Subject: UUs

From: "Paul Beckel" <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2006 09:49:15 -0600

I'm happy to continue working with you all on Darwin Day and I very much appreciate your efforts.

As you continue, here's a detail you should understand about many of the congregations who support Darwin Day, and who identify themselves as Unitarian Universalist: we are not a Christian denomination.

I am happy tho to be a part of your interfaith efforts.

Many thanks!
Rev. Paul Beckel
First Universalist Unitarian Church
Wauau WI
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mary Detweiler 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 3:25 PM
  Subject: Evolution Sunday February 2007

  The Rev. Paul Beckel
  First Universalist Unitarian Church
  Wausau, WI

  [email-masked]

  Dear Rev. Beckel:

  We are contacting you because you were one of the faith leaders who answered Dr. Michael Zimmerman and the Clergy Letter Project's call to support "Evolution Sunday."  Many of you participated by preaching sermons explaining the harmony between Christianity and evolutionary science.  Your public stance in favor of good science was an important example for all Americans.

  We, the Alliance for Science, are writing you to offer our support and assistance in the observation on February 11, 2007 of "Evolution Sunday, 2007."  We feel that your participation and continuing support are vital.  Today, as the highly visible court cases fade from view, the confusion and untruths spread by the anti-evolution forces continue to grow and pervade our society, and we need your help more than ever..

           The Alliance for Science is an organization composed of scientists, science teachers and non-scientists of all faiths and creeds.   The mission of the organization is to heighten public understanding and support for science and to preserve the distinctions between science and religion in the public sphere. We bring together scientists, teachers and people interested in science with the many religious bodies that have found no conflict between religion and science. Together we work to reawaken America's love of science, and to restore our competitive edge in science and technology.

  The members of the Alliance for Science and its affiliated groups are offering our help to you and your congregations in the exploration of the boundaries between faith and science.  We are willing to participate in adult education classes, seminars, and "teach-ins." We are also contacting scientific societies to inform them that "Evolution Sunday 2007" will be observed on February 11 and asking them to educate their members about this event. We hope many scientists and science teachers will contact their own and local clergy to offer to lead discussions and classes.

  In addition, organizations such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the National Academies of Science have developed background and educational materials that are available for your use. One such resource is AAAS's The Evolution Dialogues: Science, Christianity, and the Quest for Understanding.  This book describes the historical relationship between Christianity and evolution along with the science of evolution and the nature of science, and is accompanied by a study guide designed to guide church group discussions.

  The members of the Alliance for Science will be glad to discuss any ideas you may have, as well as support your efforts by supplying written or personal resources. Please consider adding "Evolution Sunday 2007" activities to your church's schedule for February, and feel free to contact us with any requests for information or support.

  Visit www.evolutionsunday.org for information about Evolution Sunday and to sign up. 

  We look forward to working with you on the important event.

  Sincerely,

  Dr. Irving W. Wainer, PhD, Dr. Hon. Causa

  Chair, The Alliance for Science, [email-masked]

  A supporting letter from Dr. Robert J. Stephens, President, Darwin Day Celebration, follows:

  Darwin Day Celebration

  AN INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF SCIENCE AND HUMANITY

  2682 Middlefield Rd., Suite P, Redwood City, CA  94063-3467  l  [email-masked]  l  650-701-1948

  Dear Supporters of the "Clergy Letter Project",

  Greetings, and congratulations to all who participated in the Clergy Letter Project and Evolution Sunday on February 12, 2006.  We look forward to many additional participants in 2007!

  Darwin Day was pleased to coordinate its International Recognition of Science and Humanity, with the Clergy Letter Project initiated by Dr. Michael Zimmerman in 2006 and we will be participating again in 2007.  Darwin Day Celebrations take place each year on, or near February 12, Charles Darwin's birthday and many institutions have become a part of this tradition --- they include universities, colleges, museums, churches, and libraries, as well as private groups --- and they are currently planning for 2007.  It is our hope that the supporters of the Clergy Project will continue to hold Evolution Sunday in their churches of differing traditions each year and become a part of the GLOBAL CELEBRATION for Darwin's bicentennial birthday in 2009! 

  It must be clear to all of us that it serves no one's interest for the American public to remain mislead about science in the 21st century, so it's heartening to have so many of the clergy willing to use their influence to educate their parishioners informally about the central role of evolution in science today.  Darwin Day Celebration was founded in the year 2000 on the premise that science, like music, is an international language that speaks to all people in very similar ways.  While music is both intellectual and entertaining, science is our most reliable knowledge system.  Science has been, and continues to be, acquired through human curiosity and ingenuity.  Because of Charles Darwin's central role in discovering the theory of evolution and from subsequent research that confirms his theory, we have concluded that he is a worthy symbol on which to focus, in order to build a Global Celebration of Science and Humanity that is intended to promote a common bond among all people of the earth.

  The dual mission of Darwin Day Celebration is to promote public education about science and in addition to encourage the celebration of Science and Humanity throughout the global community.

  Darwin Day is pleased to join The Alliance for Science and the Clergy Letter Project in a common effort to provide the American public multiple opportunities to learn the true nature of science!  We look forward to working with you in coming years and, in addition, you may find the information on our website helpful to you as you prepare for Evolution Sunday.

  Sincerely yours,

  Robert J. ("Bob") Stephens, Ph.D.          

  President, Darwin Day Celebration, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-deductible corp.

  Website: http://www.darwinday.org 

  Email: [email-masked]