Asalogo3.JPGAsalogo5.JPGNEWSLETTER

of the
American Scientific Affiliation & 
Canadian Scientific & Christian Affiliation 


Volume 51, Number 6                                                                                                                                                                    NOV/DEC 2009 


More Annual Meeting Information 

Young Scientists 001 cc2Early Career Scientists 

The Early Career Network outing at the Annual Meeting was a great success! Three students and six early career scientists met at an eclectic coffee shop called “Common Grounds.” The four men and five women from both Christian and secular educational institutions covered a variety of issues from resources that could be used in church to help promote understanding of science and faith issues to how they could stand as Christian academics in the scientific world. 

This was organized by Bethany Sollereder, a master’s student at Regent College in Vancouver, BC. She is working on a thesis titled “Evolutionary Theodicy: An Evangelical Perspective” and is interested in Old Testament texts, especially Genesis. She finds common ground with many discussions in the ASA. After finishing her masters, she hopes to pursue PhD studies in an area similar to what she is now studying. Bethany gave a presentation at the Annual Meeting titled “The Darwin-Gray Exchange,” which was most insightful. 

Women in Science Luncheon 

Approximately twenty women met together during the annual meeting at Baylor for the Women in Science Luncheon. This yearly event provides opportunity for renewed fellowship, discussion of issues, problems, and solutions, and sharing a vision of ways that women may uniquely contribute to the work of the ASA and ways that the ASA can support and help women in science. This year the conversation focused around the question “What can ASA do to help women in their careers and their spiritual life?” 

SaraIt was suggested that women already in science could benefit from a Forum/ Blog connected to the ASA website (requiring login and “permission” to post/view—not a “public” site) where women can discuss “issues.” Technology could also be a way of helping women students by providing a “space” to ask questions and learn about successful strategies for navigating graduate school, church and family expectations, and personal understandings of vocation. We were reminded that InterVarsity has a website The Well (www.intervarsity.org/gfm/well/) that does some of this, and we might want to begin by utilizing this resource. It was pointed out, however, that personal relationships are also needed, and the desire was expressed that we develop an “alumnae network” by discipline and occupation. For instance, if a grad student is interested in water quality management, the alumnae network could allow us to locate a woman in the field who would be willing to mentor the grad student, not academically but personally. 

An extended discussion took place on whether we should try to have a “Women in Science Conference,” patterned in part on the one in 1997 at Eastern, or as a pre-ASA workshop. Gradually the consensus developed that a more productive approach might be to have a pre-conference meeting on Parenting and Science Careers. It was pointed out that overcoming problems that women face requires that men be involved and the church be involved. So the workshop might include topics such as “Dad and science,” “Mom and science,” and “Children and science,” all of which might also provide information and insights that can be useful to congregations. 

A more detailed summary of the suggestions shared at the luncheon was submitted to Randy Isaac so that he can share them with the Executive Council and the Program Chairs of future meetings. If you have suggestions about ways to implement some of these ideas (especially if you are willing to work on it!) or have additional ideas, let Randy know. * Sara Miles 

Stimulating Discussions 

Wherever you went on the Baylor campus, people were introducing friends to each other and then they would get into profound discussions. Sometimes you just enjoyed listening. 

Paluxy River Field Trip 

PaluxyRiverOne field trip was to Dinosaur Valley, Paluxy River near Glen Rose, TX, about a 1½-hr drive from Baylor University. David Campbell, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Biodiversity and Systematics, University of Alabama, was the organizer. He got his PhD from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in paleobiology and is the newsletter editor for the Affiliation of Christian Geologists. He researched this unique area in depth, sent participants detailed information prior to the trip, and arranged for Glen Kuban, an expert on this special region, to be the guide. At the Visitor’s Center we learned about the various dinosaurs which had lived in this area which had been a beach/shallow ocean. We climbed down into the river area and saw up close the amazing tracks on rocks, and our guide distinguished between tracks and erosion. One member of the group said, “It was the most interesting trip I have taken at an ASA Annual Meeting. It is a really unique site, and the leader was so informative. I wish I could bring my family here. How often do you get to see dinosaur tracks?” Iowa State University biologist Tom Ingebritsen said, “It was so interesting to see the footprints and to visit this sight in depth, to understand the velocity the dinosaurs traveled by the footprints!” 

