Seven churches in England and Wales have been awarded funding totalling almost £70,000 to explore the relationship between science and faith through the church engagement programme Scientists in Congregations, which is run by Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS).
The awardees have each received grants of up to £10,000 to deliver a project over the next year. Building on the expertise of scientists in their congregations, the churches will host a range of outreach and educational activities focusing on topics from clinical trials to creation care, with the aim of showing how engaging with science can lead to a deeper experience of faith.
Scientists in Congregations is an ecumenical programme, and the range of denominations taking part this year includes the Coptic Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Pentecostal Churches as well as the Church of England.
Redeemed Christian Church of God, Royal City, Sevenoaks is one of 7 churches awarded a grant of £10,000 to deliver a science-faith outreach project.
Elijah, The Tishbite – Let’s Talk About Mental Health – Recovery & Mental Wellbeing builds on the success of the conversations started about mental health with our project, Elijah, The Tishbite – Let’s Talk About Mental Health by creating a conducive forum to talk about recovery from mental health challenges, maintaining mental wellbeing and developing a resilient attitude.
We plan to produce the following:
- Jeremiah & Family Part 2: A short drama film that demonstrates recovery from mental health challenges.
- Mental Wellbeing Support Group: A short drama film that highlights support techniques, approaches and systems that will assist to maintain mental wellbeing.
- Elijah, The Tishbite Online Course: An online course that outlines the strategies that assisted Elijah in the recovery process and their equivalent strategies from medical science perspectives.
Our project will present opportunities to highlight:
- That recovery from mental health challenges is possible and achievable.
- Facilitate an environment that supports maintaining mental wellbeing.
- Address the influence of mental wellbeing on overall wellbeing including physical wellbeing, emotional wellbeing, financial wellbeing, relationship wellbeing etc.
Pastor Yinka Oshin, Project Co-director and Pastor, RCCG Royal City, Sevenoaks, said: “I’m delighted at the opportunity to continue our science-faith outreach project on the Christian faith and mental health using the experience of Elijah as our model focusing on recovery and mental wellbeing. I’m confident that this project will facilitate the renewal of hope in our congregations and communities. I’m grateful at this award coming during our 10th Year Anniversary Celebrations as a Church.”
Scientists in Congregations is a programme run by Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS). ECLAS is led from St John’s College, Durham University in partnership with the University of York and the Church of England. The project director is the Revd Prof David Wilkinson. ECLAS and the Scientists in Congregations grants are currently funded by the John Templeton Foundation. ECLAS has given more than 70 Scientists in Congregations awards since 2016. There will be two further opportunities to take part, in 2025 and 2026.
The Revd Prof David Wilkinson, Project Director of ECLAS, said: “It is a joy to see yet again the creativity and imagination that come as scientists work with Church leaders in mission, ministry and serving the community. These awards, given to such a wide diversity of churches across the Christian tradition, demonstrate new and exciting initiatives which consider the vocation of scientists a gift to the Church.”
Pastor Raphael Olurotimi, Provincial Pastor, Province 1, Region 3, RCCG UK and Senior Pastor, RCCG Living Spring Centre, London, said: “We are joyful and grateful for this exceptional privilege to receive an award for a project on the Christian faith and mental health focusing on recovery and mental wellbeing. This project will contribute immensely to support our congregations and communities to be equipped with information, resources, and strategies to maintain their mental wellbeing.”
The full list of churches and organisations receiving funding to participate in Scientists in Congregations 2024-25 is:
- Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Norwich (on behalf of the diocese of East Anglia), project title: ‘“Human Dignity” and Moral Decision-Making in the Life Sciences’
- Guild of Health and St Raphael (GoHealth), project title: ‘Spiritual Intelligence: Inspiring Congregations, Empowering Mission’
- New Testament Assembly, Tooting, project title: ‘Faith, Substance, and Science with Daniel in the King’s Court’
- Petra Crofton with A Rocha (Netherlands), project title: ‘Teens, T-Rex and Tree Sparrows’
- Redeemed Christian Church of God, Royal City, Sevenoaks, project title: ‘Elijah, The Tishbite – Let’s Talk about Mental Health – Recovery & Mental Wellbeing’
- St Mark’s Church/Xplore!, Wrexham, project title: ‘Xplore! Community Events in Church’
- St Mary and Pope Kyrillos VI Coptic Orthodox Church, London, project title: ‘The Skies Proclaim the Work of His Hands’
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS) is a project led by St John’s College, Durham University, with the University of York and Faith and Public Life at the Church of England. We also work in partnership with St Paul’s University, Limuru, Kenya; Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland; Singapore Bible College, Singapore; and United Theological College, Bengaluru, India.
ECLAS’ goal is to equip Christian leaders with the tools to engage with cutting-edge science, the better to inform their personal faith and public policy work.
Applications for Scientists in Congregations funding were open from March to April 2024, to churches of any denomination in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.
More information about individual projects is available at https://www.eclasproject.org/congregations/
Press contact: Helen Billam, Communications Manager, helen.billam@durham.ac.uk
Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Royal City, Sevenoaks was started in 2014. Our purpose is to make, mature and mobilise disciples to be Christ-like, fulfil the great commission and walk in their God-given destiny.
At RCCG Royal City, Sevenoaks, we are committed to use innovative strategies to connect communities with the message of the KING – Jesus Christ. We are passionate about revival, regeneration and renewal of lives and communities. We believe a healthy engagement with science will facilitate healthy communities.
We are part of the global RCCG network with over 400 parishes in the UK.
More information about our project is available at https://www.royalcity.org.uk/elijah-the-tishbite-recovery-and-mental-wellbeing
RCCG, Royal City, Sevenoaks press contact: Pastor Yinka Oshin, pastor@royalcity.org.uk
