The Theological Colleges Environment Network (TCEN) is delighted to announce that the Science for Seminaries* programme has awarded them a major grant to fund The Elisha Project. Praised as 'creative and strategic', the award assessors recognised The Elisha Project's 'potential for profound impact in theology and the environment'. The four lead people for the project consists of three Cuddesdon Associate Tutors, Revd Margot Hodson, Dr Grace Milton and Dr Tim Middleton, and Dr Martin Hodson, the Principal of Christian Rural and Environmental Studies (CRES) based at Cuddesdon.
The Elisha Project
Named for the prophet who took on the mantle of Elijah, and went on to heal the polluted waters of his city, The Elisha Project is a yearlong, national initiative to resource and empower a new generation of science and environmental theology educators for Theological Educational Institutions (TEIs).
Running from January 2027–January 2028, it will bring together early-career theologians, church leaders and scientists, with mid- and later-career professionals, to create a network of relationships for future projects and collaboration. It will establish the ministry and missional importance of science and environmental theology in participating theological education institutions (TEIs), and strengthen the TCEN network as a resource to provide expertise for all UK TEIs into the future.
Project leads will recruit up to 20 participants, alongside tutors, speakers and mentors. Content will explore scientific issues, including climate change and biodiversity, alongside theological responses with ministry and mission applications. By the end of the project, participants will have the tools to reflect on environmental issues ethically and theologically, and will be equipped to apply their understanding in colleges, ministry and mission, and in the wider national conversation.
Invitation to participate
The project leads welcome enquiries from early-career theologians and TEI tutors, ministry students and early-career church ministers with science background, and early-career scientists with strong Christian commitment and vision to resource the church for science into the future.
Click here for further information, including personnel, programme, timeline and applications.