dakota

Tennessee

Neshoba Unitarian Universalist Church
Cordova, TN
The Rev. Beth Lefever

First Presbyterian Church
Elizabethton, TN
The Rev. Dr. Brian C. Wyatt, Pastor

Messiah Lutheran Church
Knoxville, TN
The Rev. Josh Moss

Texas

New Hope Presbyterian Church
Katy, TX
The Rev. Cindy Mood, LCSW-S, Interim Pastor

Unitarian Universalist Church of the Hill Country
Kerrville, TX
The Rev. Phillip Schulman

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

Baptist Church
Waco, TX
Dr. Gerald B. Cleaver

Utah

Vermont

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

Virginia

Washington

Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Orcas Island, WA
Father Berto Gándara-Perea

Washington, DC

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

West Virginia

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

Wisconsin

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI
Dr. Wil Taylor

Peace United Church of Christ
Kewaskum, WI
The Rev. Eric Kirkegaard

First United Church of Christ Sauk City
Sauk City, WI
The Rev. Jennifer Seaich

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

Gleniffer Community Church
Gleniffer NSW, Australia
The Rev. Dr Jason John

Emanuel Synagogue
Woollahra, NSW, Australia
Rabbi Jeffrey B. Kamins, Senior Rabbi

Canada

Esson Presbyterian Church
Oro-Medonte, ON, Canada
Pastor Carl Wright

Willis Presbyterian Church
Oro-Medonte, ON, Canada
Pastor Carl Wright

Knox Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian Church of Canada
Ramara, ON, Canada
Pastor Carl Wright

Unitarian Fellowship of Sarnia and Port Huron
Sarnia, ON, Canada
Allan McKeown

Vancouver Unitarians
Vancouver, BC, Canada
The Rev. Shawn Gauthier

England

The Village MCC
Brighton, England
The Rev. Michael Hydes

Scotland

Ullapool United Reform Church
Ullapool, Scotland
The Rev. David Coleman


Due to scheduling difficulties, some participating congregations will be holding
their events close to the weekend of 13 - 15 February 2026 but not on that weekend.