Comments by ASA Spouses 

We chatted with spouses who attended the Annual Meeting, and some of their comments were: 

Attending Their First Annual Meeting 

Jane Beers has been on the biology faculty at John Brown University for 11 years. She has a BA from Taylor University and an MS in Science Education from Northeastern University in Oklahoma. She teaches many biology classes, including Biological Science for nonmajors and an origins course, and leads a biotechnology seminar. Brian Greuel and Larry Seward encouraged her to join the ASA and she has been a member for the past year. She says that ASA articles have really been helpful in her classrooms and they give students a chance to see dialogue on important issues. She said she appreciated being with scientists who are trying to integrate science with their faith. 

Table conversation and Green awareness 001Jennifer Billman has taught biology at Messiah College since 1995. She earned a BS in biology at Messiah and an MS at the University of Maryland. She has been a member of the ASA two years. Jennifer had received a grant for the Test of Faith Symposium on Friday at Baylor and then stayed for the Annual Meeting. Jennifer said, 

I’ve been amazed by the depth of community that is tangible amongst believers. Even though people have opposing viewpoints on various topics, the civility is impressive! It’s a great model for our campus communities and our churches on how to dialogue about controversial issues under Christ’s umbrella of grace. 

Geneva College chemistry professor Kerry McMahon also teaches Natural Sciences, a required course for nonscience majors. He recently learned about the ASA from Geneva College Chemistry Chair John Stahl. Kerry said he was so impressed with the friendliness and inclusiveness shown by the attendees, and that the sessions were great! 

The Executive Director’s Corner 

Randall D. Isaac 

On November 2, Gordon College will host a special recognition of the life of former ASA Executive Director Robert Herrmann. It was nearly 30 years ago that Bob accepted the job of ASA Executive Director together with the responsibility of developing the Gordon College Pre-Medical Program. This decision moved ASA headquarters from Elgin, IL to Ipswich, MA, where Bob elected to reside. Bob led these two programs for 13 years until Don Munro succeeded him in both capacities. The ASA can therefore claim to have contributed expertise and support for the very successful development of Gordon’s pre-med program. The ASA joins Gordon College in thanking Bob for his outstanding leadership and stimulation during an important era. 

Former ASA council member V. Elving Anderson’s lifelong contributions to biochemistry and human genetics were recognized by a symposium on September 26 at the University of Minnesota. ASA President Ted Davis spoke of our appreciation for his work and his service and contributions to ASA. 

In this time of attention to health care reform, it is fitting for ASA members to contribute significantly to leadership on this topic. About 8% of our members are directly involved in the medical profession. Another 38% of our members are in biology or chemistry, many of whom are in faculty positions in pre-med programs. 

One of the keys to better medical care is leadership in medical research. We can encourage our youth to pursue careers in medical research, demonstrate the value we place on quality research, and share the results of such research. 

We must also provide the public with guidance of how to make decisions in the absence of sufficient research. Many decisions of health care must be made well before the desired research is complete. Decisions are increasingly being delegated to the patient, who gravitates toward the often abbreviated and partial information received from their caregivers, relatives, and friends. This environment invites anxiety and indecision which can also aggravate illnesses and delay treatment. 

Speaking of our environment, there is growing evidence of the connection between health problems and the quality of our air, water, and food. We do not need to wait for all the details of such research to be completed to focus our energies on improving our environment. Several papers in our recent annual meetings have addressed ways of applying science and technology to provide better basic resources. Each of us as ASA members can work in our own communities and support efforts in developing communities to improve water and air quality. Preventing health problems is still the most cost-effective measure we know. 

Our biblical call to care for our creation has several dimensions. Health and sustainability of all humankind is one of the major aspects. In the last few decades we have come to realize how our human actions influence not just our local environment but global climate as well. The health implications are very significant. We have a major responsibility to understand and address any aspect of our lifestyle that threatens the health of our brothers and sisters elsewhere in the world. 

Ethics are another pervasive issue for all of us. Many discussions of ethics revolve around the beginning and the end of life, but the rest of our lives are not immune from ethics issues. What responsibility do we have to ensure that everyone has access to health care? If we can’t afford the ultimate in care for everyone, what is our Christian duty to provide? Christian missionaries have long recognized the importance of health care in any endeavor to reach a population for Christ. How can we justify allowing a subset of our population in developed countries to be denied the same care as the average person? What can we do to extend healing hands to everyone in need? 

