News Detail
Walking the Slackline
Rev. Bill Queen encourages an open, experiential understanding of faith
“You’ll find this in almost every religious tradition — one very rigid and strict way of approaching faith — and another very flexible, experiential, relationship-oriented way of approaching it,” said the Rev. Bill Queen. “I want to share a vision of faith with you that is more flexible and broad — one that I would define as, simply, openness to God... however you may understand God.”
Queen returned to Trinity to speak on the topic of faith and preside over Trinity’s fall Eucharist service on the morning of Wednesday, September 25. Queen is interim rector at Grace & Holy Trinity in downtown Richmond. He is also the proud parent of three Trinity alumni, Anna '09, Thomas '06 and Philip '12. In his introduction, Trinity’s chaplain, Brian Griffen, also thanked the Queen for introducing Griffen to Trinity some 15 years ago.
His familiarity with the Trinity led him to focus on three words from the Trinity mission that stuck out to him as closely connected to the idea of faith: path, talent and character. “Faith is a path to be followed,” said Queen. “Faith is a talent to be developed. And faith is a major determinant of character.”
Using a visual analogy to illustrate two contrasting views of faith, Queen juxtaposed photos of famous tightrope walkers alongside those of his son Philip’s favorite outdoor pastime, slacklining.
“The narrow and rigid approach to faith is like walking a tightrope… a rigid, unyielding cable that requires professional help. And it is a performance,” he said, “There is no tether or net. It’s dangerous… In contrast… the slackliner is not a professional, he doesn’t use elaborate equipment, the line itself is very flexible and yielding, and the walker is tethered for safety.”
“It's not a performance, it’s an experience,” Queen continued. “This idea of being able to try something and fail and not get hurt — that’s what in Christianity we call God’s grace.”
“Whatever faith tradition you choose to practice.” he concluded, “try approaching it with [the same] kind of broad flexibility.”
Each Monday the school gathers together with a guest speaker, faculty member or student speaker to engage with issues around spiritual life, societal participation and character development. Guest speakers from a broad range of spiritual traditions are invited to create opportunities for inter-faith education and dialog. Students, teachers and guests share their life experiences that may range from community service to mission travel to mindfulness.
Learn more about Chapel & Spiritual Life at Trinity by visiting trinityes.org/chapel.
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Trinity Episcopal School
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