Scientists & Engineers
Discuss Faith
at
DC
Nuclear Conference
Oct 30
–
Nov 3, 2011, Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC
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Engineers and scientists affiliated with the Christian Nuclear Fellowship (CNF) conducted two events at the November 2011 international conference of the American Nuclear Society in Washington, DC. Once again, God used these events to strengthen our faith and to encourage us to function more effectively as salt and light among our colleagues. Selected literature related to integrating our professional activities with our Christian faith was also distributed. Those who participated in leading the events are pictured above. You may find out more about the CNF at http://www.usnuclearenergy.org/cnf/ CNF Roundtable Discussion – Our topic for discussion Monday night was "From Belief in Atheism to Belief in Christ." We first reviewed Oxford scholar C. S. Lewis's journey from atheism to faith, which occurred over several years. His intellectual arguments against Christianity crumbled one by one, as he honestly explored the historical evidence for Christ. His deep friendships with J. R. R. Tolkien and other Christian scholars were instrumental in persuading him to question his previously unexamined beliefs in atheism, as well as the strong evidence for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which he had dismissed outright prior to his friends' influence. We observed that many who once were convinced atheists have followed a similar path when thoughtful Christian colleagues have embraced them with genuine friendship and have patiently and respectfully pointed out the weaknesses in atheistic suppositions, and shared with them the reasons for their belief in Jesus Christ. We were all encouraged to engage in such friendships with our colleagues who claim to believe in atheism, and we should recognize up front that many will not change -that it may take many years and much patience and prayer for some of them to move, one step at a time, from their belief in atheism to saving faith in Jesus Christ. After the discussion, Mr. Ben Cross led us in a time of intercessory prayer. It was a rewarding and enriching evening for all who attended. CNF Prayer Breakfast- The CNF Prayer Breakfast (also known as “The CNF Power Breakfast”) was again a refreshing oasis at the otherwise secular conference. It was a time of joyful worship, as we sang praises to Christ, our Savior, our Lord and Redeemer. It was also an occasion for several thoughtful, topical prayers to be offered by members of the CNF Advisory Committee, including prayers for God's blessing on our work and our industry, and prayers for our effective witness in the world. Finally, we heard a stimulating message brought to us by our guest speaker, Mr. Murli Menon, from India, whose talk was in keeping with the conference theme, “The Status of Global Nuclear Deployment.” Murli's talk, “Globalization and Some of Its Challenges – Nuclear Technology from a South Asian Perspective,” described some of the geo-political realities of his region of the world and some of the challenges for growth of nuclear power in South Asia. Nuclear power is clearly the best option for valid scientific and technical reasons, but many common people are deeply concerned because anything associated with the word "nuclear" is automatically strange and fearfully mysterious in their minds. He also challenged us as Christian nuclear professionals to be faithful spokespersons who patiently and gently explain not only the gospel, but also the benefits of nuclear energy to laymen in simple terms they can readily understand. Many thanks to Murli for coming to speak. Thanks also to Dr. Alan Waltar, Dr. Charley Rombough, Mr. Carl Mazzola and Mr. Vic Uotinen, all of whom participated in leadership of the prayer breakfast. We were especially honored to have Dr. Waltar, Past-President of the American Nuclear Society, with us once again. And also Dr. Charley Rombough, who flew in from China the night before in order to be present at the prayer breakfast. ANS Professional Engineering Ethics Session - Several members of the CNF presented invited papers at a Tuesday afternoon session at the ANS meeting on Ethics in Professional Engineering, sponsored by the Radiation Protection and Shielding Division of the ANS, and organized and chaired by Dr. Rob Hayes. Although not a part of the CNF program as such, we are glad that several CNF members had been invited as speakers. The next national meetings of the CNF are scheduled for June, 2012 in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the American Nuclear Society in Chicago. More specifics will be announced at a later time. Grace and peace, Vic Uotinen |
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Vic Uotinen, CNF Coordinator
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A REPORT ON CHRISTIAN NUCLEAR FELLOWSHIP EVENTS
At 2011 American Nuclear Society Annual Meeting
June 26-30, 2011at Westin Diplomat Resort, Hollywood, FL
Pictured (L to R): Ben Cross, Herb Massie and Nolan Hertel
In keeping with our purpose to glorify God in our professional lives as well as in our private lives, Christian scientists and enginners affiliated with the Christian Nuclear Fellowship (CNF) conducted two Christ-honoring events at the June 2011 annual conference of the American Nuclear Society in Hollywood, FL. Once again, God used these events to strengthen our personal faith in Christ and to encourage us to function more effectively as salt and light among our professional colleagues. It is our prayer that our presence at the conference was honoring and glorifying to Him. You may find out more about the CNF at http://www.usnuclearenergy.org/cnf/.
