Why start a Hub?
The Science Network exists to help you think through the difference that knowing Christ makes to the way we work and study in the sciences. We think that’s better done in community.
A Science Network Hub is a group of students in the same city who get together to consider what it means to think, live and speak for Jesus as scientists.
Members of a Hub are there to support one another as you grapple with tricky questions from your coursemates, to pray for each other as you seek to live distinctively in your faculty, and to spur one another on to apply the gospel more deeply to all of life.
A Hub is more than just a discussion group: it’s also a mission team. Just as the gospel enriches our study of science, engaging with science can also enrich our evangelism. The discussions you have in your Hub will equip you to have better and deeper conversations with coursemates, and you’ll be part of a team of people who can work together to reach your science faculty with the gospel.
If there are other scientists in your CU who are eager to live out their faith in Jesus in their degree, why not do it together? Read on to find out more about starting a Science Network Hub.
What do you do in a Hub?
Hubs meet regularly to consider what God’s word has to say about how we live and work in science. You might work through a series of studies together, or discuss chapters from a book. There are lots of different resources you can use listed below.
As science students, you have lots of contact hours – so you don’t want to overwhelm people with loads of extra commitments! Meeting once a month is probably about right.
As well as regular meetings, Hubs also do mission together. Perhaps once a term you could host a lunchbar in your faculty, a sci-fi movie night, or a meal with a message?
Here are some other ideas for your local Hub:
- If your CU organises Impact Groups by subject, maybe your science Impact Group could double as a Science Network Hub? Once a month, or for one term a year, you could spend time deliberately thinking about applying the gospel to your studies.
- From time to time, you might want some input from a more experienced Christian in science. Why not ask a scientist from a local church if they could join you for a meeting to answer questions that have come up through the term, or share how they connect their faith with their field?
- Bring your group and meet students from other Hubs around the country at Science Network events like the Autumn Gathering in October, and Word Alive in April.
What is there to help you?
We’ve got plenty of online resources that you can use to facilitate great discussions in your Hub meetings. We suggest you start with either our Think, Live, Speak or Science and Scripture study series, which are sets of six sessions on science and Christianity similar in format to Impact Group material. Each should take about an hour to work through as a group. The series ends with the opportunity for you to host a film night for friends where you can open up conversations about Jesus!
Alternatively, check out these book group study guides.
We also have resources to help you plan evangelistic events as a group, such as these Meal with a Message guides.
Your CU Staff Worker will be an important source of support as you get your Hub started. They can help you think about how a Science Network Hub fits in with everything else going on in your CU, and help you launch your new Hub to other students in the CU. They’ll also help you think about how to pass the Hub on to new leaders well when you move on!
The Science Network Coordinator will be another source of support, providing resources and advice for running your Hub and checking in each term to help you make plans and answer any questions. They’ll also keep you informed of what’s going on in the wider Network so your Hub can hear about events and resources to make the most of.
How do you get started?
First of all, let the Science Network Coordinator know you’re interested in starting a Hub by emailing science@uccf.org.uk ! They’ll help you set up a chat with your Staff Worker where you can think together about how to make a Hub work best in your CU.
Then it’s time to gather some other keen scientists! Consider whether there might be students at other universities in your city who you could invite to join you.
Now you’re ready to get started! We’d recommend using this session for your first meeting – but figure out what works for you!
Got questions about Science Network Hubs that this article hasn’t answered? Get in touch by emailing science@uccf.org.uk and we'd love to help.