HAWAII

Scientist to speak for Evolution Week

Temple Emanu-El will host a guest speaker Friday on Charles Darwin and his ideas in connection with the international observance of Evolution Week 2009.

David Haymer, professor of cell and molecular biology at the University of Hawaii, will speak at 7:30 p.m. following the weekly Shabbat service at 2550 Pali Highway. The service is open to the public. Haymer said evolution plays a fundamental role in the science of biology, and “;in society at large there has been a great deal of misunderstanding as to what Darwin actually said and what we know about this subject today.”;

In a release, Rabbi Peter Schaktman said hundreds of religious congregations around the country are participating in the Clergy Letter Project to let people know that the theory of evolution does not have to conflict with religious beliefs. Evolution Week has been celebrated annually in the week of Darwin's birthday.

Thursday is the 200th anniversary of the birth of the British naturalist whose observations in his book “;The Origin of Species”; continue to be controversial because some religious groups believe they undermine the biblical story of creation.

Lecture series hosts music expert

A theology professor and author of books about African-American spiritual music and preaching will be the guest speaker in the annual Britt Lectures next weekend.

The Rev. William B. McClain will speak on the theme “;In Search of a Prophetic 21st Century Church”; in the free three-day series, which opens at 7 p.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church, 1020 S. Beretania St.

McClain has taught preaching and worship at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., for 28 years.

As an Alabama pastor, he worked with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 1960s. He is a frequent guest speaker at church and university programs about the civil rights movement and theological subjects.

He is the author of “;Songs of Zion”; and “;Come Sunday: A Liturgical Companion to the Songs of Zion.”; He also wrote “;Traveling Light: Christian Perspectives on Pluralism,”; which was used by Christian churches as a study book on diversity and inclusiveness.

The Britt Lectures will include public talks at 7 p.m. Friday, next Saturday and Feb. 15, and a Feb. 16 morning preaching workshop. Sign language interpretation, child care and parking will be provided. For information call 522-9560 or write .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

The Britt Lectures series is endowed by Dr. and Mrs. Clarence Britt of Tulsa, Okla.