Not everyone in ASA is active in a field related to health care. But every one of us is a recipient of such care, and we all play a role—physically, spiritually, and politically—in establishing the environment for the well-being of people throughout this world. Let us all actively participate in applying our science and our faith toward carrying out God’s call to minister to those in need. 

Randy.JPG
Welcome, New Members!
August–September 2009 

Joshua E. Bailey –Riverview, FL 

Steven L. Ball –Longview, TX 

Paul L. Booth –Cotuit, MA 

Andrew A. Bremer –Davis, CA 

Yun-Shiung Chang –Glenside, PA 

Edward F. Crockett III –Florence, AL 

Ralph E. Davis –Orange City, IA 

Peter T. Denton Jr. –Durham, NC 

Charles M. Garner –Woodway, TX 

David T. Gorrell –Houston, TX 

Paul C. Grabow –McGregor, TX 

Larry Gulberg –Mukilteo, WA 

Melvin W. Hanna –Centennial, CO 

James H. Irwin Jr. –Peoria, IL 

John M. McDonnel –Kiev, Ukraine 

Ron W. Nielsen –Varsity Lakes, Qld, Australia 

Dale L. Partin –Ray, MI 

Michael L. Reed –New Hope, PA 

Carol M. Richart –Downers Grove, IL 

Christopher M. Rios –Waco, TX 

Bryce Sullivan –Nashville, TN 

James M. Tucci –Belmont, MI 

Abigail L. Van Hook –Cambridge, MA 

John Weber –Cedar Parks, TX 

Chadwick L. White –Effingham, SC 

Carr Scholarship

Physicist Paul Carr established the Carr Scholarship in Science and Religion to one or more graduate students at the Boston University School of Theology in 2003 as a tribute to his father, Rev. Auburn J. Carr, a Methodist minister who graduated from the School of Theology in 1932. Information about the scholarship and its recipients is available at mirrorofnature.org/CarrScholarshpPHC_AJC.htm

The 2009 winner was Connor Wood. Connor received a BA in Creative Writing at the University of Wisconsin and began working on his masters of theological studies at Boston University School of Theology in 2008. Since his undergraduate days, he has been drawn to science and religion and has organized a Religion and Science Club at BU which meets every two weeks, discussing many areas PHCBrianJenkinsin the religion/ science dialogue. 

Paul worked at the Air Force Research Laboratory where he is presently emeritus. He led the Component Technology Branch in Bedford, MA, from 1967 to 1995, and wrote 80 scientific papers and had ten patents which contributed to new, low-cost components for radar, TV, and cell phones. He joined the ASA in 1996 after meeting Don Munro, then Executive Director. Through Don, Paul learned of the Templeton Science and Religion Course Program and was awarded a grant in 1997 for his philosophy course “Science and Religion: Cosmos to Consciousness” which he taught at the University of Massachusetts Lowell from 1998–2000. He also received two Templeton grants in 1999, one for the Session at the International Paul Tillich Society Meeting, “Science and Religion at the Dawn of the 3rd Millennium,” and a Course Development Grant. 

Paul earned his PhD in physics at Brandeis University after receiving his BS and MS from MIT. He has studied religion at Harvard, Boston University School of Theology, Andover Newton, and Boston College and has written the book, Beauty in Science and Spirit

Symposium Summary 

Oskar Gruenwald, who co-founded the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIR) and is editor of the Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, led a symposium on “Intelligent Design & Artificial Intelligence: The Ghost in the Machine?” in Pasadena July 30–Aug. 2. He said that those attending enjoyed the seminar-style format which allowed more time for presentations and discussions. Wayne Iba, a mathematician and computer scientist from Westmont College gave the keynote titled “Simulated Worlds, Creatures and Creators,” showing the remarkable advances in artificial intelligence via robots which can be programmed to perform complex tasks. Some presenters addressed brain research and the mysterious emergence of consciousness. Theoretical physicist Denis Polis argued persuasively that there is a mind behind evolution. He maintained that evolution is purposeful, not random.  

