Anglican bishops, scientists and theologians from across the Communion have gathered at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, USA, to develop local science and faith initiatives and support a new generation of young leaders.
During the meeting (26-30 October), facilitated by the Anglican Communion Science Commission (ACSC), the winners of grants to fund science projects in the Fellowship of Young Anglican Science Enthusiasts (FYASE) were announced.
Formally launched at the Lambeth Conference in 2022, the Anglican Communion Science Commission celebrates science as a God-given resource. It equips churches to collaborate with scientific communities in responding to human need and to contribute Christian ethical perspectives to developments in science and technology. Since it began, the Commission has appointed ‘Lead Science Bishops’ to represent every Member Churches in the conversation and to help connect this work with ministry in their own contexts.
This week's meeting explored topics including artificial intelligence, disaster response and the relationship between scientific discovery and Christian faith.
Award winners - Fellowship of Young Anglican Science Enthusiasts
A major focus of the meeting has been on The Fellowship of Young Anglican Science Enthusiasts (FYASE), an initiative involving young adults aged 18–35 that grew out of the Anglican Communion Youth Network.
Supported by an award from the Templeton World Charity Foundation through the Anglican Communion Office, the initiative provides grants over two years for projects exploring how science and faith can work together in areas such as the environment, healthcare and artificial intelligence. In recent months, the ACSC has promoted the initiative to encourage applications from young people.
During the meeting at VTS, the Commission announced that the following project applications have been successful in obtaining funding for their projects:
From the Diocese of Barishal, United Church of Bangladesh: Green Churches - Young People Caring for Creation in the Diocese of Barishal: seminars on impacts and responsibilities. Project lead: Raul Jobel Baroi, supported by the Lead Science Bishop for the United Church of Bangladesh, the Rt Revd Shourabh Pholia, Diocese of Barishal, and scientist Md. Abdul Karim.
From the Episcopal Church of the Philippines: Sirib Ken Sursuro: Reading Creation through two lenses: A Youth-Led Action Research Project with the SKEP Youth of St. Benedict Episcopal Church. Project lead: Christian O. Ducusin, supported by the Lead Science Bishop for the Episcopal Church of the Philippines, the Rt Revd Hilary Pasikan and scientist Dr Jomar L. Aban.
From the Diocese of Jamaica, The Church of the Province of West Indies: The Caribbean Cultural Knowledge Standard: Setting the terms on which Jamaica’s religious traditions enter artificial intelligence - a first year with the Revival tradition. Project lead: Chad Nehemiah, supported by the Lead Science Bishop for the Church of the Province of West Indies the Rt Revd Garth Minott, and scientist Dr Daniel T. Fokum.
From the Diocese of Calgary, Anglican Church of Canada: AI, Faith and the Future: Community Dialogues on Technology and Christian Wisdom among Young Adults in the Diocese of Calgary. Project lead: Emmanuel Lai; supported by the Lead Science Bishop for the Anglican Church of Canada, the Most Revd Gregory Kerr-Wilson, and scientist Dr. Seyed Hashemisardroud.
The wider programme
The ACSC’s programme has also included a keynote address by physicist Dr William Phillips, entitled Ordinary Faith, Ordinary Science, exploring the relationship between his scientific work and Christian faith. The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D., dean and president of Virginia Theological Seminary and President of The General Theological Seminary, and the Rev. Michael DeLashmutt, Ph.D., senior vice president of The General Theological Seminary, led a session on responding to the rise of artificial intelligence. The Rev. Katherine Grieb, Ph.D., Director of the VTS Center for Anglican Communion Studies, led the Commission in daily Bible studies.
Bishop Garth Minott introduced discussion of the place of faith in disaster response, with a response from Archbishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson. Participants were invited to consider how churches can contribute to preparedness and recovery, including the spiritual and pastoral needs of communities experiencing loss and disruption.
Building on the previous VTS gathering in 2024, participants have also reviewed their activities and worked in regional groups to develop their action plans. Workshops facilitated by Dr Heather Payne encouraged participants to identify partners, resources and practical next steps for initiatives in their own settings.
Reflecting on the VTS meeting
The Rt Revd Dr Matt Brain, Bishop of Bendigo in the Anglican Church of Australia and Co-Chair of the Anglican Communion Science Commission, said:
‘Churches encounter questions about science every day, through healthcare, education, environmental change and the technologies shaping our lives. This gathering has helped us consider how bishops can support their communities to engage with those issues and bring scientific understanding into the service of our neighbours’
Professor Andrew Briggs, Emeritus Professor of Nanomaterials at the University of Oxford and Project Director of the Anglican Communion Science Commission, said:
‘Young Anglicans have much to contribute to the relationship between science and faith. Through the fellowship, we want to give them opportunities to develop their ideas, work alongside their churches and apply scientific knowledge to needs in their communities.’
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D., dean and president of Virginia Theological Seminary and President of The General Theological Seminary, said: 'Virginia Theological Seminary is delighted to welcome the Anglican Communion Science Commission to the campus. It has been a joy to create the opportunity for Communion leadership to reflect on these vitally important questions of our age. The issues facing science, technology, and the environment are global questions, and this is an important global mechanism for conversation. We are delighted to be part of it.'
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