MEXICO – The Mexico Congregational United Church of Christ is one of only two churches in Oxford County and nine in the entire state that is participating in a service in support of the compatibility of science and religion.
Designated as Evolution Sunday, the Rev. Virginia Snapp-Cunningham said she firmly believes that evolution and belief in God are not exclusive of each other.
“I believe the Bible doesn’t have to be taken literally. God was the greatest scientist. God’s gift to us was the mind. If we don’t use our minds, we are not using the gift He has given to us,” she said.
She is also concerned that all Christian churches are oftentimes lumped together by the media.
“We don’t want to be considered far right. We have a broad range of people, and our church covers many issues, including peace and justice issues,” she said.
Her sermon, set for 10 a.m., will focus on intelligent design as it’s discussed in the news and God’s word.
“I’m hoping people will hear the word of God in a new way with an open mind and an open heart,” she said Thursday.
Besides the Mexico church, which is known as the Green Church, Evolution Sunday will also be officially marked at the Fryeburg New Church. The list of other churches in the state and the nation focusing on Evolution Sunday may be accessed on the Web at http://www.uwosh.edu/colleges/cols/rel_evol_sun.htm.
In addition to the 433 congregations nationwide that are participating in Evolution Sunday, another nearly 10,000 signatures have been collected from Christian clergy in support of a letter confirming the compatibility of science and theory of evolution and the salvation of Christian theology.
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