Templeton Foundation Dialogues 

The Templeton Foundation has sponsored dialogues on Bloggingheads.tv It is an online discussion platform called “Percontations,” an old-fashioned word meaning “a questioning or inquiry, especially one requiring more than a yes-or-no answer.” On June 7 they featured Robert Wright and Karl Giberson. Karl was reconciling Christianity with evolution including the following topics: “In search of a scientifically respectable form of divine intervention. Can natural selection explain our moral sense? What is it that our moral sense senses, anyway? Can we explain Mother Teresa’s generosity without God? How consoling could a hands-off God be?” 

On May 17, Jeffrey Schloss and Frans de Waal discussed “Human nature, primate nature, animal nature. What’s so special about human empathy? Why not have sex at every opportunity? The ‘altruism is a meme’ meme. Can you live a morally good life solely on the basis of religion? Is morality a self-deception?” 

ASAer Responds 

Charles Austerberry, assistant professor in the Dept. of Biology at Creighton University in Omaha, NE, on Sept. 3 wrote a response to an item titled “Creating Controversy” in Inside Higher Ed. 

I am a member of the American Scientific Affiliation (ASA), an organization of Christians from various denominations who are also professional scientists. The ASA web site (www.asa3.org) has resources that might be helpful. For example, among members of the ASA there’s a wide spectrum of views on intelligent design theory. I appreciate the opportunity provided by the ASA to see different perspectives on science and Christian faith presented without distracting “spin” or emotional “culture war” attacks. Controversy over the teaching of evolution at Christian colleges is a familiar issue to members of the ASA. 

Charles has been a member of the ASA for about 30 years and told the newsletter co-editors, 

The ASA provides a forum wherein Christians in the sciences can discuss faith/science issues in a Christ-like manner. Disagreements are not hidden. There’s no attempt to present a false face of unity on controversial issues. In all of its activities—the journal, the newsletter, the website, the e-mail list, and (I’m sure) the Annual Meetings and local section meetings, the ASA’s mission seems to be the support of faithful truth-seeking by Christians in the sciences. As noted in my comment on Inside Higher Ed, attempts at productive dialogue on faith/science issues are too often frustrated by “culture war” tactics. I find the ASA to be an oasis from such distractions, an imperfect glimpse of the ‘peace that passes all understanding’ that St. Paul hoped would keep Christians’ minds and hearts. 

Charles teaches molecular and cellular biology and advises students preparing for the health professions. He also teaches an interdisciplinary course, Science and Religion, once a year. He and some colleagues began the Nebraska Religious Coalition for Science Education when some citizens proposed state standards that would have created problems for science teachers. See nrcse.creighton.edu

IBSS Exciting Goal 

The Institute for Biblical and Scientific Studies (www.bibleandscience.com) has been trying to raise money to buy the famous Morefield Mine in Amela, VA, near Richmond. It is a great place for school groups and families to come and search for interesting rocks and would become the IBSS headquarters. About 15,000 visit the mine yearly. There are pictures of the mine at www.toteshows.com/morefield.html 

IBSS would like to have a museum there as well, and it still needs to raise about $155,000. Interested persons can contact Stephen C. Meyers, IBSS president, at ibss@comcast.net. IBSS sends out a free monthly e-newsletter. To subscribe, e-mail subscribe@bibleandscience.com saying “subscribe.” IBSS is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization interested in the areas of Bible and science. The goals are to educate people about these issues and to do research. They have a gift shop with materials related to the Bible such as replicas of the Sumerian tablets and biblical papyrus. Their website contains information about the latest archaeological discoveries and religious news. 

Stephen helped found this institute in 1994. He has a BS in Christian ministries from Tennessee Temple University, MDiv in Old Testament from Temple Baptist Theological Seminary, ThM from Westminster Theological Seminary, MA in counseling from Liberty University School of Lifelong Learning, and a ThD from Trinity Evangelical Seminary in Florida. His dissertation was “The Date of the Exodus in Ancient Writings.” Stephen pastored a church in Philadelphia and started the Kensington Outreach Center to help homeless street people and drug addicts. He presently works at the Transportation Security Administration at the Philadelphia International Airport. 

