Faith and Life Sciences Reference Group

Description

Who can keep up with the dizzying pace of developments in life sciences and biotechnology? The Faith and Life Sciences Reference Group revels in sharing ethical reflections on these developments and discerning principles for how best to respond. We are looking for an individual to join this Reference Group to bring The United Church of Canada perspective.

Mandate

The Canadian Council of Churches is a broad and inclusive ecumenical body now representing 26 member churches, including Anglican, Eastern and Roman Catholic, Evangelical, Free Church, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, and Historic Protestant traditions. 

The Faith and Life Science Reference Group (FLSRG) revels in sharing ethical reflections on developments in life sciences and biotechnology and discerning principles for how best to respond. The current priorities for 2021‒2024 for the FLSRG are artificial intelligence, gene editing, and bio-enhancement. 

Beth Baskin, Network Coordinator, Identity and Mission, is the staff resource to the United Church’s representative. Dr. Peter Kuhnert and Dr. Rosemary Meier are the co-chairs of the FLSRG. The group is made up of members who have a background in ministry, theology, ethics, science, or medicine.

Skills and Experience

Representatives on the FLSRG should have an openness and interest in AI, gene editing, and bio-enhancement as these relate to ethics and faith issues. A knowledge base in ethics, theology, and some aspect of science is an asset. 

We are seeking people who are

• critical thinkers, able to make complicated concepts more accessible to the church as a whole
• discerners, who can synthesize information and consider principles to guide faithful responses
• curious, ask questions and seek to understand the implications of evolving technologies on faith and humanity

The representative will be a member of a United Church community of faith or ministry who is

• passionately committed to the calling of the United Church and willing to discern God’s yearnings for this work
• predisposed to collaboration and teamwork
• able to listen and discern
• committed to right relations, the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the vision of becoming an intercultural church, and the journey to becoming an anti-racist denomination
• comfortable with and able to participate in electronic meetings
• able to commit the time required for this responsibility 

Expectations and Term

The term of appointment is three years, beginning November 2024, with the possibility of reappointment for an additional term. The group currently meets monthly on the last Monday of the month from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET, but timing may change depending on group availability. The meetings consist of a mix of learning and reflecting on issues and developing events (such as webinars) and materials.

The representative is expected to attend a United Church orientation to this work and remain in communication with relevant staff throughout their term. 

Learn More

Additional information can be found on the Reference Group’s webpage. 

For more information about this volunteer opportunity, please see the complete description, below.

To Express Interest

To apply for this vacancy, please express interest or nominate someone.

All submissions will be acknowledged by e-mail. If you do not receive acknowledgement, please contact Member Engagement. Incomplete or late submissions cannot be considered.

For further information or assistance in expressing interest or nominating someone, please contact:

Member Engagement
Toll-Free: 1-800-268-3781, ext. 2211
E-mail: 

Downloads

• 44-38 Faith and Life Science Reference Group.pdf (188.7 KB) (PDF)