Lanchester Methodist Church has been awarded a Scientists in Congregations grant for their project entitled “The Mustard Seed Microscope” led by church members Kath Jones, Roy Quinlan and Ian Reeve. The grant comes from ECLAS (Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science; https://www.eclasproject.org), an organisation based at St Johns College Durham. Using macrophotography and microscopes, a series of events have taken place during this September and October 2026 in the Lanchester EP primary school (https://www.lanchesterep.durham.sch.uk/web/), 14th North West Durham Boys' Brigade (https://www.facebook.com/lanchesterboysbrigade/?locale=en_GB) and KoGs (https://www.facebook.com/kidsofgodlanchester/). The project aims to foster curiosity and creativity in young minds about the living things in their local environment and to ask questions about the environment and about creation. The project has a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) flavour and whilst the initial activities are aimed at primary and secondary age children in our community, it is designed to be inter-generational and inclusive. 

The Images collected by the three youth groups will form a mini exhibition in Lanchester library on November 7th 2026. We will deliver a Local Arrangement (LA) service in the LMC entitled “A Closeup of God’s Creation” as the theme using the material, experiences and participation of members from Boys Brigade, KoGs and the EP School as appropriate. This service marks a transition point in the project and an opportunity to draw together the first set of activities that use the scientist to bring community into the congregation. 

In February 2027, there will be two more events. Dr Tim Davies will speak at a Saturday Science event in the LMC on Saturday February 6th 2027 that will be open to the whole village, advertised in the Village Voice. The title of his talk is "Small worms, big science! How studying worms can teach us about ourselves”. This will be followed by a visit to the Department of Biosciences (Durham University) to tour their microscopy facilities. 

The grant was awarded by ECLAS (Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science), based in St John’s College, Durham: https://www.eclasproject.org). ECLAS and the Scientists in Congregations grants are funded by the John Templeton Foundation.

The welcome poster for the exhibition is shown below. 

Timetable of Events

Photo exhibition in Lanchester Library of the 12 best photos from Lanchester EP Primary School year 6 classes, KoGs & Boys Brigade junior and company sections.

2nd – 7th November 2026; votes for the “Best of the Best”

7th November 9:30-11:30 am – tea, coffee and biscuits provided to encourage discussion amongst attendees

Morning service (10:30 am) in Lanchester Methodist Church

November 22nd 2026 – to be led by Kath Jones. The image composition that was voted the “Best of the Best” will be announced and a presentation made.

2027 Events for Church and Community in February 2027

February 6th 5:30 – 7:30 pm Saturday Science Event in the Lanchester Methodist Church– Buffet tea and an invited speaker, Dr Tim Davis (Department of Biosciences, Durham University)

February visit to the microscopy facilities in the Department of Biosciences, University of Durham for ALL ages, backgrounds and interests – date and time TBA

Below of some of the images gathered so far in the slide show.