Short-Term Missions 

Christian Veterinary Mission, under the leadership of Kit Flowers in Seattle, WA, has many short-term mission trips available around the world. Kit asks “Have you prayerfully considered the Lord’s calling on your life to short-term missions?” Both small and large animal opportunities are available. CVM says “God is at work transforming lives through veterinary medicine and through short-term missions.” If you are interested, see shortterm@cvmusa.org 

More Anniversaries 

The year 2009 has been a year of many anniversaries. Our culture has recognized Darwin (200), Lincoln (200), Braille (200), the use of the telescope (400). It is also the 500th anniversary of the birth of theologian John Calvin. Born in France on July 10, 1509, he lived until May 27, 1564. He studied theology and law and at some point between 1528 and 1533 experienced a “sudden conversion” and embraced Protestantism. “God subdued my soul to docility by a sudden conversion” was how he described this experience. In 1536 he published his Institutes of the Christian Religion and in 1618–19 the Synod of Dort codified his predestination doctrine. 

2009 is the 400th anniversary of the birth of the Baptist movement within the Christian faith. Roger Williams asked “whether or no such as may hold forth other worships or religions, Jews, Turks, or anti-Christians, may not be peaceable and quiet subjects, loving and helpful neighbours, fair and just dealers, true and loyal to the civil government” and concluded, “It is clear they may.” The Courier-Journal, Louisville, KY, June 10, 2009 stated, “In this radical break with tradition, this first Baptist in America foresaw a pluralism that would not be a reality in our land for several centuries. But this trail blazer laid the groundwork for our nation to forge a new relationship of clear distance between religion and government, between church and state.” (Joe Phelps

2009 Templeton Award 

Bernard d’Espagnat, age 87, French physicist and philosopher of science whose explorations of the philosophical implications of quantum physics have opened new vistas on the definition of reality and the potential limits of knowable science, was awarded the 2009 Templeton Prize. It was announced on March 16 in Paris at a news conference at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. One of the big questions he has considered is “Can scientific research encourage spirituality?” In his statement he said, 

… let me tell President [Sir John] Templeton how deeply I feel honored at having received this prestigious prize, aimed at rewarding a significant contribution to affirming life’s spiritual dimension. Honored and, at the same time, feeling very humble for, while fully sharing Sir John Templeton’s guiding idea that no domain is, in the long run, more important than that of spirituality and its possible evolution, I also deeply realize how ticklish it is. 

He added, 

Sure, it is not for a scientist such as me, who spent his whole life juggling with equations, to speak on spirituality. I stand outside the temple, so to speak. Still let me state once again that I feel myself deeply in accordance with the Templeton Foundation’s great, guiding idea that, even in this domain, science does shed light. 

He said that science incites scientists to resort to personal mental deepening and that scientists “who believe in a spiritual dimension of existence and live up to it are, when all is said, fully right.” The $1.42 million prize was officially awarded by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, at a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London on May 5. 

ASAer’s Book Published 

Stephen Vantassel’s book, Dominion Over Wildlife? An Environmental Theology of Human-Wildlife Relations (Wipf and Stock, 2009) has been published. Stephen investigates the biblical, ethical, and scientific arguments employed by the Christian Animal Rights (CAR) movement concerning human-wildlife relations. The book engages in practical theology by addressing several important questions: How should Christians treat our wildlife neighbors? Has the Church been wrong in its understanding of human domination? Does God want Christians to avoid hunting, trapping, fishing, and adopt a vegetarian lifestyle? This book answers these questions by detailing a theology the author calls “Shepherdism.” CAR activists point to Christ’s sacrificial work of reconciliation as a model for modern Christian behavior; as Christ sacrificed for us, we should avoid eating meat and hunting as ways we can participate in Christ’s nonviolent work of reconciling creation to himself. 

Stephen is project coordinator for Wildlife Damage Management at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and a tutor for King’s Evangelical Divinity School in Wales, UK. He has authored many articles on humanity’s relationship to wildlife and authored The Wildlife Removal Handbook and The Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook. In 1987 he earned a BA in biblical studies from Gordon College, Wenham, MA, and a MATS in Old Testament from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He received a Doctorate in Theology in 2008 from Trinity Theological Seminary, Newburgh, IN, writing his dissertation on “A Biblical, Ethical, and Scientific Evaluation of the Christian Animal Rights Activists Movement’s Opposition to Wildlife Trapping.” See snr.unl.edu/aboutus/who/people/staff/vantassel-stephen.asp

Vatican: Science and Religion 

Of Interest 

Journalism Fellowships in Science and Religion 

The Templeton-Cambridge Journalism Fellowship in Science & Religion is available for journalists who wish to become aware of issues in science and religion. This two-month program, June through July, includes three weeks of seminars at the University of Cambridge, featuring eminent authorities in the field. Fellows will be paid a $15,000 stipend in addition to a book allowance and travel expenses. Priority will be given to mid-career and senior journalists. Apply by Dec. 15, 2009 at www.templeton-cambridge.org 

Congratulations, Long-time ASA Members! 

