The community is invited to join The Fountains United Methodist Church in Fountain Hills along with hundreds of other congregations across the country in celebrating Evolution Sunday, Feb. 11.

The celebration is at The Fountains, 15300 N. Fountain Hills Blvd., at 9:30 a.m.

Falling on the Sunday closest to Charles Darwin’s birthday (Feb. 12), this annual celebration of science and religion is an opportunity to reflect on all the ways the knowledge gained from scientific progress benefits religious understanding, according to The Fountains Pastor Rev. David Felten.

“Evolution Sunday is an important part of the United Methodist mission to counter the irrational and ‘anti-science’ stance of some churches,” Felten said in a press release. “Not only does the United Methodist Church officially endorse evolution stating that ‘science’s descriptions of cosmological, geological and biological evolution are not in conflict with theology,’ it has resolved to work to oppose ‘faith-based theories such as creationism or intelligent design,’ in public school science curriculums.”

Felten continues: “Many of the 28% of the population who consider themselves, ‘nones’ (especially young people) have stopped attending church because they consider Christianity to be ‘anti-science.’

“So, Evolution Sunday is an expression of the sincere desire of those who seek to correct that impression, moving forward with an alternative to those who continue to attack science in the name of religion.”

Every day, new scientific discoveries are creating opportunities to learn and grow and be amazed, Felten added.

“Evolution Sunday is a day to affirm the work of the Spirit in the process of evolution and embrace the diversity and complexity of life as a gift of God,” he said.

The Fountains’ Sunday celebrations are at 9:30 a.m. both in-person and on YouTube and Facebook LIVE.

For more information visit weputlovefirst.org or call 480-837-7627.