Announcing a new organization for religion and science dialogue

I've pasted below an annoucement we just sent out to a list of local people
who are interested in science and religion. We hope to cooperate very
closely with the Eastern PA section of the ASA as part of this initiative.
I also have some ideas about how to interface with the 2005 annual meeting,
which will be at Messiah.

If you live close enough to us, that you would like to try to come to some
of our events, simply provide me the email contact information and I'll add
you to my electronic mailing list. And, consider yourself included among
the group who's invited to dinner (see below). In either case, just let me
know!

Ted

CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA FORUM FOR RELIGION AND SCIENCE

Messiah College is very pleased to announce that The Metanexus Institute of
Philadelphia has awarded us a matching grant to help us create a new
organization: the Central Pennsylvania Forum for Religion and Science, under
the direction of Dr. Edward B. ("Ted") Davis, Professor of the History of
Science. The Forum joins a growing international group of local societies,
sponsored by a variety of institutions, that are also funded by The
Metanexus Institute. For a list of similar organizations in North America,
go here:
http://www.metanexus.net/local_societies/societies_list.asp?RegionID=1.

The Forum will sponsor many events of various kinds, all intended to help
promote better understanding of religion and science-including medicine and
social science-in this region. We will continue the college's tradition of
hosting speakers who represent a variety of religious perspectives. We will
also be forming book discussion groups. Major events involving cultural
activities, seminars, and academic conferences are also planned. Many
events will take place on our campus, but some will be held in other
locations. All of our events will be announced on the Forum homepage, which
you should bookmark for future reference:
http://www.messiah.edu/godandscience/index.shtml. (This page will soon
be updated to announce the Forum.) Information about each event will
continue to be sent electronically to everyone on this list, provided that
you keep us updated on any changes in your email address.

All of our events will be open to the public, indeed, it is the people of
central Pennsylvania whom we seek to serve. Most of our events will be also
be free; any exceptions will be clearly indicated when the events are
announced. The first public event sponsored by the Forum will take place
early in the autumn, probably in September.

As we plan our activities for the next few years, we want to know what you
think. What kinds of events would you like to see us sponsor? If you are a
member of the clergy (Christian or Jewish), we are especially interested in
hearing about ways in which we might help you offer programs for your
congregation. If you are a faculty member at another college or university
in central Pennsylvania, we are interesting in hearing your ideas about
possible events we might help sponsor on your own campus-and we invite you
to bring students and colleagues to events on our campus. Dr. Davis can
also help you obtain a matching grant for your own institution, if you are
interested in that possibility. Everyone on this list is invited to share
your ideas and requests with Dr. Davis.

To facilitate the sharing of ideas, we invite you as our guest to join Dr.
Davis for dinner at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, April 20, in the Private Dining Room
of the Eisenhower Student Center on the Messiah College campus. After
dinner, Dr. Davis will share some details about our plans, ask for your
comments, and invite your suggestions about the kinds of events you would
like the Forum to sponsor. He will also explain the benefits of becoming a
member of the Forum for $35/year-but this explanation will come with no
pressure to join, and membership will never be a condition for attending our
public events. We expect to finish by 7:30 pm.

If you would like a vegetarian meal or have other dietary requests, please
tell Dr. Davis when your respond to this invitation. Please reply no later
than Monday, April 12, but we would appreciate an earlier response, if
possible, to help us plan for the event. If you are unable to attend, Dr.
Davis would still like to hear your ideas and requests. Please reply to Dr.
Davis at Tdavis@messiah.edu or at 717.766.2511 ext. 6840.
Received on Fri Mar 12 15:02:29 2004