Celebrating 30 years of membership 

Paul A. Adams 

Harold G. Ashcraft 

Charles F. Austerberry 

Gregory S. Bennett 

David L. Bourell 

Neil D. Broom 

John A. Brushaber 

David E. Elliott 

W. Paul Fayter 

David E. Fisher 

Marilyne S. Flora 

Keith A. Griffioen 

John M. Hill 

Douglas E. Johnson 

Ian S. Johnston 

Sam A. McLauchlan 

Dale Pleticha 

David L. Ragonesi 

David E. Roll 

Craig Rottman 

Henry F. Schaefer III 

John W. Stahl 

Robert A. Styer 

Celebrating 25 years of membership 

David B. Bailey 

Richard A. Carpenter 

Loyd D. Frashier 

Carol A. Hill 

Stephen B. Hurlbut 

Daniel L. Johnson 

David L. Langhus 

Andrew T. Levin 

Robert B. Mann 

Kenneth R. Marken, Jr. 

Howard R. Meyer, Jr. 

Stephen C. Meyer 

Paul J. Missel 

Stephen O. Moshier 

John C. Munday 

Karl M. Oberholser 

Gary W. Paukert 

William J. Ray 

Collins’ New Appointment 

Francis Collins is the new director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). President Obama said, “Dr. Collins is one of the top scientists in the world, and his groundbreaking work has changed the very ways we consider our health and examine disease. I look forward to working with him in the months and years ahead.” (Science and Religion Today, July 8, 2009) 

The American Association for the Advancement of Science said, in its Sept. 10 Policy Alert, that the new NIH director 

spoke to NIH employees immediately after being sworn in August 17, saying that ensuring a soft budgetary landing for the agency in FY 2011 is the challenge that ‘wakes me up in the middle of the night.’ Collins’ priorities for NIH include using technological advances in areas like genomics and computational biology to examine the fundamental biology of disease; conducting translational (‘bench to bedside’) research; emphasizing global health and the nurturing of young researchers; and using NIH resources to inform health care reform efforts. 

Francis has stepped down as president of the BioLogos Foundation which promotes the search for truth in science and religion. Darrell Falk and Karl Giberson are now serving as co-presidents and Syman Stevens as the executive director. 

Evolution Weekend 

The Clergy Letter Project, organized by Michael Zimmerman of Butler University, Indianapolis, is having its 5th Evolution Weekend, Feb. 12–14, 2010. The purpose of Evolution Weekend is to demonstrate that religion and science need not be at war with one another and to raise the quality of the dialogue on this important topic. Congregations can take any form they wish, such as a sermon, a discussion over lunch, an adult class, etc. the week before or after. Over the years, this activity in churches can really make a difference in how people understand these issues. The list of more than 446 participants representing 46 states and the District of Columbia and nine countries is online at www.evolutionweekend.org. If you wish to add your congregation to their list, contact Michael at mz@butler.edu or (317) 940-6644. 

The Church of England has produced a series of web pages discussing Darwin’s contributions and the compatibility of his ideas with religion. See www.cofe.anglican.org/darwin/

Coming Events 

Now until Jan. 3, 2010. The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto exhibit: “Dead Sea Scrolls: Words that Changed the World.” 

