We are excited to announce that Trinity Lutheran has won a $30,000 “Scientists in Congregations” Grant from the John Templeton Foundation!

In March, Trinity Senior Pastor Steve Wold sent around an email to the pastoral staff about an exciting way to deepen our congregations’ understanding of the constant intersections of faith and life.  Its presentation immediately sparked the imagination of Pastor Colin Grangaard. When the idea was shared with other ministry leaders here at Trinity, it was clear that there was some potential.  After Easter, in May and into June, meetings were convened with several of the many science professors and educators who are members of Trinity. They brainstormed and organized ideas for a proposal. Dr. Heidi Manning of Concordia agreed to co-direct the grant with Pastor Colin and Dr. Ernie Simmons agreed to advise the process, which will be especially helpful because of his experience with previous grants from the John Templeton Foundation.

So what’s the plan anyways?  Well, there are three main ways that Trinity will be looking at the interplay between science and faith through issues surrounding God’s Evolving Work in Creation during Fall ‘11 and Spring ‘12.  First, our Children’s Ministry will be developing a new unit on New Life and Creation (which is one of six units the kids learn).  Second, the Fall Retreat for High Schoolers, 6th Grade Masterpiece Retreat and 9th Grade Sexuality retreat will be enriched with the input of science educators and resources; Plus, we’ll be working on a 7th Grade Evolution and Faith Retreat to help middle school kids see that faith can be complementary instead of contradictory to a mature way of engaging science.  Finally, five times in the next year we will invite prominent speakers and convene public forums of science and faith educators from Concordia, MSUM, NDSU and beyond for the benefit of Trinity and the whole F-M community.

We hope you are as excited about this great opportunity! If you have thoughts, encouragement or are willing to help make this opportunity a success, email Pr Colin at colin@trinitymhd.org.

Events

Faith, Food and Biotechnology

On Sunday, February 19 at 12:30 p.m., come to the CLC for a meal and discussion on the ethics of food choices. Four panelists from the farming industry will lead a conversation on GMOs and the ethics behind farming practices. View the poster here!

Take a look at the panelists bio's here!
See the event outline here!

Food Science

Where is your food from and how does it grow?

While the adults are participating in the Faith, Food and Biotechnology discussion, kids are invited to explore the work of God the master gardener through planting, growing, pollinating, and tasting!

This event is for kindergartners and older. Bring your kids to room 216 on February 19 at 1 p.m. to register! More information can be found here.

 

"Six Days of Wonder: A Faith and Science Experience for Kids" took place on January 15, 2012. Pictures of the event are coming soon!

"Evolution Controversy: Who's Fighting with Whom About What?" took place on Sunday, October 9. Guest speaker was Ted Peters, Professor at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary at Berkeley. Music was provided by Nate Houge.

 

Click here to see pictures from this event.
Click here to see video of this event.
Click here to see the Oct. 9th service where Ted Peters Preached.

 

More Events to Come!

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