CNF Roundtable Discussion – Our speaker was Ben Cross (DOE), who spoke to the group on the topic, “Choices, Love and Relationships,” emphasizing the importance of the choices we make daily, and God's call for us to love people as He loves us. Ben urged us to put love into action in all our relationships, especially in our relationships with people in need. This was followed by a time of discussion, led by Nolan Hertel (GA Tech), on how we as Christians should respond to the Fukushima events. One point that was made was that as Christians, we should show compassion by contributing in any way we can to help the survivors and to help Japan recover. This could include financial donations to help the relief effort, and also offering our technical expertise to help as needed (as some CNF members have been asked to do). Another point was that as people whom God has blessed with an education in nuclear science, we should not hesitate to speak out concerning the facts surrounding the disaster, correcting misunderstandings with patience and humility. The discussion was one of the liveliest we have ever had, and we were all engaged and enriched by it.
CNF Prayer Breakfast- The CNF Prayer Breakfast (also known as “The CNF Power Breakfast”) was again a spiritual oasis at the otherwise secular conference. First, it was a time of joyful worship. Second, it was an occasion for prayers to be offered for Japan, and for various needs within the nuclear industry and in the world, and for effectiveness of our witness in the world. Third, it was a time for a message from the Word of God, brought to us by our guest speaker, Herb Massie (Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board). Herb's topic was the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, which he said was prompted by the unusual weather patterns around the world recently (earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, etc.). Some key points Herb mentioned were that no one knows when Christ will return (Matthew 24:36), that the gospel must be preached to all the world as a testimony to all nations before He returns (Matthew 24:14), and that we should always be ready, for we know not when He will return. CNF Advisory Committee members who led in various focused prayers were Carl Mazzola, Charley Rombough, Ben Cross and Vic Uotinen.
The next national meeting of the CNF is scheduled for October 31, 2011, in conjunction with the ANS Winter Meeting in Washington, DC.
REPORT ON CHRISTIAN NUCLEAR FELLOWSHIP EVENTS AT 2010 WINTER ANS MEETING
November 8-10, 2010 at Riviera Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV
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(1) CNF Group Discusses a Christian View of Work – The discussion topic Monday evening was “Performing Our Work With Excellence in Christ’s Name and for His Glory.” In our discussion, it was affirmed that the Bible does not acknowledge any division between the secular and the sacred in the life of Christians. Rather, for believers, every minute of life is sacred, and is lived for God and sanctified by God. As St. Paul writes in Colossians 3:17, we are to do ALL that we do in Christ’s name. And later in that same chapter, Paul wrote that we Christians are to do our daily work “as unto the Lord,” and that He will reward us for faithful service. Indeed, where we work and what we do have been ordained by God, and we are accountable to Him for the quality of our work and for the energy we put into it. Many contributed to a lively and rewarding discussion on this theme. God has placed us in many different occupations in the field of nuclear technology, and as we perform our jobs with excellence, doing our work for His glory, He is glorified. In addition, our witness for Christ among our co-workers will be more credible as a result. This does not mean our work lives will be trouble-free, but we can glorify God by accepting even the difficulties we face on the job in a Christ-like way. After the discussion, Ben Cross of Savannah River Laboratory led us in a time of intercessory prayer.
(2) (2) The CNF Power Breakfast – The CNF prayer breakfast (also known as “The CNF Power Breakfast”) was held Wednesday. Dr. Alan Waltar, well-known global nuclear energy statesman and Past-President of the American Nuclear Society, spoke about the Christian Retreat Center he and his wife have built in the beautiful mountains of Washington state. Alan told of how God has been involved every step of the way – from their initial dream to the purchase of the property, and through several phases of construction. He spoke of many challenges along the way and of God’s faithfulness and of His extraordinary provision to bring the Center to where it is today. The Center is now a great blessing to many people, as it is used by church groups and various ministry groups. We thank God with Alan and Anna for all He has done and pray that the Center will continue to minister to those who come. Those who led in prayers at the breakfast were Carl Mazzola, Bob Wilson, Rob Hayes and Vic Uotinen.
The CNF will meet again at the Summer 2011 ANS meeting in Hollywood, FL.