Now until July 18, 2010. The National Museum of Natural History, 10th St. and Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC. Exhibit: “Since Darwin: The Evolution of Evolution.” See www.mnh.si.edu or call (202) 633-1000 

Nov. 5. The Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke U., Durham, NC. Sarah Coakley, Prof. of Divinity, U. of Cambridge, Room 1014 in the School of Nursing, 12 to 1:30 p.m. Lunch is provided if you register two weeks ahead. Call (919) 660-7556 or e-mail dukespiritualityandhealth@gmail.com

Nov. 11. Metanexus Institute is sponsoring “The Explosion of Interest in Spirituality and Health” by David Hufford, Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, 625 Montgomery Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA at 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. (484) 592-0304 or info@metanexus.net

Nov. 20–22. 12th Annual Bible & Archaeology Fest, New Orleans, LA.  James Charlesworth, Professor of New Testament and Director of the Dead Sea Scrolls Project at Princeton Theological Seminary will speak at the Plenary Session. It is at the Marriott New Orleans Convention Center. Call (800) 221-4644, ext. 208. More information at www.biblicalarchaeology.org/fest

Nov. 20–22. “The 150 Years of Evolution: Darwin’s Impact on the Humanities and Social Sciences,” San Diego. Get info at BioLogos.org  

Dec. 3. The Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke U., Durham, NC. “Religious Involvement and US Adult Mortality: Evidence, Controversy and Next Steps,” Robert Hummer, Prof. of Sociology, The U. of Texas at Austin. Duke Medical Center Board Room 1170B, 12 to 1:30 p.m. Lunch is provided if you register two weeks ahead by calling (919) 660-7556 or e-mail dukespiritualityandhealth@gmail.com

Jan. 9–25. Seminar at Sea Caribbean Cruise combining biblical scholarship with a vacation! Biblical Archaeological Society. Call (800) 221-4644, ext. 208 www.biblicalarchaeology.org/travelstudy

Jan. 24–31. Caribbean Cruise and Lecture Series, “Exploring Babylon and the Bible: Connections and Contrasts.” See above website and phone number. 

US Department of Energy Honors Miller 

RDMWfSMay09smallRuth Douglas Miller, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Kansas State University, received an award in May for Outstanding Leadership in the Application of Wind for Schools from the US Department of Energy’s Wind Powering America program. Ruth says in a news release, 

This award is recognizing not just wind turbines up at the schools, but the number of K-State engineering students involved in helping getting them going. The interest from the student body here at K-State and engineering students pursuing careers in renewable energy is big. It’s important to the energy industry to increase the number of workers in renewable energies.  

The award was also given to Dan Nagengast, executive director of the Kansas Rural Center, who got Ruth involved in the Wind for Schools program. 

Because of Miller’s work researching alternative energies, eight Kansas schools have wind turbines and seven more are set to receive them. She is funded as Kansas Wind Applications Center (WAC) director under the Department of Energy/National Renewable Energy Laboratory program. Her research has focused on where to site turbines and the applications of wind energy, such as studying how to integrate it into the power grid. She advises the K-State Solar Car Team and is also working on a solar energy system site on the K-State campus. 

In May Ruth presented a poster in Chicago on Kansas Wind for Schools activities and Windpower 2009. The Wind Applications Center website (www.eece.ksu.edu/psg/wac/) says their mission is “to educate electrical engineers on the basics of wind energy, and to be a source of information on wind energy for the people of Kansas, who want to harvest wind power for the benefit of themselves, their children and the state.” They are willing to help any who have questions or are looking into this area. (Kansas State news release, May 20, Erinn Barcomb-Peterson

65th Annual Meeting of the ASA

July 30–August 2, 2010
The Catholic University of America
Washington, DC 

“SCIENCE AND PUBLIC POLICY” 

Susan Daniels, Program Chair
Paul Arveson, Local Arrangements Chair 

The Newsletter of the ASA and CSCA is published bimonthly for its membership by the American Scientific Affiliation. Send Newsletter information to the Editors: David Fisher, 285 Cane Garden Cir., Aurora, IL 60504-2064. E-mail: dfisherasa@comcast.net and Margaret Towne, 8505 Copper Mountain Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89129. E-mail: TowneMG@aol.com. Both receive e-mail through asan@asa3.org  

Please send Canadian matters to: CSCA, PO Box 63082, University Plaza, Dundas, ON, Canada  L9H 4H0. 

Send address changes and other business items to the American Scientific Affiliation, PO Box 668, 55 Market St., Ipswich, MA 01938-0668. Phone: (978) 356-5656; FAX: (978) 356-4375; E-mail: asa@asa3.org; Web site: www.asa3.org 

©2009 American Scientific Affiliation (except previously published material). All rights reserved. 

Editors: David Fisher, Margaret Towne
Managing Editor: Lyn Berg