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Local chapters of PASTCF carry out the work of the Association in a local context. Click on the chapter's name to see more information or email the convener.
Central Iowa Chapter • Harold Martin, convener
Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church Chapter • Curtis Fritz, convener
Rocky Mountain Chapter • Howard Jansen, president
Is there no local chapter in your area? Why not consider starting one?
The Executive Board encourages the formation of local PASTCF chapters. One of the items listed on the Resources page describes the rationale for and outlines the process of forming a local chapter. Click HERE to download a copy of that paper. For more information, contact PASTCF Secretary-Treasurer, Barbara Pursey.
From the "Rationale" for Local Chapters by Jim Miller
Why Establish a Local Chapter of the Presbyterian Association on Science, Technology, and the Christian Faith? It is probably not obvious, but this is actually two questions. The first is why have any local organization concerned with "science, technology, and Christian faith." The second is why should such a local organization be related to a national level or denomination-wide organization. The answer to the first question is grounded in a matter of principle. The answer to the second is a matter of practicality. In principle, we as Presbyterian Christians are called to be witnesses in the world, through word and deed, of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ. But what world is that? It is the world we have discovered most reliably by means of the sciences that in turn empower our actions through science-based technologies. If our witness is going to be faithful, it needs to be both credible and compelling. So, it can not afford to ignore either science or technology. But who is this we? Certainly we are individual Presbyterian Christians. We are also the Presbyterian Church (USA). But, we are most effectively Presbyterians in community in congregations and presbyteries. If we as Presbyterians are going to attend to science and technology in any genuinely effective way, it will need to occur at the base, in congregations and presbyteries.
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